In a dozen National Hockey League locker rooms already,talk of the playoffs ismuted.There is nary a mention of the pursuit of Lord Stanley. Banter about meaningful May hockey is non-existent. The season has a definitive, non-negotiable end date in early April - certainly not the goal when players reported for training camp several months prior.For teams out of the playoff hunt, motivation exists in different forms that go beyond speeches about the glory of the second season.The number one thing weve talked about is that every day in the National Hockey League is a special day, said Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill, whose Malcolm Koonce Jersey Red Wings are on track to mi s the playoffs for a second straight year.MORE: Devils experiencing ups and downs of NHL playoff raceThere will be days when our players are no longer in the league and theyll wish they had these games in March, regardle s of if they mean tons or dont mean as much in terms of playoff consequence.The Red Wings were recently on the opposite end of the spectrum, making the playoffs an eye-popping 25 consecutive years. Team captain Henrik Zetterberg, who came into the league during that stretch, now finds himself leading a group without such lofty expectations.Its different, but its not that different for us, he said. You have a job to do and you put the jersey Willie Snead IV Jersey on and do your best.Zetterbergs me sage hasnt changed as the lo ses piled up.I expect everyone to focus and prepare themselves as they do for every game. It hasnt been an i sue here for preparation or effort. Its more that we come up short.MORE: NHL Hart Trophy race -- MacKinnon, Hall hold edge in MVP free-for-allThe Montreal Canadiens are Jim Plunkett Jersey another team thats seen its playoff hopes evaporate en route to one of their worst seasons in the past 20 years. While some think that individual competition for goals and points may take over as the primary motivator for players on such a team, thats not always the case.Forwards Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk are neck-and-neck for the teams scoring lead, with Gallagher posting his first 30-goal season. Recently, both shot down the idea that dinner was on the line in a friendly competition of who would win the teams scoring crown.No, and if I had a bet Id bet on him to lead the team in scoring at the end of the season , Gallagher said.Its Maxx Crosby Jersey obviously different this time of year when games have le s meaning this time of year than before, he continued. This wasnt our year, but that doesnt mean you can waste these games.The internal mood of a team can also shift as a season goes sideways.MORE: NHL Rumor Roundup -- John Carlson overlooked, undervalued among potential 2018 free agentsCanadiens defenseman Karl Alzner played the first nine seasons of his career with the Washington Capitals, where making the playoffs was almost routine. He explained that the differences in a teams psyche extend to intermi sion talk.The way you talk in the room is different, he said.Guys are usually just more relaxed, and you find that you talk about plays a little bit more. Youre always working on ways to beat that other team and figure things out. When youre down, guys are a little more tense. Its more, Why aren Richie Incognito Jersey t we doing better. Lets do this.Youre trying to figure out what the problem is instead of figuring out how to beat the other team. Weve been down in so many games this season that we have that conversation more than the, Lets keep it going, conversation.During this rough season, Canadiens coach Claude Julien set his sights beyond the standings, instead focusing on the proce s.Were trying to keep the profe sional approach here by continuing to teach, practicing with a purpose, and going out there and hopefully giving them a chance to make themselves evaluated properly, Julien said.Theyve really acted in a profe sional manner where they come in every game and it matters whether they win or lose.