It's not like the Golden Knights are unaware of the standings, either.
Even Gallant hints at the playoffs as he avoids the word.
"The first half means nothing if you don't pick it up in the second half and you don't go to the ultimate goal," Gallant said. "Keep working hard, playing hard, and get as many points as we can, and we'll see where it takes us."
Ultimate goal? Get as many points as we can? See where it takes us?
Hmmm.
But at some point during the hot start, as reporters started to bring up the subject, Gallant instructed his players to avoid it. When one slipped, Gallant joked he would fine him. At least it seemed like he was joking.
And it makes sense on multiple levels. The Golden Knights have had success with one-game-at-a-time focus. They have a lot of youth, a lot of players in higher roles than they're used to. It's only going to get harder from here as the race heats up in the second half.
"You don't want to jinx anything, I guess," said goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins. "I think we've talked about it, though: Focus on the next game.
"We still have a young team, and it's important nobody's taking their mind off our goal. That's winning the next game. That's where our focus has to be. If we do that -- get ready for one game at a time -- I think we'll create good habits, confidence, and when playoffs rolls around, we'll be ready."