"You know, it's cool," Lundqvist said. "It's not only for the kid who's sick, it's for the whole family. They all go through it. They all looked excited to be here and be here [Monday] when you talked to them. A lot of times we don't have to do much to change someone's life or give them some energy. Today, a bunch of guys went up to talk to them and said hello. Hopefully that goes a long way for them and give them some energy. It's good to have them here."
For Lucas, who's mildly autistic, it's a second lease on life after defeating the cancer that interrupted his involvement with cross-country when he had trouble breathing while running and a swollen lymph node in his neck, all before he began 10th grade. The radiation and chemotherapy were arduous and caused him to lose weight, hair and energy, but never his inner strength.
The results of a scan Lucas had in July were clean and he's scheduled for another one in January, also expected to be all-clear.
"It may take several years or the rest of his life to comprehend how much he's accomplished and overcome," Matt said. "I do think that him being able to overcome this illness has given him a level of strength and showed him he has abilities that he never quite realized that he had.
"It's absolutely wonderful. We're completely grateful for everything and grateful for everyone who helped us achieve the outcome."
And for the Pennachis, the Winter Classic will be a bow on Lucas' first trip to New York, one that saw them visit Times Square, the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center and the Museum of Natural History.
"To come out to the Winter Classic, it was the No. 1 thing that we can think of," Miranda said. "To come here and be in New York City, to be here New Year's Eve, and the whole experience with the teams, this is absolutely our No. 1 choice to come out and do this. We're very, very lucky to be here."