Episode 101 - Stanley Cup Final Preview - May 31, 2026

It started in early October and are now at the finish line where a new Stanley Cup champion will be crowned within the next two weeks.

The Carolina Hurricanes have marched into the Final requiring just 13 games to earn their spot while the Vegas Golden Knights have gotten stronger each round to take their place.

Neil and Vic are once again joined by TSN's Craig Button for analysis and predictions as both franchises seek their second Stanley Cups.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:07] - Craig Button joins the show and dives right into the Stanley Cup Final whether Vegas might be more battle tested given their path to the championship series.

[06:37] - The prospect of Carolina still being able to execute the relentless style of play against a Vegas team fresh off smothering the Presidents' Trophy-winning Avalanche.

[10:19] - The areas that Craig and Neil see where both clubs could be exploited by the other.

[14:52] - Intangibles. Something we might see by series end that isn't necessarily visible early on.

[17:59] - The ongoing saga with the Golden Knights refusing to allow former head coach Bruce Cassidy to speak with other teams about a head coaching position while still under contract to the VGK for another season at 4.5 million.

[23:28] - Updated standings and predictions among the three "experts" with some fun dropped in.

[35:19] - The family of Claude Lemieux has announced that the former player's brain will be donated to the Boston University CTE Center for research. Lemieux died by suicide May 28, though the family has cautioned no conclusions should be drawn through their gesture.

[37:18] - The passing of Dennis Hull May 30, brother of the "Golden Jet," Bobby Hull, his shot was perhaps the most feared of any player in the late '60's and early 70's.

[38:42] - Stanley Cup Final schedule.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

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