NHL Wraparound Podcast

In 2024, the Panthers led the Stanley Cup Final 3-games-to-2 with pressure headed back to Edmonton against an Oiler team bent on continuing an historic comeback.

This time around, they head home with a chance to repeat after a commanding 5-2 win at Rogers Place led by a 37-year-old unrestricted free agent whose value is actually increasing.

Vic and Neil hit the key points, including the Oilers decision to start Calvin Pickard in goal plus the apparent lethargy for the home team after a quick turnaround between Games 4 and 5.

This Day in Stanley Cup...

Once a winner is determined Saturday, the Florida Panthers will be within a win of a repeat or the Edmonton Oilers will move to within a victory of being the first Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup in 32 years.

Vic and Neil cover all of the angles from goaltending to special teams as many of the points made in the Final Preview are playing our through the first four games of this series.

The Maple Leafs headline the news with two significant parts of the organization departing...one via free agency on July 1 and...

For the third time in four games, high drama captures the Stanley Cup Final. For the second time, it's Leon Draisaitl delivering in OT for the Oilers as the series becomes a best-of-three on a night where the Panthers appeared primed to go up 3-1.

Vic and Neil break it down as the teams head back to Edmonton with the burning question of who starts in the Oilers net?

In league news, the final three NHL awards - the Hart, Vezina and Lady Byng - were handed out and a rumored trade between the Rangers...

Known more as a long-time analyst for the Vancouver Canucks, John Garrett's career as a professional goaltender was a modest one played out over 12 seasons, 6 teams and two leagues.

As often happens, however, hockey has an odd way of connecting individuals. One previously existed between "Cheech," as Garrett is known and Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe, going back to their days in the World Hockey Association.

Now, after more than 45 years, there's a second connection - one Garrett will enjoy far more than the first...

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Neil Smith...

Not only was Game 3 a rout, but it was also a classic of example of the Florida Panthers being to exercise their style of play in a way which trapped the Edmonton Oilers into a space they didn't want to be in.

With Game 4 on tap Thursday, it's no secret the Panthers will want a repeat and won't be changing a thing while the Oilers look for the heavy pushback with both poise and discipline.

News items include the announcement of the Norris Trophy winner and the increasing possibility of the longest tenured New York...

Game 3 started ugly and it only got worse for the Edmonton Oilers as the Florida Panthers had their way in moving to within two wins of consecutive Stanley Cups.

Oilers/Sportsnet's play-by-play voice Jack Michael's visit with Neil and Vic to look at where it went wrong and what McDavid and Co. need to do to get the series back on the rails.

Afterwards, we touch on a notable retirement and The Human Side of the Story focuses on a correction made by the NHL...over 45 years after the fact.

IN THIS EPISODE:<...

The Final heads from western Canada to the east coast of Florida with an extra day off before the series resumes Monday. Vic and Neil examine what the shift in venue may (or may not) mean with the Panthers grabbing home ice advantage with a double OT win Friday.

We'll also dig a bit deeper into the lone head coaching opening in the NHL and where GM Jim Nill might look next to lead his Stars.

This Day in Stanley Cup History remembers a pair of triple overtime thrillers two years apart. And, as usual...

After a late overtime goal decided the Stanley Cup Final opener, the Oilers and Panthers figured they'd go one period better in Game 2.

After one of the "Sandpaper Seniors" forced extra time for the Oilers, his Panthers counterpart upstaged him to even the series.

Vic and Neil break it down before moving on to "This Day in Stanley Cup History" which has some clinchers and overtime heroics baked in.

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

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

Breaking news opens the show with a change behind the bench in Dallas.

Game two of the Final is on tap for Friday evening with the Oilers having taken the opener in overtime.

Vic and Neil preview the the matchup and lay out the objectives of both clubs as the Panthers look to even the series before heading home to Sunrise for Games 3 and 4.

Also, with AI becoming more prevalent each day, we saw examples on both sides of the border as TNT and Rogers employed very different content in advance of the...

Any questions to how evenly matched the Panthers and Oilers were heading into their Stanley Cup Final rematch was quickly answered as the teams battled for almost 80 minutes before Leon Draisaitl's power play goal decided matters.

Vic and Neil break it all down and also update on plenty of league news, which includes the filling of the last two head coaching vacancies.

This Day in Stanley Cup History takes us back to the 2004 Final and a sixth game which still has Calgary Flames thinking what might have been.

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The Human Side of the Story focuses on the life of a GM as a conference final runner-up. You're close, but not quite there. The hosts discuss the situations moving forward for the Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes. While the objectives to take that next step are the same, the paths they'll need to take are very different.

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/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate...

After almost 14 hundred regular season and playoff games and 14 playoff series, we're in familiar territory as the Florida Panthers will be defending against the same Edmonton Oilers team that took them to seven games last spring.

As he done throughout the post-season, TSN's Craig Button joins Vic and Neil to do a comprehensive breakdown of the finalists.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:39] - The Things You Need to Pay Attention To has all of it's focus on the upcoming Stanley Cup and several sidebar stories to look out for.

[09:10] - The significance of...

Let's say we go for another round. The Edmonton Oilers have been waiting for this moment since June 24 of last year when they fell just short Game 7 of the Final in Florida.

A stunning first eight minutes spelled doom for the Dallas Stars and gives Connor McDavid a second chance to add the one piece of hardware missing from his trophy room.

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/<...

A second period blitz coupled with some late game heroics and, just like that, the Florida Panthers are back in the Stanley Cup Final. Vic and Neil break down the how it came together for the Cats and came apart for the 'Canes.

The Panthers opponent could be determined Thursday evening. If that happens, it will be just the fifth rematch of a Final in consecutive years since expansion. However, the Dallas Stars will be looking to delay the plans of the Edmonton Oilers, who have lost one of their key forwards to shoulder surgery.

...

A day or so after the Rangers seventh game triumph over the Devils in their epic 1994 Eastern Conference Final, Vic made a quick stopover in New Jersey prior to working the Stanley Cup championship series.

In a dimly lit restaurant, he and his folks encountered a hall-of-fame defenseman who created a lasting memory.

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/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL...

The Edmonton Oilers are a win away from returning to the Stanley Cup Final but the win was costly as one of their most effective players will be lost for the remainder of the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes look to stave off elimination for the second time as they host the Florida Panthers in Game of the East Final.

In NHL news, the Bruins appear to have narrowed in on their finalists for the head coaching position and This Day in Stanley Cup History gives a nod to "Mr. Game 7."

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Ken Holland helped build the Edmonton Oilers into a Stanley Cup Finalist. Now he's tasked with leading the L.A. Kings quest in trying to figure out how to take them down next season. The new Kings VP/GM joins Neil and Vic to discuss that plus the conference finals.

"Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To" looks at both the Panthers-Hurricanes and Stars-Oilers series while The Human Side of the Story is a chance encounter a couple of days after one of the most memorable games in Stanley Cup history.

IN THIS EPISODE:<...

Playing in front of a home crowd for the first time in 13 days, the Edmonton Oilers reminded their fans that they are serious in returning to the Final in routing the Dallas starts en route to a 2-1 West Final lead.

For the Carolina Hurricanes, once chance remains to save their season, lest be the victims of a fourth consecutive conference final sweep.

Elsewhere, the United States wins the IIHF World Championship for the first time since Herbert Hoover was president and This Day in Stanley Cup History looks back 33 years ago to a goal...

The sand in the hourglass is quickly running out for the Carolina Hurricanes. After playing straight up for 40 minutes in the third game of the East Final, the 'Canes imploded in Florida and face the steepest of hills to climb.

In the West Final, the Dallas Stars visit Edmonton attempting to regain home ice advantage with the temperature beginning to rise in that series.

This Day in Stanley Cup History features a memorable sendoff for a Hall-of-Famer and...The "Guarantee."

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

After letting Game 1 get away, the Edmonton Oilers made certain not to have an encore performance with a buttoned up shutout to even the West Final in Dallas.

On the East side, Carolina begins the daunting task of trying to get back into their series with a win in Florida.

Once again, a serving of managerial news and Today in Stanley Cup History has several items, highlighted by the 45th anniversary of the N.Y. Islanders first Stanley Cup Championship. A just-dropped NHL Wraparound Special, Doormat to Dynasty takes you from lead up to the...

Their earliest years were, frankly, like those of many expansion teams. A team comprised of marginal talent as part of the 1972 Expansion Draft and the first-year record certainly reflected that.

While the second season saw only slight improvement in the standings, it was the promise of a first overall pick who went on to win the Calder Trophy that laid the foundation of what was ahead.

The third season saw a surprising playoff berth, a stunning opening round win over the veteran team from New York City and an historic comeback against Pittsburgh.

...

The best laid plans for the Carolina Hurricanes to even their East Final with the Florida Panthers were compromised within 77 seconds and nearly completely dashed after 20 minutes. If there was any doubt the defending champions have no intention of giving up their title, Game 2 was Exhibit A.

Also licking some wounds: the Edmonton Oilers. Vic and Neil will take a look at the West Final and what the Oilers need to do in Dallas in order to bring the West Final back home even.

More front office and coaching news is on the menu and...

For two periods, the Edmonton Oilers had the opening game of the Western Final in a perfect place. A solid road performance, a quiet building and a two-goal lead.

20 minutes and five goals later, McDavid, Draisaitl and Co. were left stunned as to how Game 1 ended up as a win for Dallas.

in the East Final, Rod Brind'Amour is tasked to find a quick solution for their second game against a Panthers team appearing to strengthen as the playoffs progress.

There's some intriguing front office rumblings and This Day in Stanley Cup History...

A day before the sixth game of the Winnipeg-Dallas second round series, Jets star forward Mark Scheifele was informed his father, Brad, had passed away unexpectedly. The following morning, Scheifele advised head coach Scott Arniel that, after speaking with his mom, he would play that night as he believes his dad would have wanted him to.

Scheifele's performance was strong and inspiring despite the difficult end to the Jets season. It's something we've seen before where competing is both cathartic and a distraction in dealing with grief.

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Neil...

A mere 48 hours after taking the deciding game in Toronto, the defending champion Panthers impose their will on the Hurricanes in the East Final opener.

Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars prepare to meet in the West Final for the second consecutive spring with Oilers getting some encouraging news on a key defenseman.

A healthy bit of league news to update and This Day in Stanley Cup History marks the Final Stanley Cup for one of the great dynasties the NHL has known.

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Neil Smith...

We're halfway home. Two rounds are in the books and Neil and Vic are pleased to be joined once again by long-time TSN analyst Craig Button to tackle the Conference Finals.

"Three Thing You Need to Pay Attention To" takes a quick look back at the seventh game between Florida and Toronto which secured the Panthers third straight trip to the East Final against a Carolina team they swept two springs ago.

In "The Human Side of the Story," we focus on the Jets Mark Scheifele, who played the sixth game of the Dallas series...

So much for a different result in Toronto. In a season where strides were made in winning a division title and getting out of the first round, dreadful performances at home in Games five and seven against the defending champion Panthers became their undoing.

Now, let the questions begin. What happens at the top of the managerial food chain? What happens to the "Core Four?" One thing is for certain: It will not be a boring summer in Canada's hottest hockey hotbed.

This Day in Stanley Cup History looks back at the first expansion team...

It is not often an overtime series clincher has to take a back seat to more important things in life. Unfortunately, that's what happened as the Dallas Stars advanced to the Western Conference Final eliminating the Winnipeg Jets, a team playing with heavy hearts following the passing of Mark Scheifele's dad Friday evening. The game illustrated how exhilarating...and how cruel sports can be.

After a rare day off, Vic and Neil also look back to the Maple Leafs surprising Game 6 win in Florida and what to look out for in Sunday's deciding game as the Carolina...

The Carolina Hurricanes join the Edmonton Oilers as conference finalists while the Winnipeg Jets put in a stellar performance to stave off elimination and head back to Dallas to try to do something they have yet to do in the post-season: win a road game.

Vic and Neil look ahead to Friday's sixth game in Florida where the Maple Leafs will look to save their season coming off a dreadful game five performance.

This Day in Stanley Cup History gives some love to the Detroit Red Wings. While the franchise hasn't been in the playoffs...

The Edmonton Oilers have secured the first seat in the conference finals by virtue of a hard-fought overtime win in Vegas while the Maple Leafs barely put up a fight in dropping their third straight to the defending champion Panthers.

Vic and Neil and also preview a pair of fifth games on Thursday as the Hurricanes and Stars look to join the Oilers.

Plenty of front office news as head coaching vacancies are filled in Philadelphia and Vancouver while This Day in Stanley Cup History looks at a pair of Game 7 OT winners - just...

Hockey is life. It's been in the blood of both hosts from a very early age, has been a core component of both of their professional careers and it's the foundation of their NHL Wraparound venture.

As in life, relationships which have been built and re-connections which have been made is something neither takes for granted as their current project continues to evolve.

Hockey has been a gift which keeps on giving.

And it begins with people.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

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

It's been a dozen years since the winner of the Presidents' Trophy has gone on to win the Stanley Cup. Unless the Winnipeg Jets can pull off three straight victories over the Dallas Stars - including one on the road where they have yet to win this post-season - they will join a long list of teams whose regular season success has fallen in the playoffs.

We'll preview a pair of Wednesday games as Edmonton looks to be the first team to reach the conference finals while Toronto and Florida face off in a pivotal Game 5.

There's never a shortage of close calls, controversy and players skating the line - occasionally going over it - in the chase for the Stanley Cup.

We're at the halfway of the point in round two. With emotion and intensity continuing to rise, Neil and Vic welcome back a voice of reason, someone to bring down the heat: former NHL referee and current rules analyst for ESPN, Dave Jackson.

Later in the show, we do the deeper dive into all four conference semi-final series and in "The Human Side of the Story," after more than...

If you ever want to know what Florida Panther hockey looks like when it's executed to the max, Sunday's series tying victory over Toronto is one-stop shopping.

In Dallas, the Stars moved ahead of Winnipeg, adding to the Jets road misery during the 2025 playoffs.

We also have a note on history in the PWHL and This Day in Stanley Cup History looks back at the "Monday Night Miracle" in 1986.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

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

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

In a post-season about three weeks old, comebacks, drama and odd bounces have been in abundance. Add to it the scene in Edmonton Saturday evening when the Golden Knights may have saved their season on a buzzer beater.

In Raleigh, the Hurricanes shook off a sluggish first half of the game to move ahead of the Capitals.

Sunday's action resumes in Dallas and Florida and This Day in Stanley Cup History takes a look back at a famous "spin-a-rama" and the actual origins behind the name.

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...

Two very different games Friday with overtime drama in Florida settled by a one who manages to stick in the craw of the Maple Leafs almost every spring. Meanwhile, the Jets were dominant from start to finish in evening their series with Dallas as Connor Hellebuyck picked up his first post-season whitewash in four years.

Vic and Neil also hit on Saturday action as second round games shift to Carolina and Edmonton.

This Day in Stanley Cup History focuses on the good and the bad for the Boston Bruins. Joy in 1970. Despair nine years later.<...

Both needing a win after dropping their second round series openers, the Capitals prevailed while the Golden Knights fell short amidst controversy.

That word also rings true in Anaheim where Joel Quenneville has been named the Ducks head coach after almost four years from his last game behind an NHL bench.

This Day in Stanley Cup history looks back at the game which turned the 1974 Stanley Cup Final.

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

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

...

Should the Conn Smythe Trophy be handed to Mikko Rantanen after just eight post-season games? Maybe so after the Moose collected his second consecutive hat trick to help the Stars get the jump on Winnipeg in the opening game of their second round series.

Over to eastern Canada where the Toronto Maple Leafs are giving actual hope to their championship-starved fans for the first time in over three decades as they win a second straight one-goal game over the defending champion Panthers.

Finally, isn't Stanley Cup hockey supposed to be more defensive as the spring...

There is an expectation which comes with watching professional athletes that - both men and women - are often looked at to perform with robotic efficiency.

As we all know, it doesn't exactly work that way.

In the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck fought the St. Louis Blues, fought the puck and fought himself for two weeks. A mental thing.

In other instances, a decision in an eyeblink on the ice or one coming from behind the bench can flip the fortunes of a team.

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There's a quick sense of urgency in Washington and Vegas as the Hurricanes and Oilers carried play for much of the night in a pair of conference semi-final openers.

The question in Toronto is whether Anthony Stolarz returns to the net after having to leave Game 1 with the Panthers while the Jets and Stars get their series underway in Winnipeg.

This Day in Stanley Cup History brings it home. The Big Rig nets his biggest goal in the city where he was born.

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Neil Smith: https...