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Chris
The Stanley cup final, the final series, the final handshake line. The final chance to have your heart
Zach
broken or watch your team make history.
Chris
For the next few weeks, nothing else matters.
Zach
No work, no sleep, tons of group chat, meltdowns after every goal.
Chris
It comes down to two teams. The Carolina Hurricanes chasing their first Stanley cup in 20 years, and the Vegas
Zach
Golden Knights, the young franchise going for their second cup in nine years.
Chris
Two fan bases, two cities, one cup.
Zach
And while the rest of the hockey world watches from home, we're hitting the road. From opening puck drop to the moment the Stanley cup is raised.
Chris
Every city, every game, every unforgettable moment will be there.
Zach
Outside the arenas, inside the arenas with
Chris
Hurricanes fans who have waited years for this run.
Zach
And Golden Knights fans ready to turn Vegas into the center of the hockey universe once again.
Chris
Nobody does the playoffs like hockey fans, nobody travels like hockey fans. And nobody loses their minds quite like hockey fans.
Zach
So whether you're chasing your first cup
Chris
or adding another banner to the Raptors, we've got you covered.
Zach
Lyles on the road, voices nearly gone,
Chris
probably a few terrible decisions along the way. Exactly how the Stanley cup final should be.
Zach
One trophy, one champion, one last push.
Chris
The Stanley cup final starts now.
Zach
An empty netters is coming with. We are live. And we are back, baby. Empty netters live. Post game four. Brought to you by BETMGM here in the beautiful park mg. Sir, can we all just take a quick moment and be so grateful and be so thankful for the unbelievable action and unbelievable series that we are dealing with right now?
Chris
This is the greatest hockey series of all time. I am hard pressed to think. I'm sure people can dig it up, better ones, but my God, no. This is the greatest hockey series of all time. And everyone talked shit and they were wrong.
Zach
You just simply cannot. You simply cannot tell me the only people who aren't having a blast right now are the fans. Are the actual fans, Vegas fans and Carolina fans. Because this is just so hectic. But if you are just an unbiased fan of hockey watching this series, it genuinely does not get better. We are breaking records left and right. First time in the history of the Stanley cup final that both teams have scored three goals or more through every single game. Through four games. Yeah.
Chris
Which is crazy.
Zach
Unbelievable.
Chris
Okay, I want to get ahead of something. In the chat there was. We did our darkest shit. We did our Monday show. I mean, that's the. That's the thing. And people are going, everybody. Matthew's going, turn on overhead light. And then the Monday show, everyone's like, it's a backlit. Here's the thing.
Zach
In Vegas, it looks so bright on our test screen. And I'm looking at the YouTube. It looks dark as shit.
Chris
Live from an interrogation room in Vegas. We don't get we're in a hotel. Like, we are in a. We're in a hotel room with literally every light on in the room and lights, like production lights shining on us. That's. That's the reality in an Airbnb. We can do whatever we want in the hotel room. This is what you get.
Zach
This is the darkest thing I've ever seen on the YouTube. I.
Chris
Well, this is what you get.
Zach
This is what you get. I mean, I guess. I guess this is what's up. But that is funny.
Chris
Yeah, it's hilarious. But this is what I'm saying. You can either get lives right after in the dark, or you can not get lives.
Zach
It is funny. Hotel rooms just have the shittiest lighting of all time, which is. And this is Park. MGM is incredible. Yeah. But there's just no such thing as overhead lighting and bright light. It is just like, hey, deal with what you got. You are in a dimly lit room
Chris
at all times, which is nice. But when I'm trying to go to sleep, they feel so bright if they're on. I'm like, jesus, that is fair. And then when I'm trying to podcast, I'm like, oh, my God, it's pitch black.
Zach
Hey, that is fair. I mean, it. Listen, it is what it is, folks. We're here in this beautiful hotel. It's got sexy ass lighting because it is netters after dark. And we're here.
Chris
Greg goes. Greg goes. Empty netters in the dark.
Zach
Empty netters in the dark. I mean, it is. I wish you guys could see the spotlight that I'm staring at.
Chris
Yeah, I can barely see.
Zach
It is literally blinding me. And this is still what's going on.
Laura
Also, like, we have the gain all the way up. Like, we. This camera is boosted as high as it can go.
Chris
My computer was pretty. Like, I just didn't have my brightness up that high. Oh, okay.
Zach
That makes it looks a little bit better. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, listen, like, where you're getting us from a late night hotel room. What more could you want?
Chris
Yeah, exactly. And then we tried to put this up, but then the.
Zach
Don't do it. Don't, like, do it.
Chris
Blinds you, you know? So it's like, we got a lot. We're doing. We're doing it. Yeah, we're doing it.
Zach
We're going to jump into this game, folks. Unbelievable. Unbelievable action. Four games in a row. Great action. We're here boots on the ground in Vegas. We come in there, we get another over. We get an Ers point.
Chris
The over is automatic.
Zach
The over is automatic, man. I mean, this is just everything that you could want. Dude, it's drunk hockey. It's cracked out hockey. It is. It is what it is. It's every game.
Chris
So I want to talk maybe right away about. Actually, I want to talk about that. That second line, the Halsey Blake Stank line. Because they were the talk of the Canes playoff run for a long time. And I don't think they've been bad at all, but they kind of went away from being so dominant.
Laura
Yep.
Chris
I thought this game was back to that line being fucking incredible. And Stank back on his bullshit of I score in the first two minutes of every game.
Zach
Yeah, Stank back on his bullshit. The interesting thing about this series is there's a lot of players who are doing great. That's getting people fired up. But then there's a lot of players that need to be doing more. Yeah. And after. Listen, we're more than halfway through the series. Okay. It's time for a little bit of tough talk on certain players because it's. There's. There's only so many games you can go before someone's gotta wake up.
Chris
Yes.
Zach
And listen, this game, you needed to win, no doubt about it. Carolina. And you come in and you get that first goal. Incredible. Boom. You get a power play. Two, nothing. Yeah. And it's like, all right, everything you wanted. But we've seen this disappear in the
Chris
past, including on that power play, a bussy breakaway save, you know, where you're, like, shorthanded on the pk. Oh, my God. Yep.
Zach
Mark Stone eventually got that one back.
Chris
Sure did.
Zach
But it's like this game starts exactly as you want for Carolina. Yes. Two, nothing. Stank gets it going and then stall with the. With the power play. Goal. Yeah.
Chris
No, that first one was Blake, I think.
Zach
Oh, it was Blake.
Chris
Yeah.
Zach
And that was beautiful, dude.
Chris
That. I'm pretty sure that wasn't a power play. Like, it's not coming up anywhere.
Zach
No, no. I don't think it was justified. I think it had just expired.
Chris
But I'm counting that as power play goal. Because that's what. That's where it happened. Vulnerable minute. Yeah.
Zach
It was the end of the power play. The guys are buzzing around that. That passing play was bang, bang, bang, right through the slot. Blake back Door ripped it in. Unbelievable. Yeah. So off the bat, I just can't get over how this game starts. 2 nothing. Carolina's all over them and it's still like, well, is this gonna last?
Chris
Dude, I. And I'm not saying I wanted Vegas to win at all. I'm just saying I hammered an immediate five bet Vegas regulation win. Only because I was like, I've seen this movie three times. Like, there's no way that Carolina just wins this game without it at least being tied.
Zach
Correct. And it's like we get the. We get the breakaway for Stone on the pk. Great save by Bussy. And. And right after this statement. Well, let's just quick, not quickly. Let's immediately jump into the goalie situation. Sure. But great save by Bussy. And then after it goes to nothing, Stone gets another breakaway and scores on this one.
Chris
What a goal. I gotta say, What a goal. What a goal for Mark Stone.
Zach
Let's talk about fucking Brandon Bussey.
Chris
Yep.
Zach
Comes in in game three plays great. So many saves. The one goal that goes in is the crazy deflection. We were talking about it this morning. We were talking about it with Wyatt Russell. If you didn't see Wyatt Russell on Stanley cup live popping on with us, make sure to check that out. Why it's the best. Had unbelievable goalie breakdowns we talked about last episode. I think you should start Bussy.
Chris
Yes.
Zach
Now, turns out I was right. Bussy starts and Carolina gets the win. But it wasn't the. The greatest performance. It was. It didn't go perfectly. Well, the crazy part about it is Rod keeps everything close to the vest. Just speak to him. Zach. Chris would like a surfside. Yeah. Rod keeps everything close to the vest. Eventually we get to game time. Brandon Bussy is starting. P is the backup. Freddy is health bombs.
Chris
That was shocking.
Zach
People are talking about, was he injured? Is he in concussion protocol? Rod says after the game he was like, he needed a rest Y. And when we wanted to give him a rest, it needed to be a full rest. Yep. So he was out of uniform, taking a break. That is fucking nuts. Because obviously I don't think you health bomb Freddy every game, but here we go, dude. Freddy has been very subpar this series. You don't start him. Bussy goes in. Bussy gets the win. How do you go back to Carolina and not start Brandon? Busy.
Chris
Oh, I have news for you, pal. And maybe, maybe they. Because did you already say what you think happened to him? Like, in terms of potential?
Zach
I was saying he might be in concussion.
Chris
Okay. Yeah. So I'm with you on that. I think, dude, there's a chance he. He becomes the backup again. Like, they dress him moving forward. But you have. You will not see Freddie Anderson for the rest of this series.
Zach
You don't think so?
Chris
Firm opinion. You will not see Freddie Anderson.
Zach
I completely disagree. I think it'd be crazy. And I know that you disagree too,
Chris
unless you're saying busy, gets pulled mid game because he's getting lit up. No, but if I don't see Freddie Anderson, this.
Zach
This was maintenance is what they're saying. Yep. Maintaining him. What if you go back to Carolina Bus, he starts and gets lit up like a Christmas tree. And telling me you don't go back to Vegas and start Freddy. No, I think I. I think.
Chris
I think there's a catastrophic one fair. I think if it's literally like, you know, six or seven goals go in, I'm like, okay, yeah, he gives up, you know, four. I think it's busy the rest of the way.
Zach
I think you're nuts if you think that.
Chris
Okay, then you think I'm nuts, which is fine. I'll take that. But I think it is, barring catastrophic thing, it is busy the rest of the way because I think Freddie might be hurt. And also Freddy's been bad.
Zach
But it's like you're seeing the stat right now. It's up on there, you know, 17 saves, three goals against.850 save percentage. She got the win. That's amazing. And also, Brandon Bussey is so fucking awesome. I'm so happy for him, seeing his parents in the stands. Yeah.
Chris
So sick.
Zach
Empty net, goal, go in. It's all amazing. It's a great story, but I just. I don't know. I think if you lose in Carolina and it is a even kind of bad loss, this is the first not one goal game we've seen.
Chris
Yes.
Zach
Yeah.
Chris
Cause the empty netter.
Zach
Yeah. So if you go, you know, four, one Vegas in Carolina, you go three, nothing. Anything like that. I think that it's definitely a. Like, do we just go back?
Chris
Yeah, I hear you. I'm just telling you what my opinion is. Like, I think they're going. It's busy the rest of the way. Barring a catastrophe, which is possible.
Zach
Yeah.
Chris
So I'm giving myself an out. But I just think that they play more confidently in front of Bussy. He's played and, and, and, dude, count me among the people that I don't think Bussy played that well today. Yeah, they got the win. But I agree he. That Vegas had what, 19 shots? 20 shots. Three of them went in.
Zach
Really.
Chris
Four of them went in, if you count the McNabb thing. Because that was 100% Bussy trying as hard as he can to stop that.
Zach
And he did. He didn't stop it. So I was like, keep in mind, people, that is not Chris saying that that was a goal. He was saying that that was a rate of play where everyone was playing and trying and a goal went past him.
Chris
Yes. So I'm like, I think if you're a lot of Canes fans were going, give me Bussy. And we're going to get a. We're going to get a 41 win and bus is going to be great. You did not get that. You basically got the same thing that's always happened where Vegas scores a lot of goals against you guys.
Zach
Correct.
Chris
So I actually think he did not play well, but I thought he played better than Freddy has played. And I just think the team loved it. They were happy and they go and we won. I think you're getting Bussy rest of the way, barring a catastrophe.
Zach
Yeah, I hear you. So then Jordan style gets a power play goal all in the first period. We have four goals in the first period. And this is just. Listen, Jordan Stahl being one of the top scorers on this team in these playoffs was not something that people predict at all. Dude. And stalls. He gets it. And also on top of it, it's another power play goal. We've got a good run of power play here for the Canes.
Chris
Oh, buddy.
Zach
Because again, that Blake goal, in my opinion, came from the power play. Came from the possession. And the good zone situation by Carol. Now, I'm personally counting that. And. And I'll tell you this, the guys on Carolina are going. That was the power.
Chris
Yeah, Vegas guy wasn't even in the zone yet. It's.
Zach
It's a.
Chris
It's five on four in the zone.
Zach
Yeah. So Stall gets a power play goal going into the second. Canes are up 3:1. You're feeling great. And then here we fucking go, man. You start the second period. 4 minutes, 22 seconds in. Great play by Mitch Marner, who continues to keep buzzing. Great possession entry from the neutral zone. Gets it out to Rasmus Anderson, who does a great wheel around the net perfectly. Finds Wild Bill cutting in one t Bus. He doesn't see it at all. Goes five hole. And it just felt like, you know, within five minutes of the second period one goal game, the Barn's going fucking berserk. And you're Just like Willis is getting tied and.
Chris
And essentially McNabb had just scored. So it was really like two goals in five minutes. And I was like, oh, my God, dude. Like, I cannot believe this is happening again.
Zach
Correct. And just to. To fast forward, you know, good little back and forth. I feel like in the second period there. And then, the hottest fucking goal scorer on planet Earth, Brett Howden, nasty. Like, drag, snap, cheddar, top cheese, tie fucking game. Yep. Brett. Brett fucking Howden. Big game Brett.
Chris
Yep.
Zach
Being on a five year, I think $2.5 million contract, we talk about all of the fucking things Vegas has pulled off that contract is insanity.
Chris
Agree. But also, I don't want to go too crazy, and I fucking love that kid, and I'm so excited. Oh, yeah, but he had, you know, 12 goals in the race. But don't you want to know? Just, you don't want to go too crazy because I've seen people overreact to a playoff run and go, oh, my
Zach
God, Christopher, I hear you, but, like, he's big game Brett for a reason that did not start this year. He is. He is big game Brad. Here he is. Sam Bennett.
Chris
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Zach
He is Sam Bennett. And I'll tell you what, we're gonna see Florida in the final next year, but you pay Sam Bennett and also everyone who was like, sleeping on Sam Bennett's. I think Sam Bennett had a career year this year.
Chris
Yeah, he did.
Zach
Yeah. Like, his slow start, people were like, oh, yeah, that contract. I'm like, he then had a career year. We had a year where Florida was bad. You got Brett Howden 2.5 mil a year. I'll pay for. I'll pay that all day for fucking 15 goals in the playoffs, in the regular season. Like, give me a fucking break. It's insane.
Chris
All right, hold on. Let me hit an ad real quick. And then I got something to say about the. The special teams for Vegas.
Zach
Hit it.
Chris
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Zach
What do you gotta say?
Chris
The. You were so sharp on that canes when I think it was game two, they got the power play goals and you're like, oh, just be careful. And like you just said, the canes power play has been humming since. Yep, Vegas has had. I don't. Oh no. They finally got one in game three. It was that first goal, the hurdle goal. But somebody do the math here. I'm pretty sure Vegas is one for like 12 or something on the power.
Zach
That is not good.
Chris
And dude, they had that one in the second period where they win the draw. And Stall breaks his stick on the draw and they literally had the puck for a minute and 30 with a five on three, basically.
Zach
So I guess we can get into it now. That power play was so many people. When Mitch Marner joined Vegas, the knock on the play was, you've now got Mitch Marner and Jack Eichel, two guys who always look to pass. The common comment was, someone's got to shoot the puck, boys.
Chris
Yep.
Zach
That power play was a prime example of those two just passing it back and forth. Yep. There was a couple like Marner slid it back for a one tee and Jack's just doing like the hard catch move. And listen, he's moving great out there. He took one shot that didn't quite get through. But when your power play is so porous like it has been. How many times do we say it to these guys? Fucking shoot the puck. And we. We're saying to. To Ikes against Colorado and you know when Colorado looked like they were going to win that game too, then he fucking rips that one off the bar to tie it up. Yeah, then they go and win. Those are the moments where you're like, shoot the puck, Jack.
Chris
Yeah, I keep talking, I might have a crazy step.
Zach
And it's. It's Just crazy because, you know, we've been talking all playoffs, especially after they've blanked Colorado, about how Jack Eichel is top five player in the league and it's time everyone fucking recognized. But at the end of the day, folks, we're through four games. Jack Eichel has two points in this series and he has two goals in these playoffs. Yeah. You are tied 2, 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes, who are the number one team in the east all fucking year long. And they have swept and gentlemen, swept their way to the Stanley Cup Final. This is a great fucking team. But when we're talking about Jack Eichel, how I believe we should be talking about him. Yep. You need to step up. And we'll. Once we wrap up the going ons of this game and we get into more of the bigger things happening, this is one of them. Yeah, that. That. That is a dude. When you are. You have two points in this series. You're one of the best. You are the best player on this team. Yeah, you. You have got to be ripping the fucking puck. Mitch Marner is doing his job. He's scoring goals. He made a great play tonight. That gets them on the board. Jack has got to take over game here. No question about it.
Chris
I'm with you, man. 1 1. Someone in the chat says Vegas's power play looks so much better than Carolinas. Vegas just hasn't scored. And the Cane score on their one shot per power play.
Zach
Doesn't matter.
Chris
No, I think that's what they're saying.
Zach
And I. Oh, okay.
Chris
And I've never seen. I remember the Ducks.
Zach
It might have been Ducks Vegas, but
Chris
it might have been Duck Oilers, where I was like, I've never see. Remember they were getting chirped for just passing on the perimeter. And then eventually cutter was just like, pass it to me and I'll shoot it. And then people were just put shooting in the rebound and I was like, get pucks on net. I know it's the stupid cliche, but it's so.
Zach
Also, no, no disrespect to any of these Go Tenders. In what world are you not spraying? This is the worst goaltending we've ever seen in the Stanley Cup Final. Look at. And that's not a chirp, it's a fact.
Chris
Yeah, well, it can be a chirp
Zach
because we have never seen this many goals. Like I said at the top, first time in Stanley cup history that we have seen both teams score three goals or more in every single game up to this point. Shoot everything Especially on the power play.
Chris
Yeah. Like, you've got.
Zach
You've got Mark Stone, you've got Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, Wild Bill, you've got Theo on the point. Spray pucks at these goaltenders.
Chris
How many power play goals do you think Eichel had this year? This is a stat I have for you.
Zach
Oh, my gosh. Five one. Yeah. I mean, it's not. Yeah. It's not surprising. It's like, dude, he didn't score that many goals this year. What do you have, like, 27 goals?
Chris
Yeah. One power play goal like that is batshit.
Zach
But again, it's Jack's the. The setup man. He's always looking for that extra pass.
Chris
Yep. We.
Zach
We talk about it too often. Jack has a. Has an elite shot shoot.
Chris
It makes no sense.
Zach
And that is what the Vegas bench needs to be saying to this guy, especially when you're in this situation. So we get into the third period, and Jordan Stahl, again, unbelievably brutal turnover by Vegas.
Chris
Oh, my God.
Zach
And that. That goes into what I will say this. This was Vegas's worst game of the series.
Chris
This Vegas.
Zach
I don't. I don't. Horrible. I. I do not care that they did what they do. Totally fine being uncomfortable, playing from behind, playing down. They clawed back. They tied the game up. They always do it. They looked bad tonight. This was their worst game of the series. No question. And a great example of that was the Jordan stall goal to take the lead back 4 3. Shea Theodore. Very uncharacteristic mistake. Brutal turnover from behind the net. I kept calling it a Brooklyn controller play. Yeah.
Chris
Yeah.
Zach
I don't know what he saw, but he's looking up ice. I think he sees something. The neutral zone. He goes to make the pass, and then last second, sees Jarvey sitting nude in the slot, cheeks out, and he kind of just does that like, oh, wait, maybe I shouldn't pass this. But the momentum keeps going, and then just a cupcake past it. Like, Jarvis got it and was almost
Chris
like, oh, my God.
Zach
Oh, my God. And he had the time to make a good move.
Chris
Great save. Yeah.
Zach
Bussy makes a great save.
Chris
Carter Hart.
Zach
Oh, yeah, sorry. Hart makes a great save, and the play's just bouncing around. And then a pass gets across and, like, from his knees, falling down. Stall wax one in. Bang. We got the lead back. Seen him. Selly on the ice was hilarious.
Chris
Yeah, that was cool.
Zach
But from there, all series, every time they've been down, we've been going. Vegas will find a way. That goal Went in and we were standing there in the barn and we were going, I think this one's over.
Chris
They just.
Zach
They just. They didn't have that dog juice that they've had the rest of the other games where it was like, they've still kind of got Carolina on their heels. Carolina was all over them tonight. All over them tonight. That goal went in and I was like, this one's over, dude. Yeah. And. And then we finally shout out friend of the program, Nick Ers. Nice little ricochet.
Chris
What an empty netter, dude. So I want to shout out Chris right here in the chat. And also Glue Guy. Congrats on your wedding. But Loop texted us and said, unbelievable the way Jarvey fought off four Golden Knights to get the puck. 2ers after he missed that mini Zach.
Zach
What? Well, hold on. What stat am I looking here? The first in 44 years. What was that stat?
Laura
Oh, yeah.
Zach
You don't have to pop it back up, but just tell me. I didn't know this. What is this stat?
Chris
Jordan Stall. First person in 44 years to score a goal in the first four games of the finals. He's at least one goal in each of the games and two tonight.
Zach
That's amazing.
Chris
And, dude, they would have been swept without Jordan Saul. It's actually insane. That's true. Like, literally, without Jordan Stall, the captain
Zach
stepping up this series would be 200 foot Jordan stall. Actually, not even. It's not even usually. It's usually 100 foot.
Chris
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Zach
Defensive special.
Chris
He's doing everything. But yes, shout out Jarvey on that play because that was insane. And I know everyone has been killing the Canes first line, and I'm not even going to be here to defend them, but that play by Jarvey, that miss so easily turns into, like, a head to the sky, like, oh, my God, that had the game on my stick. And he battles for that puck in the corner. Completely outnumbered. Kicks it over to Ehlers. Over to Stahl. Insane.
Zach
Yep. Absolutely correct. So we get the win. Yep. Five, three, win for the Canes. We're tied up. Two, two. We're heading back to Raleigh. We've automatically got a game six back here in Vegas. And I think for the first time, Carolina feels like they're in the driver's seat. And before we get into that, let's quickly hear from our friends at Bauer. The best partner we have ever had in the world. The best company in the entire world. We are talking about the Bauer golf apparel.
Chris
Come on.
Zach
I cannot stop wearing this stuff, folks. When it gets to summer. All hockey players know, all hockey fans know. It is golf season. We've got to do both. So we want to take it from the rink to the links with Bauer Golf. Do you golf in the offseason? Yes, you do. The crossover from hockey to golf feels incredible. We all know how that swing translates. We all know how the vibes translate. It's unbelievable how much you like to golf when you're a hockey player. It's all we do all summer long. So what you got to do is take all of the juju, take all of those superstitions, whatever's going on, and you got to channel it from the hockey game into the golf game. Or with the Bauer golf apparel. It's all I wear now. I'm telling you. I've got all the polos, the pants, the shorts, the hats. It's all incredible. You're going to look fantastic. It's some of the most lightweight and comfortable golf. You know what I've noticed a lot with golf stuff. It's kind of that dry fit material.
Chris
Yeah.
Zach
And it's like sometimes when you're out there and it's hot, we're here in Vegas, getting out on the golf course, when you've got that dry fit stuff, it gets almost too sticky. Feel like you're wearing a bathing suit. This Bauer golf stuff is unbelievable, man. It feels like a nice, high quality Italian cotton shirt. It's still light weight. It feels great on the course, but it doesn't feel like you're kind of wearing a jersey out there. Yeah, it's fantastic. They got all the best designs, all the best stuff. Again, I'm telling you, I am head to toe in this stuff. You need it. They just launched this premium golf apparel line. Again, like I said, we're going from the rinks to the links. It's bow performance and it's now built for the golf course. You want to move out there, you want to feel great. Bower is the way to do it. So go to Bauer.com you're going to check out this performance, comfort and elevated style for your next round. The B. Bower golf apparel line is now live@bauer.com. check it out. So Caroline in the driver's seat.
Laura
Can I really interrupt for two seconds, please?
Zach
Never rude. Get in here.
Laura
Everybody is asking where Chris got a shirt from.
Chris
This shirt is gas.
Zach
Wow. That makes you feel good.
Chris
This shirt is absolute gas. I got it for my.
Zach
They said. They said, where'd you get it from? No one cares where you wore it.
Chris
No, they care Where I've. Where all the places it's been that
Zach
I've been with it, you know, it pisses me off. I'm sure the chat right now is going, we do care. We do care.
Chris
We do care. And I'm pretty sure Sandra bought this for me in Greece.
Zach
Nice.
Chris
I think she was in Greece, knew I was going to Ibiza. She bought this for me, came back and said, this is. I saw this shirt in Greece. This is the street wearing. Ibiza.
Zach
Ibiza. You know what? I. When we got set up for Stanley cup live today, shout out Alexa, by the way.
Chris
Yeah, that was awesome.
Zach
Great to be back with Alexa. You walked out of your hotel room wearing that shirt and shorts, heading into a hockey game and I was like, what? Who are you?
Chris
It's 120 degrees outside.
Zach
I know, but like, you're just, you're. Were you.
Chris
Was anyone cold in that or. Sorry. Was anyone. Yeah. Was anyone cold in that rink tonight?
Zach
No, it's. You're just a different breed, man.
Chris
Yeah, I'm special.
Zach
It's like you, you're just. You're always doing something different. It's not always good.
Chris
Yeah, but it usually is. That's what. And my favorite part is people usually think it isn't. And then later, much later, they realize it was.
Zach
I'm not gonna sit here and say that anyone was like, that fit was great today.
Chris
Oh, I think I, I am literally,
Laura
I will 100 say it's. It's a great fit.
Chris
Zach, please.
Zach
A shirt is great. If you had flowy linen pants on, I would have dropped dead.
Chris
I think float. I don't, like, I don't own those because I'm not that guy.
Zach
Sometimes you do like. I know. Usually it's Sandra buying it for you. Sometimes you do show up and I'm like, what the. What does that fit? And especially lately, it's.
Chris
It's all, yeah, yeah, yeah, 100. But I will say this shirt does not go with pants that aren't flowy linen pants. Like you put this shirt on with literally any pants. Yeah.
Zach
If you wore like blue jeans, that'd be bad.
Chris
Or even like nice slacks, but just like tighter fitting slacks. It just looks so weird that you're like, oh, nice, like island super wavy fit. And it's like pants.
Laura
Yeah.
Chris
And I'm like, no shorts though. Is like sick. You look like you're having a fucking great time. Which I am all the time.
Zach
I can show him multiple pairs of pants that would look great with the pants I'm wearing. Would look great with them.
Chris
Those are pretty. Those were pretty flowy.
Zach
Okay.
Chris
I'm telling you, dude.
Zach
That's fair.
Laura
It's a great looking shirt.
Zach
It's a great looking.
Laura
He was wearing flip flops on the ice.
Chris
It's a great looking shirt. Yeah, you damn right. Okay, so here's what I got. Dude, you said Canes in the driver's seat. Agree. Or, or let me say this. The I always. For the millionth time, I always talk spin zone here. I could not believe how many people had written off the Canes coming into this game.
Zach
Oh, yeah.
Chris
And all the Vegas and six people, most of them said Vegas wins tonight, loses in, Carolina, wins in six. All the Vegas and six people. You can very easily still get that. I would say Vegas and six is completely still alive. But it is hilarious that the Canes are going, fuck off, dude. We are literally going home for a best of three with two at home. And, and, and every game's been one goal, you know, or I know empty netter tonight, but every game's been so close. We are so fine. In fact, we are the favorites now. Fuck your mother. That's how the feel right now.
Zach
You know what's interesting is I will say this. We. We've been hitting our bets like crazy. If you are not following us on X, by the way, and like this is going to jinx it now and next game.
Chris
We're. Yeah, but like we're.
Zach
We're hitting like at 70% right now through four games on our bets. And if you notice, I'm never picking a winner. Yeah.
Chris
Right.
Zach
So I'm not going to sit here and say like, I predicted who was going to win each game. I did say shout out the Jarvey boys. I was talking to Brian and I was like, Carolina is winning this game. Yeah. And that is the first time I've even said to a friend who I think was going to win.
Chris
Yeah. Okay.
Zach
I have not picked a winner in any of these games because this is so fun. Primarily because we don't know what the hell is going to happen every single game. It's all about like, who I think is going to score first, who I think is going to get on the score sheet. That's the only thing I've been able to predict. And even with the vibe, I do think for the first time so far this series, it does feel like Carolina has a bit of an advantage. Even with that, I would not be surprised in the slightest if Vegas tunes it up and they go to Raleigh and they put a beat down on them. I'm not. I'm not saying that's what I think is going to happen, but that gets me into my larger point. Vegas has not played their best game yet this series. Yep. I think this was a very good game by Carolina. I don't think it was their best. Best game. But if you're Carolina, I think you feel pretty great about this game. Despite. We keep talking about. We're talking about it with Wyatt. How many odd man rushes have there been in this series? It's insane.
Chris
Yeah.
Zach
And that comes as a result of the way Carolina plays their deep hinch hard. They overload on one side. It happens, but it's also sloppy. Like, you can't let that happen.
Laura
Can we bring this back, please?
Chris
What do we got?
Laura
Just remember your original picks.
Zach
Yeah. Yeah.
Chris
Oh, yeah.
Zach
Dude.
Chris
And it's. It feels like seven now, right? Like, there was a stretch where everybody was like, oh, my God, Vegas and five. But I'm like, dude, feels like seven now.
Zach
So Carolina, you know, there were mistakes and mishaps, and obviously you don't want to be up 3:1 and then let it get tied up. But that's kind of the recipe of this series. I think they feel pretty good about this game. I think they should feel good about this game. Look at all the shots they have. We haven't seen that necessarily every single game. Vegas has not played their best game yet. And while through two games, and especially three games when you're up two, one.
Chris
Yep.
Zach
You can almost look at that as a benefit. Yeah. But now it's 2:2. You took home ice away from Carolina, and now you've given it back, and we're more than halfway through the series, and you have not played your best yet.
Chris
Now it's a bad thing because Carolina's doing this to you.
Zach
Now it is a bad thing. And if Carolina is officially a part of how this is happening and if you're Vegas, as we talked about earlier, Jack Eichel's got to get going way more. The turnovers need to be turned way down. And then also, it is officially time to say, let's. Let's all go like this. Everyone wave. Chris, wave. Zach, wave. That is us waving goodbye to any Carter Hart. Conny talk.
Chris
Dude.
Zach
So I like the fact that we've spent not. Not we. The collective hockey world has spent so much time talking about how Freddie Andersen has not been good in this series. Carter Hart has not been good in this series. We talked about it with dz. This is a. This is a series without Elite goaltending.
Chris
Yep.
Zach
These goalies have played well through certain series. I think Freddy through three series. But now here we are. This is not elite goaltending. And going into this to the playoffs, as we said, they just. They're not top eight goalies in the league. And Carter Hart has been subpar in this series. You don't have all these records of so many goals scored. I mean, what was that? What?
Chris
You had that crazy stat.
Zach
I. I sent one to you. Let me. Let me get this. But this is a. This is a Carter Hart stat that I sent to the chat. Let me read this. First goalie in the history of the NHL to concede four plus goals in each of the first four games of the Stanley Cup Final. That is not good goaltending. So you have that now through four games. That is no longer a small sample. That is a sample size.
Chris
Yep.
Zach
Like, this is a. Through four games of the series, Carter Hart has been subpar. So as Vegas, you need to know that, like, let's call it what it is. You go into this game and you're like, we're going to give up four goals. It's a fucking beer league game, dude.
Chris
100%.
Zach
This is barely cocky. Like, to win these games, you need to have at least four goals. That's crazy.
Chris
I. I know, man. And it's.
Zach
It's.
Chris
I think if you're. Because DZ had. Was talking to us after game two and he was kind of on the Carter Hart crown Smyth bandwagon.
Zach
Yeah.
Chris
Like, he's been incredible. And he. And he was against Colorado and it's been awesome in the games he's played since Torch took over.
Zach
Yeah, right. But.
Chris
And I know everybody was like, towards had him in Philly or is that right? He had him somewhere or something.
Zach
I can't remember. But maybe that's. There was something like someone in the
Chris
chat where he was like, I know.
Zach
I think. Yes.
Chris
Yeah. But so I had heard that. And I was like, oh, my God, that's amazing. But some. So Julian has. Says here Cardhart's the easiest goal the Canes have faced. I agree with that. And then there was one up here. Let me see if I can find it. He did.
Laura
2022, Philadelphia fires. Gavin's crying right now.
Chris
Oh.
Zach
Oh, yeah.
Chris
And then people were asking this. I have one from Jeremy here. And someone asked this before. Do we see Hill? Do we see a switch up? Absolutely. Zero percent chance. Zero percent chance. Do you see Aiden Hill? And I'm not saying it wouldn't work. I'm just saying the way towards his
Zach
coaching and also, yeah, I don't think we're even going to see him get pulled.
Chris
I kind of, I mean, barring catastrophe. Right. Like we always say that.
Zach
I, you know, but with the way this series goes, I still don't think so. I genuinely think, man, you could give up five goals on five straight shots in the first period of next game. And I think torts goes.
Chris
I don't care. Yeah.
Zach
I think again, it's ridiculous to say.
Chris
I think if they score seven goals in the first period and they go sit down, it's fine.
Zach
I just don't think that's going to happen. Me neither.
Chris
That's why I said catastrophe. So you will not. I, I wanted to get that out there because it kept coming up in the chat. Carter Hart is the guy the rest of the way. And Carter Hart, I think goes, man, up until this series, I have been good. This playoffs, and Vegas, in my opinion, has to be a little bit. I guess you could spin the same back to Carolina because Freddy was so good. But I think Vegas, deep down at places they don't want to talk about at parties, just going, man, if we
Zach
could get a few more.
Chris
If he could play a little bit better, we'd be, we'd be killing.
Zach
I think you'd be. You would almost be lifting the cup. You could make the argument.
Chris
I know, but it's weird, Dan, because it's like he. He only plays poorly for like eight minutes. Every game has been. Even this game, the first period, the first 10 minutes, they have three goals and they doesn't get scored on again till a miracle goal. That was like the worst turn I've ever seen. And then a pool cue thing. I'm like, oh, okay.
Zach
Yeah.
Chris
It's like these tiny stretches where he gets scored on it.
Zach
You gotta say to a couple of. I know it's not actually, but technically we're calling it a couple were power play goals. Yeah. You know, that's a factor as well. But we, we always say it. I don't care how they go in. Eventually a goalie needs to start standing tall and saving. Saving shots that you're not supposed to save. That's how you win. That's how you win cups.
Chris
Correct.
Zach
And he's just not done that. So I, I think Carolina, your juju is real, right?
Chris
Yes.
Zach
Now it's like, you know, you could have got that win. You lose brutally in game three. I mean, I don't even want to say brutally because the comeback was so awesome, but you lose in a barn burner and then you come into game four. And if you just lost this one. Yeah, I. I won't lie. If they had lost this one, I didn't see them winning game five. Who, Carolina?
Chris
Yeah.
Zach
Yeah. If they had lost this game and they go back to Carolina. Three down, three, one. I was in my mind, I was
Chris
like, this is over. Yep.
Zach
Because it would have just felt like, you know, we've been saying Vegas feels like the better team. Yeah. And now so much of that was rooted in this, what we keep saying. I know I sound like a fucking broken record here, but Vegas has looked like the better team and they've still not played well. They've still not played well. Well, fucking A, pals. It's two, two now. And you've still not played well. You now wonder, like you said, are you not playing well because Carolina's making you not play well. And now it's two, two. And all of a sudden maybe they figured some shit out on you. And we get back to Carolina and maybe with Bussey in that, some things have been figured out here. And we get the first emphatic win of this series in Raleigh. Now you come back to Vegas and you're a little bit like, not only is Carolina in the driver's seat, they've got all the momentum and they are going in there licking their fucking chops. No offense, Raleighwood, but to win the Stanley. Your first Stanley cup in 20 years
Chris
on the Vegas caps, baby. Ask. Oh, let's get. Oh.
Zach
On the phone like there. That is a very real possibility. Yep.
Chris
Okay, so I love what you just said. I want to. I want to talk about that. I just wanted to give a two goalie shout outs because we've been kind of being like, man, they're getting lit up. I wrote, don't forget Taylor hall after it went up three nothing or sorry, three one after the stall. Power play goal. Vegas gets a power play late in the first. And I was like, man, wow. Can you imagine three, two here and then they get skunked. And then Taylor hall gets a clean breakaway coming out.
Zach
Who's.
Chris
Who's got to be one of the Carolina favorites for Con Smythe. Taylor hall gets a clean breakaway coming out and Carter Hart makes that save. And I wrote in my notes, in real time, remember this save if Vegas ties this? So that is a monster save in that moment when you get the breakaway, stop. And then at the end of the game, and I don't even want to go into Jack again, but Jack eichel right when they pulled the goalie right off the draw, had a point blank shot from the slot that if it hits the net, goes in. But before that he had a backdoor pass. I think from Marner that Bussy made an incredible save on. And I wrote, Bussy earned his start on that save alone. So, yes, they're giving up some tough ones, but then they're making, they are making a few saves here where I'm like, that's, that's deciding the game. That's really good.
Zach
Yeah. Bus is an interesting one for me because numbers wise, this wasn't the best start. But at the end of the day, I do think he's a game changer. Yeah. The way he came in. Because you got to admit, man, you're down four nothing and a goalie comes in and it could just be like, whatever, dude. Yeah. But he just slammed the door for a long time and I think that galvanized the boys to help them come. Come have a comeback in that game and get it to a double ot. And then you put him in this game on the road and they get a fucking win.
Chris
Yeah.
Zach
It doesn't really matter how it happens. They get a win and you have a big third period.
Chris
Mm.
Zach
And now again, the, just the, the momentum for me has shifted in the biggest way so far for Carolina. I don't want to be a flip flopper here.
Chris
Well, that's what series, that's what players
Zach
not putting on thong sandals flip flopping around the Stanley Cup Final. I am going to say that does not mean that I would not be or that I would be surprised if Vegas went in and really won this game. Because we've seen Vegas play well against very good teams these playoffs. We saw them put a fucking smackdown on the President's Trophy winner. I think this Carolina team is so deep and so tough to play against. Weirdly enough, way tougher than Colorado. No ricochet shots of Colorado. But like they fucking. They. They have been a very tough team to play against. If Vegas can figure it out. If Jack Eichel gets going. Yep.
Chris
There.
Zach
There's just still a world where Caroline has given up three goals a game too. Like Brandon Bussy did come in and got the win, but he gave up three goals. Yeah, on, on, on nine, 20 shots.
Chris
Yep.
Zach
So this is anyone's ball game still is all what I'm saying.
Chris
Yeah. And dude, the.
Zach
Hold on, Zach.
Laura
I was just gonna say that I feel like we've done this every game.
Zach
Yeah, exactly.
Laura
Every. Every game. It's like oh, my goodness. This like Carolina's out of their mind or Vegas is out of their mind. I, I think these are two very good teams that are in a heavyweight fight that are throwing punches that are unbelievable.
Zach
No doubt. No doubt about it.
Chris
So, dude, I was going to say so Chris in the chat said numbers might be similar between Bussy and Freddy, but I feel like Bussy saves are more timely than Freddy's. And I agree with that. I completely agree with you, dude.
Zach
Like, for example, no, again, no ricochet shots at Freddy. Saving that Mark Stone penalty kill breakaway. Yeah. Felt like one that Freddie gives up,
Chris
and then you go, it's one. One.
Zach
Yes.
Chris
Damn it. We just took the lead and then Blake, or actually someone else or Blake said this. If anything, it's shaken up Vegas since him and Freddie catch with opposite hands. We were talking about that a ton in our text thread during the game, and there were a few shots. There was a Raspberry Anderson shot. There was a Jack Eichel shot that Bussy catches that. We were like, we kept being like, man, righty glove, righty glove. I will say I was anticipating that be an issue, but I think if you're Vegas, you're going, it wasn't. We scored four, essentially because they got the McNabb goal. And, and you go like, we are not faced. And, and Blake, I, I want your take on that. Because I was also being like, that is going to bother Vegas. I actually don't think it did.
Zach
Really?
Chris
Vegas scored plenty to win that game, and it wasn't like, oh, my God, the other glove hand mixed me up.
Zach
Yes.
Chris
That's what I felt like.
Zach
No, I, I, I agree. What are we looking at here?
Chris
Oh, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Dude, I want to say this too. In the rink, everybody, for all the fans at home who were like, what the is everyone booing about these stupid Vegas fans. I gotta tell you, the green light, which is supposed to go on the millisecond, it turns to zero. You can see it on that highlight. Actually.
Zach
Keep watching the glass on the glass
Chris
behind the high goes on late.
Zach
Like that puck goes in and then the light comes on.
Chris
So you we all we saw. Because we're not seeing that on the Jumbotron with the, the 0.1 thing. All we're seeing is the the puck cross then green light. So we were all like, that is a thousand percent a goal. So when they're like, no goal, it was a boo. Obviously, I knew they were looking at the video thing, so I didn't think they got it wrong. Yeah.
Laura
But right as it comes in.
Chris
Thousand percent in before the green light. But yeah. So I didn't think it bothered me that much. I don't know what you think.
Zach
This.
Chris
The. The. The. The right. The righty glove.
Zach
Oh, no. Well, I mean, I. I definitely think that there were. There were a couple of shots where guys are just muscle memory, putting bucks on net. Yep. That's going right into bus. Know that those players are going. It's a different glove. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, like, it's definitely a factor. And there were definitely a couple of chances that you could argue, like, I wonder. Wonder if that was Freddy.
Chris
Sure.
Zach
But yes, it didn't like them up because they scored three.
Chris
Right.
Zach
So.
Chris
And then what you were saying about the Canes earlier, man, this was the first game that the Canes essentially looked like the Canes against Montreal, where we all kept going. What are the Habs doing? Like, shoot, try. This is insane. And they're going. We are. The Canes are suffocating. This was the first game. Every game of this series, the Canes have done this to Vegas in the first period. And then in the second period, Vegas comes out and murders them.
Zach
Yeah.
Chris
This is the first game where the Canes did it again in the first period. And then Vegas came out and got stifled again in the second period. So I'm so with you on the momentum side, where Carolina goes. That was it. That was. And that is. I don't think it's the best game they've played in the playoffs. I think it was the best game they played in this series by a mile. And I'm not trying to shit on them. I'm saying this was the most complete Carolina Hurricanes game. Yeah, man, they played this series. And just on the flip side, and I know you can say, oh, you can argue Caroline did it. On the flip side, this is the worst game Vegas played by a mile, in my opinion. Now, that can be scary if you're a Canes fan, because you're like, jesus Christ, we barely won when we played our best and they played their worst.
Zach
But the. You.
Chris
You're right where it's. It's some. Some of it is Carolina doing it to them. Vegas has been so sloppy this whole series. So sloppy. This game was. Was the worst. And I think you got to give some credit to the Canes.
Zach
Yeah. I think something that's interesting is the goaltending play makes these games look a little drunker than they are because the pace is great. It's not like the. Both teams.
Laura
What A little drunker than they are. And then just a massive surfside swig from cp. As you said that this is a great moment.
Zach
But, yeah, they look a little drunker because of the goaltending play, because the pace is great, the teams are flying back and forth. There's some really good hockey going on here. And just to give credit to both the teams, they both have looked unsettled at various times because of how good the other team is.
Chris
Yeah.
Zach
So I am going to say because of how we have felt about Vegas, about how they've not played their best, and it's crazy that they. They were up 2:1 at a point in this series. Given that. Yeah. If we go into Carolina and Carolina wins this Game five, I respectfully, I think it's over. Ooh, now, hold on. That does not mean it's over in six. I think Vegas could get one back. But if Carolina. After what we just saw from Vegas, if Carolina goes home and is able to lock in and get a win and force Vegas to play poorly again, and if Vegas, more importantly doesn't respond, if Torch doesn't get them to wake the fuck up, get Jack going a little bit more, get Carter Hart to play a little bit better, then I think officially Carolina is doing too much for them to handle. That will be five games now where I'm like, Vegas cannot get into their good game. And if we get five games of that and have Carolina going up three, two, I think that that's. I don't think with two games left, you can switch it on for the final two games. I think it is then over. You could get it once and bring it back to Carolina for a game seven, which I hope happens, but I don't really think that you can do it twice. I really don't. If. If we get five in a row of Vegas not playing well.
Chris
Okay, so I want to comment on that, but Darren in the chat says, so game five winner wins then, essentially. Because if Vegas wins game five, I assume you're like, yeah, they're going to come back home and win.
Zach
No, I'm not ready to say that.
Chris
Okay.
Zach
Because have we not seen. So far, every time Vegas wins, Carolina responds with a win.
Chris
Yep.
Zach
So if we get another crazy drunk game even in Carolina and a loss, I am not ready to go. Carolina can't respond. They've responded every time.
Chris
I would say. And Bazooka Zach says Vegas was expected to win this game and they barely lost. I'm not sure. Tell me what you mean by that. And Kelly says She's flying back to Vegas with us. If the Canes win game five. And you best believe you are Kelly Darren, I. To answer your question, I think if Vegas wins game five, they go. We were the better team for the first three games we played horribly in game four we won game five. We are, we are easily winning this year. I think that's what Vegas thinks if, if they win game.
Zach
I do a 100% agree with that.
Chris
But interesting take by you Dan because I am so with you that if the Canes win game five, they go. We did crack something here and we are clearly stifling you in a way. That's a real problem. And it's, it's, it's just a lot like it's Vegas going, dude, you can't get over the hump against us. You just can't do it. And do you really going to get us to two more times in a row?
Zach
And think about it guys, the over is the biggest erection I've ever seen in my life in sports in this series. So we're, we're saying if these games happen as they've gone now if we go into Carolina and Carolina wins two one in a game where each team has 33 shots. Yeah, no, I, I think that's no blood. I think we come back and Vegas goes okay. Because that would be a game where it's like damn, both teams played incredibly well, goalies played well and we just got one winner. But every game we've seen so many odd man rushes, so many sloppy turn. How many sloppy turnovers were there in this game? I made them extra sloppy for you have some more sloppy turnovers. That was this game.
Chris
Yep.
Zach
We have not yet seen a good, clean like fucking picturesque old school hockey game. And for me, good.
Chris
We're not going to either. We're not going to yet.
Zach
But my point is I don't think we're going to see that. If we do see that then I to me I'm like, I don't think there's any blood there. I think it's kind of like okay, that was just a great fucking hockey game and the goalie showed up. Yeah. So yeah, man, if it's a game like this where Carolina wins, I do think that they have so much momentum of like we are frustrating the fuck out of. No doubt about it. But to your point and to whoever in the comments said like if you know, game five winner wins no matter what if Vegas wins and it's a massive switch flip where Jack all of a sudden is Going, and they win, like, by four goals. They win by three goals. Then I think Vegas has that momentum of going, and we're finally playing well.
Chris
So here's a great comment, Dan, and here's. I think what's going to decide it for me, the most scared I was for the Canes at any point in this series, because I knew, I mean, God, so many people we were watching that game, Game two with, and I was screaming at them in the concourse, this team does not quit. This team will fucking fight till the very end. Don't be worried. The only time I was ever scared for the Canes was in that Game two when they'd lost game one at home. I thought they were going to come out with their best punch of the playoffs because they're going, we obviously can't lose game two at home. And I think if they had lost game two at home, the series would be, oh, not. Maybe not wouldn't have been swept, but, like, they'd be done. And frankly, they. They could. They should have lost game two because what they came out with was not it at all. In a game where I really felt like you had to go, guys, I need everything right now. That's when I was most scared for the king. That first 50 minutes of that game, I was like, holy, this was their best punch. Rod got you going in the locker room, said, if we lose two in our home, we're doing dead. And this is what you came out with this Game five after the way they just played, I think is Vegas's first time this series where Torts has to get. And Jack and Mark have to get the boys going where they go, hey, guys, this needs to be our best punch because we just played, like, at our home, in front of our home crowd with a chance to step on their throats. We blew it. And now you best believe we're coming out and not getting this 20 shot. If they come out and. And do that again, that's where I'm with you, where I go, okay, if that. If this was your best shot, Vegas, and you did the same thing, four shots a period, no power play goals, then I go, you're dead or you're in big trouble. I don't. No one's dead in this series because it's absolute chaos. But you're in big, big trouble because the Canes are exerting your will. So I'm excited to see what Vegas's best punch is on. On whenever. I don't even know what day it is. I don't Know what year, what state we're in.
Zach
Completely agree.
Chris
Yeah.
Zach
My, my closing thought is it is Vegas. I know. I'll repeat it. They're comfortable being uncomfortable. They're currently a little uncomfortable. Yep. They've been here before. This is a team full of winners. And as Zach said, after every Vegas win, it feels like the entire media is like this.
Chris
Vegas is just too much every time,
Zach
every single time that happens. And so they have that in them. But this is the first time I feel like Carolina's been a little bit in the driver's seat. It's almost like we're restarting, right? Yeah. We got two games in Carolina, one in Vegas and it's a three game series now. And it, it's going to be very, very interesting to see what Vegas does. Yes. Because for the first time in the series, I think Carolina has a little bit of lead in the pencil to go. We're getting to him 100. We're getting to him. So let's try to get to him. And if you have that mentality but Vegas gets to you, we're going to be sitting here on Thursday night having the exact opposite conversation.
Chris
What I love is both teams have won on the road. So it's no, it's no guarantee if Vegas wins. Like kind of last year, dude, when, when Florida won in Edmonton in Game 5, I was like, this is finito because we're going back to Florida and they're going to win. But both teams have won on the road. I don't, I don't feel like it's automatic in either way, but it is. I do feel the extreme pressure already. Like we are about to go back to Raleigh and I'm already feeling anxious. It's like, fuck, if the Canes lose game five, they're going to be shitting themselves. Like now we have to go back to Vegas. Yeah. So it's like that is, that is really stressful. I'll tell you too, that any team can win anyway. What do you mean?
Zach
What are you looking at? By the way?
Chris
I just watched the. This is behind, so I like to see what graphic Zach has.
Zach
Okay.
Chris
Talk about it.
Zach
I was gonna say it looks so funny. It looks like you're just. You have a thousand yard stare.
Laura
Yeah.
Zach
But you can just tell the. Lenny is going to be fucking out
Chris
of control to be lit.
Zach
And also, dude, that's gonna be a long weekend for a lot of people. Like people are taking work off.
Chris
Oh yeah, buddy.
Zach
The, the, the tailgate and the volume in that barn is going to Be nuts.
Chris
Oh.
Zach
Let's close out this episode with a funny story. Oh, yeah.
Chris
There we go.
Laura
Dude, are we getting this?
Chris
Take me back to a little wagon wheel. Holy. Dude. We might have to get the pipes going again with the boys when we get in. Hey, what night was that, Zach?
Laura
Well, I have no idea. I can't remember.
Zach
It was like a Tuesday or a Wednesday night.
Chris
Wednesday. We roll right back there because it's Wednesday night again. We. As soon as we land, boom, wagon. But the fellas.
Zach
I can't. Yeah, I can't. Don't do that to me one time. All right, let's. Let's wrap up this episode with a little funny story that we. We should have told on the last episode. But I literally completely forgot it happened because we were so tired from all the travel. So we're flying from JFK to Vegas after the wedding. Yep. We get on a late flight this two nights ago, and CP and I get bumped up to first class. It's great.
Chris
Which was electric.
Zach
It's fantastic for sleep. We're like, this is great. We're going to get a little bit of sleep here. This is so huge. And we're getting settled. And for those who have never flown first class, you get a nice. A bunch of amenities. It's really great. You get a nice pillow, blanket, all of this beautiful stuff. Everyone is getting situated. The entire plane has boards. Yeah. And I'm sitting there. I have. Everyone knows, Netters, fans know. I love to be a very precise traveler. I bring all my little trinkets. I get set up. I. It is a meticulous setup for me. Yeah. In my plane seat, you get the slippers.
Chris
You got.
Zach
And I'm in first class. So, like, I got the slippers going on. I've got the blanket, the pillow, the headphones. I've got everything set up here. I've got my little snacks.
Chris
Yeah.
Zach
I'm looking around. Everyone's doing the same thing. And there's a couple. Nice couple next to me in the two seats on the other side of the aisle. And the flight attendant walks down and goes, excuse me, I'm so sorry, but there's been an error. And these are two people who got upgraded. One of these seats is no longer for you. There was an error. I'm so sorry. You. One of you has to give up your seat. And Chris is right behind them. And I text Chris and I go, absolutely, dude.
Chris
You were like, I would. I would refuse.
Zach
I would not get up. I legitimately, I would probably think you
Chris
would have done that though, because they would have been like, we gotta deboard the whole plane.
Zach
I don't know what I would have done, but I would. I, Honest to God, out of principle, I might have gone, well, okay, I'm getting off this flight and you're putting me on the next flight, and I will be in first class on that flight.
Chris
Yep.
Zach
I, I actually think that would be such a demoralizing blow that I could not have accepted it.
Chris
Did you hear there was one piece of this that I'm not sure you heard about where the person was sent. Did you hear it?
Zach
No.
Chris
So this I. This, I think I blacked out. Make you feel better. She goes, I'm taking you to a row in.
Zach
Oh, yeah, it was an empty row.
Chris
Yeah, don't give a. You're alone, so you can lie. You can lay down horizontal, dude.
Zach
Well, I would have gone, listen, I, the last thing that I will do is complain on an airplane because I don't want any.
Chris
Yeah, yeah. Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb.
Zach
But I think in that scenario, I would have been like, well, you are giving me a first class pillow and blanket and I am drinking for free this entire flight. And I would have wanted to sleep,
Chris
but out of principle, I would have stayed up and drank that out of the house.
Zach
Exactly. Truly. So just one of the biggest daggers to be like this. Oh, my God, I have first class. And then you sit down and you're getting all comfy, and then they go, actually, you don't you.
Chris
Yeah, dude, it was horrible. I, I, I, I'm busting dance balls right now. But I was also. It was more fortified. And I thought, thank God it wasn't me. And it was a terrible thing to witness, dude.
Zach
So that happens. Yep. This guy, absolute gentleman. Yeah, go. Looks at his girlfriend, I presume, and he is like, babe, take, take the seat. I'll head back. This guy gets up, goes back, and then who but Fucking Flava Flav. And I don't know if that's his son or his friend or whatever. I presume it's his son, Flavor Flav, and his. What we assume is his son come marching up the aisle.
Laura
Who you saw?
Chris
Yes. Yeah, that's his son.
Zach
Oh, yeah.
Chris
Okay.
Zach
Flavor Flavon, his son come marching up into first class, making a scene. It is like clock on. It is like 11pm yeah. People are, like, getting situated to go to sleep. He is just being the star of the show, walking through, saying, what's up? To everybody. The woman next to me was like, is that Flavor Flavon? I was like, yes. And he's a criminal.
Chris
Yeah.
Zach
He has just stolen a seat from this poor man. He comes up and is just bopping around. The flight attendant doesn't even let this poor guy she just booted get more than two rows away before she's looking at Flavor Flav going, no way I was gonna let that happen. I knew I had to get you guys set up. And I was like, was there actually an error, or did you just this
Chris
guy over the conspiracy theory right away? I was like, there was no error. You literally have gone up to a couple and gone. One of you is booted. Because I saw Flavor Flav back there in Comfort Plus.
Zach
What I suspect is Flavor Flav had a first class seat because his seat was still open. Yeah. And his son did not. And he was like, I'm sitting in first class. Is there any way you can help me out and have my son set up here, too? And this flight attendant, she committed.
Chris
She committed treason. But there are no rules. There are no rules.
Zach
Also, allegedly, we don't know that that happened. But I'll tell you what.
Laura
You know, you're talking about American hero.
Chris
Yeah. Yeah. Women's hockey.
Laura
Yeah. Water polo and women's hockey. Yeah. He. He is paid for. For the. The five year sponsorship of the USA water polo teams. You were talking down on America.
Chris
No, I am not. I didn't. Yes, you are.
Zach
No, I am not. I am talking down on the flight attendant.
Laura
Okay. That's fair.
Zach
And again, allegedly, Flavor Flavors done nothing wrong.
Laura
Yeah.
Zach
Flavor Flav was looking out for his son, and he came up entertaining the people on the flight as he always does.
Laura
Yeah.
Zach
And he sat down in his seat. What I am saying is it will be. It would be devastating to me to find out that this guy got rightfully upgraded and then got that upgrade snatched from him. Because this flight attendant is a Flavor Flav thing.
Laura
Okay.
Zach
But that would be a bump if
Laura
somebody did that for you if you get Flavor Flav.
Zach
I would be appalled. If I was sitting first class and I looked at a flight attendant, and I was like, hey. And she's a Netters fan. And I'm like, hey, I'm sitting first class. Is there any way Alice could come up with me? First of all, I would have given
Chris
the seat to Alice because. Gentlemen. Right.
Zach
But if I was like, is there any way that could happen? And they go, actually, let me, like, let me see if there's a seat available. And then I found out that they booted someone, I would jump out of the plane. I Would be so disgusted with them. I'd be like, are you kidding me? Absolutely not. Because good man are so few and far between. Dude, when you get it, it is like Christmas Day.
Chris
That's correct.
Zach
And I would not want to take
Chris
that from someone that's now.
Zach
But again, if that is what happened, and that is a big if. We do not. We. We actually. I am certain that Flavor Flav does not know that. Yeah. So Flavor. Flavor has done nothing wrong.
Chris
I don't know. He saw the guy, walked right by him.
Zach
But he. He was fed a lie.
Chris
Yeah. He said he believed the lie. Yeah, he believed the lie.
Zach
I would hope.
Chris
Jeremy says that Flav should be flying in private. And I agree. Stop taking people's seats. Buy your own plane.
Zach
I don't think people understand how expensive.
Chris
Buy your own plane, dog. You wear a clock around your neck. Buy your own plane. If you are. If you have a clock around your neck, you have to fly private. I think that's actually a real rule. A gold clock in society like you. I'm not begrudging anyone wearing clock around their neck. But surely you will be flying in a private plane if the time is resting on your sternum at all times. Also, that. Actually, I want to say this tangent as fuck. So I hope everyone enjoyed that story. It was amazing moment for me. I said something to Zach's camera during the game today that I think is one of my greatest ideas of all time. They do the rink. Did the chug cam. Everybody chug. If we put you on the jumbotron. Guys chug. Girls chug. It was awesome. Those drinks are fucking 20 bucks, 25 bucks a pop. If you get put on the jumbotron during the chug cam, you should be able to go get a free drink. If you. If you chug during the jug cam segment and you don't get on the Jumbotron. Sorry, no free drink. But if you. If your friend just takes a picture like you're chugging, we get in the jumbotron. Pick of the jumbotron. I should be able to go into the rink and go. I would like my drink replaced because I was forced to chug it for team Momentum.
Zach
Him Agree.
Chris
Thank you so much. I think it's actually one of my greatest ideas ever. You get a free drink. If you chug your drink on the jumbotron during the. Please chug. Get fired.
Zach
Upset. I don't know how you would verify that picture.
Chris
I take my picture.
Zach
Yeah. It's just like. It's quick. Yeah.
Chris
But you'll Be ready for the free drink.
Zach
Okay, well, then if you're going to say that that is how you verify it, then you can't be mad if you're like, oh, I didn't take the picture in time because I know you wouldn't because you're an idiot.
Chris
I agree. Well, that's why. That's why ZG's here taking pictures for me. Well, but what? Also, also, if you wear the same outfit to every game you ever go to and you ever get it once,
Zach
now drinks, now you're breaking your own tack.
Chris
And then, extremely importantly, Dan, Laura, who we love, goes.
Zach
I'm still a little mad at Laura. Zach. Hip situation.
Chris
Zach, where did you live at Auburn?
Laura
Where did I live at Auburn? Like I lived at Eagles Landing the last two years?
Chris
Well, she says, did Zach behind the camera live at the Greens at Auburn? Because he looks so effing familiar.
Laura
I did not live at the Greens. I lived. I lived at the Eagles Landing and I lived at the Magnolia. The Magnolia was a terrible shoebox.
Chris
Awful.
Laura
I paid 400 bucks a month. And then Eagles Landing was a beautiful house. I paid 425 bucks a month.
Chris
Wow, dude, that's.
Laura
And I lived with wheelchair basketball players the entire time.
Chris
Gas. Gas.
Zach
It's so fun.
Chris
If she knew you legitimately from somewhere,
Laura
that would have been. Maybe you saw me. I mean, there's a chance you saw me walking down campus.
Zach
I am going to close out by saying two things. One, huge shout out bet. MGM and park. Mgm. Always love staying here.
Chris
Yep.
Zach
To someone I believe on Twitter hit us up and was like, yo, if I see you, I have Pokemon packs for you. I am. I want those Game Six.
Chris
You want Pokemon packs for Game Six?
Zach
Well, he has them for.
Chris
Oh, okay. I was gonna say, you're getting greedy,
Zach
dog, but okay, I. I want them. You can rip that pack if you want. Yeah, but I just. I want another pack. And we'll rip it together, but I want that pack because he didn't find me.
Chris
Yeah, okay. Okay. I love it, dude.
Zach
All right, all right, that's gonna wrap it up here, folks. We will be back on the Bird tomorrow, heading down to Raleigh. Make sure you tune in to the NHL YouTube pregame show, 6:30pm Eastern Time, Stanley Cup Live. We're gonna have Monday more amazing guests. Going to be doing a ton of fun, funny stuff. Tune into that, guys. It's so fun. We have all these great guests. We have awesome interviews after the episodes. It's so much fun. So, hey, Raleigh, we'll see you tomorrow.
Chris
Tomorrow. Yeah.
Laura
Really? Interrupt again.
Zach
You're never interrupting. Okay, say whatever you want.
Laura
Laura said I lived at Eagles landing too. Number 35. I think that's so cool that we war eagle that we lived at in the same apartment complex.
Chris
That's incredible. That's awesome.
Zach
Hell yeah. All right folks, turn it out.
Chris
I'm fired up, dude. We have an absolute tilt on our hands.
Laura
Two two.
Chris
Going back to Raleigh. This thing is an all timer already. Sure is unbelievable. Bang. Jack, can we put it up? I don't even think we got it once all episode. Can we put up a little great action to close us out? Great action. Ladies and gentlemen. 2 2. Couldn't have asked for anything more. It is absolute perfection. This is awesome. If I'm sorry for the true canes in Vegas fans who are pulling their hair out but for all of us. Oh baby. What a series.
Zach
It is unbelievable. All right folks, we will see you game five.
Episode Title: Canes Play Their Best Game Of The Series And Steal Back Home Ice
Date: June 10, 2026
Hosts: Chris, Zach, and Laura (with guest interactions)
Series Discussed: 2026 Stanley Cup Final – Carolina Hurricanes vs. Vegas Golden Knights (Tied 2-2 after Game 4)
This exhilarating episode finds the Empty Netters crew broadcasting live from a dimly lit Vegas hotel room, riding high after Game 4 of a wild, record-breaking Stanley Cup Final between the Hurricanes and Golden Knights. The hosts break down Carolina's crucial road win to level the series, dissect standout moments, air debates about timely goaltending decisions, and preview what's next in a Final that’s quickly becoming one for the history books. The tone is high-octane, irreverent, and passionate—a perfect match for the all-action series.
Final Word:
"2-2. Couldn’t have asked for anything more. It is absolute perfection. For all of us—oh baby, what a series." – Chris (65:00)