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Chris
The Stanley cup final, the final series, the final handshake line, the final chance to have your heart broken or watch your team make history. For the next few weeks, nothing else matters.
Dan
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
Dan
Golden Knights, the young franchise going for their second cup in nine years.
Chris
Two fan bases, two cities, one cup.
Dan
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.
Dan
Outside the arenas, inside the arenas with
Chris
Hurricanes fans who have waited years for
Dan
this run 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.
Dan
So whether you're chasing your first cup
Chris
or adding another banner to the Raptors, we've got you covered.
Dan
Miles on the road, voices nearly gone,
Chris
probably a few terrible decisions along the way, exactly how the Stanley cup final should.
Dan
One trophy, one champion, one last push.
Chris
The Stanley cup final starts now.
Dan
An Empty Netters is coming with it. Welcome back. And we're live with another episode of the Empty Netters podcast, brought to you by BETMGM live post Cup. How you doing, cp?
Chris
How do you think I'm doing?
Dan
I actually think you're buzzing,
Chris
dude. You just. You. You know what you do, Dan? You know what you do? You go sleep.
Dan
Who needs sleep, dude?
Chris
And then you make yourself a Cherry seven up. A Cherry zero seven up.
Dan
Is that Cherry zero seven up?
Chris
Yep. And. And Evan and Zach are tweeting.
Dan
I'm freaking out. Okay. You know. Okay, well, it hurts you or it hurts everyone.
Chris
Okay.
Dan
Oh, dude, I need a. I need an interrogation mirror with you guys, because.
Chris
Yeah, yeah, I agree.
Dan
Whenever I see them whispering and talking, I'm like, what's happening?
Chris
What's.
Dan
Yeah, I'm like, what's happening to the show? Please, please, please, please, everyone stop shouting. Stop shouting.
Evan
We're guys. I'm telling. I'm telling the pot right now. I've told you this. I'm telling everyone that it's a distinct possibility that I'm gonna barf on this podcast.
Chris
Evan is either going to puke on this pod or on the plane. So those are the only two options.
Dan
So I have. Here's the thing, folks.
Chris
Oh, dude.
Dan
We are coming to you live from Vegas. The Carolina Hurricanes have won the Stanley cup, dude.
Chris
Carolina Hurricanes, Gaines nation soaking every fucking second.
Dan
The Carolina Hurricanes have won the Stanley cup in six games. Unbelievable. Three straight wins. The boys are absolutely buzzing. We had such a great run here at the Stanley Cup. We're going to get all into this final game and then just everything, everything, everything, everything about this run by the Canes, the season, all the things we're feeling. We had a great night last night. I've been off the piss for a couple of months here.
Chris
That's a great night. Had a great night last night.
Dan
And then we got on the piss.
Zach
You were firmly back on the piss.
Dan
I was firm.
Zach
Firm. Back on the piss.
Dan
I was firmly back on the p. Night. And I'll tell you what my favorite drink of the night, boys, was. Your first one was our. Was our drink at dinner together.
Chris
Yep. The watermelon deck. Eh?
Zach
The watermelon.
Dan
We went to best friend. Dude.
Zach
We got a best friend.
Dan
We got a sesame infused 818tequila with fresh watermelon juice and lime.
Zach
They want tarps off.
Chris
There's a lot, actually.
Dan
People want tarps off in the chat. No, we can't do it.
Chris
Grant's going for it, Zach. Grant's going for it. Tarps off.
Zach
I love it. Tarps off. Tarps off, baby. Let's do it.
Chris
Evan's gonna puke. It's so sticky.
Evan
It's so.
Chris
It's so sticky over here. Grant's been looking for a reason to
Dan
go tarps off for so long. That is so good. Hey, I will say this. I'm gonna bring this up multiple times, but Evan, Grant, I need you guys to monitor this chat. I need help on what I should order for dinner when I get home tonight. Chat. So chat. I'm. I'm desperate and I don't. This is so anti fucking loser boy. Dano. I don't want anything healthy for once. I want to eat like a piece of shit. But no fast food. No fast food.
Chris
See, that's fair. Grant said McDonald's.
Evan
Yeah.
Dan
You can get.
Evan
Give me.
Dan
You can give me cuisines. You can give me specific places.
Zach
Edges in the chat did.
Chris
No, he said, please, back to the office. He goes, zach made it back to the office, huh?
Zach
I may not have a job, but I can.
Dan
Yeah, he did say. Oh, my God.
Chris
Well, edge, they won.
Dan
I was about to say, kick edge out of the chat.
Chris
He's working. Yeah, I'm working more than Nate's working. Yeah, Nate, talk directly to.
Evan
I'm talk directly to Edge right now. Hey, listen to me. Edge I'm so careful. I'm so. I'm so barfy right now that if he wasn't here, this would not happen.
Zach
There you go.
Evan
So if you want, you can. You can blame me. Really, you should blame them.
Zach
Yeah, yeah.
Evan
But. But, dude, he's an mvp.
Dan
That's true. Also, I'm gonna say this. I'm gonna say this. We're gonna keep the. The office chatter going here, and then we'll get back. But chat. You should know that Nate is an absolute rat pig. He doesn't do fuck all. Nate's out here playing fucking volleyball, going to his sister's graduation. Congrats. Actually, Nate's sister. But Nate is a piece of shit, dude. He's such a fucking rat.
Evan
Real quick here, everyone's saying waffle house Chinese egg drop soup.
Dan
Ooh.
Zach
Food is no Cheesecake Factory.
Dan
Ew, dude. No.
Chris
Cheesecake Factory's gas.
Dan
Cheesecake Factory's menu is too big. No such Detroit style pizza.
Evan
Bojangles. A lot of Bojangles.
Chris
Love Bojangles.
Dan
Mojang, Taco Bell. Bojangles. Mojangles. If I was in. If I North Carolina, I'd order Bojangles.
Chris
Right?
Dan
Actually, I'd get cookout.
Evan
Chicken parm. As long as you're.
Chris
Imagine cookout today.
Dan
Actually, Zach, can I be honest?
Chris
Shut the up, Dan. Shut the up.
Evan
Soft pretzels.
Chris
Shut the up.
Dan
Cookout hit a little bit harder last time I was there.
Zach
You said got hit a little bit hard.
Dan
Yeah. Like when I like my memory of cookout like 10 years ago.
Zach
Yeah.
Dan
I feel like. I feel like I got so much food I was drowning in.
Chris
Me too. For five bucks.
Dan
And then this. This past time, I feel like the portions weren't that big.
Zach
The same thing I like. I mean, I had a lot of COVID after or a lot of cookout after Covid.
Chris
I had a lot of COVID I
Zach
cook out after Covid and I will say it just dramatically gotten worse. As far as portion sizing. It's really sad. Yeah. We used to live in a country with 24.7Walmarts. Yeah, we used to, you know, we used to have good things.
Chris
I thought this was.
Dan
We used to live in a proper country.
Zach
Yeah, we did.
Dan
Cookout used to drown. I used to suffocate under the weight of cookout.
Chris
It was glorious.
Dan
It was glorious. We've got a lot of topics to cover. Zach, I love that you. You took notes on stuff. We got to talk. But we people are in the chat to hear some hockey talk.
Chris
Oh, yeah. Okay.
Dan
So we've got to talk the game. We've got to talk about the Carolina Hurricanes. But first and foremost, folks, the Carolina Hurricanes are Stanley cup champions.
Chris
How does that sound?
Dan
First time in 20 years. And I'll tell you what, man, it is as. As everyone knows, me in particular. I think me in particular more than you. We are. We're in that. We. We love everybody. I love everybody. I. I love seeing teams win. I love seeing great guys win, organizations win. And I'm very, very happy to say that we. We were pumping the Canes tires all year.
Chris
I've been. I've been pumping the Canes tires for fucking a decade.
Dan
Yeah, we. I think we were heavy on canes when a lot of people in the media found them an easy punching bag. It was like, oh, yeah, let's just. You know, the Canes are easy to pick on. What are you laughing about?
Zach
Edges in the chat. I'm sorry, I gotta. I gotta stop interrupting with the Ed stuff. But he just said, who paid for this? Airbnb. And is that a little boo boo behind us? We can sh. Edge.
Dan
Edge. It's two Labubus, one black, one white. Because we care about race relations.
Chris
Oh, we're done. Turn this off.
Zach
All right, well, that was a great podcast.
Dan
And now we are demonetized.
Evan
That's.
Dan
That was actually a joke from the host. And this is free lodging. This is Free Logic. This is our lovely, lovely friend.
Chris
Welcome. You're welcome.
Dan
Yeah, that was the funniest one. He was the. Did you actually hear this? When we were being given the directions, he. The host of this place was like the. The remote to turn up the blinds is next to the black labuu. Not racist. And I was like, no one thought it was racist.
Chris
I forgot about that.
Zach
Yeah, that is a real thing that did happen.
Dan
But anyway, we have been pumping the cane's tires for a long time, and we. I can't begin to explain how unbelievable everyone in Raleigh was, man. Like, I. I felt so overwhelmed with, like, kindness, generosity, and just a welcoming nature from every single person we met in Raleigh. And it. It's just another example. We've seen it in Florida, we've seen it here in Vegas, all of these Southern hockey markets. All these people want is just for everyone to understand that they have an amazing team, an amazing fan base. And that's just. That was so paramount with everyone we met from Raleigh.
Chris
And, dude, I will. I will tell you what. I think at this point, everyone knows Kane's fans rock, and they have a rock. But, yo, Kane's fans traveled in a big way. Yeah, that, yeah. And it was people that we have been seeing a ton in Raleigh. You know, it wasn't like new people jumping in like, oh, I'm coming to game six. It was people that we have seen every game in in the Lenny there in Vegas being like, yo, what's up? And I was like, oh, my God, yes. And that was. That was pretty awesome. That was the Red. We were all at the anthem listening for the Red. I was like, let's see how loud the Red is.
Dan
And then it was like, it was loud.
Chris
Oh, baby.
Dan
I, I, I also when that happened, I tweeted out right after the anthem at the Red. I was like, holy shit, there's a lot of Canes fans here. And someone replied to that. Like, a Vegas fan replied to that. Actually, I'll take that back. I'm not even sure if it was a Vegas fan. A but Hurt fan replied to that on Twitter and was like, I've seen like, five on my tv. And I almost replied with the douchiest comment of, well, I'm here, so, yeah, I can see more than you get on your, you know, but you peasants. But I was also just, like, watching the game. Yeah. Yeah. But I was also just like, there is no point in denying that there's
Chris
a lot of Canes fans here.
Zach
There are.
Dan
It was amazing.
Chris
So, yeah, that was sick. Dan, this is a great call. We probably could have saved this, but Joe. Joe Mama. Yeah, Joe Mama says Rod redeemed himself on the cup race. And I agree because remember, he did Rod. He did in a big way. He redeemed.
Dan
Do you guys know what we're talking about ever?
Chris
Remember the ride when he kisses?
Dan
Cup kiss. He kissed like, the. The neck Vampire dude.
Chris
Getting his fangs in the jugular.
Dan
Also.
Chris
It was insane.
Dan
Have you guys yet seen. Actually, Zacky, I think you showed it to me first. The video of Rod shirt tarps off in the locker room lifting. That man is so yoked.
Chris
It's crazy. Dude, I know it's a big joke, but it's not a joke here.
Dan
It's not a joke.
Zach
Is he as yolk as you show him tarps off?
Dan
He is more yolked than me, I think. Like, I hate to admit it.
Zach
He was. He was S. 60.
Dan
Or is Rod 60? No. No. That's insane. What is wrong with me? Rod's probably 50. He's probably 55.
Chris
20 years.
Evan
Wow.
Dan
Nailed it.
Chris
Wait.
Dan
He's in such good shape.
Chris
Dude, he was 35 when he won that cup.
Dan
Yeah, Dude.
Chris
Damn, dude. Who won Con Smite that year?
Dan
I don't know.
Chris
But if it was him, who won Con Smythe. Because if. If.
Dan
Oh, it was Williams, dude.
Zach
Right?
Chris
Oh, probably. I was gonna say if Stahl just broke the oldest cons, my record from Rod. That would have been fucking.
Dan
So we've got an. We've got an automatic Rod Brindemar statue outside the Lenny. Right?
Chris
Okay. Let's talk about this right now. I said this before. This stat's been going around.
Dan
Sorry. The brains aren't working very well today, folks. So I'm gonna be jumping in here and there.
Chris
Yep.
Dan
I'm going to preface this with a statement.
Chris
Yeah.
Dan
I think there's an argument here, guys.
Chris
Cam ward. Cam Ward.
Evan
1.
Dan
Cam Ward won the concept, of course. What are you talking. He's a fucking monster rookie, dude. Yes.
Chris
God, look at that.
Dan
That's unbelievable. Rod, I am not sure there is any one person who is more important to a franchise in the NHL than Rod Brindemore.
Chris
So, dude, this we were talking about, the stat went around that is that Carolina Hurricanes.
Dan
I forget.
Chris
I think it's 104 now. You guys can check me. I think it's 104 playoff wins in their franchise history. And Rod was either a player or a coach for 102 of them. I know it's two less. Whatever the total is. X minus two. How's your mother? That's how many Rod's been involved with. It is actually insane. That impact and even crazier. I mean, this makes sense because of the stat I just gave you. But it's insane that they were basically making playoffs going to cups with him on the team. He retired. They missed playoffs the whole time. And then he got promoted to head coach. And now they're like a perennial cup contender. It's insane, isn't it?
Dan
Like they have two playoff wins. Two.
Chris
Yeah, that's what I'm saying. It's. I know. It's two less. I think it's. They have 104 in the history and he's been a player coach for 102 of them.
Dan
Two.
Chris
It's crazy, dude. So this is what I want.
Dan
Two times.
Chris
This is what I wanted to say. Dude, Rod, we had this conversation with some people last night. Rod should now make the hall of Fame.
Dan
And, well, you know what pisses me off? Yes, he should. And yes, he will. Rod should make the hall of Fame. Shout out, Booch. Rod should make the hall of Fame as a player.
Chris
So this is.
Dan
And I'm gonna Be pissed if he get, if like, they get him in and they're like, player, coach, or like, whatever. I'm like, fuck that, man. Yeah, he is a Hall of fame hockey player and he's a hall of Fame coach.
Chris
Yeah. So, yeah, it was kind of tricky because obviously he would rather be like, oh, I'm a. I got in as a player.
Dan
Yes.
Chris
But I'm, I'm kind of like, it's sicker to be like, I was both. I was so good at both. Like, they're making it sound like, yeah,
Dan
I don't think, like, sick to be a Hall of fame. Both. But I, if I were him, I would want the acclaim of, yeah, I was that good of a player.
Chris
Well, so. And they don't do this, but what the world is saying is he was a. He's a half player.
Dan
Yeah.
Chris
Because he wasn't a full ass. He was a half ass and then a half ass coach and then that makes a full ass. That's why he's in. But I'm saying he gets to go. No, they are, they are saying, rod, you were a hall of Fame player. You would have got in as a player alone and you would get in as a coach alone.
Dan
Yeah.
Chris
You are a Hall of fame. Both.
Dan
It does. It makes me sad that there are some like, gen zers out there who probably think of, Rod is just a coach.
Zach
Yeah.
Dan
And I'm like, rod was a great ass player.
Chris
Isn't that crazy?
Zach
Look at that body we got.
Dan
Look at that. Zach, what generation are you?
Zach
Gen Z.
Dan
You are Z. Yeah. What's the new one?
Evan
Alpha.
Zach
You think I'm alpha?
Chris
Is that what it's called?
Zach
It's called Gen Alpha. It's just 23 years of age.
Dan
I'm a gen question, dude. Don't yell at me. That's such a Gen Alpha thing.
Zach
We don't. We brought, brought back movies, okay? We got Obsession.
Dan
We got back.
Zach
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Chris
You didn't bring that.
Zach
Yeah, we brought him back, dude.
Chris
You guys gave up on him.
Zach
We brought him back.
Dan
Are you out of your mind, dude?
Evan
Guys, don't yell at him. He's not gonna have any Social Security.
Dan
Gen Z, All Gen Z has done is come in. And they stopped drinking. They stopped and they stopped going to the movie theater. You're a piece of.
Zach
I'm not a part of that percentage.
Chris
That's true.
Zach
I am drinking and going to the movie theater.
Chris
It's all, yeah, yeah, do it both at the theater.
Dan
It's all in one.
Zach
It's all in one. Dude, I, I'm not, I'm not saying
Chris
I haven't done that.
Dan
That is so good. That is unbelievable.
Chris
So I also wanted to say this, Dan. I think, I don't know if we. And we. I can't share this full story, but I think we've talked about this partially on the pod before, but the conversation that we had with Tom Dundon in Italy. Yeah, essentially his, his thesis of it was.
Dan
It's unbelievable.
Chris
It is, it is so hard. I can probably tell this part. He was saying that in the NBA, in a seven game series, 80% of the time, the better team wins. In the NBA. That's the breakdown in the NHL, you know, because this, the Canes are all about analytics. In the NHL, the playing field is so level that to get an 80 certainty that the better team wins, it would have to be a best of 55. That's how, that's how much parity there is.
Dan
Moneyball.
Chris
So he goes, in a seven game series in the NHL, it's essentially a coin flip. Even if you're the better team, you're like, I mean, I don't know who. If you're, if they're two good teams, if it's your, you know, it's a bloodbath, whatever.
Zach
Essentially.
Dan
Is there anything more in defense of that opinion than when the Canes got swept a couple years ago? And Rod was like, that wasn't a sweep.
Chris
Yeah, right, exactly, dude. Such a good callback. Perfect guy to have said it for this team. So essentially, Dundon looked me in the fucking face and goes, dude, dude. And smoldering eye contact looks me in the face.
Dan
I fucking love Tom Dun so much, man.
Chris
He goes, it's a coin flip. So, yes, I'm well aware that we're this punching bag to be losing this round every time, but I'm essentially getting a bad red black roulette spin. You know, like, I'm just like, okay, yeah, it's going to be red eventually. And then he just didn't waver from that at all and goes, I will eventually win the fucking spin, dude. And then bang, ball goes out red.
Dan
Trust the process. Like the Canes. The Canes are the process of the NHL. Yeah, there was a, an article that came out on, on the score app that was like, let me see if I can find. Was like, yeah, Hurricanes did it their way and it was true. We talked about it right on, on Stanley Cup Live before the game. There could not be two more polar opposite teams playing in this Stanley Cup. As far as roster construction yeah. And how.
Chris
Yeah, we were talking about that.
Dan
And I think it's really cool because this. This is no disparaging Vegas. And I actually want to. I want to jump into Vegas right, right now. But it's. It's cool that both ways can get you there. Both ways can get you to the Cup. And it was very awesome to see the Canes win one. Cause Vegas has just recently won one. Now I do want to talk about Vegas. I want to go back to Carolina.
Evan
We'll.
Dan
We'll finish the whole show stroking off Carolina and talking about that game, the whole run, everything about that. That team. But I do want to show a little bit of love to Vegas because I think as we've talked about a number of times here, the. The grave dancing and the casual hating on Vegas is not something that we like or do and we will not do. So I actually want to show some love to Vegas. No one thought they were going to
Chris
get to the cup once the season happened. Preseason, Everyone thought they're going to get to the preseason. Everyone thought it was going to be these two.
Dan
Absolutely.
Chris
Yeah. Yeah.
Dan
No one thought they were going to get to the cup once the playoffs started. The fact that they went on that rip, the fact that they swept Colorado. Incredible, Incredible. Man Torts. What a fun run. Came to an end here. He had those comments. He was like, I think I'm like, this is it. Like I'm not coaching anymore. But Marty said it great last night. Like, dude, he won a gold medal this year. He's won a cup. Torts towards has it all. Like, this was a really cool. If this was the swan song for him. Really cool last run. This team is in a very interesting place. As we've talked about. They have Rasmus Anderson that they traded a lot for. Yeah, a lot for who? Now they have to decide are we going to keep him around or not.
Chris
I think you literally have to, dude.
Dan
Just because based on how much you traded, it does feel that way. You've got Pavel Dorothyv who was phenomenal these playoffs.
Chris
Yep. He's an rf.
Zach
Yeah.
Chris
And might be served with a different coach. Might be even better served with a different coach. Yeah, maybe.
Dan
Maybe We'll. We'll. We'll see what happens with him. You have a great team still. You have Petrangelo who is still on ltir. Probably not coming off that.
Chris
Correct.
Dan
Mark Stone is the biggest warrior of all time who continues to get more and more hurt. Let's see what happens with him. I can't imagine the laundry list of injuries that are going to come out from this Vegas team, him included. I. I think Vegas is in a really cool spot where I'm so impressed to see them get to the cup. So impressed to see what they did. And I'm now so curious to see what is their response. What is their response when they lost the cup in that first year, that was insane, right? It was just like, holy shit. And then that's really when like now the Vegas way, the roster building, everything is beginning. We've now seen them win a cup a few years ago. Now they've gotten back to a cup and lost a cup. I am so fucking curious to see what McCrimmon does and what this Vegas team does. Like, what is Vegas losing a cup look like.
Chris
I think they have a huge summer, dude. I think they have a massive summer. Yeah. And you're right. So basically what I was going to say is because I want to get into so much of that, but I just want to save it for when we're back and we can, like, absorb the summer because I really want this. And a shout out. There's. I think there was a couple shout out. Any of the Vegas fans who maybe are still here, But I got to believe this is mostly Canes fans in this chat. So I just want to. I just want to make this a fucking party for everyone, for all.
Dan
Yes. I just wanted to know.
Chris
But I'm so glad you did because. And I also just want to shout out Marner too, because what a fucking year. Like, you go. You get out of Toronto. You actually. You said it best, Marner. Marner had said, if we win the cup, I'm going to fucking tell some stories about what I was dealing with in Toronto. And then they lose. And I was like. But still tell them, Please still tell them.
Dan
Please still tell them. Or I need them to win a cup next year so I can hear them.
Chris
So. Massive shouts to Vegas. What a year. I'm so excited for their summer. Marner's a beast. We'll get into.
Dan
Jack's a beast too. Yeah, Just like we. We love Jack so, so, so much. And I think Jack was definitely fighting something. Hurting a little bit, but God damn it. Did he leave it all out there yesterday? That crossbar sucked. But dude, he played so well. He was flying around like he was trying. He was doing everything.
Chris
Evan's gonna puke.
Evan
No, I try. I'm not gonna puke in your friend's carpet. Yeah, it happens. I'm gonna grab that Chipotle bag. Oh, it's gonna help.
Zach
Maybe watching.
Dan
No, don't do that. Go to the bathroom.
Evan
We gotta get it on camera.
Chris
Yeah, we do need it on camera.
Zach
Yeah.
Chris
Unfortunately, content is king. Unfortunately, content is king.
Zach
Yeah.
Evan
For the clip of myself for this
Dan
show, I will say this. I. Nothing makes me laugh harder than people puking.
Evan
Because the sound of.
Dan
Yes, yes. Like, gagging videos absolutely crack me up. And then people who hear gagging and then they gag cracks me up, too.
Chris
Oh, dude, I can't believe. Puking is crazy.
Dan
Puking is so funny. Your stomach turns inside out.
Zach
Do it on camera, y'.
Chris
All.
Zach
Chad is so scared about that, him puking on camera.
Chris
Really?
Zach
Yeah.
Dan
What are they like, please don't show that.
Zach
Yeah, please don't show that. And then I got a. I'm a sympathetic puker in the chat.
Chris
Yeah.
Zach
Yeah.
Dan
That is so sweet.
Evan
Ever stand by me. And they're telling that story about the guy. The guy who eats all the pies.
Chris
Yeah.
Evan
Pukes. And all the people in the audience puke.
Dan
And like, that is sympathetic puker. Such a sweet thing.
Chris
Somebody said. Oh, it was Kelly. Where is it? Shout out Kelly. Oh, Kelly. We had the bracelets on all game, by the way.
Dan
You sure did.
Chris
So I'm not saying that was the cause.
Zach
Yeah.
Dan
By the way, Laura. I think I saw a comment from Laura the other day. Or. No, it was a hockey talk. Laura asked when she's out of time out. Yeah, you're out of timeout.
Chris
Yes. Laura, come on. One time. One time.
Dan
But be careful, Laura. You're. You were supposed to be my best friend, and you've been chirping me, so be careful.
Chris
So Kelly said, shout out to the Vegas fans who stayed and cheered on the celebration. Really couldn't agree more. A ton of them.
Dan
I was actually blown away with how awesome that was. Like, that right there, in my opinion, is true hockey fandom.
Chris
Yeah.
Dan
The cup is in the building of. Thousands of Vegas fans stayed in the barn and watched the cup get brought out. Watch the Con Smythe be like, they were just enjoying the moment and respecting the game. That was awesome.
Chris
That was very sick. Okay, I want to talk about the game itself a little bit.
Dan
Take us through.
Chris
I. We always say I'm such a home team, you know, like when you're. When you're at the bar and it's like, there's a million fans there and they're happy, and I want them to be happy.
Dan
Yeah.
Chris
I just like hockey. And, dude, if you got a problem with that, by the way, then take a number.
Evan
We.
Zach
We are unbiased Journos. Yeah.
Chris
Like I'll tell you.
Zach
Yeah, sorry, Sorry.
Dan
We are not. We're unbiased dipshits.
Zach
Dipshit. Yeah.
Chris
Because. And, dude, if the Bruins or the Kings are in a cup, then we can revisit this conversation because I will probably be rooting pretty heavily for one team, but for the most part, I'm like, I must see some good.
Dan
I swear to God, if the Bruins and Kings play in a Stanley cup against each other while we are doing this job, I will literally not go.
Chris
I'll quit.
Dan
I will literally not go.
Chris
I can't.
Dan
I couldn't do it.
Chris
But, dude. So the. Until then, I'm here. And I'm a home team slut, and I will not be slut shamed for that in any way, shape, or form. So you get to Vegas. And by the way, I know that the travel is a bag, and I know that you guys are tired, and I'm tired, too, but the travel is a bag. But deep down in my sick, twisted brain, I just wanted more of this. So I was like, whatever, dude. Send me back. Like, I'll go. I'll go seven. I'll go fucking seven rounds with you. You want to go seven rounds, bitch? I'll go seven fucking rounds. How about a little bite? So how about a little bit? It was part of me that was like, okay. Okay, Vegas. Like, let me see what you got. Dude, no. Wild Bill. Everyone's counting you out. Let's fucking go. So the game starts, crowds going, you know, because there were a lot of cage fans there, but the Vegas fans were fucking ready to fight. And it was pretty good flurry from Vegas first. And then Taylor Hall. Dude, Taylor hall gets, like, kind of behind the D. Not kind of. That wasn't a clean break, I would say.
Dan
Really?
Chris
Yeah, because he. He has. He is forced to shoot that. Like, he's not coming in.
Zach
Oh.
Dan
Oh, sure.
Chris
He didn't clean.
Dan
Well, he didn't. I think it was a clean breakaway. He didn't have a lot of time.
Chris
I have that goal. Do you guys have the Taylor hall goal?
Dan
Hey, Zach, why don't you do your job?
Chris
Hey, Nate, what are you.
Dan
Yeah, actually, you know what? Hey, Nate. Hey, Nate, why don't you stop distracting Zach, you absolute pig. Let's get the Taylor all go. I think this was absolutely a clean breakaway.
Chris
Okay, well, it was.
Dan
It wasn't a, like, out of control breakaway. Yeah, but Blakey snapped him that pass, right? Or did Blakey get the secondary on that?
Chris
I can't remember.
Dan
Oh, wow. It's like.
Chris
I would.
Dan
It's a Zach footage, too. I would say it's not even the fucking.
Chris
But you know what I mean? I would say if he tried. Chris, that is a breakaway. No, but if he tried to go forehand back in here, he couldn't.
Dan
Yes, that's what I'm saying. He didn't have a ton of time, but he is in alone. And he has a. Like, he has a moment to be like this. Okay, where am I shooting this with no obstruction?
Chris
Agree. But my. All I meant by that point is, if I'm Carter Hart, I know for a fact he has to shoot because he can. Yes. And that is so Carter Hart is sitting here.
Dan
Great point. Great point. Great point.
Chris
He's out of time. He has to shoot and.
Dan
Great point. Great point.
Evan
Jack.
Dan
Zach. Great point. Great point.
Chris
Exactly. Great point. Great point.
Dan
No. Great point. Great point. Great point. Great point. Speak. Great. Great point.
Zach
Yes. Sorry.
Dan
Join in the chat. Great point. Great point. Great point.
Zach
Great point.
Evan
Right. Yeah.
Chris
You're doing it, right.
Dan
Why was that? I just wanted you to say great point. I think the hunger, I think is.
Evan
I think he's. I think he's. I think he was drunk. Yeah.
Chris
He's sobering up now. Yeah.
Zach
I think I legitimately do think that the hangover is just starting to hit me.
Chris
Seven up. You got.
Dan
Hey, she just got hit with a late day.
Chris
Go get a zero, cherry.
Dan
Absolute worst thing in the world, the late day hangover, dude.
Zach
Yeah. Points got really sweaty and. Yeah.
Chris
Oh, yeah, you did.
Dan
You got hit with a late day hangover.
Chris
Oh, no.
Dan
It's terrible when you're, like, still drunk and you think you're fine. You're like, I'm not really that hungover. And then all of a sudden you're like, wait a minute, I was drunk. Now I'm hungover. Terrible. I feel awful for you.
Chris
So what I was gonna say is we've made a. There's been a lot of commentary in this series, in this playoffs.
Dan
You need to make Zach a drink.
Chris
Okay. About the. A winger coming down on his strong side. So what I mean by that is your stick is close to the board. It's not like a right shot coming down the left wing. That puck is centered, and it's harder for the goalie if it's a left wing coming or a left shot coming down the left, and you get beat all the way across your body and it's not piping in. Because a couple times people were chirping Wedgwood. And I was like. Because of that jack shot and I'm like totally posting in, but that one just kind of goes clean in.
Dan
This team is so down bad. Evan's about to puke, bro.
Chris
I got back. We. We stumbled out of the Bellagio. I mean I guess we can't tell too many stories, but like someone. We left someone on the Bellagio floor.
Evan
We.
Zach
We left somebody on the Bellagio floor last night. That is a real thing.
Dan
No, I will not take responsibility.
Chris
We stumbled out of the Bellagio. We walked out of the Bellagio noon like it's.
Dan
He was gone. He left us to go get food.
Zach
Yeah, he did.
Chris
And then he came back and fell.
Dan
Assuming we were there.
Chris
Woken up on the Bellagio floor at 11am this morning.
Zach
That's.
Dan
We don't know that.
Chris
So anyway, dude, we are hurting but that shot is. I think if I'm Carter Hart, I ha. And. And I want to say Carter Hart had actually a great game in compared to the series. He made some really big saves. But that shot I have to have in the first five minutes of this game when it's like we need the lead. We can't be chasing the Canes. And it was like bang. Taylor hall goal. And I was like. I looked at you guys, there's like 16 minutes left in the first period. And I looked at you guys and I was like, pack your bags, boys. We're done. We're done here. This game is over. The series is over.
Dan
I will say this, that goal went in and it felt very much like last year's Florida win in game six.
Chris
Yeah, they won that.
Dan
What did they win that? Game three.
Chris
No, Sam Reiner had four goals.
Dan
Yeah, it was a rinse job.
Chris
Four goals.
Zach
Yeah.
Dan
That game was like a shit stomping.
Chris
Yeah.
Dan
In that moment it felt like, oh my God. I didn't. I wasn't like Carolina is going to rail them. But I was like exactly what I said after game four when I keep going on and on. Carolina figured out Vegas that play. We gotta someone figure it out. Who had the fucking. I think it was Blakey's pass because it was such a good quick turnaround snap to take a Slavin.
Chris
They were saying someone said Slave.
Dan
Okay, so it was Blakey to Slave.
Chris
Yeah.
Dan
And then Slavin to Taylor Hall. That snapped pass by Slavo was unbelievable because it was like he gets him in there. Taylor just fucking big game. Taylor hall puts that. Yeah. Puts that puck in. And I was like, man, this team is just dialed. And after that in the first period, there was a crazy Flurry of Kane's pressure and 79 made an unbelievable save, diving back across the crease. And I actually saw some fucking donkey comment online that was like, people are calling this such a great save, but it's actually a play by heart behind the net. And I'm like, so that makes it not a good save.
Chris
Yeah, because they did turn over behind the net, but it's still awesome.
Dan
Oh. Oh, yeah, he made a bad turnover. That means it's not a good save. What are you talking about? It was an unbelievable save. And that definitely woke Vegas up for a little bit in that first period.
Chris
Yes.
Dan
Like, to me, I was like, this first period's ending. Three. Nothing. Like I, like, in that flurry, I was like, they're going to score here. That save was made. And then everyone on the Vegas bench was like, all right, wake the fuck up. Because they came out so dead, so flat, so slow. That save made them wake up. And I was like, okay, we've got a little bit of a game here.
Zach
So I actually have a really good, strong question about this. This is the first time, obviously, like, at the beginning of this Stanley Cup Final, Vegas just felt like a robot, almost destroyers, all those things. What happened? And it's not even like, obviously Bussy played out of his, his mind, but between like, game five and game six, there was an entirely different level of body language, there was entirely different level of atmosphere, and there was an entirely different approach from the team that I am very.
Dan
Dude, fantastic question.
Zach
Very curious.
Dan
I, I, I know I sound like an insufferable. I'm repeating myself. I'm telling you, Game four, Carolina's game figured out Vegas, they, they in, in game four, Carolina won that game. And the lack of shots from Vegas, the neutral zone, pressure, not letting Vegas enter the zone with possession, with good space to get good shots, that in game four, got to Vegas in a frustration way. You started to remember, I called out, I was like, taylor hall is getting under people's skin. That shit as well as that fucking blanketed, suffocating pressure in the neutral zone that was messing with Vegas's game. And Carolina won that game in a way that Vegas was like, man, they're like, they're frustrating us. Then they came out in game five and won cleanly with the same model. And when you lose two games in a row like that in hockey, you, especially when you have your goalie giving up all these goals, you are going, shit, like, this team kind of has our number. That, that, that was, yeah, that, that was the feeling. I Whether they want to admit it or not, that was an overwhelming feeling in that Vegas locker room of, like, this is a very good hockey team, and they have our number right now. And then for me, Zach, going into this game, you've got Braden McNabb, who ate a puck in the fucking face.
Chris
Who's de.
Dan
Like, he. Listen, he played. He had an amazing series. But no matter what, dude, that is like, you're. You're playing with a fucking birdcage on now. You know, you have a broken nose. I wonder if he has, like, orbital fractures, too. That's in your head. One of your best defensemen is hurt. You lose. What? Wild Bill Carlson, who, as we say, shout out murals, is the straw that stirs the drink for that team. You change it up, you get. You take Kolasar out of the lineup, which I hated, and when you're making changes like that, you lose a guy like Carlson, this team has your number. You definitely are going into that game not laying down, but you're like, fuck me, it's going to. We got a battle here. So to that point, I'm so with you. I was shocked how flat they came out.
Zach
That was.
Evan
I, like, are we looking at, like, coaching, too? Like, as far as, like, I wonder, like, Rod getting their number. So good on him for. For figuring it out. And then also, maybe some coaching issues with Vegas. Is that what you're thinking?
Dan
I don't know that. I think that I did say I love Torts. I'm a tor. I do think Torts is genuinely a sweetheart. He's a hard ass with the media
Evan
and, like, a personality thing. Maybe he just, like, didn't know how.
Zach
Yeah.
Evan
The canes.
Dan
I was during hockey talk yesterday. I was quick to be like, I didn't like torches snap at. At Laz's question.
Chris
You didn't?
Dan
I didn't at all. I think there's one thing in supporting your goaltender in a question like that. I think it's another thing to actively piss on your backup goaltender.
Chris
Yeah.
Dan
Which he did.
Chris
Yep.
Dan
And then also, I think comments like that, when you're down in a series and you feel like your back's against the wall, feels a little petulant.
Chris
Yeah. Oh, dude.
Dan
It also, I think there's one thing. If he gets that question, let's role play. Paraphrase that last question.
Chris
Did you ever think, is there any moment in the third period you thought about going to Hill?
Dan
No. That is a way that respects your goaltender.
Chris
Yep.
Dan
Kind of like looks at the. If you wanted to insult Laz you're kind of doing it like that, but to lash out the way he did. Like, again, it's funny. I love it. Like, it's. Torch is funny. And like last handled it perfectly because Laz is the best.
Chris
Yep.
Dan
But I didn't like the response because I was like, Feels to me like you're. You're doing the, like, I am calm thing. You know what I mean? So I was kind of like, dude. And yeah. I wonder, guys, I wonder if this got to a point where Torch was like, oh, man, the magic's kind of running out.
Chris
Yep.
Dan
And I wonder if in that locker room, a team that by all reports was like a top team in the league going into the season then kind of underperformed for various reasons. And it sounds like with Cassidy, they were like, we are so fucking done with this guy.
Zach
Yep.
Dan
We're legitimately not even playing that they had to fire him 10 games before the playoffs. You wonder if, like that group who's a little fed up now, gets Torts. And maybe Torts gets to the point where he's like, I'm kind of running out of the steam here. And they're all like, well, then we don't really have a coach here, dude.
Chris
I just. And this might be.
Dan
I don't think that was the case. I think, again, I think Court Torch is a great coach. I just.
Chris
Well, this probably takes away from what he thinks he was doing, which I'm sure was something.
Zach
Yeah.
Chris
But I feel ev. To answer your question, it was a little bit of a double edged sword because the whole narrative of Torch coming in with, with eight games left was there is no time for Torts to, to change this team. All we're asking you to do is be a motivator in the room. Yes. Do nothing. We trust this roster is good. Just be there and get the boys fired up, which he did all playoffs. And then in the final, they're going Torts isn't coaching enough. And I'm like, no one asked him to coach.
Dan
Yeah.
Chris
They asked him to just fire the boys up.
Evan
That's a hamstring situation, you know, so I'm like, he's.
Chris
He's not. What, what do you want to do? Fucking change a system? They just met this guy. He's just saying, come on, boys, little fight. And then they ran out of fight.
Zach
I think you're making a fantastic point. I also, like, truly think this.
Dan
This is just.
Zach
This was it running out. This was the team running out on Torts. And this was like, that would explain all the behavior is literally he was brought in to motivate. And then the moment they stopped believing the motivation anymore, we got the body language that we saw last night.
Evan
Yeah.
Chris
Yep. Agree.
Dan
So to go to go back to the Canes. Halsey gets that goal. Great shot. Amazing start. Good little response from Vegas after that big save. We. We had a couple peepers here and there. Nothing really going.
Chris
I want to say this on that. The just quick aside the hurdle face off interference penalty was the most out of pocket. Shit. I did not see.
Dan
I actually didn't like a number of calls.
Chris
Game 6 of the Stanley Cup, I was like, I've never even heard of this.
Dan
Yeah. But I. I did respect how the refs were like, we're calling. Yeah, you know, whatever.
Chris
Yeah.
Dan
So we had a couple of power plays. Whatever. I. Easy to say this in hindsight, but I feel like I have some defense with. With how much I have talked about believing in this team, especially from the whole game four thing. When Halsey scored, I personally, I don't know how you felt. I was like, this is over. They are winning.
Chris
Oh, yeah. I said that. I looked, you guys, 15 minutes left in the first period.
Dan
And I said, we're.
Chris
We're done.
Dan
And then I. I tweeted out, God,
Chris
that would have been awesome.
Dan
I tweeted out, next goal is huge. Yes, absolutely huge. Because if Vegas had scored and tied it up one one, I. I still think Kane's had it, but it would have been, oh, man, that barn would have gone nuts. Like, it would have been like a little bit of fight. But I was like, if Carolina scores fucking dunions. We are done here, Dunya. And then who but our boy Jackson, Blake tucks one in. And I was like, this game is finit.
Chris
And Dan, I said this to you live. I said this to you at dinner. And I'm not going to say any names. Anyone wants to go back and watch the highlight, you can know who I'm talking about. If you have the Blakey goal, you can throw it up, Zach. But I'll tell you what, dude, this is another goal. And listen, the Carolinas forecheck was great all series. So I'm not taking away from the adjustments they made on the forecheck, but I am telling you, there were a multitude of times in this series where a Vegas player has the puck on his stick in the D zone with no one around him. Bad turn, full possession, and then in 10 seconds, they're getting scored on. Bad turn. And I'm like, to your point, in this Moment where, like, next goal doesn't win if you're Vegas, but next goal wins if you're Carolina. And just to puke these pucks up, I'm like, dude, what are you doing?
Dan
Dude, what are you doing? But also, let me say this. I can't emphasize enough. I don't know if it translated as well as it did in person on tv. The way this Carolina team was all over the place in this game.
Chris
Yeah.
Dan
Was truly one of the most miraculous things I've ever seen.
Chris
Oh, dude, they're sworn. I mean, that's the thing.
Dan
They were. But, dude, this game was a different.
Chris
This game was.
Dan
And it makes sense that they have had a shutout in this game. Zach. Like, you could see it, right? Like, as a not, like, lifelong hockey guy, dude, Carolina won every single puck battle. They. Every time there was.
Zach
Yeah, it was obvious. I'm telling you this. It was. Yeah, it was. This was Carolina's game from start to
Dan
jump start, start to finish. Absolutely. Like, they were. They were on every loose puck. And there was a couple of times, I think it was the second period. They know it was the third period, third period, up to nothing. There was a great transition play. I think Svetch had it came into the. Just entered the offensive zone and he, like, whiffed a shot or maybe threw Svetch and like, maybe threw a pass or something. But it was, like a bad turnover, and it was a bad turnover in transition because the way the flow went with the line change and the zone entry, it was an immediate Vegas four on two.
Chris
Yes.
Dan
And, dude, you know when we get those cool moments in sports, happens in football or, excuse me, happens in basketball a lot, where it feels like all the players are, like, in sync and they're like. It almost looks like a simulation, the way Svetch, I think Aho. And one other player, everyone on the button, turnover happened, bang, stopped on the ice, and, like, we're fucking sprinting back. Like those hard, quick strides on the ice where it looks like a player's running on the ice to get back and back check. And Svetch came in. And Svetch got the puck back. He came back through the neutral zone, found the puck, carrier, stick lift, poked it off, got it to Chatfield, and then, like, settled down, regroup. And I, like, that was a turnover where I was like, ooh, this could be dangerous in transition. And before that thought even came through my head, Svetchnikov came back, broke up the plane, got the puck back, and I was like, these go. These boys Are not leaving this building without the puck.
Zach
Can we. Can we do something?
Dan
Always. Yeah.
Chris
Yeah, dude. Somebody. Somebody into who might be dying. Like, we've lost Evan, and he might be gone and dead, but somebody have
Zach
to give them the congrats. I. They're the. The ghosts are busted.
Dan
Ghosts.
Chris
Ghosts have been.
Dan
Hey, ghosts. Bussied.
Chris
And that's what we came up last night. I was like, how did we not put that together? We've been on Ghostbusters all playoffs, and it was ghost. Ghost Busin. Dude, Ghost Busin was the answer the whole time. And they couldn't fully be busted until you put the bus in. That was insane. Dude, that was so fucking awesome. Laura demonetized, correct?
Dan
No, no. Less than 10 seconds.
Chris
Yeah. Caught it in time.
Dan
Chris, get up and go make Zach a drink.
Chris
Okay.
Dan
And I will filibuster while you're gone. Do. Here's the. Here's a question. Monitor the chat. Chat. Do you want me to keep talking about the game while I filibuster, or would you like me to filibuster about a random topic for a couple of minutes? Oh, you okay? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. That'll hurt you. That'll hurt you. We'll let those responses roll in, Zach. But until the responses roll in, I will just keep talking about the game. Two, nothing into the third period, and we went 15 or so minutes, 15 and a half minutes in the second without a shot by Vegas. Like, it was. It was just. Wow, an unbelievable onslaught.
Zach
It is an overwhelming. Random topic.
Dan
Random topic.
Zach
Yeah.
Chris
Okay.
Dan
Filibuster on a random topic. All right, now chat, you. The power is in your hands.
Zach
Yep.
Dan
Some of the first responses that you
Zach
see, Zach thought, fill my buster. No, no, there's no topics yet. Yet.
Chris
Yeah, yeah.
Dan
All right. Chat.
Zach
Send me dance conspiracies.
Dan
Oh, Dan's conspiracies. Oh, all right. Here's my conspiracy.
Zach
Oh, wait. Really want a story from what happened last night?
Chris
No.
Zach
Yeah, we can't talk about that. No, no, no. We can't tell any stories about.
Dan
We're not doing that. I will get into a conspiracy, though. Here is my conspiracy that I teased when we were in Raleigh. I talked about it. I believe that John F. Kennedy was murdered by Jackie's then later husband, Onassis. What is his first name? Aristotle. It's not Aristotle. It's a sick name, though. Evan. What. What is Jackie Kennedy's husband's name? Onassis.
Zach
Is he okay?
Evan
Me.
Chris
He's gonna kill us.
Evan
I did.
Zach
No, no.
Dan
Hey, look it up. Look it Up Onassis first name. Someone in the chat's gonna do it. It's.
Evan
It's.
Dan
It's not Aristotle. It's. It's something.
Zach
Oh, yes.
Chris
God, you're so lucky. I wasn't.
Dan
It is Aristotle. Okay.
Chris
Laura said dungeon Caller call Laura. If I had been here, I would have hijacked this whole.
Dan
Okay, so check this out. The theory goes like this. Jackie and JFK married. Jackie loses a child. Absolutely devastating. And then her sister was dating a man named Aristotle Onassis, and she invited Jackie to come to their place while she recovered from the trauma she was dealing with from losing child. There, Jackie and Aristotle fell in love. Then Aristotle breaks up with Jackie's sister, is like, yo, I'm in love with you. And Jackie's like, same, but I am their first lady, so we can't do anything about this. And Aristotle goes, I can do something about this. JFK is assassinated. Then Bobby Kennedy comes through and is like, yo, I love you too, Jackie. Because Jackie's the most lovable person in the entire world. You can't be with Aristotle Onassis because Aristotle Onassis is a fucking criminal, dude. He's in the Mafia. He's a bad guy. You can't be with this type of guy. You should be with me. Another Kennedy. Then what happens, dude? Bobby whacked. Then Jackie goes off on the super yacht with Aristotle. Next thing you know, they're married.
Chris
Married.
Dan
So Aristotle Onassis behind the assassination of JFK and Bobby Kennedy, all because Jackie was that thang.
Evan
Dude.
Dan
Everyone needed a piece.
Chris
Correct.
Dan
She's the most beautiful woman in the world.
Chris
Helen of Troy.
Dan
Helen of Troy. He's modern day Helen of Troy.
Chris
That's true.
Zach
Yes, but that's. I mean, losing your life to a man named Aristotle is a tough.
Chris
Very tough.
Zach
That's tough.
Dan
How can you compete with Aristotle Onassis?
Zach
Aristotle Onassis, dog. I mean, you can't be.
Dan
You think that's a bad name, Zach?
Zach
You can't be better than the original Aristotle. Like, your whole life is set up for failure because you're second to the OG Aristotle.
Dan
I don't know.
Chris
But if you.
Dan
If you become, like. If you become a mafioso and you start whacking people, dude. Zach, you're telling me that a guy who's able to fucking assassinate the President of the United States doesn't live up to Aristotle?
Chris
That's pretty badass.
Zach
He's second to Aristotle. He's the second best Aristotle.
Chris
Yep.
Dan
Damn.
Evan
Man of high morals.
Chris
Yeah, I try to be okay, Dan, you're gonna have to write a book about this. Maybe we write a screenplay about this.
Dan
That would actually be.
Chris
That's what Laura's saying.
Dan
We would probably get whacked by Aristotle.
Chris
Jessica, Jessica is asking if I have a new hair routine. Kelly, I'll let you answer that. Please, please answer Jessica about my new hair routine.
Dan
This chat. I'm curious what you think if there are any Jewish people in the chat, let me know.
Zach
What?
Chris
Here we go. Here we go. Dude, he's got the fucking boo boos. And now what?
Dan
You guys are the problem. If I say if there are any. I have a question. What is the name of the braids on? I believe. Is it Hasidic Jews who have the braids that come down the side?
Evan
Yeah, I'll look it up. Yeah.
Dan
Or if there's any Jewish people in the chat, let me know. Simple question. Because you have. You always pull your hair down your sideburns like you have on the left side of your head right now.
Evan
Pay out.
Dan
Okay.
Chris
I don't. I don't do anything I don't do.
Dan
Actively pull those down and you know.
Chris
Incorrect. I just put my hat on and
Dan
I'm saying you would have unbelievable braids if you ever.
Chris
If I did that. That'd be gas, actually.
Dan
So I'm just saying.
Chris
Yeah, yeah, you're right.
Evan
Yeah.
Chris
And they're like, you, not you, dude. They're like, get.
Zach
Boo.
Dan
Boo this, man.
Chris
Oh, my God. All right, dude, this is what I wanted to say about the game.
Dan
Brandon Bussey, I have not yet seen the
Chris
caption. That's correct. Brandon Bussey getting a shutout in a Stanley cup clinching game. And I know for a lot of. Obviously not the Canes fans, but for a lot of people, everybody was like, man, what a bummer that this series was fucking electric factory. And then the last game was pretty boring, which it kind of was as a neutral. But Bussy getting a shutout. Now that the game's over and the Canes have won, Bussy getting a shout out is so awesome. For him. That is a fucking incredible moment and achievement. I just wanted to highlight a few moments from his night. Early. It was already one nothing but early. Great shift from Jack. The puck gets whacked, I think by Dorothy. I've had a mid air hits the. The top of the net, falls right down and Bussy like caught it without pushing his glove into the net. That was a sick moment early where I was like, wow, soft hands, Bussy.
Dan
Yeah, big time.
Chris
Then after the ridiculous hurdle call and it probably was a good call. I saw people in the chat saying it was the right call. I'm. I'm. I can't see that face off. I don't get a replay. I just. All I meant is I can't believe they're making that call. But anyway, Howden gets a breakaway on that. Four on four goes five hole. And.
Dan
And that's big game, Brett.
Chris
Big game.
Dan
Like that.
Chris
That.
Dan
That was a monster save.
Chris
So that would have been one one. Okay. Then the Vegas power play at the end of the first. You kind of mentioned this earlier. Jack gets. This isn't the crossroad, but Jack gets a massive one. Timer busy, like, comes flying over, Huge save. And I know Jack was tired, but when that horn sounded to end the first, Jack did this thing, you know, stick on pants, just gliding to the gate. And I was like, dude, that's frustration. That's not. I'm just tired. He's like, God damn it. So there was that one, then. Oh, that was. That was a good heart save. Then Dorothy Ev. Michael had the crossbar. Just nightmare for Vegas.
Dan
But the, like, a crossbar was. I mean, that.
Chris
That was 10 minutes.
Dan
That was it. That was game, right, Guys? Like that, when Ikes hit the crossbar there, it was like, it was game.
Zach
It was 100 game.
Chris
Yeah.
Dan
That felt like the cellophane moment. It was like, there is cellophane on this net. You cannot score tonight.
Zach
Yeah, yeah. I remember, like, in the moment, I just. After, like, watching the replay of the crossbar, and I was just like, like, obviously not a Vegas fan, but I just was haunted by, like, I could just see that pain over and over, that replaying over and over.
Chris
There was a huge Dorothy of chance with 5 minutes left. Bussy again. And then I could. I can't remember who this was, but there was an outrageous chance with two minutes left on a reboot. Dude, that busy, like, tombstone, kind of.
Dan
Yes. And you know what? Before that, I tweeted this in real time. I'm curious if you saw it. Fucking shout out. Jalen Chatfield, dude.
Chris
Chad, he's dope, dude.
Dan
He had the most unbelievable stick lift I have.
Chris
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Dan
I remember that in my life.
Chris
That was awesome.
Dan
I genuinely do not know that enough people saw this, because I know a bunch of Kane. Also, Canes fans, if you haven't done this yet, go back and rewatch that entire game over and over.
Chris
Yeah, correct.
Dan
It's so fun. You'll see so many things that you didn't see while you were watching. Because you were too nervous. There was about three minutes left. There was a crazy flurry for Vegas, I believe with the goalie pulled and a puck got thrown back door to the right stick with an absolute gaping net. And I don't even know who had the shot attempt for Vegas. But Chatty came in out of nowhere on.
Chris
On the one.
Dan
It wasn't like a collect it and take your time. It was a 1T attempt and he just reached in with everything he had and got a nice little stick lift and broke it. I was like, that is the fucking
Chris
play of the game, dude.
Dan
It was unbelievable.
Chris
So, yeah, there were some. There were some epic moments like that. Those are my highlights. Just that I wanted to shout out Bussy. Insane. Hearing the entire crowd chant his name must have been surreal as he's like, I barely got. I just got my into the NHL at 26.
Dan
It was incredible.
Chris
And now I just want a Stanley cup and the entire arena chanting my name as I get a cup clinching. Shut up. It.
Dan
Let's talk about that. We. Was it. It was EP4 or 5 where we were talking about the whole Freddy situation. Freddie getting benched. And I. And I said, I guarantee if and when they win the cup, he will come out dressed and he will get. You remember, back me up.
Chris
You said this.
Dan
I was like, he will get the cup after. He will get the cup after. Stall.
Chris
Yep.
Dan
And we saw that happen, obviously. Let's have the Freddie Bussy conversation.
Chris
Okay.
Dan
What's going on?
Chris
It's got a funny text.
Dan
A bunch of people in the arena shout out Emily. Absolute. One of the most wonderful human beings.
Chris
Correct. Legend.
Dan
Emily, we love you. Vegas fan was saying how bad she felt for Freddie as the Bussy chants were going.
Evan
And.
Dan
And I think that's such a good point because Freddy is an unbelievable NHL goaltender. Leaves Toronto, finds himself as the starter in Carolina, reinvents his career. Is so good. Such a strong player has unbelievable health issues that he battles through. Still is out here playing at 36 years old, has one of the best seasons of his career this year. And then comes into the playoffs, gets the starting job when it was in question.
Chris
Yeah, absolutely.
Dan
And goes sweep, sweep, gentleman sweep. Then after three and a half games, he gets yanked and Bussey cleans up the rest. There is absolutely a feeling for a competitor like that that is like you want to be in the net. You want to be. You want to be the man in the arena. And he has to sit there, not even dressed and watch Bussy go in and clean up the job. And finish it out. No question. There must be a part of Freddy's that's like, fuck me, I wish that was me.
Zach
Yep.
Dan
But I am here to say, from everything that we've heard about Freddy, from everything we've heard in his post games on the ice, he was like, I can't believe this is real. He was just so happy. I don't think there is a single shred of him that should feel anything but immense pride for what they've done. Like, dude, Bussy is a hero. He's a Carolina hero forever. And those chants, unreal. Getting that shutout out of this world. But I actually loved that moment so much because all season long they were the best team in the east doing it together. At the end of the day, they then won the cup together.
Chris
Yep.
Dan
I thought that was awesome.
Chris
It was cool. And dude, somebody said early in the chat, I won't be able to find it, that this is the, I guess like, so somebody was like, oh, this disproves the tandem theory. And it's not exactly your theory because no one went back in, but it is an interesting one. I'd like to look back because Kemper came out for a bit, but Kemper goes back in and it was injury. But I'm just saying usually the guy, if there's a switch, that like starter goes back in.
Zach
Yeah.
Chris
This is an interesting one where I'm like, oh, the, I guess Aiden Hill. Aiden. This is the exact Aiden Hill story. It's very, it's like, oh, the back. The backup came in and did this, which wasn't that long ago, but still extremely awesome. A lot of people in the chat saying the two goalies hugging at the end was epic.
Dan
It was, was unbelievable seeing them embrace.
Chris
Yep. But I, I, I said this after game five. Freddy should be extremely proud and is extremely, extremely deserving of his name on the cup. We are friends with some goalies who have their name on the cup where they're like, I didn't touch the ice, so it's sick that I won one. But like, like, Freddy, this Cane's team does not win this cup without you.
Dan
No.
Chris
Be, be so proud.
Dan
Absolutely not. No.
Chris
Yep. What a moment. That was awesome.
Evan
Sorry. Yeah. Wasn't he also the second person to get the cub? Yeah.
Chris
We're talking about. That's to him first.
Evan
Oh, was I dying on the toilet?
Dan
You were wrestling your demons.
Evan
Well, yeah, yeah, yeah, I was.
Dan
Which, Dude. Hey, Good fun.
Zach
Fight.
Dan
Little fight.
Chris
Ev.
Evan
Thanks, brother.
Dan
Little fight.
Chris
The shout out. Shane. Shane Knighty came up to Us at. At the end of that game, he was there. He came up to us and said really nice things. So if he's listening, thank you so much.
Dan
Yeah, you're Shane Knight.
Chris
But he said something where he goes, we brought up the 2011, obviously. And he goes, that Bruins team. What? And. And don't take this the wrong way, Boston fans, but he said that Bruins team was team beat talent against that Canucks.
Dan
Yes.
Chris
The senior brothers and everything. Team beat talent. And he said to me, he was like, that's what happened here again this year. Team Kane's team beat that talent because everyone picking Vegas. Pretty much the narrative was, I get how good Carolina is, but they don't have Jack Eichel, they don't have Mitch Marner. And I don't even think Carolina fans are going, yes, we do. Because, like you don't. But they go, it doesn't matter because our team can beat the top end talent that you have and it doesn't. That was cool.
Dan
Agree, agree. Speaking of the roster management, we've said it a number of times this year. Does this absolutely confirm Nikolai Ehler's move of the year?
Chris
Dude, I mean, he. I would love to go back and find this. But we said in one of the first playoff episodes, Nikolai Ehlers isn't a megastar. You did not trade for this megastar.
Dan
But.
Chris
But the Canes didn't need. The Canes have been so close for so long that they were like, oh, I don't need a Mitch Marner or something. I just needed like one guy that could be. Could do enough. And after one of the first playoff eps, we were like, I think Nick Ehlers is enough. Like, I think you get a guy like Nick Ehlers and I go, boom, you can now win. And then you did. And he's nasty. It was crazy.
Dan
All right, so we're obviously a big Nick Ehlers podcast. Fly. You're my guy. I think Nick Ehlers was very much the straw that stirs the drink for Carolina.
Chris
Good call. It's a really good call.
Dan
It's. When you think about what is the. What was the difference maker for this team. Now you can talk all about the fact that Florida wasn't in it, Tampa got eliminated early, whatever, you know, miss me with all that. Every year is every year or every year is a new year. And you play who you play. When you look at this team and you ask yourself who was the difference maker? Obviously Bussy. Massive difference maker this year.
Chris
Yeah.
Dan
But when you look at the. The skaters, Nick Ehlers was a Massive addition. And I, I talked about it so many times in the latter half of the season, post Olympics, he came alive in a big way for this Carolina team. And, man, the dynamic performances that he had in these playoffs, scoring that first goal to start the Stanley cup final, his multiple goal games the way he was. That fucking pass he made on that last goal in game five.
Chris
Yeah, nasty.
Dan
He was just feeling it, man. And I, I think sometimes, yeah, maybe you don't need a star, star player, but when you can add, let me say a superstar player, but when you can add another star player to this group, that's the big thing, right? When you have a top line of Sebastian Ajo, Seth Jarvis, Andre Svetchnikov, three star players, and then you have a second line, third line, and you're like, yeah, we have, you know, I think Stank is a star player. I think Halsey, especially in the playoffs, is a star player. Talk to Taylor, Hall, Jackson. Blake is a fucking star in the making. Like, what an unbelievable guy they have there and what a deal they have with him. And then when you add Nick Ehlers to that group, dude, I'm just, I'm telling you, man, like, that is such a dagger for other teams where it's like, this fucking guy. Yeah, this guy's on their second line, their third line. What the fuck? And then the big thing for me is what Nick did to the power play. Yeah. If you noticed, the power play in Carolina runs through Ehlers.
Chris
Oh, yeah, dude.
Dan
He is the guy they're going to
Chris
get that shot to.
Dan
He is the guy they get the puck to like. They look to Nick Ehlers on that power play. And, man, I'm telling you, he just gave them, he gave them another sharp canine in the bite. And here we are, Stanley Cup. And I will finish my Ehlers rant with this. I think we could expect a massive year from him next year. Me too comfortable now, second year with this group. Clearly they know what he has, what he's capable of. I'm very excited to see what he does next year, dude.
Chris
And listen, the. We're not getting into this today. Florida's going to be back, there's going to be great teams, Colorado, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Going to be some big trades this summer, I hope. But I just want to say the Canes are in a great spot to try to run this back. A lot of teams win and you're like, oh, man, I'm so glad you won now because you're cooked. The Canes are, are sitting very pretty to Be right in the mix. I want to basically I want to end this, not this show because I have plenty more to talk about but this game with.
Dan
We're gonna get the boys to the airport.
Chris
I know this. I am so glad that that line that Blakey.
Zach
Yeah.
Chris
Halsey stank and like you said, shout out Blakey with a he once Halsey scored, I was like, man, Con Smythe bid. And then Blakey had the Blakey scored and I was like, dude, cons might have been Blakey. Shout out Jane, by the way. Shout out Jane. Incredible run there. But dude and the that line. Getting it done or being such an impact in the clinching game was really cool. Based on what they did all playoffs like that. I think the Canes were going to advance with, you know, whatever. But they were doing everything to start playoffs. What a perfect bow for them to be like, we got the goal. We got the two goals to get it done 100%.
Dan
I'll do a quick two minutes on just like this Canes team and then Zach, I want you to touch on some of the things that you took notes on as we close up the show here. Man. Someone asked me during hockey talk, do I think the Canes are going to make big moves if they don't win the cup. And I was like yes. But also I think yes, no matter what. And I just cannot emphasize enough, man. This is the best roster management I think I've seen in my lifetime in the NHL. This team currently. Because we're in the off season now, folks.
Evan
Yeah.
Dan
This team currently has about $12 million in cap space. $12 million in cap space. And do you know who they have to sign? Literally no one, dude. Like they, they have DeLaurier who's a Ufa and that's an unbelievable guy to have in the locker room. But you can bring him back on a low hit. Mike Riley, unbelievable guy could bring him back on the low hit and you got Nikation RFA. Now I'm giving that guy a great deal. 24 years old, he's a great player.
Chris
But.
Dan
But that's not going to be all 12.
Chris
Yep.
Dan
No way. I think you can get the Kishan probably at a seven by six. Maybe I buy that. So then you got $6 million and dude, the next year who is a UFA in that Ford group Next year you have Bussy at 1.9 for 3 years. Next year your UFAs are 33 year old Martinook and 37 year old Jordan Stahl.
Chris
Yeah. Wow. That's it.
Dan
On the defensive side that's another 33 year old Gostaspier and 30 year old Chatfield like this. I can't believe the roster construction of this team. And that's why I keep going back to. I think they make a move like, look at Dylan Larkin. Look at some of these people who have become available because look at this team that just won a Stanley Cup. Guys like Rob Thomas are on the block. You could add to this team, make a trade, do whatever. And it's like now they're even better. So it's just. I'm so happy for this group. I'm so happy for Dundon. I'm so, so happy for Tulski and Rod. Obviously, all the boys, all the families and all of the fans. But this is very much a. They did it. I know a lot of Panthers fans are chirping like it's only because we were out. And I love that, I love that fight. But if you're the Canes, I think right now you're going. What is stopping us from going back to back? And that is the mentality you should have.
Chris
Yep.
Dan
Do not. Do not go.
Chris
We did it.
Dan
We thought we did it. First time in 20. Fuck that. Go win again. Go in again.
Chris
Yes, go in again. Okay. I want to give the fans just a couple fun things before. Okay. So my first. So we did it, dude. Game over. We win. Party time. First thing I want to do is shout out George. He's the equipment manager on the Canes. He came up to us after, says he listens to netters while he sharpens the team skate.
Dan
Yeah, that was awesome. That was a sick fucking. He said that and that like again in Vegas and Carolina, everywhere. We've met so many awesome fans and human beings. It's the best. That one actually stopped me in my tracks, dude. When he said that, I like, I kind of like snapped my head and I was like, that is sick.
Chris
Actually, I'm sure he buzzed the wheels before game six. So I kind of think, you know, he was listening to Netter sharpening to the hype up. Yeah, got got the boy stopping on pucks. He also played at NC State, which was. We were talking about that fire. George, you're a legend. That was awesome chatting with you. Okay, so for me, dude, and Zach, do you have any of that shit tuned up from the videos you were going to show?
Zach
Yeah, yeah, I got a couple of things.
Chris
So the first thing I want to say because obviously, obviously, we can't start
Dan
letting it rip, dude. We're closing off the show.
Chris
Here. But dude, so I had a moment because there was some all time. So we. We were bouncing around with the boys at. We were at Aria for a bit and then we went to Omnia. We're at Omnia. And you know, the fuck. It's chaos. It's chaos in the street, the cuffs fucking everywhere. So I have a moment where I'm in the, you know that hallway, like, kind of that you came in. I'm in the hallway, like, alone. I was trying to find the bathroom and I'm wandering there and I turn the corner, there's a hallway and I look down because I'm looking to see if the bathroom's down there and it is not. But there's just one person there just leaning against the wall with a beer. I think it was a mic ultra. I think, boom. And it's Jordan Stahl. And we're just there by ourselves and like the music's pumping from the other room and I go, stall. I think I said. I was like, stallsy, Alzheimer, bro. And he just. He's like leaning back the ball and he just looks at me and goes. And just hits me with the sickest wink I have ever seen in my life. Dude, I will remember that wink for the rest of my life.
Dan
Hey, you know what I said to Grant last night? We were. Were sitting in the one of the sections and like, we're with all the boys. And I was like, one of my favorite things about hockey guys is when they're on their skates, like when we're on the ice after the game, like, they look so huge. And their equipment, they look so huge. Then a lot of them, like, you see just in person, you're like, oh, you're just a normal dude.
Chris
Yeah.
Dan
And we were standing next to Stallsy and I was like, except for him.
Chris
You're huge.
Dan
He is a fast.
Zach
He looks like Aaron Judge, dude.
Chris
Yeah. He is a brick house. I do it every. And now I get it. I'm like, how does it Vegas not move him out of the front of the net? He's tipping and everything. And I'm like, that's how you can't monster man dude. Him just lean against the wall. Bang, wink. Con. My mvp. I was like, yes.
Evan
Amazing night for him.
Chris
It was so sick, dude. That was a. I was extremely.
Dan
That was really outside of family stuff. I mean, like, Jesus. Yeah, this is. You know, he's got multiple cups now, but like Con Smythe winning this. Con Smythe as the longest tenured captain of the Carolina Hurricanes. Oldest Con Smythe Winner of all time.
Chris
Okay, so, dude, then we are getting bounced out of Omnia at like four something, right?
Zach
Yeah, yeah.
Chris
And I'm telling everybody to go to McMullens. I'm like, we got to go to McMullen's because it's open, you know.
Dan
You know what deaded this?
Chris
I think. I think they were there.
Dan
Oh, well, it was me, okay? I was a. Was an absolute Benedict Arnold.
Chris
You scumbag. While you were doing that, like this
Dan
Guinness, he was stopping everywhere he was going, like, finding. Being like, hey, we're going here. Chris would then move on to the next person, and I would then go to that person, be like this. We absolutely cannot go there.
Chris
Why?
Dan
Dude, it is so off strip.
Chris
I know, but would you have rather think about what ended up happening to us? I loved every second, okay? So I'm trying to get everyone to McMullen's the Boy. And it is fair, fairly. They're not. It's not their city. Like, it's a sick rip, obviously, but I get that they're not going to be like. Like, you know, oh, look at this offshore bar. And get with the people, because I'm like, the people aren't rooting for you. So we're trying to figure it out. And we are bouncing. And this is where. I was pretty hazy. I said this to you, but all of a sudden we're rolling out of Omnia and I'm trying to get us somewhere and somehow we get a party bus. Because I was. Do you remember?
Zach
I was like, yeah, we did, dude. I was just gonna cab cp.
Dan
We were on a party bus last night.
Chris
We were on a party.
Zach
Yeah, we had a party bus last night.
Chris
That's what I'm saying, dude. You don't even remember this place, bro. We were on a fucking party. No, we weren't. Yes, we were, dude. We got a party bus out of Omnia with all the boys, and then we fucking. And somebody goes like this. We need tattoos. So I literally go to the fucking driver and I'm like this. We need a tattoo. Like, I acquire me ink. And he goes, okay, dude. And drives us to wherever the that was, dude. Like, I don't even know where we were. Was that across from the Bellagio? Did we walk from that place?
Dan
It wasn't across to the tattoo place. The alleged party bus.
Chris
So we get on the party bus. The party bus happened, dude. We did. We were on a party bus.
Dan
Yo.
Chris
I'm telling you, dude. But Dan, I almost forgot too. Like, I literally was like, so so we go to the tattoo place. Yeah, don't put it on yet. And I go. The guys go in there and they say, this is what we want. And the guy go. I go, how, dude, I am obliterated. And the guy's like, how much? And he's like, 400 each. And I go, how about 350 for both for total? And he was like, that is not at all how negotiation works. Like, you.
Dan
You just went below and cut it in half.
Chris
So I go, 350 total. He goes, no. And then I go, 375. And he's like, still not even fucking close. So then I'm like, dude, well, we don't want it that big. We got to get it smaller. And this what we want. Can I see a font book? Blah, blah, blah. And. And then he's like, we're finding a price. But then there's these tattooing another guy right in front of us, which actually felt insanely unsanitary.
Dan
Oh, buddy. Well, we talk about it all the time. Anywhere that is doing late night drunk tattoos is probably not the most above board tattoo parlor.
Chris
Yeah, it's like 5am and so he goes. He goes, well, it's going to take me 30 minutes to tattoo this dude. And then 30 minutes, tattoo your guy and your guy. And I'm like, all right, we're not sitting here for 90 minutes, boys. Like, let's go. And I was like, I give you my word, I will come back. Let's go gamble. Will come back. And then they go, okay, on the
Zach
word of pull this.
Chris
And then we left. And then I went, great, everyone is going to gamble. And then we all did, like a shoulder check. And we were like, where are those two guys? Two of the boys? And they were gone. And I was like, fellas, my God, dude. And then, wouldn't you know it, 60 minutes later, Zach put it on a hole into the.
Zach
We can show it.
Chris
Drum roll, drum roll, drum roll, Drum roll, please.
Dan
And this is what we got, folks.
Evan
Dude,
Dan
two of the jar boys. Two of the good old Canadian boys. Dude, by the way, we've talked about the Stanley cup in a lot of ways with various names. The way that the fellas just were calling it Lord, Lord. And then they were like, this. I have Lord on my ass, dude.
Chris
Dude, they were like, we need to get Lord, Lord 26. And sure enough, PPY right there on the other cheek, dude.
Dan
And I'll tell you what, listen, boys, I love you and I'm so happy that you did this. It's not the best tattoo.
Chris
They couldn't sit down. We couldn't sit down.
Dan
It's not the best tattoo. The outline of the cup. Whoever this artist was didn't do the best job.
Zach
Dude.
Chris
The fuck.
Dan
It's not very symmetrical.
Evan
That. That. That's What? That's with 350 for both you.
Chris
Yeah, yeah. You got a deal, dude. 350. I'll do it. Lefty.
Dan
Also shout out Bri. Brian. I were like. Everyone was trying to get us to do get tattoos, and I famously. I am a tattooless man, as is Brian. And we were just in the classic vortex of being like, should we do it? Should we do it? Yeah, obviously not gonna do it.
Zach
I'll get down just in case we don't get fucking. Yeah.
Dan
And Brian and Bry goes. At one point, he goes, dude, if I do this, my grandma will kill me. And that was it for us. We were like this. Oh, well, we're done. We're not doing this. Now the.
Chris
Somebody. Andy goes. The flight back to Winnipeg is gonna be so pa.
Dan
Correct.
Chris
Oh, my God.
Zach
True.
Chris
On that plane.
Dan
True.
Chris
I'm sure they haven't. They. I'm sure both of them have an exam coming up. All they. Every five seconds. They're missing exams, so that was insane. And then we go to the Bellagio or We. We were already there. They meet us there, and we are like, we have to play. We're playing craps till. Till noon.
Dan
Yeah.
Chris
We are going in.
Dan
We tried it.
Chris
I have never seen more scumbag from the people working at that craft table. I can't swear. I can't say Edge. I hope Edge is still in that.
Dan
There's no way that's legal. Edge.
Chris
Yeah, we got yelled at. They said you could. They looked us in the face and said, you are not allowed to say the F word at this table because
Zach
it was in front of ladies. We. We said, oh, that's kind of nice.
Dan
I didn't hear that.
Evan
Imagine it. Like, how many people gambling who lose their shirts and just go so loud all the time the whole place.
Dan
Did they actually say it was because they were ladies?
Zach
Yeah, because they were ladies.
Evan
You know what? Who.
Zach
Hey, Dan.
Chris
Staff.
Dan
No, I like it.
Chris
The staff.
Zach
Who.
Chris
Who were the ladies there? They just called it a ple of the pants. Who were the ladies there that they were upset at?
Zach
The. The dealers.
Chris
The dealers, Dude.
Zach
The other ladies were saying, dude.
Chris
And we were. We weren't doing that. We were going like this.
Dan
Let's fucking lower the tone of your voice.
Chris
I will not. I am Fuming.
Dan
I did not know this. I actually think that that's great. If it was because there were ladies present, that. That's very classy, but they deserve to be chastised for everything else. They were terrible.
Chris
But you know what?
Dan
There's a part of me that thinks being in the 5am Crew must suck.
Zach
Yeah. Yeah.
Evan
Hard line.
Chris
Yeah. Good point.
Dan
That must stink. So I'm kind of like, we go
Chris
to the loony baby in at the Bellagio. We stumble out in the middle of the day.
Dan
How is there more to this story?
Zach
There isn't.
Chris
We stumble in the middle of the day. So maybe someone slept on the Bellagio floor. Maybe not. But do you have. Did you have. Do you have the video? I airdropped you. I'm gonna post this on the. On the grid, too. But this was just. And to. Just to give you guys a sense. We, We. The party was awesome. We were in the mixer. Happened.
Zach
That.
Dan
I will tell you.
Chris
And if any of you ever see me in person at another hockey event, I will tell you all these stories. But I'm not telling it on a recorded podcast. But we were in the mixer. Crazy shit going down at the club, and this was. This was all time. Will they be able to get the audio of this, Zach, or just. Just the video?
Dan
No, no, don't do the audio.
Chris
Just. We'll post it. I'll post it. I'll post on the grid. Yeah. Okay. So. Yeah. Is that up already? Yeah.
Dan
Can I take a moment to say the. The best part of this job and this amazing, blessed life that we have is as we've always gone on and on about hockey. People are so special.
Chris
Yep.
Dan
And I know people have seen us having the amazing opportunity to hang with these fellas in Milan. Now we got to hang in Raleigh, and now Vegas. Every single one of these guys are friends for life.
Chris
Yep.
Dan
This is not a surface level, like, oh, it's fun you guys are doing.
Zach
No, no, no.
Dan
I absolutely love these guys. I will be friends with them till the day I die. We'll talk to them till the day I die.
Chris
Yep.
Dan
They are such an unbelievable group of human beings, and this is the world that brings us together. It's. I'm so grateful.
Zach
It's amazing.
Dan
Yeah, absolutely. Evan just said that it's the friends we made along the way. It's absolutely true, man. And I just, like, I. I. I genuinely, genuinely love them, dude.
Chris
The group chats that have been going, that have been firing pics and videos from last night to each other, just remembering, like, do you remember this? Did you see this? Like, I don't, dad. Dan. Dan. I barely remember the party bus I was seeing get said to me like, oh, yeah, I forgot that happened. I almost got clotheslined by the cup at one point, and I'm, like, trying not to touch it, and Martinook was shaking it so hard. I'll show you this video. Literally, I was like, like, oh, my God. That would have been dumbies.
Dan
Okay, we got to get the fellas to airport here.
Zach
Yeah. Can I. Can I admit something that I did last night?
Chris
Yes, please, dude.
Evan
Oh, is that why my butt?
Dan
Did you.
Chris
No, not that.
Dan
Did you puke?
Zach
No. So when the, The. There was a moment where the cup was passing me, and it was kind of like people were, like, touching it and stuff as it was going by, and that little hallway right by. Dude, I gave the cup a kiss last night.
Chris
Are you my dad, dude?
Zach
No.
Chris
Are you kidding me? So give. Tell me every thing that happened in
Zach
what context people were tapping on and stuff as it went by.
Dan
We can. We can turn this video off, by the way. It's been on for 50.
Zach
Let me turn this hangover. Yeah, but, yeah, I gave the.
Evan
The.
Zach
The cup a kiss last night.
Chris
So it came by and you just leaned in.
Zach
I leaned in.
Chris
You leaned in and fucking smacked your
Zach
lips off just, like, a little real fast. Yeah. Wow.
Dan
Dude, isn't that crazy?
Chris
That was awesome.
Zach
It was like, it's my moment. Well, because people were, like, touching it, and, like.
Chris
Yeah, everyone was doing it.
Zach
Everybody was doing it. It was. No, it was sitting there for a while, and there was enough people touching it. I was like, I'm gonna kiss it real quick. And so I did.
Chris
Dude, did you touch it, Evan?
Zach
No.
Evan
No. I, I, I, I was pretty tired. Weird. Yeah, I left before you guys.
Chris
Yeah, but you were there. You had. You've got plenty of cup time, though. You were. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Evan
I, I, I. Zach, it feels like you can't touch it. There's something about it.
Chris
Yeah, I can't do it. Zach has now kissed the Stanley Cup.
Dan
I love it.
Chris
Can you believe that tournament?
Zach
I love it.
Dan
It feels very. Zach, he's just.
Zach
I just said he's now the baseball producer.
Evan
Yeah.
Zach
No more hockey anymore.
Chris
God, that is fucking awesome.
Dan
All right, we got to get the boys here to the airport, so we're gonna wrap things up. And normally, emotional Dan, I would go on a big speech about how unbelievable this year was. It's been a crazy year. Some downs, way more ups, and it's all because of you guys. But the good news is we don't have an offseason.
Chris
Correct.
Dan
So we'll fucking see you guys in like two days.
Chris
Yep.
Dan
Don't leave us is what I will say. We've got a ton of. Of great stuff coming out. Love island reviews are ripping right now. Like we said, last step. We've got a ton of people coming through, some of our amazing actor friends in this company, outside the company. Other creators are going to jump on. We're going to be doing so much stuff with the World cup. As long as that tournament's going on. So don't go anywhere. I know hockey season is over, but Netter season is never over. So stay with us.
Chris
It's going to be a blast.
Zach
Can we. Can we do.
Evan
Do.
Zach
Do one thing. Just play it out.
Evan
Yeah.
Chris
Well, yeah. Before you kind of say thanks to. Thanks to Saul and Schmoopy for giving us this incredible set. I think they maybe are still here.
Dan
Massive. Massive. Love, love. Love you. To Schmoops and to Sully. Because I. I said earlier, I was like, we're living large. Feel so safe here. I don't want to leave.
Chris
And then. Well, what are you gonna play us out with?
Zach
The. On I. Celebration from the Canes. So we have a bunch of videos of it. I think we should just do it.
Chris
I love it. And everyone in this chat. I don't know if I get. Do I talk after the video or is that just.
Zach
You can talk through the video. Yeah, it's.
Chris
Let it rip. Let it rip.
Evan
What?
Dan
Guys, like, we gotta go to the airport.
Chris
We gotta go right now. What a. What a season. What a moment for the Canes. What a moment for every Canes fan in this chat. This was an incredible run and I'm so happy for all of you. God, a ho. Dude, I was. He made me really pumped. Like, I was just so happy for him. God. Because he's been there the whole time.
Dan
They're. They're an incredibly, incredibly lovable team. Every one of these guys.
Chris
Amazing. He was. Dude, someone sent. So people were saying he was crying on the bench. That was so sick. I gotta get a video of that.
Dan
Halsey thrilled for a ledge beast.
Chris
God, you got some great stuff, boys.
Dan
I mean, this team has got to have some of the best contracts in the entire league. Bussy. Like I said 1.9 for like three more years.
Chris
Insane. He doesn't care. He doesn't care.
Dan
Doesn't care. We've got. I mean, the fact that Slavin's on 6.4. Sean Walker is on 3.6.
Chris
That is awesome pizza, dude. I remember that. Yeah.
Dan
And then how about this one? C.P. jackson Blake 5.12 until 2034. Yeah, that might be the best contract.
Chris
Are you kidding me?
Dan
Stank 6jarv742 775 Nick 85 Fishy 97 I mean this team is unbelievable.
Chris
Yeah, it's insane.
Dan
Oh, Jarvis the best.
Chris
Oh, that was unreal, dude. That's what that. In that moment he said there are not enough beers in Vegas. And I said, you are correct.
Dan
He was right.
Chris
Let's, let's, let's test that theory.
Dan
We actually ran out. Brian, Brian and I were. Brian and I were running out of beers. It was unbelievable.
Chris
Dude, when the beat.
Dan
No, no, no more stories. We got to wrap this up.
Zach
Yeah, we're all getting out.
Evan
All right.
Dan
Absolutely. Love you guys. We got got to wrap up. We will see you next episode. Congratulations, Canes. Congratulations, Canes fans.
Date: June 16, 2026
Hosts: Chris, Dan, Zach, Evan (via Almost Friday Media)
Theme: Celebrating the Carolina Hurricanes' Stanley Cup Victory and Recapping an Epic Final Series
This highly anticipated episode of the Empty Netters Podcast chronicles the immediate aftermath of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, where the Carolina Hurricanes clinched the Cup for the first time in 20 years. Broadcasting live from Las Vegas after an unforgettable night out, the brothers (and their crew) deliver raw, behind-the-scenes stories, impassioned analysis, and a heartfelt tribute to both teams and their fanbases. From euphoric anecdotes of post-game chaos to deep dives on pivotal plays and roster construction, this episode is a love letter to hockey, camaraderie, and the community built around the sport.
On Canes' Cup Win...
“Carolina Hurricanes, Canes Nation, soak in every fucking second.”
—Dan [03:29]
On Rod Brind’Amour...
“I’m not sure there’s any one person more important to a franchise than Rod Brind’Amour.”
—Dan [14:09]
On Game 6’s Turning Point...
“Taylor Hall gets behind the D... I looked at you guys and said, pack your bags, boys. We're done. This game is over."
—Chris [31:06]
On Goaltending...
“Bussey getting a Cup-clinching shutout, the whole arena chanting his name... That is a fucking incredible moment.”
—Chris [52:51]
On Hockey Camaraderie...
“Every single one of these guys are friends for life… this is not surface-level, it’s real.”
—Dan [80:52]
On Postgame Partying...
“We got a party bus with all the boys out of Omnia. Then we needed tattoos. ‘Acquire me ink!’ I said to the driver.”
—Chris [73:59]
Vegas Shoutout…
“No one thought they’d get to the Cup after this season. The fact that they swept Colorado—incredible, man.”
—Dan [21:01]
The hosts end with a message of gratitude and hype for the future:
“We know hockey season’s over, but Netters season never is! Congratulations, Canes. Congratulations, Canes fans.”
—Dan [84:00, 86:48]