Neil Smith and Vic Morren discuss the upcoming Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers. Joined by Eddie Olczyk from TNT, the trio provides analysis, predictions, and insights on the series. They discuss topics such as the significance of touching the conference trophy, head coaching experiences, and previous playoff performances.

 The episode also includes a fun segment with the podcast mascot AJ predicting the winner of the Stanley Cup, discussions on player injuries, and a special feature on the NHL's initiative to broadcast games in sign language. 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [00:36] Stanley Cup Final Preview
• [01:33] Conference Trophy Controversy
• [04:11] Eddie Olczyk Joins the Discussion
• [06:32] Stanley Cup Final Analysis
• [16:55] Coaching and Team Dynamics
• [25:59] Predictions and Introduction to Mascot AJ 
• [31:07] Human Side of the Story

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• The long-standing superstition about not touching the conference trophies was discussed, with Neil Smith criticizing it as "ridiculous" and emphasizing the importance of celebrating achievements along the way. Historical data shows that teams who touched the trophy won the Stanley Cup two-thirds of the time since 1997.
• The disparity in coaching experience between Paul Maurice (Florida Panthers) and Chris Knobloch (Edmonton Oilers) was noted, with Maurice having significantly more NHL experience. However, Paul Coffey's impact as an assistant coach for Edmonton has been substantial in improving the team's defensive play.
• The importance of physical play and special teams was emphasized. Florida Panthers are expected to leverage their physicality to challenge the Edmonton Oilers, while the Oilers' success might hinge on their power play performance.
• The resilience of NHL players during the playoffs was discussed, with examples of players playing through significant injuries. The hosts stressed the need to appreciate the physical toll on players and how it impacts their performance.

RESOURCE LINKS 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

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

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

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At Game Seven Group, we specialize in transforming individuals into cohesive teams through our team-building events, coaching, and speaking. We believe every team has the potential to achieve extraordinary results.

Bio: Edward Walter Olczyk Jr. is an American former center in the National Hockey League for 16 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, and Pittsburgh Penguins. He won the Stanley Cup with the Rangers in 1994.