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Chapter 1: What are the highlights of the Stanley Cup Finals so far?
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Chapter 2: How does Eric Francis perceive the viewership of the finals?
Our next guest is joining us live from Vegas where he's covering the Stanley Cup final for Sportsnet.ca. Eric Francis joins us now on the Halford & Brough Show on Sportsnet 650. Good morning, Eric. How are you? Yeah, I'm all good. How are you guys? We're well.
When you got handed this assignment from Sportsnet, did you think that you would be covering what is quickly becoming an all-time Stanley Cup final?
Oh, I'm glad you said that because I wonder how many people are kind of paying attention. Like, seriously, because, you know, Carolina doesn't really move the needle for a lot of people. And Vegas is, you know, generally quite hated by a lot of people. And I thought, well, a lot of people this time of year start to tune it out.
I haven't seen the numbers in Canada, like how it's doing on Sportsnet, but I hope it's doing well and I hope people are talking about it so that the numbers keep growing because if people aren't watching, you're right, they're missing a classic.
I don't want to say it's one of the greatest series of all time, but it sure is trending to be one of the top ones we've seen, certainly in my lifetime anyway. It's just got absolutely everything in it.
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Chapter 3: What makes the current Stanley Cup series historic?
So game three, this might be a little inside baseball, but whatever.
From the writing perspective, how do you handle a game which has the fastest hat trick in Stanley Cup final history, the three fastest goals scored by a team in Stanley Cup final history, second time in Stanley Cup final history where a team erases a four goal deficit in a single game, a penalty shot, two disallowed goals due to coaches challenges, a goalie pulled double OT.
Like how many times did you have to rewrite that thing?
Oh my God. And don't forget like, you know, midway through. So that's the second game in a row where I had my column written after the second period and had to completely start again. You know, like Brett Howard did game two had put them up to nothing and it looked like they were just going to sweep. And I was pretty, you know, I've all along, I thought Vegas was going to win this series.
I still think they'll win the next two games, but I, I, you know, And then, you know, so Howden looked like the obvious hero. And in the last 10 minutes, just calamity. And Carolina pulls off a crazy one. And then, yeah, a four-goal comeback in the third period. I mean, that's just totally ruined my Mitch Marner column. And then it didn't.
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Chapter 4: How do the fastest hat trick and other records impact game coverage?
You know, but, yeah, you're right, like, We complain sometimes as writers, you know, they certainly covered the Calgary Flames. I have my share of nights where I'm like, huh, what am I going to write about tonight?
Another solid effort.
Yeah, yeah, boy, they're gritty. And then you come here and you're watching, you know, the two deepest teams in the NHL. I mean, Colorado's pretty deep, too, don't get me wrong. But, you know, you're watching these two absolute juggernauts play at a pace that I haven't seen in a long time. And they're adding all this drama and great, you know, historic performances. It's a treat, man.
You know, I feel privileged to be here. I've been on the road for a month now. I did the Colorado-Vegas series, and I was just thrilled because I love those two cities, you know. And I was just thinking, well, whatever the hockey, I just like those cities. Well, now I'm being treated to this, you know, absolute classic.
Chapter 5: What strategies are being used by Vegas against Carolina?
That's why we don't write anymore, by the way. We were like, this deadline writing is impossible. How about we just have a radio show where we talk about stuff and get on the writers and ask them questions? Yeah, you guys are smart. What is Carolina going to do in goal?
That's a great question. You know, we talked to Brendan Moore yesterday, and he won't commit. It was interesting because yesterday he said, yeah, no, nothing's changed. Nothing will change with the lineup. And then someone followed up and said, okay, what does that mean? Nothing will change.
Nothing will change normally throughout the playoffs where it's always Anderson or you're not changing from Bussey. So I don't know. Guys, I'd be interested to see what you think they should do. I think they should go with Bussey.
Chapter 6: How has Mitch Marner's performance changed perceptions?
I mean, Freddie Anderson has been incredible in these playoffs. His numbers are off the charts. But in the final, they've been lighting them up pretty good. So I might go with Bussey, to be honest. And don't forget. Plus, he had a season for the ages. Like, his numbers were ridiculous this year, too.
What is it that Vegas does so well that nobody else has been able to do against Carolina in these playoffs?
Well, I would say two things. One is, you know, they're a much bigger team than Carolina. They're a bigger team than anybody. And so they just impose their will. You know, I was looking at the stats last night. Cole Smith and... most people listening or even people who watch are like, who's Cole Smith?
Chapter 7: What are the implications of Dylan Larkin's trade request?
He had 14 hits the other night. I've never seen that number in my life in a hockey game. They're just trying to punish Carolina every chance they get. And as that game was going on the other night, you saw Taylor Hall got absolutely rocked. Carrier was knocked out of the game. And there was a third guy who was on. We didn't think he was going to come back either.
So they're beating them up is one thing. The second thing is like they just do not let shots get through. They own that space between the dots in their own zone with shot blocking and just plugging up holes. And so they're forcing Carolina, which is a perimeter shooting team anyway, to just keep shooting from the outside. And, you know, and that's not very harmful.
And then when they are getting through, Carter Hart's been absolutely incredible. So it's a whole bunch of things. The depth is just so hard to rival and they can do a little bit of everything.
Chapter 8: What lessons can be learned from the current NHL playoff dynamics?
The Mitch Marner story is pretty good, isn't it?
Oh, God, it's good. It's so good. And look, I was like everybody else, and I bet you guys were the same. Mitch Marner just can't get it done in the playoffs. When the game's bad or most, he's on the outside. He's a perimeter player. He's small. He just can't be a difference maker. But you put him on a team this deep, and that's the difference. He doesn't have to be the hero every night.
Turns out he has been, but he doesn't have to be at all. He doesn't have all the pressure in the world. I tell you what, that second period the other night where he had three goals and an assist, he also had two other great chances, and he made two great plays that should have been buried that weren't.
I've never seen a player dominate a period in my life like I saw him do that in the second period. I mean, so I don't know. He's getting to the harder areas, too. He's not scared. I'm not saying he's a changed player, but I think playing with a big team, a deep team like this, and linemates like he has, really has allowed him to be a little more emboldened and more assertive, and it's showing.
And I guess we're all waiting for him to share his dark times story after if Vegas wins the Stanley Cup. Is that what he said? He'd share it if Vegas wins the Cup?
I'm so fascinated by that.
Yeah, me too. I mean, I hope it's not too dark because I'm kind of making fun of it a little bit.
Me too, but it was a silly thing to say, I think. I think that there's still... Look, I still think he's so angry and he takes such a beating from Leafs fans while he was there. Now that he's gone, he's still taking it. And I don't think he's handling it as professionally as he probably should. Easy for me to say because I don't have to live the hell that he's going through.
And that's what he's referring to. No doubt. No doubt. But so you tell me he would just say he wins the cup at two games or three games from now. We all gather around Mitch Marner. and he's going to tell us about the dark days? Not a chance. Right. You know, he's going to be spraying champagne and drinking beer, and he'll tell us to go pound sand, and he'll talk later, which will never come.
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