Stanley Cup Final Preview, X-Factors, Superstitions and More

The Big Show

Welcome to our third episode of The Hockey News Wraparound Show. We're tackling a ton of hockey topics in bite-sized segments.

Michael Traikos and Jacob Stoller discuss the early storylines ahead of the Stanley Cup final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers, plus some more NHL topics.

Here's everything on today's episode:

0:00: Who has the edge between the Panthers and Oilers?

2:44: The Panthers and Oilers did not touch their conference champion trophies. How do Michael and Jacob feel about the superstition?

4:34: What can the rest of the NHL learn from the Panthers?

7:23: Is Matthew Tkachuk a top-five player in the NHL? What about a top-five playoff player?

10:10: Who is each finalist's X-factor?

13:49: Can Aleksander Barkov shut down Connor McDavid?

16:58: Who are the NHL's latest Conn Smythe Trophy candidates?

21:22: Should the NHL even out the playing field for states with harsher income tax, or is it just an excuse?

25:27: Who should Canada's goaltender be at the 4 Nations Face-Off and the Olympics?

28:20: Should the NHL have a most improved player award? If so, who should win it?

31:54: A blind ranking of past first-overall picks

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