Discover · Reviewed by NHL on ESPN · Published 2026-06-07
Based on a review by NHL on ESPN (accessed 2026-06-07).
Based on this review alone: buy it if you care about provides a detailed and enthusiastic recap of a dramatic stanley cup final game — just accept some "loser" topics, like the jack adams voting controversy and nhl prospect questions, feel tangential to the main game discussion.
The reviewer, Greg Wyshynski, concluded that the 5-4 double overtime victory for the Vegas Golden Knights over the Carolina Hurricanes might be "the greatest Stanley Cup Final game of all time given all the twists and turns and all the goals scored and what it meant for both teams." Phil Murphy added that the series itself is "shaping up to be one of the greatest Stanley Cup Final series of all time."
This review analyzes a highly dramatic Stanley Cup Final game, discussing its historical significance and numerous on-ice events. It also covers key player performances, recent NHL award winners, and other quirky aspects of the hockey world, such as player movie preferences and unusual scouting combine questions.
The "Winners and Losers" segment delivers an engaging and detailed recap of a historically dramatic Stanley Cup Final game, making it a compelling watch for hockey fans. It thoroughly covers the game's twists and turns, such as two disallowed goals and a record-setting hat trick, demonstrating strong analytical depth. However, the inclusion of "loser" segments on controversial Jack Adams voting and bizarre NHL scouting combine questions can feel somewhat tangential to the primary game analysis, potentially diluting the focus. This segment is ideal for hockey enthusiasts seeking a quick run-down of key events and controversies, though viewers primarily interested in just game recaps might find some discussions less relevant.
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The game featured two disallowed goals, Mitch Marner's fastest hat trick in NHL Stanley Cup Final history, a goalie pull, a penalty shot save by backup goalie Brandon Bussi, the fastest three goals ever scored in the final, and a major rally that forced double overtime.
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The game was won on a "freaky bounce" goal, assisted by a player who was injured in Game 2 after his face was hit by an 87 mph puck.
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The game was played in front of "one of the loudest, weirdest crowds" in Vegas.
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The series featured the most goals scored through three games since the 1981 Islanders and North Stars series, with teams averaging 10 goals a game back then.
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Mitch Marner accumulated 28 points this postseason, which is the most by a skater in his first playoff run with a new team.
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Marner thrived in Vegas because he "doesn't have to be the guy," playing alongside other famous players with Stanley Cup rings like Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, unlike in Toronto where he felt the pressure of being the "chosen one."
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The Vegas Golden Knights earned 95 points this season, which was sufficient to win the Pacific division but would not have qualified them for the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
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Andrei Vasilevskiy won the Vezina Trophy for best goaltender for the second time in his career.
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Vasilevskiy led all goalies with 39 wins in 58 starts and is the sixth goalie in NHL history with nine 30-win seasons.
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Vasilevskiy is one of only four goalies in NHL history to win multiple Stanley Cups, multiple Vezinas, and a Conn Smythe Trophy, joining Patrick Roy, Ken Dryden, and Bernie Parent.
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The way Jon Cooper won the Jack Adams award was controversial because only 99 members of the NHL Broadcasters Association voted, with around 40 not submitting a ballot, which could have affected the outcome for other candidates like Lindy Ruff.
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Letterboxd asked players for their top four favorite movies, and Golden Knights player Jackson Blake listed 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,' 'Anyone But You,' 'Miracle,' and '10 Things I Hate About You,' an "impeccable list of rom-coms" plus a hockey prerequisite.
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NHL prospects at the scouting combine were asked bizarre questions by teams in Buffalo, such as "what would you do if I put a brick in front of you?" and hypothetical desert island scenarios involving violence.
The game was described as potentially the "greatest Stanley Cup Final game of all time" due to two disallowed goals, Mitch Marner's fastest hat trick in history, a penalty shot save, a goalie pull, and a significant rally that pushed the game into double overtime. The winning goal came from a "freaky bounce," making it exceptionally thrilling.
Marner is performing exceptionally well, accumulating 28 points in the postseason, the most by a skater in their first playoff run with a new team. This success is attributed to him not having to be "the guy" in Vegas, allowing him to play with more freedom compared to the immense pressure he faced as a local hero in Toronto.
Andrei Vasilevskiy secured his second Vezina Trophy, an award for the league's best goaltender. He led the league with 39 wins in 58 starts and is now one of only four goalies in NHL history to win multiple Stanley Cups, multiple Vezinas, and a Conn Smythe Trophy, placing him in elite company.
The voting for the Jack Adams Award, won by Jon Cooper, was deemed controversial because only 99 members of the NHL Broadcasters Association submitted ballots, with approximately 40 members failing to vote. This low turnout raised questions about the fairness and potential impact on other deserving candidates like Lindy Ruff.
Teams at the NHL scouting combine in Buffalo reportedly ask "weird questions" to prospects. Examples include "what would you do if I put a brick in front of you?" and disturbing hypothetical scenarios about survival on a desert island involving violence. These questions are intended to uncover aspects of the draft picks' character.
55/100 source quality
This episode of "Winners and Losers," presented by Discover, dissects a recent dramatic Stanley Cup Final game, highlighting its numerous lead changes, disallowed goals, and Mitch Marner's record-breaking hat trick. The hosts discuss Marner's standout performance with the Vegas Golden Knights, attributing his success to a less pressured environment compared to his time in Toronto. They also cover Andrei Vasilevskiy's Vezina Trophy win and a controversial voting process for the Jack Adams Award. The segment wraps up with lighthearted topics like NHL players' favorite romantic comedies and the peculiar questions asked at the NHL scouting combine.
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This page converts NHL on ESPN's review of the Discover Winners and Losers presented by Discover into structured evidence — timestamped claims, pros & cons, and buyer questions. It is not the original review and does not replace watching or reading the full source.
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