EP 22 Playoff Run with Craig MacTavish

EP 22 Playoff Run with Craig MacTavish

Author: Neil Smith & Vic Morren June 25, 2024 Duration: 49:27

Special guest Craig MacTavish is back to join hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren to discuss the Florida Panthers' victory in the 2024 Stanley Cup, highlighting the decisive Game 7th against the Edmonton Oilers. They analyze the Panthers' effective strategies and the Oilers' struggles, noting the Panthers' strong forechecking and puck control. 

The human side of the story features Paul Maurice's coaching career, detailing his journey from a junior player to a Stanley Cup-winning coach. Neil and Vic discuss Maurice's resilience and tactical acumen, along with his impactful relationships with mentors like Peter Karmanos and Jim Rutherford, who are celebrated as key factors in his success.

IN THIS EPISODE: 


  • [00:34] 2024 Stanley Cup Recap
  • [01:16] Analyzing the Stanley Cup Final
  • [03:54] Craig McTavish's Insights
  • [11:32] Post-Game Analysis and Reflections
  • [30:42] Offseason Transactions and Trades
  • [39:32] Postseason Awards Predictions
  • [44:39] Human Side of the Story - Paul Maurice's Journey to the Stanley Cup
  • [48:29] Conclusion and Upcoming Events

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

  • The Florida Panthers clinched the 2024 Stanley Cup by winning a decisive seventh game against the Edmonton Oilers. The Panthers managed to regroup and deliver a strong performance despite surrendering a 3-0 series lead.
  • The Oilers appeared tentative  in Game 7, allowing the Panthers to control the game. Key players like Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid seemed exhausted, which impacted their performance in the crucial moments of the game.
  •  MacTavish highlighted the Panthers' effective forechecking and puck control as critical factors in their victory. He emphasized the importance of controlling the puck in the offensive zone and breaking up their opponent's plays in the defensive zone.
  • Paul Maurice, coach of the Florida Panthers, was praised for his ability to lead the team to their first Stanley Cup in his 26th year as an NHL head coach.. His experience and tactical decisions were pivotal in the Panthers' successful playoff run.

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/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787


SPONSORSHIP:

MeiGray is your source for Game-Worn jerseys. Head to MeiGray.com to get your collection started today. Get real, get it from MeiGray.

https://www.MeiGray.com/

https://MeiGrayauctions.com/

NHL Wraparound guests can take 10 percent off any hockey jersey when they order at meigray.com and use the COUPON CODE WRAP10



GAME 7 GROUP- www.gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

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:

Craig MacTavish is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player, formerly an assistant coaching position with the St. Louis Blues. He played center for 17 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues, winning the Stanley Cup four times (1987, 1988, 1990, 1994). He was the last NHL player not to wear a helmet during games.


#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #Sports #Broadcasting #StanleyCup #Coaching #Media #Management #ESPN #TNT #Playoffs #Championships #NeilSmith #VicMorren #StanleyCup2024 #FloridaPanthers #EdmontonOilers #CraigMacTavish #HockeyTalk #NHLPodcast #HockeyInsights #GameSeven #NHLPlayoffs


There’s no shortage of hockey talk out there, but what sets the NHL Wraparound Podcast apart is the specific, hard-earned perspective of its hosts. Neil Smith, the architect of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers, and longtime ESPN/NHL voice Vic Morren don’t just react to headlines-they unpack them with a blend of front-office savvy and media insight that’s rare to find. Their conversations move seamlessly from today’s breaking news to historical context, giving listeners a full understanding of why things happen the way they do in the league. This isn’t about hot takes; it’s a no-nonsense examination of the sport’s biggest issues, grounded in decades of direct experience. You’ll hear how decisions in the boardroom affect plays on the ice, how narratives are built in the press box, and what it all means for the future of hockey. The dynamic between Smith and Morren creates a unique partnership that feels like a compelling, inside conversation you’re privy to. Each episode of this podcast delves into the intersections of sports, culture, and personal legacy, offering depth that appeals to both the casual fan and the dedicated historian of the game. It’s that thoughtful, experienced analysis that keeps an audience returning, episode after episode.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 440

NHL Wraparound Podcast
Podcast Episodes
NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 11, 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:34
Only a dark Friday could quiet Neil after posting an 10-3-1 Thursday. That's 22-3-3 over the last three game nights for an overall mark of 557-306-118.Saturday's slate has 15 games but Neil will select only 14 with the F…
NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 9, 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:00
Neil took the show to the road Wednesday and Buffalo, Washington and Edmonton all deliver to move the overall to 547-303-117 (.626).12-0-2 over the last two nights, let's see what how he'll do with a 14-game schedule Thu…
NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 8, 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14
If you took Neil's advice Tuesday, you did real well as the record for the night was 9-0-2 with the only losses coming as a result of the Red Wings and Oilers failing to hold late leads and falling after regulation.A lig…
NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 7, 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:35
On the right side of the ledger on a quiet Monday which saw Neil go 2-1-1. Eleven games on the Tuesday schedule as the jockeying for spots and positions continues. The season record entering play is at 535-303-115.X: htt…
NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 6, 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:54
Similar to Saturday, Easter Sunday started strong and fizzled late for Neil going 3-4-0. A tidy four-pack awaits on Monday with a 533-302-114 overall mark.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.c…
NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - April 5, 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:06
In the collective, the 9-6-0 Saturday was quite good, but the taste went a bit sour with four regulation losses in the late games.Still, Neil's overall bumps to 530-298-114 with an Easter slate of seven games.X: https://…