Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 652

Summary of Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 652

by Barstool Sports

1h 57m•June 5, 2026
Listen to Episode

Overview of Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 652

Episode 652 is a high-energy reaction show centered on the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights. The crew breaks down how the series flipped from what looked like a Vegas stranglehold into a tied, must-watch Final, while also hitting league news, awards, trade rumors, and a few non-hockey quick hits.

Stanley Cup Final: Game 1 and Game 2 Breakdown

Why the Final suddenly feels elite

  • The hosts were frustrated early in Game 2 because Vegas was dominating and making Carolina look overmatched.
  • By the end of the night, they were thrilled the series had become competitive and were calling it one of the best Game 1/Game 2 combinations of a Cup Final in recent memory.
  • A big theme: the NHL is “on a heater” in terms of entertainment and viewership.

Key Game 2 turning points

  • Brayden McNabb injury was viewed as a major loss for Vegas:
    • He blocks shots, eats huge minutes, and stabilizes their defense.
    • Without him, Vegas was forced into a depleted blue line rotation and looked more vulnerable.
  • Brett Howden was a huge storyline:
    • Scored highlight-reel goals and was praised for elite individual efforts.
    • His offensive output has skyrocketed, and his Con Smythe odds moved dramatically during the game.
  • Logan Stankoven’s net-front effort helped Carolina claw back:
    • His goal changed the momentum and sparked the comeback.
  • Mark Jankowski tied it with a huge power-play goal.
  • Thomas Hertl eventually won it for Vegas late in regulation, after a key Carolina breakdown.

The goalie interference challenge

  • The panel spent a lot of time on the Ivan Barbashev goal/interference review.
  • Their view: it was a bad or at least very debatable challenge/call.
  • They argued:
    • The puck never really froze long enough for a clear dead-puck situation.
    • Barbashev was making a hockey play, not visibly interfering with Frederik Andersen.
    • The call seemed tied to the referee’s intent to blow the whistle rather than actual goalie interference.
  • RA later came in and also thought the challenge was shaky, though he agreed the eventual tripping call in overtime was correct.

Carolina’s identity in the comeback

  • Carolina was praised for:
    • Never panicking when down.
    • Playing with confidence even when trailing.
    • Continuing to pressure and simplify once they stopped forcing the “perfect” play on the power play.
  • The crew highlighted how the Hurricanes’ pressure-heavy style can be beaten by:
    • High flips through the neutral zone.
    • Simple net-front plays.
    • Winning races behind an aggressive forecheck.

Players, Lines, and Tactical Notes

Vegas standouts

  • Mitch Marner was repeatedly mentioned as a major difference-maker.
  • Jack Eichel looked like one of the best players on the ice, though the crew wanted him to shoot more on the power play.
  • Mark Stone was praised for his hockey IQ and net-front positioning.
  • Shea Theodore got a lot of love:
    • The GM’s preseason comments about Theodore’s growth came up.
    • His two-way impact and ability to drive offense were framed as the model for elite modern defensemen.

Carolina standouts

  • Seth Jarvis got a redemption moment after earlier missed chances.
  • Sebastian Aho and Jesperi Kotkaniemi were discussed in relation to Carolina’s power-play movement and line balance.
  • Jaccob Slavin was noted as not quite at his best through two games.
  • Frederik Andersen:
    • Mixed reviews overall, but the crew liked moments where he looked composed and confident.
    • The consensus was that Carolina needs him to steal a game if they want to win the series.

Tactical themes

  • Carolina’s pressure system forces mistakes but can be beaten if opponents:
    • Move the puck north quickly.
    • High-flip pucks into space.
    • Attack with support through the middle instead of getting stuck along the wall.
  • Vegas’ missing defensemen and Carolina’s speed made the series feel like a war of attrition.

NHL News, Awards, and Quick Hits

Major league storylines

  • Dylan Larkin trade request dominated a long discussion:
    • Larkin reportedly wants out of Detroit.
    • The crew debated whether Steve Yzerman’s rebuild pace has become too slow.
    • They also debated whether Larkin or Yzerman is more at fault, and whether this creates a split in the Red Wings fan base.
  • Zach Werenski won the Norris Trophy:
    • The hosts loved the surprise-style presentation.
    • They felt he was deserving despite Columbus missing the playoffs.
  • Cooper won the Jack Adams:
    • There was some disagreement online, but the crew strongly supported the pick.
    • They noted how hard he navigated injuries and a tough season.
  • Manny Malhotra was hired as Canucks head coach.
  • Chris MacFarland leaving Colorado for Nashville was framed as a major power move for the Predators.
  • Darnell Nurse trade rumors in Edmonton were discussed, including the awkward timing and possibility of a change coming.

Other hockey and media chatter

  • They talked about:
    • NHL ratings being up significantly.
    • The league’s current popularity surge.
    • The growth of player empowerment and how star players are increasingly willing to force moves.
  • They compared this era to the NBA-style movement of stars and speculated that shorter contracts and more movement could become the norm.

Show Updates, Mailbag, and Upcoming Plans

Chicklets plans

  • The crew announced they’re heading to Boston and will not be attending Games 3 and 4 in person.
  • They’ll be doing a live stream for Game 4 on Tuesday on the Spittin’ Chiclets YouTube channel.
  • They also asked listeners to send questions to:

Merch and sponsor notes

  • They plugged new merch at:
    • store.barstoolsports.com
  • They also read sponsor segments for RoBack and Shell.

Internet Invitational

  • They received their invite back to the 2026 Internet Invitational and were excited about it.
  • They teased that details are confidential and encouraged fans to follow along for future content.

Main Takeaways

  • The Stanley Cup Final is tied and has become a legitimate classic after two wild games.
  • Carolina’s comeback showed they can survive Vegas’ pressure and create chaos on their own terms.
  • Vegas still looks like the better team overall, but injuries and momentum have made the series much more interesting.
  • The episode also served as a major around-the-league reaction show, with Larkin, Werenski, Cooper, and other NHL storylines getting significant airtime.