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Friday

Oliver Ekman-Larsson of the Florida Panthers celebrates with the Stanley Cup following their victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Final on June 24, 2024. The 2025 playoffs begin Saturday with hopes of an equally thrilling ending.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson of the Florida Panthers celebrates with the Stanley Cup following their victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Final on June 24, 2024. The 2025 playoffs begin Saturday with hopes of an equally thrilling ending. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images hide caption

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Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Sports

The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs begin Saturday. Here's what to watch for

One top seed has never won a Stanley Cup. The other wasn't expected to make the playoffs at all. And a pair of brothers who burned bright for Team USA in February are set to return to the ice.

Friday

A Super Bowl in 'new Vegas'; plus, the inverted purity of the Stanley Cup

Usher and the Stanley cup. Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Rob Carr/Getty Images hide caption

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Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Rob Carr/Getty Images

It's Been a Minute

A Super Bowl in 'new Vegas'; plus, the inverted purity of the Stanley Cup

This weekend, Vegas hit the jackpot. For the first time ever, Sin City will host the Super Bowl; and the halftime headliner is the current Vegas residency darling - Usher. But, NPR Senior Editor Bilal Qureshi says this royal flush was years in the making. Bilal joins host Brittany Luse to share his experience covering the city's journey from 'Old Vegas' to 'New Vegas,' as new hotels, concert venues, and artist residencies bring Vegas to a new market - millennials.

A Super Bowl in 'new Vegas'; plus, the inverted purity of the Stanley Cup

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Friday

Sunday

The Colorado Avalanche wins its first Stanley Cup in 21 years

Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri lifts the Stanley Cup after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. John Bazemore/AP hide caption

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John Bazemore/AP

Sports

The Colorado Avalanche wins its first Stanley Cup in 21 years

The Avalanche's Cale Makar was awarded the series' most valuable player as the Colorado team defeated the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

Tuesday

Tuesday

From Drought To 'Title-Town': Why Boston Fans Remain Insatiable

Boston Bruins left wing Jake DeBrusk (right) tries to stop St. Louis Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo during Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final Sunday in St. Louis. The Bruins won, forcing a Game 7 on Wednesday. Scott Kane/AP hide caption

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Scott Kane/AP

Sports

From Drought To 'Title-Town': Why Boston Fans Remain Insatiable

The Boston Bruins hope to add yet another championship to Boston's collection when they take on the St. Louis Blues in Wednesday's Stanley Cup Final.

From Drought To 'Title-Town': Why Boston Fans Remain Insatiable

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Monday

The Fine Art Of Stopping A Flying Puck

Jordan Binnington, starting goaltender for the St. Louis Blues, looks on during the first game of the Blues' playoff series with the San Jose Sharks earlier this month. Binnington may be a rookie, but he's taking part in a tradition that dates back decades. Christian Petersen/Getty Images hide caption

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Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Art & Design

The Fine Art Of Stopping A Flying Puck

For decades, ice hockey goalies have carried on a tradition of painting their masks. Less visible, though, are the artists who design them — and the thriving cottage industry they've quietly built.

Friday

Thursday

From 'Squirt' To 'Squib,' Mike 'Doc' Emrick's Verbal Mastery Makes Hockey More Vibrant

Sports commentator Mike "Doc" Emrick waves to fans as he is presented with a jersey by the New Jersey Devils in 2012. Bill Kostroun/AP hide caption

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Bill Kostroun/AP

Sports

From 'Squirt' To 'Squib,' Mike 'Doc' Emrick's Verbal Mastery Makes Hockey More Vibrant

The renowned NBC announcer is famous for painting a visual picture of hockey using a dense and vivid vocabulary. For one game, a fan logged 153 different ways he used to describe how the puck moved.

From 'Squirt' To 'Squib,' Mike 'Doc' Emrick's Verbal Mastery Makes Hockey More Vibrant

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Monday

'I've Waited 44 Years': Capitals' First Radio Voice Finally Calls A Stanley Cup Final

Washington Capitals center Mike Ridley celebrates his teammate Rod Langway's game-winning overtime goal against the New York Rangers in 1990. Later in the series, the Capitals would win again in overtime to take series and go to the Eastern Conference finals — and announcer Ron Weber was there for the famous call. Ron Edmonds/AP hide caption

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Ron Edmonds/AP

The Two-Way

'I've Waited 44 Years': Capitals' First Radio Voice Finally Calls A Stanley Cup Final

Ron Weber, 84, called 1,936 games from their inception in 1974 to 1997. But he retired before they made their first (and for a long time, only) final. Now, he and the team have a second chance.

Sunday

Pittsburgh Penguins Lift Lord Stanley's Cup, With Game 6 Win Over San Jose

Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his goal in the second period with Sidney Crosby and Conor Sheary. Christian Petersen/Getty Images hide caption

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Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Pittsburgh Penguins Lift Lord Stanley's Cup, With Game 6 Win Over San Jose

Precisely seven years after its last Stanley Cup win, Pittsburgh has notched another. The Penguins and Sharks traded body blows, but ultimately Sidney Crosby and company earned the gritty victory.

Thursday

Stanley Cup Inspires Artwork Bet, Highbrow Trash Talk Between 2 Museums

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Matt Murray (30) defends against San Jose Sharks' Joe Thornton (19) during the second period of Game 4 of the NHL Stanley Cup final on Monday in San Jose, Calif. Eric Risberg/AP hide caption

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Eric Risberg/AP

Sports

Stanley Cup Inspires Artwork Bet, Highbrow Trash Talk Between 2 Museums

The Pittsburgh Penguins and the San Jose Sharks are going head-to-head in the Stanley Cup finals. To up the ante, art museums from the two cities decided to get in on the action.

Monday

Chicago Blackhawks Take Home 3rd Stanley Cup In 6 Years With 2-0 Win

Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks scores a goal Monday in the second period against goalie Ben Bishop of the Tampa Bay Lightning during Game 6 of the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Final in Chicago. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images hide caption

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Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Chicago Blackhawks Take Home 3rd Stanley Cup In 6 Years With 2-0 Win

The Lightning offense struggled, getting just 24 shots on goal. Tampa Bay also won half as many faceoffs as Chicago and had six penalty minutes to the Blackhawks' two.

Saturday

Tuesday

Come-From-Behind Drama Continues In Stanley Cup Final

Chicago Blackhawks' Brandon Saad (left) reaches for a puck as Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop and Cedric Paquette (right) defend during the third period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final on Monday. Charles Rex Arbogast/AP hide caption

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Charles Rex Arbogast/AP

The Two-Way

Come-From-Behind Drama Continues In Stanley Cup Final

Tampa Bay has a 2-1 lead over Chicago in the best-of-seven series. Cedric Paquette scored the game-winning goal late in the third period, with help from defenseman Victor Hedman.