Sportsnet has unveiled its broadcast teams for the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as the bracket now narrows down to 8 teams.
In the highly anticipated matchup between the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers, the lead Hockey Night in Canada team will feature play-by-play announcer Chris Cuthbert, analyst Craig Simpson, and reporter Scott Oake. For Canucks fans, Cuthbert last called Canucks playoff hockey in 2020 during the Western Conference Semifinal Series against the Vegas Golden Knights, a series that saw the Canucks fall short in a hard-fought seven-game battle.
For those tuning in on Sportsnet 650 radio and On-Demand, Brendan Batchelor will provide play-by-play commentary alongside analyst Randip Janda.
As the Dallas Stars take on the Colorado Avalanche, viewers can expect a simulcast of the American feed.
In the clash between the New York Rangers and the Carolina Hurricanes, play-by-play duties will be handled by Harnarayan Singh, with analysis from Louie DeBrusk and reporting by Shawn McKenzie. Meanwhile, the matchup between the Florida Panthers and the Boston Bruins will feature play-by-play announcer John Bartlett, analyst Garry Galley, and reporter Kyle Bukauskas.
However, amidst the excitement of Round 2, it’s a bittersweet moment for fans of the Vancouver Canucks. While the team has advanced to the second round, it also marks the end of the season for the beloved regional broadcast team of John Shorthouse, Dave Tomlinson, and Dan Murphy. Fans expressed disappointment over the news, as they won’t be hearing the familiar voices of the Canucks behind the mic.
Nevertheless, anticipation is high for Game 1 between the Oilers and the Canucks, scheduled to take place on Wednesday at Rogers Arena. Both cities have been going back and forth on social media, and even the premiers of each province have made friendly bets, but it remains to be seen how the intensity off the ice translates to on-ice performance for these two teams.