Inaugural ‘Stanley Pup’ competition to air ahead of Game 1 of Cup Final

This Saturday marks the start of the Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers. But for the dog lovers out there, it’s not the only big game that will be on that night.

Ahead of the opening matchup between the Oilers and Panthers at 8 p.m. ET on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+, the NHL’s first-ever ‘Stanley Pup’ rescue dog competition will air at 6 p.m. ET.

Sixteen rescue dogs — representing the 16 teams that qualified for the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs — will compete for the Stanley Pup in a 90-minute program created by NHL Productions and Michael Levitt Productions and filmed back in May.

Though just 16 dogs will compete, there’s no need for anyone to feel left out from the fun as all 32 teams have been assigned a furry representative. And it’s all for a good cause as many of the dogs will be available for adoption from a shelter or rescue group in partnership with nonprofit organization Petco Love.

But somehow, the cuteness doesn’t end there. The competing dogs have also been given some punny nicknames that play on the names of star players from their respective teams, such as Auston Mattchews, Nathan MacKibble, Connor McDoodle, Quinn Chews and Alex Ofetchkin.

Apart from the four-legged friends featured, several NHL players will appear throughout the show to introduce the dogs available for adoption and support local pet adoption, including Kyle Burroughs (San Jose Sharks), Anton Forsberg (Ottawa Senators), Anze Kopitar (LA Kings), Nick Suzuki (Montreal Canadiens), MacKenzie Weegar (Calgary Flames), and Trevor van Riemsdyk and Tom Wilson (Washington Capitals). Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella also makes an appearance.

“I’ll tell you, I’m really touched by the organic love and affection that hockey players have for dogs and helping rescue animals,” show producer Michael Levitt said. “So it just felt like a really good marriage because the players are already invested in helping these animals.

“When you adopt an animal from a local rescue organization, you’re actually saving two dogs, the dog you bring home to be part of your family and that spot you open up for that rescue to save another dog. And so to have this platform with the NHL and to be able to message hockey fans all over the world (about) the joy of rescuing is a dream come true for me.”

In addition, the event will feature special appearances from celebrity dog lovers such as Kristin Chenoweth, Mickey Guyton, Miranda Lambert, Heather McMahan, Lisa Vanderpump and Trisha Yearwood. Colour and play-by-play commentary will be provided by Akbar Gbajabiamila and Mark Shunock, with Alexa Landestoy reporting rinkside.

The real Stanley Cup might just have a hard time following up this feel-good event.