Stanley Cup Final looks ripe for overtime

With Game 2 of the NBA Finals not tipping off until Sunday, we shift our focus to what should be a thrilling and extensive Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights. 

Follow the trends and strap in for extra frames 

The Panthers have been relatively dominant in these playoffs. Yet still saw two games go into overtime during their sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final. They also had another game decided with just four seconds remaining. Florida has played six total overtimes this postseason, two in each of their three series thus far. 

Similar to the Panthers, the Golden Knights are no strangers to an extra frame from time to time. They tied for the fourth-most overtime games this season in the NHL with 22. En route to capturing their Western Conference crown, they went into overtime three times in their six-game series against the Dallas Stars.

In what appears to be a relatively evenly matched showdown, the probability of several close games and overtime periods between Florida and Vegas feels like a relatively sure thing. Getting +145 odds for two games to go beyond regulation is more than generous considering the recent trends. 

In the news ...

Nick Nurse talks James Harden’s future with Sixers — New coach or not, James Harden is widely expected to decline his player option this offseason and become a free agent. However, the recently hired Nick Nurse has made it clear he'll aim to keep Harden in the City of Brotherly Love. Speaking with reporters on Thursday, Nurse revealed he plans to meet with Harden ahead of free agency, noting "winning is the sell" for his pitch to retain the former league MVP. The Sixers are +150 to re-sign Harden, while the Houston Rockets check in with +100 odds to facilitate a reunion of their own with the 33-year-old guard.

Time to back up the Brink's truck for Austin Reaves — Jovan Buha of The Athletic definitively stated on the HoopsHype podcast this week that the Los Angeles Lakers are willing to match any offer sheet Reaves signs this summer up to $100M. The 25-year-old breakout guard is expected to attract a handful of suitors on the market as a restricted free agent this offseason following a dominant postseason run where he averaged 16.9 points per game and solidified himself as a top-three player on the roster. After being booted in the Western Conference Finals by the Denver Nuggets, the Lakers currently own +1000 odds to hang banner 18 next season. 

Dalvin Cook on the move? — According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, a trade involving the star Minnesota Vikings running back is “very possible and could happen by the end of the week.” Rumors of Cook's exit from Minnesota have swirled all offseason as the team looks to get younger and cheaper in the backfield. The Vikings swapped out Cook with presumed replacement Alexander Mattison on their official Twitter account's banner back in May. On Wednesday, head coach Kevin O’Connell lauded Mattison's "third-down ownership." The Miami Dolphins boast +300 odds to acquire Cook, who is a South Florida native. The Buffalo Bills (+400) are also believed to be suitors for Cook's services.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Vinny Somma