LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — In Las Vegas, it's no secret that the house always wins, but that isn't stopping some friendly wagers from popping up ahead of the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Vegas Golden Knights are making the team's third Stanley Cup run, and this time they are facing off against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Ahead of Game 1, leaders and officials from both cities are making the series a little more interesting.
The mayor of Las Vegas has a little message for Raleigh ahead of the Stanley Cup final.
Mayor Shelley Berkley accepted a friendly wager from Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell.
If the Golden Knights win, Cowell has to wear a VGK Jersey at a city council meeting and send North Carolina barbecue to Vegas.
"If I were you, I would never bet against Vegas," she said in a video she posted on social media. "So you take care, and I'm looking forward to receiving a barbecue from Raleigh, North Carolina."
If the Hurricanes pull off a win, Mayor Berkley will have to wear a Carolina Jersey and send a Vegas gift basket.
The bets aren't stopping with political figures; even the local religious leaders are getting in on the action.
Archbishop George Leo Thomas, Ph.D. of the Archdiocese of Las Vegas, has offered up two Mafioso steak packages from the legendary Golden Steer Steakhouse, one of the city’s most iconic dining institutions, if the Hurricanes take the cup.
“Las Vegas never folds under pressure,” Archbishop Thomas added. “And when it comes to the Golden Knights, we are all in. In Las Vegas, we know a little something not just about good steaks, and about high stakes!”
In return, Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama of the Diocese of Raleigh has put North Carolina pride on the line, wagering the smoky, slow-cooked, authentic Carolina barbecue and a pecan pie sweet enough to make even a rival fan reconsider their loyalties.
“While my brother Bishop is much more familiar with wagering than I am, it is my pleasure to share in this way the blessings of our respective dioceses as we root for our home teams," Bishop Zarama said. "Good luck, God bless and Go Canes!”
Check out the full Stanley Cup Finals schedule here:
- Game 1: Tuesday, June 2 — @ Carolina
- Game 2: Thursday, June 4 — @ Carolina
- Game 3: Saturday, June 6 — vs. Carolina
- Game 4: Tuesday, June 9 — vs. Carolina
- Game 5: Thursday, June 11 — @ Carolina (if necessary)
- Game 6: Sunday, June 14 — vs. Carolina (if necessary)
- Game 7: Wednesday, June 17 — @ Carolina (if necessary)
-
Golden Knights trade Pavel Dorofeyev to New York Rangers
The Golden Knights began the NHL draft with a splash, trading away forward Pavel Dorofeyev to the New York Rangers for three draft picks.
Golden Knights GM explains decision to trade forward Pavel Dorofeyev to Rangers
The NHL Draft began Friday in Buffalo, with the Golden Knights wasting no time making moves, trading forward Pavel Dorofeyev to the New York Rangers.
Las Vegas becomes a World Cup destination despite not hosting a match
International soccer fans are making Las Vegas part of their World Cup trips, filling Stadium Swim and sportsbooks as Circa's owner says the city is becoming a destination beyond the host cities.
Joel Ward named newest head coach for Henderson Silver Knights
The Ontario native has spent his entire coaching career with the Golden Knights organization, serving as an assistant coach for VGK from 2023-26 and with the Silver Knights from 2020-23.
