Rating the Tonight Show’s 2017 Stanley Cup Final Superlatives

Screen Shot 2017-06-09 at 9.58.38 PM

Every year, Jimmy Fallon on the Tonight Show awards some players of each Stanley Cup Final contender a “superlative.” He did as much to last year’s Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks. Sure enough, superlatives were given to the 2017 Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators. I’m going to give my very good and correct opinion on each one.

First up, the 2017 playoffs’ leading point scorer Evgeni Malkin.

Screen Shot 2017-06-10 at 12.12.16 AM.png

See, I don’t necessarily disagree with this (due to Geno looking pretty tired in the chosen render) as much as I’d like to make an exception to the “players only in the Stanley Cup Final” rule so I can award this to Anze Kopitar instead. But I guess it fits here. I guess.

Afetrward, Fallon began to sniff a lot and pretended to be tired. I guess he was pretending to also be the “Before” in a DayQuil commercial. COMEDY.

Next, Nashville’s Kevin Fiala.

Screen Shot 2017-06-10 at 5.36.25 PM.png

Is the joke that Fiala looks like the kind of guy who frequents Abercrombie & Fitch? If so…okay, why is he the spawn of an Abercrombie & Fitch? I don’t get this one.

There were no hilarious antics by Fallon after this one.

Next, Conor Sheary.

Screen Shot 2017-06-09 at 9.58.38 PM.png

I don’t even know all of the superlatives yet, and this is the best one. There’s no way you can possibly beat the accuracy bestowed upon this superlative given to Conor Sheary. Now, his current Wolverine-with-mustache facial hair set-up could have maybe helped him dodge this superlative, but the Tonight Show was slick and opted to use the available renders. Meaning they didn’t use the star of the upcoming film “Conor.” I like this one.

Afterward, more hilarious antics from Fallon involved him craning his neck a bit and pretending to hand someone what I have to assume is a fake ID. I never laughed harder in my entire life. Wow. This guy!

Next is Brad Hunt from the Predators. 

Screen Shot 2017-06-10 at 5.41.24 PM.png

Is the joke on this one about his neck/chin area? Do they see something I don’t? I don’t see Hunt looking like a Pez dispenser here. I don’t understand this one. Disagree. I would have given him the “thiccest eyebrows” superlative. Look at them. They’re so bushy.

I DARE you to guess what Fallon did afterward. I dare you. If you didn’t guess “displayed his comedic prowess by lifting his head to simulate a Pez coming out of his neck like a human Pez dispenser,” SHAME ON YOU.

Next, Carl Hagelin.

Screen Shot 2017-06-10 at 5.58.45 PM.png

I used a “what would their baby look like” morphing website and put together an older Macaulay Culkin as well as Draco Malfoy. It looked absolutely nothing like Hot Carl. I’m not disappointed, Fallon. That would mean I had expectations to relate to my potential disappointment.

No gaffs or laughs from Fallon after this one.

Next, Nashville’s Ryan Ellis.

Screen Shot 2017-06-10 at 6.03.56 PM.png

He has a beard, I guess. This one lacks creativity. But it’s true enough, I guess. Ellis’ neck is probably pretty warm.

Fallon conferred with his friendo and they said “Warmest Neck” to each other a few times.

Next, Nashville’s Vernon Fiddler.

Screen Shot 2017-06-10 at 6.05.09 PM.png

You almost had me on this one, Jimmy. The superlative paired with Fiddler was really funny. I laughed. You offered someone a fake cigarette (which contradicts your superlative) and then said in a smoker voice “those were the days.”

But then…your next one.

Pittsburgh’s Jake Guentzel…no, wait. FALLON PRONOUNCED IT GUNT-ZEL. 

James. My man. My guy. Did you really just…really?! GUNT-ZEL?! To quote Jackie Chiles, I am shocked. I am shocked and chagrined! Mortified and stupefied! It was outrageous, egregious, preposterous. Anyway…the superlative for your new holder of the NHL’s record for most points in a single playoff year by a rookie player (at 21 points, tied with Ville Leino and Dino Ciccarelli), as well as the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs’ leading goal scorer.

Screen Shot 2017-06-10 at 6.11.00 PM.png

…because he has blonde hair…? Don’t you make fun of the blonde superman like this. How could you. Disgusting.

Fallon then did his amazing impression of Beavis by grunting twice. Wow. It was ultimately redeemed by the two Beavis-inspired grunts. You’ve outdone yourself, Fallon.

Next, Nashville’s Craig Smith.

Screen Shot 2017-06-10 at 6.12.23 PM.png

His hair looks wet, I guess.

Fallon then said “into another shower” or something and his friendo concurred that Smith wants to be clean. Haha, being clean! Funny!

And finally, Pittsburgh’s Daniel Sprong.

Screen Shot 2017-06-10 at 6.15.03 PM.png

Then they actually did it.

Screen Shot 2017-06-10 at 6.15.34 PM.png

Sprong retweeted the Tonight Show’s tweet, so I guess he liked it…? Maybe? Eh. Whatever.

Anyway, this was the superlatives from the Tonight Show for the 2017 Stanley Cup Final.

You came for the laughs. You came for the gaffs. You got…this.

COMEDY.

Arrow to top