Habs Are A Team Of Destiny And Win Another Game 7

Summary

Empty Netters Podcast: "Habs Are A Team Of Destiny And Win Another Game 7"

Almost Friday Media — May 19, 2026

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Episode Overview

The Empty Netters brothers return with a high-energy, deep-dive postmortem of Game 7 between the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres. The main theme: Montreal’s improbable, nerve-shredding overtime victory, cementing their “team of destiny” narrative and setting up a conference final showdown. The episode is equal parts technical breakdown, straight-shooting fan banter, and the classic brotherly chirping that defines the show. Expect passionate debates about key moments, officiating chaos, roster construction, “best hands in the league” tangents, and hot takes on future cup windows.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Insanity of Game 7 Overtime (00:00–08:30)

• Both hosts marvel at the anxiety and drama of a Game 7 overtime, with special empathy for long-suffering Habs and Sabres fans.
  • Quote – Chris: “Overtime. Game 7 is so stressful...every second the other team has the puck is the worst moment of your whole life.” (00:23)
• The Sabres' choice to stay in a hotel and change routines is lampooned, and Buffalo's “better on the road” narrative is hashed out.

2. The Controversial Phil Danault Goal (01:45–07:12)

• The brothers break down the contentious kicked-in goal by Phil Danault. Dan presses for honesty about the “distinct kicking motion” rule:
  • Quote – Dan: “You don’t have to lie anymore. Yeah, that puck was kicked in.” (02:01)
  • Quote – Chris: “I think that’s a goal 100 times out of 100.” (03:51)
• Extensive, passionate back-and-forth on the semantics of the NHL’s kicking motion rule—both admit it’s a “cheeky one,” glad it counted, but sympathize with Buffalo fans.

3. Game Flow, Turning Points & The Bulldog Goal (07:12–10:18)

• Sabres’ penalty that led to a “dagger” power-play goal by Bulldog for a Habs 2–0 lead:
  • Chris: “That Bulldog power play goal felt like a dagger...that was disgusting.” (08:42)

4. Sabres’ Pushback and Dobes' Goaltending Clinic (10:18–17:47)

• Sabres dominate much of the 2nd and 3rd, but Habs goalie Jakub Dobeš stands on his head.
• Concerns are aired about Montreal’s sustainability if they continue to “get the shit beat out of them,” but Dobes’ performance has the guys wondering if a red-hot goalie can keep Montreal’s run alive.
  • Quote – Chris: "That is the only thing that sometimes just stays hot—a whole playoff.” (17:05)

5. Major Officiating/Rulebook Moments (17:47–29:00)

a) Goalie Interference / Embellishment Debate

• Breaks down Zucker brushing Dobes; lively discussion on NHL refs’ calls, Kozmo-style goalie theatrics, and embellishment.
  • Dan: “That is the definition of embellishment, folks.” (19:37)

b) Early Whistle, Disallowed Buffalo Goal (20:14–29:26)

• Deep dive into the “craziest rule” in the NHL: a puck trickling in after a whistle can be a goal—but only if the scoring team doesn’t touch it post-whistle.
  • Chris: “If the puck just goes in, they go 'that was actually a good goal’…If you touch it after the whistle…no goal.” (21:41)
  • Dan: “That is maybe the craziest rule I’ve ever heard.” (22:45)

6. The Players: Darlene’s Heroics & Defensive Tiers (29:38–32:33)

• Rasmus Dahlin’s Game 7 (and Game 6) heroics are raved about. Dan places Darlene in the top defensive tier (“Kale, Quinn, Werenski, Darlene, Lane Hudson”).
  • Quote – Dan: “For the first time...he has bumped himself up into that conversation of Kale, Quinn, Warensky, Darlene...” (30:25)
• Discussion of Lane Hudson’s star trajectory.

7. Overtime & Game-Winning Goal Sequence (35:27–44:04)

• Praise for the Habs’ resilience and ability to “level the ice” at the start of OT despite Sabres pressure.
• Breakdown of Buffalo’s critical blue line turnover (Dahlin and Tage Thompson), leading to Alex Newhook’s fluky OT winner—hosts debate “who’s at fault.”
  • Chris: "Either of you...could have just flipped it in." (38:18)
  • Dan: “That was as low-danger a shot as you get. You can never let this puck in.” (41:27)
• Newhook’s clutch streak: “He’s got the game-winning goal in both Game 7s, which is actually iconic.” (43:28)

8. The “Team of Destiny” Narrative & Skepticism (43:53–48:06)

• The “team of destiny” label is dissected; Dan remains skeptical that luck and “getting outplayed but surviving” is sustainable.
  • Dan: “I am not buying this Habs team of destiny shit for one fucking second.” (44:38)
• Evan and Zach discuss the psychological “aura” of facing a team that keeps surviving.

9. Roster Construction, Future Moves & Cap Situations (52:15–59:00)

Buffalo’s Postmortem

• Props to Lindy Ruff, Darlene, and a bright future, then hard-nosed analysis of cap space and personnel.
• Heated debate on Alex Tuch’s upcoming UFA status and value after a brutal playoff (zero points in series).
  • Dan: “That was one of the worst series you can have as a top line hockey player.” (54:15)
• Bold suggestion: trade Owen Power to fix blueline balance and free up cap space.

Montreal’s Cap & Window

• Montreal praised as “the clear #1 Canadian team” and the most attractive NHL destination north of the border.
• “Everyone here is just taking a haircut” on contracts—Dobson, Caulfield, Suzuki, Slaff, Lane, Dobeš…and still on rookie deals.
  • Dan: “I am putting a future on this Canadiens team winning a cup next year. So fast.” (64:19)

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Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• "Overtime Game 7 is so stressful...Every second the other team has the puck is the worst moment of your whole life."
  — Chris (00:23)

• "You don’t have to lie anymore. Yeah, that puck was kicked in."
  — Dan (02:01)

• "Why do we do this? Why are you hesitating to admit this?"
  — Dan (05:11)

• "UPL made two massive saves on Cole Caulfield, back to back."
  — Chris (07:14)

• "That Bulldog power play goal felt like a dagger…that was disgusting."
  — Dan (08:42)

• "That is the definition of embellishment, folks."
  — Dan (19:37)

• "If the puck just goes in, they go, 'that was actually a good goal’…If you touch it after the whistle…no goal."
  — Chris (21:41)

• "I think Darlene is a better player than Lane Hudson, and I don’t even think it’s close."
  — Dan (30:38)

• "Rasmus Darlene...he will retire as one of the greatest Swedes to ever play the game."
  — Dan (29:56)

• "That was as low-danger a shot as you get. You can never let this puck in."
  — Dan (41:27)

• "New Hook’s got the game-winning goal in both Game 7s, which is actually iconic."
  — Chris (43:28)

• "I am not buying this Habs team of destiny shit for one fucking second."
  — Dan (44:38)

• "Buffalo…you gotta deal with this team forever, dude."
  — Dan (66:52)

• "Montreal, the best city in North America and the easily best team in Canada."
  — Dan (60:12)

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Key Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Opening / Game 7 Overtime Tension | | 01:45 | The Danault “Kicking” Goal Controversy | | 07:12 | Bulldog Powerplay Goal, Sabres' Painful Penalty | | 10:18 | Dobes’ Save Streak & Sabres’ Pushback | | 17:47 | Goalie Interference / Embellishment Discussion | | 20:14 | Early Whistle, Disallowed Goal, Rulebook Mayhem | | 29:38 | Darlene’s Heroics & Defense Rankings Discussion | | 35:27 | OT Turnover, Breakdown of Game-Winning Goal | | 43:53 | "Team of Destiny" Narrative and Habs’ Aura vs Skepticism | | 52:15 | Buffalo Offseason: Roster and Cap Decisions, Tuch, Owen Power Trade | | 59:00 | Montreal Cap Situation, Future, Cup Prognostication | | 64:19 | Canadiens’ Outlook, Roster, Management Review | | 70:14 | Marty St. Louis “Wolf of Wall Street” Aura Moment |

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Tone & Style

• Authentic, playful, expletive-laden, and analytically sharp.
• Hosts wear their biases and hockey nerdery with pride, never afraid to call out rulebook absurdities, fanbase overreactions, or one another’s takes.
• Language is irreverent but insightful; technical analysis is balanced by accessible explanations and good-natured ribbing.

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Summary

This episode is a must-listen for any fan still reeling from a dramatic Game 7 or looking ahead to the conference finals. It captures the agony and ecstasy of fandom, the oddities of the NHL rulebook, and the excitement of a shifting league landscape—anchored by detailed play breakdowns, fierce honesty, and contagious love of the game.

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For the conference finals preview, stay tuned for their next episode featuring Alec Martinez.

Transcript

[Dan]

Ice is ready. And we are back with another episode of the Empty Netters podcast, brought to you by BETMGM Live edition here on a Tuesday morning. Changing up the schedule a little bit because as games go to seven, so does the schedule change. Beautiful, beautiful stuff. We've got overtime in a game seven. You couldn't ask for more.

[Chris]

That was insane, dude. I fucking knew it. I knew it was gonna go to overtime. It had to happen. And my God, dude, overtime. Game seven is so stressful. And it's your I wish I wouldn't have wish would happen to Montreal fans and Buffalo fans on my worst enemy last night. And that includes the Habs, who won. Just having to sit through overtime in game seven. You are in shambles the entire time. Every second the other team has the puck is the worst moment of your whole life.

[Dan]

I love game Sevens so much. When you truly have no stakes, it's just wonderful watching back and forth action. It's wonderful watching these players just putting it all on the line, being desperate for everything and you don't care. You don't have any vested interest one way or the other. It is the best. And I always feel bad when I post stuff like, why can only one of these teams win? Why can't both these teams win? And who isn't loving this action? And all the replies are like, me. I am a Habs fan. I'm dying.

[Chris]

Yeah, everyone's in hell.

[Dan]

I'm a Buffalo fan and I'm in hell. And I'm like, yeah, shit, Dan, you

[Chris]

were all over it. The Saber state in the hotel.

[Dan]

I listen, it became very clear this team is better on the road. They needed to mimic the road. So, yep, they did it. They stayed right in the hotel.

[Chris]

New anthem singer.

[Dan]

I was like, this is fucking unbelievable.

[Chris]

Mix it up. That was awesome. And then, no surprise in goal for me. Upl and dovish. So I was like, okay, here you go. But I had joked to you, I was like, someone's going to go early and there's going to be a Yank, so. And the first one wasn't his fault. I think it hit Phil De no skate.

[Dan]

I mean, that was. I can't wait to see what the Habs fans in the chat have to say. And these are always times that make me laugh because I'm like, you won. You don't have to lie anymore. Yeah, that puck was kicked in.

[Chris]

Oh, interesting.

[Dan]

Yeah, I mean, it's, it's. It's one of those things where, like, did Phil Dano tee off like Ronaldo and put One in upper night. No, but we all know the rule and we all know how sketchy these things can get Phil to know from that top angle that released after. Absolutely. Shifts his body and moves his skate and it goes in. Now, I'm not sitting here. I'm not sitting here saying that. I wish that that was called back. I think that's a bang bang play. And I'm kind of like, okay, but either way, in games like this, you don't want any goal going in weird. Yeah, that goal went in off skates.

[Chris]

Okay, can I. Can I say this or. Oh, I see what you mean as in weird, because I was going to say.

[Dan]

No, that there's li. You. You have a brain aneurysm. If you don't think that that is a weird goal. Like, look at that skate. Like his.

[Chris]

Let me watch that again.

[Dan]

His skate comes up off the ice again. It's not a fucking Ronaldo kick, but look at that. It's a. That is a clear redirect.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan]

Is that.

[Chris]

I think they allow those, though. Like, I think they do allow weird redirects where if it's not.

[Dan]

Not a distinct kicking motion forward.

[Chris]

I think they don't. I think they go, okay, because you go. I was just. I was stop. Sometimes they even allow you to be stopping, which is kind of moving forward.

[Dan]

But let's see.

[Chris]

We got it. We have. We have a. Clearly a kick. We have a. Nah, we have.

[Dan]

So this is what I want from the chair. This is what I want from the chat. This is what I want from you, Chris. This is what I want from you, Evan, and from you, Zach. Can we cut the shit with the fucking semantics in the rule book? I'm. Again. The game's over. Montreal won. Who cares?

[Chris]

I'm saying. You dead ass. I think that's a goal. A hundred times out of 100.

[Dan]

But. And I am fine with that. But I am saying, if you are telling me that whether conscious or not, Phil De Noe is not clearly moving his skate towards the net. What are you talking about?

[Chris]

Towards the net or opening his skate? He's opening his skate. I don't think he's moving his skate towards the net.

[Dan]

He is open. That. That is a movement that is towards and directed at the net. His heel literally comes up off the ice and angles towards. Can we stop?

[Zach]

But does the rulebook allow.

[Dan]

I don't. I just said don't bring up the fucking rule book. Because these are the things like, we're not refs. We're not making this decision I fucking hate it when people online just fucking say what happened. If the only way you can go, no, there's absolutely nothing is if Phil De no is cemented into the fucking ground and the puck hits his body and then goes in the net and he doesn't move. That's all I'm saying. To just admit that it wasn't a. I am standing here like this. My skates don't move. And it goes ba boom. Because those happen. His skate moves towards the net. That's all I'm saying. I'm not saying Phil Danault kicked it in. I'm not saying it shouldn't have been a goal. I'm glad it was called a goal. But look at that clear motion. There's clear motion afterwards, too. And I'm just like, can we all just say what happened?

[Chris]

Why?

[Dan]

Why do we do this? Why are you hesitating to admit this?

[Chris]

No, I think it opens, but I think I've seen players go like this and like their sticks tied up in there angling their skate. Phil Deneau literally whiffs that one timer. He is trying as hard as he can with the best hand eye coordination to his ability to hit that puck with his stick, and he literally just misses it. And then his skate happens to be behind him and he's like, oh, wow, that's incredible.

[Dan]

La, la la la la, la la. So all I'm hearing is just talking, dude. Just talking.

[Zach]

You trust me because I've got a Canadian jersey.

[Dan]

But again, I don't give a fuck who won this game. I loved both of these teams. There was no. And I just said, I'm glad it was a goal because that, in my opinion, is not a quote. If we're being the refs distinct kicking motion where it should be taken back. I'm glad that was a goal. But after the game, I wish we could all just be able to, with a smile on her face, be like this. Yeah, I understand why some Buffalo fans are mad. There's clear movement. Yeah, yeah, that's it. That's all I'm saying. And I do not understand when after your team wins, why people have to be so ridiculous that they're like, if you think there's any movement there, you're out of your. I'm like, no, dude, you are literally out of your mind. If you cannot see there's clearly a motion from his skate. Y glad it was a goal. It shouldn't have been called back. But it's a cheeky one. And if you don't see that you have a tumor in your cerebral cortex. Yes.

[Chris]

And I think, and I know you're going to get mad about this too, but because this one I see your point is, like, could have been illegal. And the goals, I'm about to say, are not illegal in any shape or shape or form. But in a game seven, you go, I hate to see it. I hate to see random ones. I hate to see weird ones. I think you said Tampa fans are fucking rolling over in their grave because they're like, pucks were ricocheting in off bodies all over the place in game seven. And you're like, that's just kind of what happens. So, yes, that's a. That's a tricky one, but that's game seven. Pucks are fucking bouncing in from all over the place.

[Dan]

Correct.

[Chris]

Then, bro, UPL made two massive saves on Cole Caulfield back to back. Remember, like the glove and then the second glove, Cole had it twice. In that moment, I was like, oh, my God, upl's dialed. And then in clearing that play, Benson fires it into the crowd. And all I was thinking about was you being like, under no circumstances can you give them a power play, dude. And it wasn't like the delay game. Fucking pandemic. I will never understand. Epidemic. I will never understand. But he fires it up into the crowd. Now the cane, the Habs go in the power play, and it's their power plays in really good. They're passing around, but not really getting a lot of chances. And I'm like, wow, that was such a massive kill by Buffalo. UPL looks all of a sudden dialed, huge kill slaff on the power play, is so tired that he leaves and the Habs are just playing four on four. And then the Sabers fall asleep. And who. Who was it? It was. Oh, yeah, Bulldog. They find him back door and he hammered one under the bar. But, dude, that, in that moment, I was like, holy fuck. Dan said no power plays. There it is. They had. They didn't even have five guys on the ice. You give up a goal there, UPL just made two of the sickest days I've ever seen. Gets cheesed. And this was. This was a very low moment. A very low moment indeed.

[Dan]

It was. It was brutal. But the great news is nothing happened from it. And then what do we have? I mean, you wanted a no penalties game. There were only two penalties.

[Chris]

Yep.

[Dan]

So that was great. And yeah, it went. I mean, Bulldogs, Bulldog's power play goal felt, to your point, like a dagger. It felt like a. You made a Dumb mistake. Now they've got a power play goal. It's two nothing. You guys are idiots. And you're dead. It to me, it was like I was kind of. I just got back from New York, I was putzing around, doing a bunch of different. And I looked away and I looked back and it was two nothing.

[Chris]

Yep.

[Dan]

And I was like, oh, my God, Buffalo. Like, what. What are we doing here? And that bulldog goal was disgusting.

[Chris]

And yeah, look at that showing it right now. And sometimes. Dude, you know, we've seen a few of these in the past where one T it's a little muffiny, but. Cuz it's slow mo, but whatever. That is a pill off the textbook. Oh my God.

[Dan]

The flex and the stick where he hits it, how he gets down low on it. And then that puck is just a Tom Brady spiral into the top four on four.

[Chris]

Like, how are you losing that guy with four people on the ice? Like, what the are you doing? And dude, I texted Dan right when this went in, and I was like, if the Habs score one more time, they're. They're. And they're going to lose because just like we said, they're going to pull UPL it's a 3 nothing lead. Here comes lion, shut out the rest of the way. You're fucked. And dude, right after that, Tex gets a breakaway. It was like that play, Dahlene was lying in the net behind Dovish, and I was like, they got to blow the whistle here. And then Tage. Dude, so many blue line turnovers from Tage, but Tage turns it over. Tex on the breakaway, and I was like, oh, here's the third goal. And if this goes in the Habs lose the upl Saved it. And I was like, I actually don't know what to think now. I'm in shambles. That was insane.

[Zach]

The breakaway you're talking about. Yeah, a shot of that.

[Chris]

It was. It was nuts.

[Dan]

I. I don't want to go through step by step of this game.

[Chris]

I would love to. This was game seven ot.

[Dan]

It's. It's terrible when we do that. So let's just have some fun and chat about the game.

[Chris]

But these were. These were huge moments that I.

[Dan]

Before we. Before we continue, you have a pending dash one, by the way, because we got a couple people in the comments after last episode saying that the whole McNabb situation was not why Vegas was on the hot seat. So we've got to do some research.

[Chris]

Well, that. I was just reading Elliot Friedman suite. No, that was per Elliot So he gets a dash one if for sure. But you.

[Dan]

We do.

[Chris]

We do too.

[Dan]

So, like, we got to do some research. And I just want to. I want to be. I want to have some integrity and be like, listen, we said something that might have been.

[Chris]

Well, whoever said that, I don't know, that's wrong. Yeah, whoever said that in the chat, to me, research is looking up. Elliot Friedman. And if, like, that is. That's. That's citing the encyclopedia. And if that's. If there's a misprint, then all good. But I'm. I'm never going to apologize to someone for checking on something, go into the goat and then giving. You don't get defensive cp.

[Dan]

I'm just saying we. We might have said something wrong. We got to put our hands up.

[Chris]

Right. I'm saying we didn't because that's what Elliot Friedman said.

[Dan]

But what if it was wrong? Are you that much of a idiot child that you can't admit that something was wrong even though Elliot was wrong too?

[Chris]

Yeah, I guess so. I.

[Dan]

So you. You are a child. You sure? Okay. Yeah, I just want to make. I just wanted to get that clear.

[Chris]

Okay.

[Dan]

All right, let's jump back into the rundown of the game.

[Chris]

Yeah. Then I think Zucker had a two on one, beat Dovish so clean, and then tried to pass it across. That was a crazy moment.

[Dan]

A lot of people, a lot of Sabers fans were pissed. About to doing too much last night. Too many passes, too many. Deeks thinking OT Tage had one where he's like, trying to do that toe drag. And I was like, dude, shoot the fucking puck. So, like, that is another example of that.

[Chris]

Yeah, that's it, right?

[Dan]

Yeah.

[Chris]

God, like, he's Dan. You had him so clean.

[Dan]

I mean, does he be. See at the post there?

[Chris]

Which one?

[Dan]

That one we just saw.

[Zach]

Just general highlights.

[Dan]

Yeah.

[Chris]

No, the Benson one was loose.

[Dan]

I mean, God, Dovish, I can't wait

[Chris]

to talk about that.

[Dan]

Yeah.

[Chris]

Habs scored a first period goal in eight straight playoff games. Tied a franchise record.

[Dan]

Unbelievable.

[Chris]

That's huge. You're gonna have to slow them down.

[Dan]

That's the thing is they did though. So it's like, okay, they get the two nothing lead. Everything felt like death for me. I. The Sabers. What I can't get over is there's part of me that goes, poor Sabers, dude. Like, they beat the shit out of them in that game. After that brutal first period, stupid penalty, and then leads to a power play goal. You come out in the second, you're all over them. It takes a while to crack to crack Dosh, but you do crack dosh and now you're killing them. And they scored with like 13 minutes or so in the second period. I can't believe they didn't score again in that second. There was all those crazy plays. Dosh is flying all over the place. There was that play where there was definitely a goalie interference, but then dovish flops like a fish. And I actually love the non call because that could have been like a. Well, if you're going to call this, you got to call embellishment. You're going to check in here or what? How are you doing?

[Chris]

I'm doing great.

[Dan]

Okay. And I'm like, what's. Like, can we please get a goal here? And they can't. So that's such credit to do Bash, like we're going to talk about his comments at the end of the game, but this fucking guy, my God, he's got the most insane mentality I've ever seen. And it was, it felt great in the third period for an. Again an object, an unbiased fan. Darlene scoring like six or so minutes into the third period because I was like, fucking rights.

[Chris]

Let's go.

[Dan]

Like, Buffalo's been knocking. We got a game here. But the thing that I can't get over is in that game I felt like Buffalo outplayed them. 39 fucking shots. I mean, good lord, they were, they were unbelievable. And they lost this one. That sucks. But other than game six and game one, I'm not entirely sure there are games where I was like, you guys are way better. Like you, you, you were definitely the better team. Like no questions about it. So it's like when it comes to the series, I was just unsure the whole time because this was like a wild back and forth series. So fun, but also weird games, if that makes sense.

[Chris]

Extremely weird games. I would say though that all the weirdness, because you can make excuses either direction, but all the weirdness brought you to a tie game in Game 7 in the third period.

[Dan]

And

[Chris]

Buffalo for the. I guess they were kind of down till the third, but for the last, you know, run of the game, the Buffalo Sabers had every chance on earth to win. And all, whatever happened doesn't matter. It all brought you to a tie in the third period. And then it should have been Buffalo, I think. I guess the Habs probably say they had a better ot, which they did, but I just can't believe they survived regulation. Um, so I think they would. The Habs would say, man, I mean, we have one of our best friends as a Habs fan and he was talking to us during the game and he was like, oh, I was positive we were going to lose at the end there because we were getting murdered. So I think big picture, maybe the Habs go, we were the better team in the series. We got out all right. But I think in the moment in game seven, you were like, oh, shit, we are literally about to lose. I mean, that's two. Two game sevens in a row where I'm sure they would say we were. We were significantly outplayed on two road game sevens and then came out with the win.

[Dan]

The Habs. Yeah, absolutely. And that brings up a great point talking to a Habs fan last night. And she was like, this is their identity. Like, they. They just get the shit beat out of them. They somehow hold on and they somehow win. And I think a big part of that is dovish, which I definitely want to talk about. The other part of that is how much longer can that last? Is this going to last against Carolina? Is it going to. If you get past them, is it going to last against Colorado or Vegas? And I just don't think so. Like, I don't think you can just get rammed down your throat game after game and game seven after game seven and survive.

[Chris]

Definitely not. Definitely not dope. It was actually crazy to me that both of these goalies ended up playing so well. We were making so many jokes like, this game's gonna be nine, eight. And they finally cracked. But it was just an incredible performance by both of them. That is the only thing that sometimes just stays hot.

[Dan]

A whole playoff.

[Chris]

So it's like, I agree, I'm going, how could the Habs continue doing this? But sometimes goalies are just dialed in and then you. You go the, you know, the Jesse meme, like, how they can't keep getting away with this, but they do somehow because of the how locked in they are in net

[Dan]

for sure. I'm now curious. There are so many things that I need to know about both of these teams and, like what they do moving forward. I mean, I actually let. Let's get into. Before we get into the post mortem and then the future stuff, I want to talk about the. You said you wanted to talk about that goal interference play.

[Chris]

Oh, my God. Yeah, people. I always say that goalies get grazed in the head and then go down and then we'll like miss time for. For concussions. And I'm like, what is happening? You were literally brushed Across.

[Dan]

Who was it that, like, puked last year?

[Chris]

Yeah, yeah. Somebody literally, like Sam Bennett. I think maybe it was lion. Like, Sam Bennett might.

[Dan]

No, no, no. Wait, was it. No. Who were they on the leaf playing? It was the Leafs. It was Wal. Dude.

[Chris]

And I'm like, someone's arm grazes a goalie mask. I think goalie's helmets have, like, something inside them that if the outside gets hit, it detonates inside and gives them immediate concussions. Because I've never seen such little contact cause such big problems. And Dobish gets hit here. I think it was Zucker, maybe. And he doesn't get pushed, so it's not. I'm not claiming that. I'm not saying he didn't do anything wrong, but. But I'm telling you, he, like, he's sliding, like, around. Do as dot head is leaning out and it hits him in the head. And in the broadcast, everybody, I'm wrong. Everybody in the intermission was like, how is that not called? I was like, dude, first of all, that was nothing. And second of all, Dobish looked like he had been shot dead in the head. After that happened that I thought that I would have called just embellishment. Forget the four on four. I would have called just embellishment. So I couldn't be happier that that wasn't called. And I also couldn't be happier that Dobes was clearly fine because he just got up and said, nevermind, I'm good, I'll just keep playing. Yeah, you are fine.

[Dan]

I, I, I love that take by you. I posted on my personal. I was like, I'm genuinely asking. I haven't seen replay. Did anyone else think that was embellishment? Because in the live play, do bash literally from like, a kneeling position, like, jump looks like a fucking jack in the box.

[Chris]

Exactly.

[Dan]

Brings off the ice and is rolling around holding his head, and then he's immediately up and in the crease, up and doing this. And I'm always like that. That is the definition of embellishment, folks. So there were a lot of people who were like, yeah, he kind of did, but it was a penalty. And I'm like, well, then that's a penalty too. Yeah, embellishment is a penalty in the NHL.

[Chris]

And I think I would rather just. No call.

[Dan]

Yeah.

[Chris]

Instead of calling both, which is why

[Dan]

I'm glad they did what they did. And in fact, I wonder if the refs were a little bit like, there was contact there. But dosh chill out.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan]

So I have no issue with that. What I Do have issue with is the early whistle Buffalo goal that trickled out behind.

[Chris]

Dude, that was.

[Dan]

What is your, what is your take on the, like the jab on the quote unquote tie up? Because there's, there's a couple things that I'm seeing. There's a shot do best shaves it. There's a stick into doves pads. The puck drops out and it squirts behind him. A whistle is blown and then the puck is put in.

[Chris]

Okay. Yeah.

[Dan]

So there are two things that happen here. When I, When I post our. I. We then posted. We were like, all right, no one talk about goal interference. Now we're evened up. If you wanted goal interference, as a Habs fan, you're lucky that a early whistle came and saved you a goal right there.

[Chris]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Dan]

But there are people like, what the are you talking about, dude? That that puck was tied up. They're blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. What I don't know how I feel about is did do make a save. Yes. But that puck was loose and behind him well before the whistle. And so I do not want to hear a tie up. He did not have the puck tied up. If you want your excuse to be. You're not allowed to poke at a goalie. You're. I think you're a baby. And I, I don't, I just don't know what the technical rule is there. Like, at what point is it tied up where you're like, you can't jab at the goalie.

[Chris]

Yes. And dude, they said Dave Jackson, our boy Dave said if the. And I didn't know this, there's always like the weirdest fucking things happen in playoffs. And then I learned these rules. Dave said if the puck gets loose, like the refs think Dobish has it. He doesn't.

[Dan]

Right.

[Chris]

So it's behind him and it's rolling. And then the whistle blows. But the puck goes in anyway. After the whistle, they count it a good goal, even if the whistle blew. But if the whistle blows and then a offensive player touches it, then, then they are allowed to say no goal. So he was like, that puck was going to go in anyway. And if Buffalo had just sat. Had just not touched it, it was going to be. They. By league rule, they get to go, that's a good goal even though the whistle blew. But if you touch it after the whistle, then we have to explain that

[Dan]

to me like I'm an idiot. I do not understand that at all. Why can't a Buffalo player touch it?

[Chris]

Because the Whistle has now blown, and now you can't touch it.

[Dan]

Oh. Oh. It has nothing to do with, like, the action that caused the puck to come loose. It's literally.

[Chris]

No, no, no. Bang. Breath sinks. The goalie has it. He doesn't. It's behind him. So they go, whistle, but then it trickles in, and if the puck just goes in, they go, that was actually a good goal. We didn't know it was loose. But if you now touch it after the whistle's blown, it is no longer a goal. And that puck was going to go in, but Buffalo touched it.

[Dan]

That is maybe the craziest rule I've ever heard. Can you think of anything that would lead to more fan chaos?

[Chris]

Oh, my God. Like, people are kind of clowning us right now. Like, you guys, like, Robbie says, the whistle blew. And five minutes ago, you said, I don't want to hear about the rulebook. But I'm just trying to explain who said that.

[Dan]

Robbie.

[Chris]

Yeah, Robbie, Go fuck yourself.

[Dan]

I said, I don't want to talk about the rule book. When we're talking about what is a kicking motion when there's clearly a kicking motion. Have another cup of coffee. And this one, like, what are we talking about?

[Chris]

Do you think?

[Dan]

Like, does anyone think that that is a normal rule?

[Chris]

No, that's. That's a crazy rule. I've never heard that rule. But I also think. And I imagine these guys are Habs fans. I also think Habs fans would be fucking fuming right now if the puck hit Dobish, fell behind him, the whistle blew, then rolled in the net.

[Dan]

Yeah. And then.

[Chris]

And then the refs went, actually, I know the whistle blew, but that is technically a good goal because no one touched it. I think Habs fans would be. And they lost 3, 2 because of that. They'd go, this is a fucking joke. I can't believe it. It's literally. Literally, the ref blew the whistle. What are we doing here? And I'm like, okay, so it's a crazy rule. It's all we're saying.

[Dan]

Yeah. And, like, that is. I. I can't believe that's a rule in the book because of how much that would make people go insane.

[Zach]

I have a question for rule book fans. Is there a.

[Dan]

There's like, what.

[Zach]

How many seconds is it supposed to be before the ref blows the whistle? Is there a distinct amount of time?

[Chris]

Yeah, good question. I don't know.

[Zach]

Feels like it's always faster than three.

[Chris]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Dan]

I mean, three is way too long.

[Zach]

Really long. But I've Been looking up some stuff that says three, but that feels like that's just not followed.

[Dan]

There's just a weird one where, you know, if a goalie catches a puck in their glove and they. And they go like this, and they're like, I'm not playing this. That's like, whistle. And if anyone goes and jabs that glove, I'm like, that's ridiculous, dude. Like, anyone can slash a goalie's glove hard enough and make him drop it, but when it's those weird ones like this, where you're kind of. They're. They're going like this, and they're going, I hope I have it. And then someone jabs and the pucks loose, immediately I'm like, that's clean, dude.

[Zach]

It's almost always in their pads.

[Chris]

Like, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Zach]

Can't see it from that angle.

[Dan]

And I'm like, you didn't have that puck? Like, I don't know if we have that. We don't need to get it. But, like, that replay, that puck came out pretty damn quick. Yeah.

[Chris]

And correct me if I'm wrong, but we were watching it, and everybody was saying that that wasn't the issue. Like, the broadcast said. They said, no, because a Buffalo player touched it after the whistle. They said nothing about how it got loose. They were saying, yep, it's loose. Let's go whistle. Sorry, I didn't see it. And then Buffalo player touching the puck, which.

[Dan]

Which is a.

[Chris]

And by the way, like, someone just said, judgment call. Yes, it is a judgment call on when the pucks are covered up. Sometimes I give these refs credit. They're fucking diving on top of the net, there's 10 people in the crease, and I'm like, obviously, it's covered. And the ref's like, I see it. I see it loose.

[Dan]

Dude, there was that one where there was five or six guys on the ice, and Dobes then literally did a swan dive on top of the pile because he saw it, and he covered it with his block. Yeah. And that's a great example by you. That was one where the refs were like, I mean, keep going, boys. That puck's in there somewhere. And. And 100%, I. I do think that this is a judgment call, and this is one where I'm not here saying, that should have been a goal. I think sometimes shit happens, man. You know that. That was one where Wes McCauley blew the whistle, and you're like, yep, yep, is what it is.

[Chris]

Yep.

[Dan]

That sucks. All that play is is that sucks.

[Chris]

For Buffalo.

[Dan]

Oh, my God. Because I think Buffalo's like, dude, I don't think that was covered. We got it out and we scored. Now, credit shout out to you for catching that from Dave Jackson. That I genuinely, Chris, think is the. Maybe the craziest rule in the NHL rulebook. I can't. I need someone to find us a clip of that happening and the whistleblowing and the team being like, let it roll in. And it rolls in and they're like, that's a goal.

[Chris]

Well put.

[Dan]

Put.

[Chris]

Try to think about this. And I'm just. I'm. I learned about this for the first time last night. But think about it this way.

[Dan]

Let's say before you even do this, I get it.

[Chris]

Okay?

[Dan]

I get it. I get that they're saying you are adding a new element to the play post whistle. That's why it's called back. And I get that they're being like, if we blew it, but that puck is rolling and nothing changes it. That was the play. We missed it and it's loose. So that is a goal. I get it.

[Chris]

Okay, then. Then I don't get your first question because you were like, I would love to see a situation. I'm like, no, it makes perfect sense to me.

[Dan]

I think it is moronic because of the fucking lunacy it leads to. Like, I think you have to make the rule, like, dude, we blew the whistle. It sucks we didn't see it. It happens. It's a ref error. Ref error. Ref errors happen all the time. But we blew the whistle because with that rule, you open the door like you just mentioned. Can you imagine what Habs fans would be doing right now? You open the door to an entire fan base going, that whistle literally blew. I don't give a fuck if the puck is loose. You blew the whistle. That is like, the clear rule in all of sports.

[Chris]

What?

[Dan]

Once the whistle is blown, the play is dead.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan]

It feels weird that this is the one time they go, that is not the case. I just think it ca. I get it. It just causes fucking nonsense.

[Chris]

Yeah. I'm just saying I'm. I'm in support of it. Because it's the same thing that the NFL added when they said, if we blow the whistle, and then you were clearly about to pick up that fumble, but we already blew the whistle. They now have the rule where they go, that was a fumble. I know we blew the whistle, but we're just going to say Dan picked it up even though no one was playing anymore. It was just so clear. Yeah, I Support this because it's the same thing. They go, I think.

[Dan]

I think that one's ins too.

[Chris]

And they go blue. Yeah. No, I'm saying I love them both because I'm like, blew the whistle. Puck's clearly.

[Dan]

I'm saying I think they're both insane. I don't think they're. What's that?

[Zach]

I think we have a shot of it here.

[Dan]

Oh, there you go. I don't think that they are bad rules. I just think they're insane because of the calamity it causes. I don't know what's getting confused here.

[Chris]

Nothing. I'm just saying I like it. I think. I think it's an awesome and necessary rule. And you're saying it's chaos, which is everyone has opinions and that is.

[Dan]

Well, I don't think mine's debatable. Cuz you literally made the point that Habs fans would have lost their minds

[Chris]

in the same way NFL fans lose their mind when they go, the whistle blew. And I go, shut up, dude. He was obviously like, all I care about is getting it right. And if the puck is loose, then you are wrong, ref. And so get it right. The puck was loose. Allow what's happening to happen.

[Dan]

Yeah, like that is less than one second. And that pug, he doesn't have that in his glove. He doesn't like that. Puck's just like loose.

[Chris]

Well, I guess we can't. To be fair, we can't see how loose or not it is. Like, if it is loose at all, then yes, this should be a 1000% a goal. And people were killing me saying it wasn't going to go in without him touching it yet. Yes, it was, I think. But if it's completely under his pad, that's not allowed either. All I'm telling you is in the broadcast they said you can't hit it after the whistle, which is what happened and why they disallowed it.

[Dan]

Yeah, yeah. All right. So anyway, couple crazy ones. Game ends. I don't CP unless you have big play. There was obviously like a couple close almost goals and all that.

[Chris]

And.

[Dan]

And again the fact that Buffalo or Montreal got out of that second period without giving up another goal. The fact that Buffalo didn't score more than one in the third was crazy. The only thing in the. In regulation, I have to say, just going off his goal. Dude. Holy rasmus, darling.

[Chris]

It's one of the most beast goals I've ever seen.

[Dan]

Game six and then here scoring in game seven as well. This guy is, you know, I Declared him on our last episode. I think he will retire as one of the greatest Swedes to ever play the game. And you're right, he's got to win some hardware. Sure. But I think he will. I think he's. I think for the first time this season, he's obviously a Norris finalist. I think for the first time this season and now through these playoffs, he has bumped himself up into that conversation of, like, Kale Quinn.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan]

Warrensky, darling. Like, I think. I think Darlene's next. Honestly.

[Chris]

I think so, too.

[Dan]

I'm putting Darlene above Haskin, and I'm putting Darlene above some of these other guys, and it's just like. Like, look at the series.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan]

Montreal one. I think Darlene is a better player than Lane Hudson, and I don't even think it's close.

[Chris]

Well, I'm sure.

[Dan]

Are we good? That's not fair. It's definitely close. Lane Hudson's incredible.

[Chris]

I think people are saying if you exit and come back in, guys, it'll be. It will come back.

[Dan]

What happened here?

[Chris]

I think we're just looping in some way, but I think people are saying if you just leave and then you come back in.

[Evan]

It's fine on our end.

[Chris]

Okay.

[Evan]

Yeah, we're listening to it. It's fine on our end.

[Chris]

Yeah. Man.

[Zach]

He.

[Chris]

He has made. How old is he? He's so young.

[Dan]

I. I believe he's 26. Let me check that right now, though, for you, rasmus. Darlene is 26 years old. Good job, Dan plus one.

[Chris]

Okay.

[Dan]

Yeah, he's.

[Chris]

He's incredible. People are mad. Well, one person says Darlene over question mark. That.

[Dan]

That is so funny to put a question mark there. I'm like, yes. It's just a statement. Yep.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan]

Hey, news flash, pal. Dahleen is a Norris finalist. Hudson is not.

[Chris]

Yep. So.

[Dan]

So take your question mark back.

[Chris]

Do you think. I mean, Hudson certainly is tracking to be many times.

[Dan]

I think Hudson is probably the fifth best defenseman in the NHL right now, per my list.

[Chris]

Fifth best.

[Dan]

Yeah. Like, I think. I think mine is Cale, Quinn Warensky, and I think it's always that. Yep. And then currently, after this season, I probably go Darlene and then Lane. I think Lane's amazing. I think Lane has some work to do defensively, but I think, like, Quinn, his size. Lane makes up for his lack of size with how well of a skater he is and a puck handler. He is.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan]

I think Lane's probably right behind him.

[Chris]

Okay. Yeah. So it's. It's that close. Yeah. But, yeah, man, what a fucking incredible moment. And in that. So I had written down two things during this game. There was a moment in the second where I think, yeah, it was still 2:1. Of course it was Tuck. It was one of those rebounds where no one can find it. And the rebound just fell directly in the low slot. And Tuck's the only one that sees it. He goes down on one knee and goes high glove. And Dilbush is like, dude.

[Dan]

And he had the chance right before that, too. That I. Can I be honest?

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan]

I didn't love that shot. Like, that. Dobish saved the second shot. He saved so easily. Like, it was one of those plays in Beer League where I'm like, if you had shot that immediately to that side, maybe. But it was, like, the only opening that he had. And Dobish knew it.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan]

And that's why Dovish. Dovish was. It looked like a catcher.

[Chris]

Yes, Correct.

[Dan]

Like, he was like, you're gonna shoot it right here. And he did. And I was like. Like, for Tuck, that. You're so mad, you're like, oh, my God.

[Chris]

Damn it. So he looks. He just looks to the sky. And I wrote in my thing, I was like, tuck robbed point blank. He looks at the sky.

[Dan]

I.

[Chris]

And I wrote this. I wish I could see, like, the timestamps on these. I go, I swear he's going to win this game in overtime. When it was 2:1, because it just would have felt. So Laz said that too insane. And I was like, dude, then it goes to overt ot. And I was like, holy shit, it's going to be Tuck. I texted you guys. I was like, it's going to be tucked. That was fucking crazy. But Darlene's moment, the other thing I wrote was just like, I cannot believe how big of a goal that is. Like, he is a fucking hero in Buffalo. He wrote that Player Spree article a few years ago. He had the game he had in game six. Just. He's their guy. He's their captain. And there are just some times in sports where the guy does it, you know? And this is a micro moment, but remember that LeBron game a couple nights ago in Houston when it was like, they're down nine with five seconds left, and he, like, gets a steal and hits three threes and they tie it. And you're just like, how is it this guy?

[Dan]

Yeah.

[Chris]

In that moment, I was like, dude, because that's crashing down from the point. Who passed that power, Power slides it over and he goes. And keep in mind, people, that's A one timer where it's coming from your strong side. Like if you're weak side, you can hammer one tease all you want. Darlene is going down. His strong side lets that pass like a shovel shot. And one times it. Right. Top bunk. And I just. I literally thought to myself, this fucking guy. Dude, in this moment, in this city at this time, that was. That was a mo. I'm actually. The only reason. I'm sad they lost. No, not the only reason. I'm very sad for Hugh. I'm very sad for a lot of the great people of Buffalo. Oh, yeah. But I'm sad that moments like that kind of go away and are forgotten.

[Dan]

Great point. Because you're like, man. And like what a. His last two games, right? It's like this run by. By Darlene. You're. You almost wanted to be like, God, that was heroic. Yeah, that. That dude that. The strong side 1T is so crazy. It's insane. Like, it's so impressive. Let's get into overtime. Yep, a bit of a letdown.

[Chris]

First, I want to. The whole thing, you mean or the goal or what?

[Dan]

The goal. Like the way it ended. Like the.

[Chris]

Yeah, I'll say this to start overtime, massive credit to Marty St. Louis and the Habs because from the first 10 minutes of the second period were pretty quiet. But from 10 minutes of the second into the overtime start, the Buffalo Sabres were hammer fucking the Canadiens.

[Dan]

They were fisting and it was getting

[Chris]

worse and worse and worse. Every minute of the game that was going by to the point where I thought Montreal could still win. It's overtime. Anything can happen, but it's going to be a complete like, oh, the Sabres have nine shots to our zero and we snuck one in. Credit to the Habs and Marty for in that locker room being like, wake up, it's overtime. Nothing matters. Because they came out and they had, I think the first four or five shots. I'm not saying they were dominating over time, but they completely flipped the. Sure, they leveled the ice back out in ot, which is not easy when you are in quicksand like that on the road. So I give them a ton of credit. Just for the start of OT alone. Being in the mixer, that was. That was huge.

[Dan]

I felt as though there were a few plays where we, you know, you always watch it. I didn't know. Habs fans, Buffalo fans, during this game, whenever these moments happen, you're losing your mind. There are weird plays in hockey where someone makes a bad play. Bruins fans know all about this. In round one where you don't get the puck out of the zone, or you have a shit turnover in the neutral zone. And you're just sitting there clenching your butthole, going, please don't get scored on this after that stupid play.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan]

In this ot, Buffalo is all over them. Puck goes up to Dahling at the point, and you could see he was feeling himself.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan]

Because he just holds the puck. He just holds the puck so casually. Kind of does like a little dance. The pressure doesn't really wane off of him, so he does like a little chip to his forward.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan]

Which he does get it to, but then forward turns it over. Who was it, H? It was Thompson.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan]

And they come down. Just a quick pass out to fucking goal scorer. New hook, and he throws a weird, wobbly, shitty shot. Kind of goes through a screen and game. I was just like. That shot goes in and upl. Fucking fired his helmet down the top. Like, he is. He is so mad that he let that in. And I just hated, like, there. There was a couple comments that were like, oh, fuck, that sucks for Darlene. He's had such a good couple of games. And I was like, dude, that wasn't Darling's turnover. He definitely put Tage in a phone booth. But, guys, you just, like, can't turn that fucking puck over there.

[Chris]

Okay? So I'm going to be a little tougher. I think it will. I'm on Darlene. Yeah. Because I can't say it's 100% his turnover because he did get it to someone, but that is a 100. In my opinion. That is a 100% horrible play by him, compounded by a horrible play by Tage. Either of you, you're in the blue line. Either of you could have just flipped it into.

[Dan]

Put it in. Just put it in the, like.

[Chris]

And I have two things to say about Ray Ferraro. One, positive. Well, I mean, neither are actually that bad, but Ray had said to start overtime, just make the play in front of you. Don't be a hero. And sometimes I hate that take because I love the stories when John Cooper gets into overtime and he goes, someone's a hero in here, boys. Who's it going to be? And I'm like, that's sick. But I see Ray's point, which is make the play in front of you. And Darlene right there is trying to. Whatever he's trying to do is too much.

[Dan]

Well, I think. I think he was trying to go. Quinn. Like, I think he was trying to do a. You know, the. The. We're all over them. They're tired. They think that I'm gonna whip this across the point. They think I'm gonna get this low. So he does like. He holds it and kind of like does a little faint. And you know when Quinn does that, when Lane does that, all of a sudden you get room because guys back off. No one backed off.

[Chris]

Yep.

[Dan]

And he was like, oh, shit. And again, he gets the puck to Tage. But it's just like, Tage is like, I have one point or I have zero point, one second to do something.

[Chris]

And that wasn't the play. Like, once he went, oh, first of all, I would say to him, you are not Quinn. And. And I mean that not as Norris

[Dan]

is kind of lazy getting back to.

[Chris]

But it's just. And he would say this, Dan. It's not even like I'm trying to defend or I'm not trying to be a hater. He would go, I 1 billion percent should have just flicked that in. And then so should Tage. And then the criticism I was going to say about Ray was in the replay. He kept going. Yeah, it's like a bit of a turnover, but there's still nothing doing here. And I'm like, nothing doing. The habs are flying up an odd man rush.

[Dan]

I. I dis. I will never agree with Ray over you, but I understand in this moment what he means. I thought that was a nothing play, too, man. When that puck like Norris is. Is back checking enough where I was like, this isn't a clean three.

[Chris]

Throw that replay up one more time and.

[Dan]

And those guys are tired. Chris, this is just like a very simple. Because there's no. It's only Tage and Darlene back.

[Chris]

It's whoever joins late for the habs that makes it interesting. But it is.

[Dan]

But see, like, there's nothing happening in that play, dude.

[Chris]

There kind of is, though.

[Dan]

I disagree. I think the only play there is if that cutting for. Look at this. That is like this.

[Chris]

Stop right there. That is not nothing doing nothing. I think it's.

[Dan]

I think it's not something. I agree. It's not nothing. It's not a. Like, they get it in and flip it in. Obviously they get a shot. But even right here, dude, like, that is a three on two that becomes nothing because this forward here is just on Byram and doesn't. The only thing that happens is the forward that cuts through the middle. And if they had gotten a tip on that shot, it's something. But, dude, it's a shot from the fucking hash mark.

[Chris]

But like right there. That is where it becomes a problem. Because this creates a moving screen.

[Dan]

You are closer to a 4 on 3 for Buffalo in that moment. Look at that.

[Chris]

Because people peeled off. But this two on one coming on Darlene is what that net drive causes, the moving screen, which is why it goes in.

[Dan]

Yes. But I don't think it's a moving screen. That's my point.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan]

I think they're two. I think ev. Is that Evans coming in? All right, you can play it, Zach. I think that's Evans coming in. Like, it's. It's just not a screen like in UPL says, he's like, I see that the whole way.

[Chris]

Yep. Like, yeah, he should have saved it.

[Dan]

But I'm not going to agree with array because you're right that it's not

[Chris]

nothing and it went in.

[Dan]

But also look at where this shot comes from, dude. Like, you can never let this puck in.

[Chris]

Yeah. But I just think you just in ot, you got to be every shot is a chance in overtime.

[Dan]

No doubt.

[Chris]

And I'm like, you cough. You had full possession on the blue line. It ended up in a shot that went in your neck.

[Dan]

The reason, I will agree, and I think there's a point to be made there. When I'm watching and I saw that turnover, I immediately, I had that pucker moment where I was like, oh, no.

[Chris]

Yep.

[Dan]

And then when that pass went to new hook, I went, oh, you're okay. Yeah, I actively was like this. Okay, you're okay. And then when that shot went in, I was like, oh, no. Yeah. Like you can see it in Darling's okay. As a defenseman. A plug loot clown defenseman. Now those plays, when you get that, when you force that cross ice pass to the outside and then a top of the circle shot happens. That looks like that.

[Chris]

Yep.

[Dan]

Darling turns around, he goes, okay, we're good. Where's the rebound?

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan]

And that puck goes in. And you can see his reaction. He's like, really, dude?

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan]

And I am here to say, like, you, you. You were part of a turnover. That sucks. But like Byram, in that play, when you force them outside, you have a quick moment of this is a low danger shot. Yeah. And then when those go in, you go, really, dude? Fucking really. That is just how we lost. Like you would rather lose on a. You're fucking hemmed in. You're getting it shoved down your throat. They have all the momentum. Or a clean two on one, a clean three on two that everyone in, like the gold medal goal. Everyone in the arena goes and then it goes. No one did that in that game is. Is what I'm saying.

[Chris]

Yeah, they did it at the blue line. They went like this.

[Dan]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Chris]

And that's why I was like, this is why you lost. Yeah, you turned that.

[Dan]

Which is true. But like I'm saying, like that zone entry in that shot was not high danger, where you're like, this is probably gonna go, but shout out New Hook

[Chris]

for being a dog. Dog.

[Dan]

You see my bet?

[Chris]

Oh, yeah. Well, you missed it a couple in a row.

[Dan]

Well, I fucking.

[Chris]

We were chasing it. We knew it was coming.

[Dan]

I mean I, I bet Montreal to win and New Hook to score and cash it in. So don't give me caveats, dude. Fucking congratul. A great bet.

[Chris]

Congratulations. So credit to New Hook. Absolute dog. He won. He's got the game winning goal in both game sevens, which is actually iconic. And then I. They threw that Nathan Horton stat up. That was like. I think he's like the first person to win, to have two game winning goals in a playoff series since Nathan Horton. What did those Bruins do? Won the fucking cup. I got a lot of buddies texting me. This Habs team is feeling like a team of destiny. And it's little like that.

[Dan]

It's.

[Chris]

Swear to God, in the playoffs it's little things like, oh my God. New Hook can't stop winning games and Tim Thomas is hugging Nathan Thornton. Nathan Thornton. You did it again. That's what they were saying to him in the locker room.

[Dan]

You see that other one I sent you? Montreal Canadiens are the youngest NHL team to advance to the Conference Final since the 1993 Habs. Both teams were an average age of 25.8 years old. Guess who won the cup that year, dude? The Habs.

[Chris]

Wow.

[Dan]

Pretty cool stat.

[Chris]

See, that's what I mean. Little things like this team of destiny.

[Dan]

I, I don't. I'm not buying into that shit at all. Wow. At all. I, I think we can save it for our episode that will come out tomorrow. Talking about the.

[Chris]

Yeah, everyone, we're recording our conference finals preview today.

[Dan]

Yeah.

[Chris]

Like right when we finish this, we're going to record it. It's coming out in the morning.

[Dan]

I, I am not buying this Habs team of destiny shit for one fucking second. Now that can change.

[Zach]

Do you think just because there's a very little chance they're going to get some the canes.

[Dan]

I, I think that this team is going to run into a fucking buzzsaw at some point. I don't know if it's going to be next round. I think it is. But again, we'll get into that next episode. But I think it is way too horny when you've had the two. And I understand what destiny means. Destiny. Like people say, team of destiny. When you are winning games, you have no business winning. You had no business winning game seven against Tampa. You had no business winning this game. That's a little harsh, but you know what I'm saying. And that's why people go, team of destiny. Like, we're somehow getting by. I just don't know that you can do this every fucking round. Like when Boston won in 2011, they shouldn't have won. Vancouver was a better hockey team than them that year. But they had the. They come back against Montreal and win in seven in round one. But then they beat the fucking bag off the Rangers. And then they had a very even season series against Tampa with fucking Rollo. Rollie, the goalie. Yeah, Rolo in that. And then like. But you know, when you win. I think they won in five against. Or wait, did they sweep some. Do they sweep Pittsburgh in round two?

[Chris]

The Beast?

[Dan]

Yeah.

[Chris]

Yeah, I think.

[Dan]

I think New York was in five in 2013, but in 11, I think they swept Pitt in the second round or something.

[Chris]

No, no, they beat the Flyers.

[Zach]

We lost to Tampa Bay.

[Chris]

We went. We beat the Flyers. Because it was redemption.

[Dan]

Was it redemption?

[Chris]

I believe so. I believe we swept Philly after blowing a 3, 0 lead.

[Dan]

There you go. So sweep.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan]

Like Montreal has, like, by the skinnier teeth, game seven. By the skinnier teeth, game seven. I'm like, I think team of destiny to win a cup. When you're looking at Colorado on the other side is a little aggressive so far, right. Who knows? Yeah. Even Carolina, who knows?

[Chris]

But you don't think.

[Evan]

I mean, for me, I've always thought it this way. Like, it's a little spooky as an athlete when you are running into that. Like, imagine I think about it in college football terms of Indy of this year.

[Dan]

Yeah.

[Evan]

When you're looking and you have to look across the way at Mendoza and it's just like a little aura around them. Like, these people don't even look real. And you're like. As an athlete and you're sitting across from that, it takes you out of the game a little bit because you're like, well, like, I'm not even focused because I know this whole story behind this.

[Dan]

Yeah.

[Chris]

And that's. Are you saying that the Aves have aura because they're undefeated or Are you saying the Habs have aura? Because they keep winning Game seven, I

[Evan]

think the Habs, yeah.

[Chris]

Okay.

[Evan]

This crazy aura. And there's sometimes, like, you know, you're. As an athlete, you're gonna go play the game, you're going to go do the thing. Right. But it's sometimes you just have these teams that just have this spookiness.

[Dan]

Definitely.

[Evan]

Just.

[Chris]

And it's.

[Evan]

And it will get in your head as I. As If I'm the AVs, if I'm the Canes, I would not be surprised if. If that's in my head just a little bit.

[Dan]

Definitely. I think that's a great, great point. However, if you are the Carolina Hurricanes, and I'm getting into tomorrow's episode, you

[Zach]

are like, are they on summer vacation right now?

[Dan]

I think they have 12 days off, dude. But if you are the Canes, I am saying they. And I'm not saying this is going to happen. So Habs fans in the chat, don't. Don't worry. I'm not. I'm not saying this is how I feel. But if you are the Canes, I think they're looking at this Habs team and they're going, we are going to fucking shit pump this clown show team. Yeah, they're now. But. But to your point, Zach, if Montreal wins game one, they might win in five, because, like, that will. That will be the aura coming alive and Canes being like, oh, yeah, like, have we had too much time? Like, then it's like the rust versus rest bullshit, which I don't believe in.

[Zach]

But I'm blaming myself because my mom sent me this jersey, and as soon as I put it on, they scored the first.

[Chris]

It was incredible. You texted a picture, that picture, and

[Dan]

I was like, oh, my God.

[Zach]

Jersey that I had when I was a kid somehow has some luck.

[Dan]

I do want to talk about Buffalo, Chris, if you've got nothing pressing.

[Chris]

Yeah. I just wanted to say the Habs, I guess this is to your point, Zach. You want to talk aura that do Bash being two and oh, in game Sevens, which is a fucking hard thing to do, and the Habs and Doves not losing two in a row playoffs, that is actually fucking aura, because it just is in your head. Even if the Canes win game one, even if what happens to remember. Remember the Habs had the Tampa game seven and got run by Buffalo in game one because they were like, I'm fucking. I got to recalibrate here. If that happens and the Canes roll game one, obviously they're going to Feel good because they're nine and. Oh. In the playoffs, but I think they still are like, Jesus, though, this team. We better be ready for game two because this team does not crack after a loss.

[Dan]

I got. I've got a lot.

[Chris]

That's an amazing stat.

[Dan]

Yeah. I've got interesting things to say about both of these teams. Who would you like to start with?

[Chris]

The Sabers, because they are out. So let's get that done and then we'll finish with the Habs.

[Dan]

Sabers have been eliminated. That was a tough game. I know. For. For Bills fans who are also Sabers fans, there's an overwhelming feeling of like, why does this heartbreak always happen?

[Evan]

Wait, can I bring up one thing?

[Dan]

Yeah.

[Evan]

So curious about. Is there something to the fact that Josh Allen get pumped them up and beat the drum before the. You don't have any factor in that.

[Chris]

What game was it?

[Dan]

That was in Boston though, right?

[Chris]

And they got.

[Dan]

And they won. They beat Boston?

[Chris]

No, I think they got rinsed. Oh, they.

[Dan]

They lost that game, but they won the series at least.

[Evan]

Yeah.

[Dan]

Like, at least that didn't kill them.

[Chris]

I'm with you, dude.

[Evan]

If every time I see Josh Allen in that stadium, as a Buffalo fan, I'm a little.

[Dan]

That's actually fair.

[Evan]

Dude.

[Chris]

Dude. Zach. So. So Bills fans, who did we do

[Dan]

this with last year? It was like.

[Chris]

It was Longo.

[Dan]

In a good way. It was the Dolphins.

[Chris]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Dan]

The Dolphins came into the Panthers game and like, the Panthers lost a game they had no business losing. And we were like, get that loser franchise out of this, dude.

[Chris]

Every time a Dolphin would. Would do the thing, they would lose, Zach. Leafs fans or no, sorry. Bill's fans posted this big thing because people in Toronto that like, American football root for the Bills because that's. That's their team. So these Bills fans were posting these flyers around the city that was like, leafs fans, fuck off. Because the Leafs always chokes. They're like, leafs fans, we don't need your stink on us. Get the fuck out of here. It's like, the reason we always lose is because we have all these Leafs fans here and now. But I'm actually now like, oh, dude, it's you. It's you, Bills fans. And you're putting your stink on the Sabres. So it's you. If you were fucking yourself the whole time and now you're fucking the Savers. So why don't you look at a fucking mirror? Because you fucked this whole thing up from the beginning. It was never the Leafs fans. Leave them alone. Dude.

[Dan]

Yeah.

[Chris]

So, yeah, I think, I think this, the Bills fans have a real issue and they're polluting their whole city and it's not good.

[Evan]

Yeah.

[Dan]

So Sabers fans are obviously very sad today.

[Chris]

Yep.

[Dan]

That's.

[Chris]

You just remind me of something. I the, the let's go Buffalo chant ringing out in the arena after the game was over and they're going through the handshake line and the entire crowd just going, let's go.

[Dan]

Incredible.

[Chris]

I almost started crying. Dude, that was fucking awesome.

[Dan]

That, that leads into my point of I think you've got nothing but good feelings after the sting of that loss wears off. This is really, really exciting times. I'm so happy for Lindy and proud of Lindy. I hope he wins the Jack Adams. I, I can't believe what a massive shift from where they were in October to where they are now. It's amazing. Darlene has fully come into the captain role and the best, one of the best defenseman in the league role. Tage had a great season. I think you've got so much to look forward to. I have a crazy take for you.

[Chris]

Yep.

[Dan]

So Buffalo is chockabok full of young talent, exciting futures. They weirdly enough, next year are projected to have about just shy of 13 million cap space. Okay, so just shy of 13 million cap space and they need to bring back a 30 year old Alex Tuck. They have a 25 year old Peyton Krebs as an RFA. They have Malenstein as a UFA. They have Tanner Pearson who they probably let go. Zach Benson as an rfa.

[Chris]

Damn.

[Dan]

Josh Dunn as a ufa. Michael Kesselring as an rfa. Luke Shen who they'll probably let walk as a UFA and Logan Stanley as a ufa. I think they should bring back Logan Stanley. Their goalie situation. UPL is signed until 2029 at 4.7.

[Chris]

That's great number.

[Dan]

If you think UPL is your guy, you have Lyon for another year at 1.5. Elliot Friedman said today Devon Levy is gone.

[Chris]

Well, we can't trust Elliot Friedman.

[Dan]

That's true.

[Chris]

Now I'm going to get screamed at.

[Dan]

So, so we're, we're now going to say Elliot Friedman is saying this, but Elliot Friedman is saying Devon Levi is gone. So like presumably you're going. Lions are tandem X. So let's, let's just like step aside from the. Are you going to go with UPL as your guy? Let's just assume they're doing that. Yep. So you got about 13 mil. I always felt like Alex Tuck was coming back no matter what. Same.

[Chris]

A lot of people saying they should let Tuck walk right now in the chat.

[Dan]

Yeah. So we're going to talk about Tuck for one quick second. I think the let Tuck walk chat is harsh. This series was brutal though. Absolutely brutal. It is one of. I'm sorry. And this is our guy. Dude.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan]

Friend of the program. But again, I can't wait for the injury report to come out. But that is one of the worst series you can have as a, as a top line hockey player.

[Chris]

They. They are in the Eastern Conference finals. If he does anything, I'm dead ass. They are in the Eastern Conference finals.

[Dan]

Zero goals, zero assists. Dash one. He might be dash more after that. But like that, that was the, that was as goose egg of a series as you can get. And I'm sorry, there's no way that that doesn't affect your number, dude. Like there were people talking about him getting seven by 11 places. Seven by 11 and a half. I said to, to our buddy, I think Alex Tuck is a clean classic seven by eight and a half. Guy. Give him eight and a half, bring him back on this team. And again, like, that's it, dude. You're 30. Like you're, you're retiring with that contract happily. But, but if you're Buffalo, I think, I think it's a little surprising. And this is. Remember earlier, before we started recording and I went, Jesus Christ.

[Chris]

Yep.

[Dan]

If you're Buffalo and you see that you only, you have that many guys you need to take care of and you only have 13 million, you're kind of like, what the fuck? Where is that money? I'll tell you where some of that money is. You are paying Jeff Skinner 6.4 mil next year.

[Chris]

Oh, tough.

[Dan]

That fucking hurts.

[Chris]

Yep.

[Dan]

So you've got to like, I think Tuck comes back here, but I think it's got to be a hometown discount.

[Chris]

And, but I think he will. I would actually be stunned if he goes anywhere else. And I don't, I don't blame him and his agent for walking into the room going, give me seven by 11. Because that's their job and we're a player's pod and I hope everybody gets paid. But then I imagine Buffalo goes like this, buddy, look at our sheet. We love you. You want to be here. Let's not make this weird. Seven by eight. Whatever you want. Something like that. And he goes, sounds good. I, I would be stunned. Stunned if he goes elsewhere for, for money. Yeah. Because Buffalo's going to offer him. They would like to keep him at eight or eight and a half. And if he goes, nope, I'm leaving because I just wanted the money. And some people do that. Like Kirill, I'm sure got sick offers, but he was like, I'm getting 17 at Minnesota. You. Some people just want the money if he does. All the power to him, I will never begrudge anybody chasing the money. I just don't. I think he would rather stay at Buffalo for less.

[Dan]

I agree. He's like a farm town New York guy and he's in Buffalo. I know he loves it. I know he's super close with Tage and. Tage, his family. And I think it's a great situation there. I think you should take that. Here's my one last thing I want to say to you about Buffalo. And I'm curious your thoughts.

[Chris]

Okay.

[Dan]

If I were the Buffalo Sabers, I would trade Owen Power.

[Chris]

Yeah, I would too. And I don't know. I will be surprised if the chat chimes in up against you here because I. That's one that feels like one where you go, you have certainly not given me what I hoped I'd get based on where we selected you. I'm not saying you've been bad. You just certainly haven't given me the potential promise. But you're still good and a chip. Now, the problem is, I think you don't. When you're a team trying to trade a guy like that, you always. Most people go, well, I'm only trading him for the value of what he should have been. And I'm like, no, you only get what he fucking is. You're not. Because he was one, right? Didn't he go first? So you don't get to go give me a haul because I'm giving you my first overall defenseman. I go, no, dude, you're giving me a top four defenseman who's pretty good. And. And I'll take whatever I can get back for that.

[Dan]

Yeah, I think he's more than pretty good. Go ahead and check his stats. I think he's more than pretty good. But the reason I would trade Owen Power is because you have Darlene Power, Byram and Samuelson, who are all, in my opinion, all phenomenal and they are all left shot. They are all 26 or younger. Byram has just next year at 6.2. And if I'm Buffalo, I'm like, I'm keeping him.

[Chris]

Yep.

[Dan]

And I would want to commit to him. Like, I would want to show him this summer with an extension being like, we are committing to you and you have power with no trade protection until 2029. I would, I would trade him. I think Owen Power, his size, the fact that he's roughly a 40 point guy, he's only 23 years old, he's a left shot defenseman. I think people in the league really want him and could use him. And he's at a good number at 8.35. Yep. I would. 29.

[Chris]

29 points. 81 games. 29 points.

[Dan]

Yeah, like maybe that is pretty good.

[Chris]

Pretty good.

[Dan]

I, I would trade him and I would free up space and I would try, I would try to get a solid right shot defenseman back to try to balance out that blue line a little bit. But yeah, I think it's something you definitely think about.

[Chris]

Yeah, no, they should make a move.

[Dan]

Yeah, they should make a move. So. Okay, let's finish up and talk about the Habs a little bit here. And I think my, my top point was we're talking about the aura of the Habs. I think we posted a clip a little while ago talking about how way ahead of schedule this team is. This team, in the COVID of darkness from last year to this year has emerged as the, no question, without a doubt, premier number one Canadian team destination in the National Hockey League. If you are a hockey player who wants to play in Canada, look no further than the Montreal Canadiens. They, for decades they were the gold standard of the league. And for a long time, even without winning Cups in all the early 2000s, they were a perennial contender, battling with the Bruins, battling with other teams in the East. They are right back there as a top, top team in the east and without a doubt the number one destination in Canada. If you took the cap away and you went, where do you want to play in Canada? It is no question, forget the Oilers, forget Toronto, the mecca of hockey bullshit. It is Montreal, the best city in North America and the easily best team in Canada.

[Chris]

Yes. And I will say this, and not to soften that take, but I will just say I, I don't even think this is a new thing because even though the Habs haven't had a ton of success until recently, the. This window of time when every other Canadian team had the chance to go, it's us now.

[Dan]

Yeah.

[Chris]

No one grabbed it right. Like the, the. I could. The Oilers fans will say we grabbed it because we went to two straight Cups. But, but I would go, well, no, because it was still a Connor. Like the team was so, was built so poorly. It was a Conor and Leon show. And then the depth wasn't there. The goaltender was. You know, there was no. There was nothing really happening there. Calgary, you know, fizzled for a second and then immediately imploded. Ottawa has done dick. The Leafs. Don't even get me started. The Canucks, minus their one presidential trust. I have done nothing. Nothing. So it's actually completely. Even when they weren't competitive, no other Canadian team made any consistent strides to go. We are the team that's going to get this done. And then all that happened is you let Montreal rebuild and come back. And I would have been a part of. If I were me, if I was good enough to make the league, that would have been my choice anyway. I would have happily gone to the Canadiens and gone. I'll be a part of this process because this is. This is the city. This is the jersey. This is the rink. This is the fan base. It's been the Habs the whole time. And the Leafs probably had the best, I guess you could say the least of the Oilers. The Leafs of the Oilers had the best chance to go nowhere. Canada's team right now. And the Leafs, all they did was lose in the first round. And then all the Oilers did was not. Not give the best player in the league a cup because they couldn't build a fucking team. And, oh, the bad boys in red are back. And a dude. And now all that matters is Montreal.

[Dan]

And like, this fucking team, man, it is insane. The contracts on team. It is utterly insane.

[Chris]

Yep.

[Dan]

Like, you're in Montreal and everyone here is just taking a fucking haircut. Like, Noah Dobson is the highest paid player on this team. Yeah, that's by a mile.

[Chris]

Yeah, that's insane.

[Dan]

By a mile. And it's like, what's fucking crazy, dude, is that, man, they're just so good. They are so fun. You've got shit to do. Like, I guess. I mean, we're. We're. There's one. We could say it now. The goalie stat is so fun. The combined salaries of the four likely starting goaltenders in the conference finals is 7.2 million. You have Doves making 965, K, Freddie making 2.75, Hart making 2, and Wedgwood making 1.5.

[Chris]

Yeah, hilarious.

[Dan]

So they have actually.

[Chris]

Epic.

[Dan]

It's epic. And they have that situation for one more year. Dovish still on his fucking rookie deal, and then an RFA after that.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan]

So this team has fucking line A who hasn't played in three years. It feels like making 8.7 gone next year. He's. He's obviously not like, there is There was never a question, are the Habs going to bring line A back? Obviously not. But like, boom, he's gone off the books. All you have is Kirby Dock as an RFA next year. You have Joe Valeno and Bolduc as an RFA next year. Bolduc, you're definitely keeping up for sure. And then on the defensive side, you have Arbor Jacai. Going to be an easy contract as an rfa. Everyone's a fucking rfa. Yep. And they're all going to take great, friendly fucking deals here because there's still a little bit of a prove it element there. Or it's like, I know who I am. Yeah, dude, this team is fucking insane. It is insanity.

[Chris]

And Dan, I will say, going all the way back to our. To our previews, I picked the Habs to be a bubble team this year. Not because I thought they were bad, because I thought they were going to do the team. The thing that most teams when they're coming up do, which is two years ago, they go, wow, playoffs, like rinsed by the Caps, but like playoffs. And then you have a slight dip this year, and then you fucking surge. The fact that they just went, actually, dude, no dip. Continue stock rise. They are. They are set to be a fucking dude.

[Dan]

I'm telling you right now, like I said, I'm not sure that I buy the team of destiny shit, but I am. I am putting a future on this Canadiens team winning a cup next year. So fast. Yep, so fucking fast. And it's because you have, like, Caulfield makes the jump and scores 50 this year. Everyone was like, oh, he can't score 40. He scored 50 this year. Suzuki is a top, in my opinion, four or five center in the NHL and has become a clear, unbelievable leader. Slaff is fucking great. God, what a Demidov is great. But then also you make that big move for Dobson, who is just like a really good. I think he's going to even settle in more. But Lane. Lane is. Lane is. Is what every team in the league is looking for right now. And against all the fucking doubters, he is like, suck it, dude. I am a top five fucking defenseman in the league. And now you have fucking Do Bash. When I thought it was going to be flower. Yeah, Fowler, Fowler, you have Do Bash this team every little. And you have St. Louis everything and you have Hughes everything that you need, they have. And they have it earlier than everyone expected. I'm telling you, fucking Hammer the Canadiens cup future next season. I still think that there might be the deal Of Colorado, Carolina, like finally being what they are meant to be, that could get in your way. But I have never seen a more exciting, well structured, well built team where literally everything is going right and that goes into doves and then I'll shut up. Is that that comment he made at the end of the game where I think it was Cap talking to him was like, it's been a grueling 14 games so far through these playoffs. Guys are picking up knocks like, how, how are you doing? How are you feeling? How are you standing? He's like, me, Oh, I could play 40 more.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan]

That's a dog, dude. That is a 20, what? Four year old dog. Who out of nowhere has emerged as the starting goaltender for you, who is a fucking beast and one of the best goalies in the playoffs.

[Chris]

Oh, it's amazing, dude. And someone just said, Kristen just said, ugg. This Habs rebuild is heartbreaking for Wings fans. It's heartbreaking for the whole Atlantic. Every team was like, oh, I'm going to Boston's, like, we're just going to retool and stay relevant. All the Ottawas and the Detroit's that are going, we're coming up, dude. No, no one's doing shit.

[Dan]

Ottawa dead. Montreal or excuse me, Toronto fucking pissing through their window dead. And then, I mean, Detroit is a. That's a brutal one. But you're absolutely right, Chris. Boston is like Boston the unexpected retool and being like, fucking rights. Look at us. And then you're like, you're dead.

[Evan]

You're dead.

[Chris]

You are dancing.

[Dan]

And even Buffalo, like Buffalo is like, you gotta deal with this team forever, dude.

[Chris]

Yeah. Who just beat you. And then they have, they have a perfect roster in Cap situation and you have a terrible one. Yeah, no, it's. It's a real problem. And what'd you say about Dovish? Okay. Oh, yeah. No, I think it was the Marty St. Louis thing. God, I. I need to know. I need to know if Marty St. Louis did Wolf of Wall street again in the locker room after game seven like he did against Tampa. I bet he did. I assume he did. And if somebody has seen it, send it to me because I assume he came in and we ain't leaving. No, but they, they have built something really special. Oh, this is what I was going to say. The only fear is things just change. Because I was just talking about this with some NBA guys where they're like, oh, the spurs, looks like the spurs are going to win the next 50 championships. And I'm like, dude, something Just happens every year, though. It was Chad Sky I was talking to. He's like, dude, you always think this team's gonna win a thousand titles in a row, and then, boom, someone just comes out of nowhere. And it can be. It can BE A. Connor McDavid gets traded to the Stars this summer. And I go, you will never win a Cup, Montreal, because now the Stars win three. You know what I mean?

[Dan]

Connor's gonna get traded to the Habs, dude.

[Chris]

Yeah, baby. But that's what I'm saying. Like, this just. It's hard to go, God, we are the. We are the next big thing. Yeah. Because I'm like, everybody's trying to become the next big thing. It's scary. So don't get ahead of yourself. But the few teams are in a better place right now today than the Montreal Canadiens. 100%, dude.

[Dan]

And I'll tell you what, man, I've been again, we'll get into this. We've got an episode coming out tomorrow. Alec Martinez joining us, doing the whole preview, everything. I've been banging the cane's drum. I think they are real. I think they are different. But let me tell you, I'm looking right into the camera at every single one of you Habs fans that's in this chat or that watches this episode later. I don't know how many times I've had to say on the show, montreal is my favorite city in North America, and I am dying to go there for a Cup Final.

[Chris]

Oh, my God, dude.

[Dan]

Dying for it.

[Chris]

It would be.

[Dan]

You're all. Even all you Quebecois, you French speakers. You're all so sexy and beautiful and fun and cultured, and you love hockey, and it's the most beautiful city in the world. I'm beg. I. I am dying to come there. It's like, I can't. I, I, I think I posted last night. I was like, what a scene. It must be in Toronto or in. In Montreal right now. Like, anything better than being in Montreal right now while this team is good and headed to a conference.

[Chris]

Montreal in summer, dude, that used to be my favorite trip. Every year we were in Maine, every summer, we call up vape. We say, hey, we're driving up, cross the border. Don't mind us. Grab some vodka from the. From the Portsmouth liquor store. Grab some cheap vodka. No tax force. Liquor store stick. Stick it in my hockey bag. I would tuck it in the shin pads because I thought it was illegal. I would stick it in the shin pads and come through, and they go, you anything to declare?

[Dan]

And I'd say, no, shut the up.

[Chris]

And they would go, okay, dude.

[Dan]

The day we learned when we were like this, Yes, I bought booze and

[Evan]

they were like this.

[Dan]

That's fine. Just tell us. We were like, oh, it's like, oh, sorry.

[Zach]

Declare it.

[Chris]

Yeah, yeah. Did that shit sneak in? What? Bring the vodka up, give it to Vape. And then we'd hit the pool. We'd hit the rooftop pools. We hit the strip clubs. You know, good times at the old port. God, macho on the summer. This would be incredible.

[Evan]

Can we. Can we go back to what we think is the moment? They gained all the aura.

[Chris]

Oh, yeah, here we go. This is going to be it, dude.

[Dan]

See, this is the moment, dude.

[Chris]

We are not fucking leaving. Oh, I love how. I love how Marty. I love how this confirms to me that he loves Wolf of Wall Street. Like, this isn't a bit. Marty St. Louis goes home at night, dude, in the way. Joe Mazzullo watches the town over and over and over. Marty St. Louis watches Wolf of Wall street over and over and over. And it brings him great joy. And it brings me great joy.

[Dan]

I. I'm now starting to think, Zach, we. We got to make that shirt, don't we?

[Evan]

I think.

[Chris]

I think it's time.

[Dan]

I think we got to make that shirt. Yeah. All right, listen. Unbelievable season by Buffalo Montreal. Keep doing what you're doing. Keep scratching and surviving, dude.

[Chris]

Survive in advance. I put it on thumb. Survive in advance. You haven't lost two games in a row. You keep doing that, you're going to fucking win the Stanley Cup.

[Dan]

Yeah. I love it. I love it. All right, that's going to do it for this live episode. Great stuff from everyone in the chat, everyone who joined in. We will be recording later today with Marty that's going to come out tomorrow morning for our full conference, final previews for all four teams. What we're looking at, what we're ready to see if you guys are still rocking with your team. Going to. We're. We've got some awesome merch in the store. Go check that out. Empty netters shop. You'll find some great stuff in there. Other great stuff in there as well. Subscribe Follow five stars. Everything. We love you guys. We'll see you next episode.