NHL Conference Finals Preview w/ Alec Martinez

Summary

Empty Netters Podcast – NHL Conference Finals Preview w/ Alec Martinez

Date: May 20, 2026
Host: Almost Friday Media | Empty Netters Crew: Marty, CP, Evan, Dr. Watkins | Guest: Alec Martinez
Theme: In-depth breakdown and lively debate on the Eastern and Western Conference Finals, their major storylines, team matchups, x-factors, and the emotional stakes as the NHL Stanley Cup Final draws near.

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Main Episode Overview

This episode of Empty Netters brings the ultimate hockey hangout energy, featuring detailed preview analysis of the 2026 NHL Conference Finals. With the bracket set—Carolina Hurricanes vs. Montreal Canadiens (East) and Colorado Avalanche vs. Vegas Golden Knights (West)—the crew, including Stanley Cup champion Alec Martinez, dives into predictions, player matchups, streaks, rust v. rest debates, team windows, and the emotional rollercoaster of playoff hockey.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life Updates, Playoff Spirits, and Setting the Table

[00:00–05:25]

• The crew opens with familiar banter about injury stories and rehab, mixed with classic hockey reverie and nostalgia.
• Quote: "We are horned up and we are going deep." (A, 00:20)
• Lighthearted anecdotes about childhood injuries set the comfortable, irreverent tone.

Transition: The boys quickly move from cast stories and playground injuries to the serious matter: “Kane’s Habs” (Canes vs. Habs)—and set their ground rules for friendly debate and predictions.

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2. Eastern Conference Final: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Montreal Canadiens

[05:25–38:13]

a) Series Predictions & Deep-Dive

• Evan: Habs in 7; A: Canes in 6; CP: Canes in 7
• Discussion on the unpredictability of fans’ responses to predictions and how playoff narratives shift quickly.
• Quote: "If it's over quick, it's going to be Canes." (A, 08:45)

b) Rest vs. Rust & The Weight of Breaks

• Canes have the longest break between rounds in 107 years (A, 09:19).
• Debate over whether time off helps (for recovery) or hurts (loss of rhythm).
• Quote: "Playoffs are such a rhythmic thing… 12 days? I feel bad for the coaching staff." (C, 10:06)
• Multiple references to the Habs thriving in the “trench war” of 7-game series, versus a nearly untouched Canes squad.

c) Depth, Scoring, and Special Teams

• Taylor Hall, Stankoven & Blake lead Canes’ offense, but stars like Aho & Jarvi haven’t exploded yet.
• Discussion over when your top guys “need to show up.”
• Montreal’s offense primarily power play-driven; Canes’ PK has been elite (95%).
• Quote: “Carolina does not give up power play goals. That is like—I don’t see the wheels falling off Freddie…” (A, 17:13)

d) Goalie Storylines

• Freddie Andersen: 8–0, .950 SV%, 1.12 GAA, 2 shutouts.
• Rust vs. rhythm worries for goalies specifically.
• Canes’ defensive discipline and its impact on Habs’ special-teams reliance.

e) Home Ice & Crowd Factor

• Habs fans created a literal earthquake celebrating (A, 19:25).
• Massive emotional and physical presence of Montreal crowds vs. underrated but less massive Canes home support.
• Quote: “Every round is like infinity stones for them. They're just getting stronger.” (A, 20:05)

f) Regular Season Matchups: Do They Matter?

• Habs 3–0 vs. Canes in regular season—crew largely dismisses its predictive value but notes Montreal can use it as mental fuel.
• Quote: “As soon as that puck drops... no one gives a shit about what the regular season matchup record [was].” (C, 23:44)

g) The Weight of Carolina’s Playoff History

• The crushing 1–12 record in their last three Conference Final appearances.
• This year feels different: deeper group, more complete, pressure palpable.
• Quote: "They know that…if we don’t do this here, then, you know, something’s getting blown up." (C, 24:56)

h) Matchups to Watch

• Canes’ third line (Ehlers-Staal-Martinook) seen as major matchup weapon.
• Discussion of major contributors/passengers and how “time is now” for Aho, Svechnikov, Jarvi, Ehlers.
• Quote: "We're in the Conference Final…you motherfuckers have to come out… and you have to score." (A, 27:03)

i) Statistical Nuggets

• Since 2000, teams coming off a Game 7 win vs. a team coming off a sweep: Game 7 teams are 7–1 (B, 34:25).
• The “rhythm of playoffs” wins again.

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3. Western Conference Final: Colorado Avalanche vs. Vegas Golden Knights

[40:04–66:16]

a) Predictions

• Marty: Vegas in 7; A & B: Avs in 6 or 7
• Acknowledgement of injuries as a massive X-factor.
• Quote: “There is a world, I think, where the Avs are a wagon.” (B, 41:38)

b) How Vegas Got Here & Team Identity

• Survived goalie carousel and many injuries, but “this is what Vegas always does” (A, 43:27).
• Quote: "They're built for playoffs" (C, 47:19)

c) Style Matchup: Depth, Physicality, and Center Strength

• Both teams have incredible depth at center and D
• Crew argues: If there’s one to stop Colorado, it’s Vegas; vice versa too.
• “Stanley Cups are won through defense and down the middle.” (C, 47:49)
• Avs perceived as slightly better down the middle, but Eichel nearly on par with McKinnon.

d) Vegas’ Physicality as a Weapon

• Team hit stats much higher than Avs; potential to wear them down in a long series.

e) X-Factors & Key Players

• Doc Marner’s resurgent playoffs a con-smythe favorite; his move from Toronto to Vegas a huge storyline—emotionally satisfying for fans and players alike.
• Quote: "Can you imagine if Mitch Marner leaves Toronto…first year wins Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe? That city will burn." (B, 52:43)
• Locker-room motivation for Vegas guys to win for Marner, Eichel, etc.

f) Aging Colorado Core – Is This the Last Shot?

• Avs are the oldest team left; many core pieces over 30.
• “I think they're more on, they're putting on 11 [on the back nine].” (A, 57:14)
• Crew agrees window isn’t slammed shut but closing.

g) Injuries: Stone and Makar

• Mark Stone’s (lower body) absence looms large; Wild Bill (Karlsson) helps, but losing both is potentially fatal for Vegas.
• Cale Makar’s status “unclear for Game 1” after injury; huge X-factor for Avs.
• Quote: "You cannot replace a Cale Makar. That is game-breaking. That's insane." (A, 65:37)

h) Coaching Subplot: Butch Cassidy

• Debate over the bittersweet reality of a recently fired coach (Butch) watching ‘his’ system continue to thrive under an interim.
• "As a coach...everyone's got a shelf life...but you have a little bit of solace in the fact that you're like, 'well, I helped put that together.'" (C, 68:41)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Carolina’s history: “We all picked them to go deep…but if this team loses the first two games, they are dead.” (A, 27:33)
• On Habs home ice: “Every round is like infinity stones for them. They're just getting stronger.” (A, 20:05)
• On goalie dominance: “…Freddie Anderson: 8–0, .950, 1.12, two shutouts in eight games—which is fucking moronic in the playoffs.” (B, 16:02)
• On Marner’s redemption story: “I want Vegas to win the cup just for that moment [Marner bringing the Cup to Toronto].” (A, 53:08)
• On playoff windows: “…If Colorado doesn’t win this, there’s a thing where it’s like, fuck, that was a missed opportunity.” (C, 58:21)
• On injuries: “If you are without Makar and Malinski and Lecky, I think that fully shifts it [to Vegas].” (A, 65:52)
• On coaching departures: “If you're him, you're looking at this team like—he's got his fingerprints all over it…Butch's system.” (C, 68:53)

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Important Timestamps

• 05:25 – Start of Eastern Conference Final Breakdown
• 09:19 – "Longest break in 107 years" debate (rest vs. rust)
• 13:40–15:55 – Scoring depth discussion; fear for Canes’ top line not igniting
• 17:13 – Special teams impact: Montreal’s PP vs. Carolina's PK
• 19:25 & 20:05 – Montreal crowd “causes earthquake”—home ice advantage
• 23:44 – Regular season matchups “don’t matter” in playoffs
• 24:56 – Emotional baggage: Canes’ playoff history and pressure
• 34:25 – Rest vs. rhythm: “Game 7 teams are 7–1 against sweep teams since 2000”
• 40:04 – Western Conference Final breakdown begins
• 47:49 – “Stanley Cups are won through defense and down the middle.”
• 52:43 – Marner redemption: Conn Smythe, cup to Toronto
• 55:05 – Is Colorado’s window closing?
• 62:10+ – Injury updates: Makar, Stone, other Avs and Knights, and their implications
• 68:41 – Butch Cassidy coaching subplot

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Takeaways & Flow

• The Empty Netters maintain their signature irreverent, brotherly, “beer league” tone with high-level playoff analysis, making the episode engaging, insightful, and highly listenable.
• They balance deep hockey X’s and O’s (matching lines, advanced stats, player usage) with the intangible playoff dynamics: fatigue, emotion, redemption, and pressure.
• The guest, Stanley Cup-winning D-man Alec Martinez, brings personal experience and gravitas, anchoring player-centric perspectives throughout.
• Key episode lesson: In playoff hockey, nothing is certain, and legacy/pressure narratives hang over every shift as much as analytics and depth matchups.

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Next Episode Teaser: The boys will recap first games, adjust takes, and react to “who finds a way to skate hard” when it counts.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to the Empty Netters podcast.

[B]

Can you believe what this has become?

[C]

There's a full 48 hours where I

[A]

felt like I was like literally Superman. Jumbo loves playing Fortnite. So does he. Gets on the sticks. Did TR show you the sauna cycle or was that already.

[C]

No, I invented that. Almost a year now that I haven't

[B]

taken a body check. That's kind of nice.

[A]

So we are back. We are horned up and we are going deep.

[C]

Finished tonight with some chicken fingers and a few Guinnesses.

[B]

Ran into you guys.

[A]

And that's where this pod came to life. Ice is ready. And we're back with another episode of the Empty Nights podcast, brought to you by BetMGM. We got the whole crew in here. Marty, CP, myself, Dr. Watkins on the sticks. Hey, we are ripping a conference. Final preview episode. Montreal takes down Buffalo in seven games. We finally got our four teams. The Carolina Hurricanes are back from Cancun and we're about to play some hockey. How do we feel?

[B]

As always, we feel great.

[A]

I can't believe you still have that thing on.

[B]

Two more days.

[C]

Two more.

[B]

Two more days.

[A]

Do you feel like you can take it off?

[B]

Oh, I feel like my bone is healed for sure. Yeah. So I probably could take it off right now, but they just, you know, they said two weeks or six weeks

[A]

back to you being following rules.

[B]

Figured I'd just tough it out. Two more days.

[A]

Are you going to cut it off and have like a ceremonial thing or are you just going to strap?

[B]

For sure, for sure.

[C]

Need. Banksy woke up and the pain was gone. You got to test it.

[B]

We have to do that video on.

[A]

That is so true.

[B]

100%. However, I barely feel like I can. I can't even close my hand yet still. Like, I know it's healed. It's just so stiff now.

[A]

That's. This is what the rehab is for. Yeah, that's the only. I've never had a hard cast on, but. No, the only thing.

[C]

Nice.

[A]

Yeah, it's pretty good. I mean, listen, I've broken plenty and had plenty of zips, but I've never had a hard cast. And the one regret I have is I wanted that coming of age moment of like maybe a couple weeks early sticking scissors in and cutting it off. It stinks so bad. Yeah, it's a terrible smell. I bet it does. Yeah, but I wanted that too.

[B]

No, no, you don't. Itching with a ruler.

[C]

I still could.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, that's why I knocked him one.

[C]

I don't want do a video of that.

[B]

Hard cast.

[A]

Being in a hard cast now, I don't know if I would ever survive that.

[B]

Dan split his head open so many times growing up. It was incredible. Like literally my parents would go outside and play and I'd be like, okay, we come back inside. And I'd be like, we need to go to the hospital. Dan has split his head open. And yeah, it was amazing. And it would, it would be so bad, it would scare me. Like I would be crying like, what's wrong? And I was like, dad's dying.

[A]

It's so bad.

[C]

It's so bad.

[A]

It's, it's. There's so much blood. I actually remember one distinctly. I fucking ripped my knee open like jumping off a bunch of two by fours with friends and my dad pulled me inside and put me up on the kitchen counter and I'm just leaking everywhere and he's like, fucking Jesus Christ. So we got to bring this kid to the hospital. And I was on the kitchen counter and I was looking at him and I was like, is it bad? And he was like, yeah, don't look at it. And I was like, how bad is it? And he was like, don't look at it. And I like leaned up and looked at it.

[B]

I was like, oh no. He was like, I told you. Oh, it's fucking terrible.

[C]

Those are good though. I got those. Like I fell at the family farm. Oh, you did? Gravel. And I still have the scar on the top of my knee. A couple different ones, dude.

[B]

I've told the story on the pod, I think, but I ripped these two toes off my right foot going down a slide when I was like three or four, my uncle was trying to catch me off this. I was still like, catch up the slide edge.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And he was kind of off to the side and I was like, get in the middle. And he's like, yeah, I got you. And obviously now I'm like, he obviously had me. He was a 40 year old man and I was an infant child. But I was like, if I don't get to the side of the slide, he won't get me. So I like aimed at the slide and I just clipped my two toes in the end.

[A]

Bang, bang. This was like, you remember, dude, this was the 90s too. Like that was like an old metal slide. Yeah, tetanus all over.

[B]

My mom, My mom picked me up and ran because I was fucking like screaming. My, my ring toe, or whatever you want to call it, was like kind of half. And my pinky toe was like literally not off but like Dangling hanging floss.

[C]

Oh, yeah, yeah. You, like, reach under those slides. It's like a razor blade.

[A]

Oh, yeah. I know exactly what you're talking.

[C]

The slides are dicey. Like, my.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

My wife has always reminded me, like, we're at that age where we start putting the kids down the slide. But they're all made of plastic now. But, like, their feet can get caught, like, with their shoes. And then I had a buddy that his. His daughter dislocated hip. Oh, yeah. Yeah. I'll tell you who it was after. Not recording, because you'll enjoy that. But if he's listening, he knows who he is. But it's dangerous.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

It's like. You ever seen that video, the Boston Cop coming down that slide? Oh, yeah. It's. It's this slide in Boston, and it's, like, referred to as the death slide. Yeah.

[B]

It will get still up. I have friends that have gone on it, and this happens to them. It's just not like, he made.

[A]

Yeah. Watch this thing. It's a vortex. Watch this guy. Here he comes.

[C]

I have seen, and it's still there.

[A]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. And, like, people.

[B]

You can't not have that happen.

[A]

Like, people go there and they're like. Like, there's a sign at the top that's like.

[C]

And he started on his back.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[C]

And it's inevitable, dude.

[A]

It's like. There's something about. There's, like, the turns, it's too fast, and, like, one of the angle changes just, like, flips you on your side, and then next thing you know, you're on your stomach.

[C]

So good. Next guy's riding the rails on the side there, too. He's grinding.

[A]

Six weeks, dude.

[B]

Dude, you're done, man.

[A]

It is crazy.

[B]

Damn.

[A]

That's awesome. All right, let's get into Kane's Haps. Do you want to do our go around the.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

Is that how you want to start?

[C]

Yep.

[B]

So we're going to say what we each think. Who's going to win it and in how many games?

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Okay. So let's take a second and think. You have to go, too.

[C]

Evan, you got.

[A]

I'm ready.

[B]

Are you really? Hold on. Give me one second.

[C]

Which one are we doing first?

[B]

First one is Eastern Conference. Cane Tabs. And I just gotta think. You know what sucks about this is people, the fan bases of these two teams right in fucking cement. Whatever I say right now. And then if I'm not correct to the minute,

[A]

I'm like, all right, then you're Ryan Whitney.

[C]

You know Everybody's fucking giving shit.

[B]

Yeah. And sometimes I'm like, I really want the team I picked to lose to win. Like, I much prefer that team. I'm just saying what I think sometimes. Okay.

[A]

It was really funny. I picked last Kane series. I picked them in five, and they won at least one of those games in ot, right?

[B]

Against Philly. Yeah. Two of them, I think.

[A]

Yeah, it was two.

[C]

It was two. Two of them.

[A]

And so, like, I would go Canes in 5, and then they win in 4 with 2 OT wins. And like one Canes fan was like, doubted us. And I was like, what?

[C]

It's like damned if you do damage. Like, there's no if you. If you get it bang on.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Like, who's.

[A]

No.

[C]

1 giving you compliment?

[B]

No. 0. 0.

[C]

Except maybe I just like, hey, man, nailed it. That everyone has a fun time all around.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Let's not even make exactly.

[A]

We're all gonna.

[B]

Okay, I'm ready. Are you ready?

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

Evan, you're ready?

[C]

Yeah. Are we saying at the same time?

[A]

No. Let's go around quick, though. Okay. Where do you want to start? Ev?

[B]

Start with you and then to you.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Habs, how many?

[B]

How many? It has to be seven.

[C]

There's the only way it would ever happen.

[A]

Kane's in six.

[B]

Kanes in six.

[C]

I'm doing Kanes in seven.

[B]

Wow. Okay. So my fear of. I almost said that, but I was like, my fear of seven is they'll win. If it goes seven, it's gotta be.

[A]

They'll have four shots on the at

[B]

all game and they'll win four.

[C]

Yeah. They'll have two shots and win four. Two.

[B]

If it's seven, it's gotta be halves. So let me say this. Let me pose this question to everybody. We all picked very deep series. If it were to go quick, if this series. If I told you guaranteed this series is over in four or five games, who's winning it?

[C]

Actually, I think if it's short, I think it's Montreal.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Oh, really?

[B]

Why I asked.

[A]

Oh, I think it's like.

[B]

Do you think it's. You think it's impossible the Canes just sweep them?

[A]

No, I will not have that be on these airwaves. I will not give Montreal fans.

[C]

That'd be a bold take. I'd respect that.

[A]

Now, I. As we get into this, I am going to say this. If Carolina handles them in. In five or so, I think it'll be because they shove it up everyone's hoop and they're like this, we are this good.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

And I'm a. I'm a Cane's believer. I believe in this team. I almost said it on this morning show. With how much this fucking Montreal team wins games when it feels like they have no business winning and with which I don't even believe in the rest thing. If Montreal comes in and wins game one, it could rattle Carolina. And then if they win game two, I'm like, you're dead. You are just so fucking dead. So, like, yeah, it could happen. I would. I would say it is 80, 20. If it's over quick, it's. It's going to be Canes.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

I just think that there's. I know everyone wants to dog on them, but if we're looking at the two conferences, they're doing exactly what Colorado is doing, if not better. And I understand why everyone keeps dogging on them, but if they come out and win game one and two, I think everyone will kind of wake up and be like this. Oh, shit. They're just. They're good.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So, you know.

[B]

Okay. And then how come you think Canes or. Sorry, how come you think Habs if it was quick? Just because they steal one on the road? And then it's like, yeah, because I

[C]

think the 12 days hurts. Like, too much time off is too much time off.

[B]

Can I give you this, dude?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

The. This is the longest time. The Canes right now are the longest time between rounds in the Stanley cup playoffs in 107 years.

[C]

That's. It's a. It's a. It's an Olympic break, dude.

[B]

That they've literally staggering statue. I saw that, and I was like, oh, my God.

[A]

Yeah. They have literally had the exact same break as they had during the Olympics.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

It's unbelievable.

[C]

Like, I said that I feel bad for those guys because playoffs are such a rhythmic, thing. Like, you want to give it, like, you know, obviously for a guy that's fighting something like that extra day or two, you know, you maybe have two or three days in between games, you're like, oh, this is awesome. Right? All of a sudden, that bruise doesn't hurt as bad going into the next game. But, like, 12 days. Like, I feel bad for the coaching staff, too. Like, Rod the Bod sitting there, he's like, what do I do?

[B]

How many weights can one man lift?

[C]

Get that squat rack ready?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. Exactly.

[C]

And that's what they're either just gonna come out looking like Arnold, you know, just shredded. There's gonna be 0% body fat across the board from the Canes.

[B]

But that's so good.

[C]

No, but, like, honestly, like, how do you structure that as a coach? Like, that's really tough. Like, you have to give them a couple days off. Then are you on the ice for a bit? Do a workout, Take a day off. I mean, that's what, four days? You still have eight left to do. Like. And so I pick them early because I think Montreal's just in a rhythm and, like, I wouldn't be surprised if Montreal comes out hot and they're just not. They're just too rusty. Yeah. You know, and then they take game one, and then, you know, maybe they have another one of those games where they get outplayed and they still win. And it's like all of a sudden you start, you know, scratching your head. But. But that said, like, I could also see the Canes just like winning, you know, 12 in a row.

[B]

That's kind of what happened to the Habs coming out of the Tampa game seven. Right. They got rinsed by Buffalo in game one. It was almost like they weren't even there. They were like, all right, sorry.

[A]

My money. I. Yeah, I think Kanes win game one for damn sure. Okay. And I. I listen, you know, infinitely better than I do the rest versus Rust thing.

[C]

It's not true, but let's get that out of the way.

[B]

I'll.

[C]

Let's straight in the camera.

[A]

I personally just think, like, another fucking gnarly ass overtime Game seven that they played yesterday.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And now they're going up against this Canes team that's like, we're fresh as lettuce and we haven't lost. So I'm like, yeah, I'm betting the Canes to win game one.

[B]

It's. So actually, dude, you guys coming out of that second round, were you eight and two? That the 12 year?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Or eight and one even or eight?

[C]

We were. Yeah, we were eight and two.

[B]

Eight and two?

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

No, no, no. Actually, we swept St. Louis, so we were eight and one.

[B]

Yeah, right.

[C]

We didn't play a game six until the game that we've the cop clinched.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So, dude, it's. This sounds stupid because I'm always. Sometimes I'm like, oh, my God, I'd be scared if I'm the Canes because you have faced no adversity. So it's like once you get a little bit of version, you're like, oh, fuck. And the Habs have been in a trench war for 14 games. So they're like, we're good. But then I'm like, now I Sound stupid because the Canes are eight and. Oh. Like, they don't. They don't face adversity because they are too good to face adversity. They're just rolling through people. So sometimes, I mean, like, I'm in my own head about, oh, no, if the Canes lose one, they're going to

[C]

go, what do we do?

[B]

And it's like, no, they're going to go. We're just.

[C]

No, they're actually a pretty good team. They've lost one throughout the season.

[B]

They're fine. Yeah, exactly. So I think that kind of gets overhyped where it's like, holy.

[A]

I agree. But what's interesting is I think. I do think game one is more important to Carolina regardless of home ice.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I just. I mean.

[B]

Well, dude, it gives them. It gives the Habs the. We. If we don't lose two in a row, which they haven't done. If they win game one, they. They now have won the cup because they just keep winning. You can keep being. They will always win the next one.

[A]

But like, don't you think it's. If there's so many. I don't want to use the word excuses, but there's so many things that Montreal can point to if they lose. Yeah, like, we just fucking played seven games. They're the higher seed. You know, blah, blah, blah. Like if. If Montreal wins, like, that is so much fucking jam in that way, though. No, agree, agree, agree. But if I'm. I'm saying even just the. The public will say all that, so there's not all that pressure and. But just like the jam Montreal will have, they win game one, they might never lose again. Yeah, it's fucking. They'll be fucking out of control.

[B]

All right, let me give you guys a couple things. Canes, Taylor hall leads the way. 3 goals, 9 assists, 12 points in 8 games. They've only played 8, so the stats are a little skewed, but 12 points in 8 games.

[C]

That line's been awesome.

[A]

Unbelievable.

[B]

Blake, 11 points.

[C]

Blake Stank, 7 goals.

[B]

Disgusting. I think he's no longer in the lead, but only because they've barely fucking played.

[A]

He has seven goals.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Unbelievable.

[C]

Imagine falling out of the points leaders race in the playoffs because you just haven't, like, you've been so sick and you're like, sorry, we just keep sweeping

[B]

such a good point.

[A]

We played half the amount of games.

[C]

Yeah, sorry.

[B]

So you're. You're a goal, a game.

[A]

Basically.

[B]

I score every game. We just win too quickly. So I'm not going to win Con Smythe because I have no points. Like, the games play 16 games and they're like, this sucks. Ajo and Jarvey only four points. Svetch, only three points. At this deep, it's only halfway, but at this deep, are you going. Let me rephrase. When I have a top guy not going yet in the first round, I don't tweak because I'm like, it's 1 7, 6 games. Like, whatever, Calm down. They'll get going. They'll get into playoffs this deep. I'm like, yo, I do need something if we're going to win the cup, because Ajo and Jarvi need to do. And again, only eight games. So it's like, the four points isn't as bad as it maybe sounds. But when. When do you kind of hit a threshold where you need your top guys to be like, yo, wake up. We've got you here. But I need something now.

[C]

I mean, I think now. Yeah, it's like every series is significantly harder than the previous one. Yep. You know, and. But I think, you know, maybe this is easy to say in hindsight, but maybe you didn't need Ajo and. Yeah. And, you know, to be producing like that, I mean, clearly you don't.

[B]

Yeah, right.

[C]

And it's like there's different. Like, I. I feel like a broken record saying this so much, but just the ebbs and flows in the roller coaster that are the playoffs, you know, you. You need different guys to step up, different nights, and maybe this first two rounds, you didn't need that from them. But then maybe we're talking two weeks from now at the end of this series, and it's an entirely different conversation because they both put up, you know, eight points exactly like that or a point per game. So I don't know. I think that that's why, like, that's why you rely on your. Your depth so much. And. And I'm not calling Taylor hall and Stankoven and Blake depth, but, like, you need contributions from. From all over the place. Totally. And so I don't think it's really fair to say that about them. Not. You're not. Yeah.

[B]

No.

[C]

Yeah. Like people in general. But, yeah, you just need guys to step up at different times and in a timely manner.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay. And let me pose this to you then, because I've been all over you on the goalie stuff. Freddy 8. No. 950 save percentage, 1.12 goals against two shutters in eight games, which is fucking moronic in the playoffs. What is Is anything even possible through two games that they go bussy?

[A]

Yeah, I mean definitely. It's like if he gets rung up twice then you. I think they think about it for sure. I mean, I don't think that's going to happen. I think. And I'll throw a top line stat at you both. The, the Hurricanes are super disciplined. I think they have the second least shots allowed of any of the playoff teams. Their Penalty kill is 95% which is insane, fucking ridiculous. And that is super important because here's a stat for you guys through 14 games in these playoffs. Suzuki, four goals, nine assists, 13 points dash five. Caulfield, four goals, five assists, nine points dash seven. Slavkovski, four goals, five assists, 9 points dash eight.

[B]

And don't forget laugh at a Hattie in that first game.

[A]

Yeah, there you go. Like fuck at 5v5, one goal for eight goals against. So like they are really only doing it on the power play and Carolina does not give up power play goals. So that is like a. I don't see Fred the wheels falling off Freddie, especially after 12 days rest. There's nothing more. There's no one in these playoffs who rest is more important to than Freddie Anderson.

[B]

Sometimes I hate rest for a goalie though. You know what I mean? Like the goalie needs those live rounds where it's like I've just been sitting here at practice. Fuck me.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So that's kind of scary.

[A]

It is. So like again, anything is possible but you know, we're looking at two of the. Yeah. No. Three of the four teams have not made a goalie switch. Vegas has not made a goalie switch. Oh, is that true?

[B]

I think it is.

[C]

Right?

[A]

Hearts played every second all the way.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

I mean maybe he got yanked on like one game but like, I mean, I mean starting.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

He started every game.

[B]

Yeah. Okay, that's interesting because I was going to give you those hab stats and Dan, you're spot on where it's, it's interesting that it's a similar. It feels like both teams top line. We haven't seen it yet. Like they're get. Both teams are getting goals from elsewhere and it's, it's almost like top line wakes up.

[A]

You feel that way with Montreal? I don't think, I think it's just. I think they're getting everything from their top line. It's. It is mostly power play. So yeah, you like to see them go 5v5 a little bit better. But like I, I, other than New hook, who is the best Player in the playoffs.

[C]

Yeah. Him and Brett Howden.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It's like, other than that, like, I don't look at Montreal being like, oh, yeah, they're getting picked up by these other guys. Like, it is them. They're just doing it on one thing.

[B]

Just power play fair. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then Dovish has just been incredible, so.

[A]

He's been incredible.

[C]

Yep.

[B]

I'm excited about that. The power play thing is big. I. I flagged that too, because it's. I kind of thought the Habs struggled a bit on the PK, but the Canes power play's been bad. 13.5.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But the Habs power play's been good, but the Canes PK has been amazing.

[A]

Yeah. How much life do you guys think the Habs fans provide? Did you see that? They literally caused an earthquake yesterday.

[C]

I didn't believe it.

[B]

He scored when new hooks the fans

[A]

outside the Bell center literally caused like a actual registered earthquake activity.

[C]

That is amazing.

[A]

And when I'm looking at, like, I think Canes fans are better than people give them credit for, for sure. But I don't think we look at Raleigh as a huge hockey hub.

[C]

I mean, they're not. They're not registering on the Richter scale. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Like, and there's. And in all fairness, maybe, like, Montreal would be the only place in the league that would be doing.

[A]

Yeah, right.

[C]

You know, there's probably a couple others.

[A]

Maybe Edmonton.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

But. But I mean, there's part of me that's like, the fucking Habs fans. It's like every round is like infinity stones for them. Like, they're just getting stronger.

[B]

Yeah, that's nice.

[A]

I think that's a fact.

[B]

I like that a lot. That's really nice. Okay, hold on. Let's take an AD break and then we'll be right back. All playoffs long BetMGM is watching hockey just like we are. And they are taking every shot, they're taking every save. They are taking every single sudden death OT thriller. And they're making an even bigger win for you with the Stanley cup playoffs odds boost token. I love getting boosted up. You love getting boosted up. It's an incredible thing. All you have to do to play is you log into BetMGM and you make any NHL wager you want. You can chase the empty net bets with us. You can pick an anytime goal scorer, you can take a money line, whatever's feeling frisky to you, that's what you hit. And then you just activate the Stanley cup playoffs odds boost token. And then if that bet wins, you get an even bigger payout. How about them apples? Incredible. If you aren't skating with the BetMGM team yet, get on the ice with us. Log in and use that promo code, Netters. That's N E T T E R S. When you sign up, then you get your welcome offer. Then you get your odds boost token. Then you can play the hat trick. Jackpot. It's incredible. BetMGM make it legendary. All right, so now I want to ask you guys about this, because this has been all the buzz on. On. On the Interwebs, and this came up a lot in our live show this morning. The Montreal Canadiens, 3 and. Oh. Against the Canes in the regular season this year, only team in the league to beat the Canes three times. Beat them every single time. Do you care?

[C]

No.

[B]

Yeah. Okay.

[C]

I mean, honestly, just. No.

[B]

So if you're. If you're on the Canes, you go. You're aware of that, obviously, and you go, that doesn't matter to us at all.

[C]

Yeah. Because it's like, in the regular season, there's, like, you need a little context, you know, like, what if.

[B]

So many.

[C]

Yeah, what. What if, you know, the Canes played Ottawa the night before and then rolled into Montreal late, you know, or. Or vice versa, you know, or. Or maybe, you know, I guess we. We hadn't. They wouldn't have matched up after 12 days rest.

[A]

Yeah, but, like.

[C]

Yeah, I just don't. There's too many things going on. It's like injuries, who was. Who was in, like in the lineup, who was out. Yep. There's just too many variables that I don't. I don't really put a whole lot into that.

[B]

Okay. So I care.

[A]

And. And it's also that.

[C]

Well, and it's also like, at what point in the year did they plan, you know, like, you talk about, you know, you hear the old, everyone says we got to build our game, which is true. Right. But what if they faced them a couple times at the beginning? Look at Buffalo, prime example. It's like if you. If you face them pre December, what was it? Ninth. Yeah.

[A]

You play different.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

You played an entirely different team. So I don't put much.

[B]

That happened with the Jets.

[A]

Yeah. So they're playing them without slaving in the lineup.

[B]

Well, Dan, I. I should have wrote it all down. Two of them were in March, but one of the ton of guys were out. Jarvi. Ajo. Like, everyone was sitting. And then the second March game. This is probably Kane's fan stocking, but they were like, it was already, the season was wrapped up. It was like end of March. And they were like, we didn't care. And I was like, okay, well, probably cared a little bit. 75. 5231 were the scores. Freddie Anderson. 02 with a. 373 goals against. 8:06 save percentage. Busy lost the other 1617 goals against and Dosh 3 and 0267922 allowed eight goals on 103 shots. So he's, he got him every time and was like, I got you again.

[A]

I, I think the, the guys out, the injuries, all that stuff definitely play. I, I think certainly them as a team, they don't give a. But it's the other way. The Habs gotta look at that and be like this. We care. Like we'll use that.

[B]

You use it.

[A]

Yeah, but I, I, I, I just think everything's different now.

[B]

Oh yeah. I mean plays is a completely different beast for sure.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But I hear you. It's probably some, some motivation a little bit, I think.

[A]

I think it can be used as some mot for the Canes. They could not care less about this. That will affect them 0%.

[B]

What affects.

[C]

Yeah, you lean on that experience maybe a little bit. It's, it's nice going into the series, but as soon as that puck drops or as soon as that first game is over, like, no one gives a shit about what the regular season matchup record.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Would you say that. I was going to ask what affects them more? The, the knowledge that they've lost to the Habs every time this regular season or their previous Eastern Conference Final 1 in 12 that in their last three appearances.

[C]

That's what I was going to bring up.

[B]

Yeah, me too.

[C]

Okay. So that's the only thing. Yeah. You have the 12 day break and we can talk about that till the cows come home. Yep. It's like these guys know. I think I talked about it maybe a couple times. Like we had lost in the conference final. Was it two years in a row?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And then finally like, you show up that next year and you're like, fuck this.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

You know, like, we're not doing this again. Yeah. You know, and, Or I guess maybe. Yeah, we had that in training camp. But then also when playoffs roll around, it's like, all right, this is go time. So, So I mean, they've had plenty of time to think about that. And that's the other side of things where I ended up, you know, picking them in seven that I think that they know that and it's like, listen, if we don't. If we don't do this here, then, you know, something's getting blown up.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[C]

You know. Yeah. And I. I don't know. I think that that's. That's like a pretty powerful thing. And, and they probably have, like, they've got enough of a. A veteran group that I guarantee you that that is just constantly talked.

[B]

That's.

[A]

I agree completely.

[C]

And even if it's not talked about, it's something that is just so well understood and sitting in the back of their mind that, like, we're not going through this again.

[A]

Yeah. You know, to me, it's. You look at Toronto and how they fucking just lose every. Like, it's a thing. It is definitely a thing. And here we are, as we've said, you have everyone on social media, even people, you know, Big J journos who continue to bring this up, continue to doubt them. It is a thing. There's no question and there's no point in denying. So how are you going to respond to it? And I. What you were talking about with the big Dogs. Dude, if I'm Carolina, I need a win in game one and I need one of Ajo, Ehlers, Jarvi or Svechnikov on the score sheet.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Like. Because I do think what you said earlier, Marty, like, time is now for those guys.

[B]

Oh, buddy. Yeah, Big time.

[A]

We're in the conference final and you've also got a situation where amongst all the doubters, you go out, you get better. This year. Bussy was an unbelievable. Just what a great find that was. He helped give a lot of rest to Freddy. This year you bring in Ehlers, who was a massive addition. Keandre Miller continues to get better with this group. That's a massive addition. You are feeling good and then you come in and you sweep round one and two. Everything's going as good as it could, but now you are in round three. You're not playing Tampa, who so many people thought you might be. Yeah, you're not playing the. The top of the Atlantic. And you know, Montreal has revealed themselves to be a very good team, but it's like everything is going your way. You cannot fucking come out slow. You. These, we always talk about, like, do they have a star player? All four of those guys that I just named, are they blue chip world beaters? No, but they're 80 point guys. They have the capabilities of that. And you're all sitting at like four or three points so far in these playoffs. Only in eight game. Sure but it's like you motherfuckers have to come out in your home barn after a fucking two week siesta and you have to win this game and you have to score.

[B]

Dan, if they go, because here, three of their last three appearances swept. Swept down 3, 0. They clipped Florida that one time and then lost. Like, that's the 1 in 12. If this team goes down, if they lose the first two games, they are shitting themselves.

[A]

If they lose the first two games, they are dead.

[C]

Those intrusive thoughts.

[B]

Oh my God. You go. So did you go? I am a loser.

[A]

We just thought. We just talked about the Thanos. That is the. The Bell center in that crowd. Imagine that arena if the halves are up 20 coming home.

[C]

What if it's like the puck is

[A]

right on the line and the Montreal

[C]

fans do another earthquake?

[A]

Yeah, they'll get it over like in a movie.

[C]

Like there was some movie.

[B]

I love it, dude.

[C]

It's like the golf shot that just hit like.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And you're just like. Yeah. You're just stomping your way to the ball trying to get it to drop.

[A]

You're like pounding. How did that not roll in that?

[B]

Yeah, I think you're right about the. You said gain one was more important to Carolina and I was like, who cares? But actually now I do. They are a mature group in the UK. But I do think with the. With the 1 in 12, if it goes even to 1 in 13, it is a little like I'm telling you,

[C]

I think, I mean, they'll face a little adversity too.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

You know, and it's like. And then how are they going to respond to that?

[B]

Correct.

[C]

You know, like it's inevitable. Like, Montreal's clearly shown themselves to be a really scrappy, good team.

[A]

Yeah, right.

[C]

And win games when I guess, you know, they get outplayed. Like that's happened a few times. So I don't know they're going to face some adversity. But I. Do you think this is. I know what my answer is. But is this the best Canes team out of those last three that we've seen?

[A]

A 100%. I don't even think it's close. And that's what I've been saying this whole time. That's why I picked them to sweep in round one and five and round two, because like they are they in my. And a big part of it is the jumps from guys like ajo. Excuse me, Jarvis. But also ajo. Like everyone is getting better, but I think they've got better on the blue line. I think Freddie, it's only been eight games short, but like, he does look finally not hurt.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

That is the biggest thing for me is like, I know you pointed out like he's played more games this year than he has the last two years, but he's not hurt this year.

[B]

Yeah, right.

[A]

And I think that is super important. And just from everything we're hearing from inside that locker room, they feel it too. Like what I'm hearing about what? The way they're talking to each other, the way they've been this last week. I think they hear all this bullshit. And I think they also see. I mean, you know it when you're in a locker room, that's special. You know it, you feel it. I think they feel it. So they don't. There's not a missing piece on this line.

[B]

I'll give you both sides of the coin here. The on the pro side, I agree with you. Just look, I test. I'm like, they're better. They're better pretty much every level. And even though they're 8 0, so it sounds ridiculous to say they face adversity. They've won some. Some gritty games in the past in a bunch of different ways. They've had a come to go comebacks, overtime, wins, all that shit where maybe a past Canes team kind of rolls over. In that one game, these guys are like, nope, I'm still in this one. I will get this one. So there I am on your side. Yes.

[C]

Yeah, they showed a little jam. Like, look at the two teams that they played. They played Philly, who's, you know, got that reputation. And they, they played Ottawa, who wanted to pound them. Yeah. Let's not forget how that the first round started.

[B]

Yeah, it's such a good point.

[C]

Right?

[B]

Like, that was so many fights in that.

[A]

And you know what's interesting, man, is like you mentioned there, there are those games where they've gone down. If you go through their games, these playoffs, they go game one, two nothing. Game two, three, two in double ot. Yeah. Game three, two, one, Game four, four, two. Then Philly three nothing. Three two in ot. Four one, three two in ot. They have not given up more than two goals.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And one of the more. Maybe two of those games they went down two nothing. Like, even when they get behind the eight ball, they never let it get out of control. And that goes into like the pk. We were talking about Freddy's numbers that we were talking about. As good offensively as Montreal is, I Think they feel confident in that. They're like, we're never going to let a game get out of hand here. And so much of that for me is. I mean, you immediately put a guy like Stahl on Suzuki, isolated. That's big. And like their third fucking line is Nick Ehlers, Jordan Stall, and Jordan Martinuk. Like, that's an insane third line.

[B]

Absolutely.

[A]

It's an insane third line.

[C]

You can. You can match them up against anyone.

[A]

Anyone.

[C]

First line.

[A]

And it's like, then play both. Then you get to have a ball with Hall Stankeven and Blake and Svetjaho and Jarvis against the other lines. And it's like.

[B]

So, yeah. The other side of the coin, I was going to say is. And you. You basically said it, but I'll just highlight it is to me, it's Freddy. Because even though I do think these team. This Cane's team is this much better. Oh, I don't think they're that much better. You guys might disagree. And.

[C]

Because I don't have to be.

[B]

Yeah. Right. But agreed. I never thought that's what was costing them these last few years. It was the goaltending, and it wasn't even. Freddy was a sieve and getting pulled. It was just like, they're always. And I know it was always the Panthers, but it was like, they just get this one shot by him. They'd be like, these are tight games.

[A]

It's Eastern Conference finals.

[B]

And they just get this one shot by him. And you'd be like, now we lose three, two. You know, And I was like, man, it's. It's the goaltender. You're not getting the goaltending against Bob or whoever the. And right now, Freddy is unconscious. So you're golden if that holds. But if that slips, which it has historically for him. Fair. Unfair. It has.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Then I'm like, you're in trouble again. That's how I could see them, where I'm like, oh, Freddy's not. Freddy hasn't. Isn't a 1.12 anymore.

[A]

It's probably going to be doves. Right. If Montreal wins this series, it's going to have to be dovish.

[B]

Yeah. Oh, I am looking at goalie. Either a slip on one side or an elevation.

[A]

But again, we're kind of discredit. I mean, like, Montreal's great. Like, they're good. They're deep, you know. Yeah. I was actually. What did you guys think about this?

[B]

We.

[A]

We made up this. Not made up. We created this graphic with bet, mgm, and it's the insane center depth in these playoffs. So you've got Abs, McKinnon, Nelson, Kadri, Drury. Damn. Vegas, Eichel, Carlson, Hurdle, Dowd, Carolina, Ajo, Stankeven, Stahl, Jankowski, Montreal, Suzuki, Evans, Deneau, Kapanen. Clear advantage. The other three teams, right?

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

No disrespect to any of those guys on Montreal, but like Colorado, Vegas and Carolina, that's some of the strongest center depth we've ever seen in the conference finals. And yeah, like, that's.

[B]

The two west teams are nuts.

[A]

The two west teams are crazy.

[C]

I mean, Stanley Cups are one through defense and you're down the middle. Yeah.

[A]

Yes. And like that down the middle is pretty. Pretty good for all four, but particularly three of those four teams. I think that's going to be a very key piece.

[B]

Match up the series. Here's the last under random stat poll I had for you guys in this since the year 2000. In a playoff matchup when one team is coming off a Game 7 win and the other team is coming off a sweep. Got it. One team, one game seven. One team swept. It's happened since 2000. Eight times. The team that went game seven is seven and one.

[A]

Holy shit pumps. I mean, if that.

[B]

Full of lead.

[A]

I keep saying, and I got to stick to my guns, that I don't believe in the rest versus rust thing, but that is a big time fact for the. For the rust people.

[C]

I'm telling you, playoffs are rhythmic.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

You get. You get on a roll. It's like a hot goalie. Or you just feel good.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And you just want to go.

[B]

You're like, let's play again. Let's play.

[C]

Go.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So like, that's a little concerning. Dude. You said it so good at the top, bro. This. The Canes. I referenced the Bills. The Buffalo Bills earlier. Josh. Josh Allen has been running into the Patrick Mahomes Buzzsaw over and over and over. And then this year they go, Mahomes is dead. The Chiefs are dead. You have to win now. And you lose to the fucking Broncos. No offense. Ricochet to the Broncos, but you lose to the Bronx.

[C]

You're not a bo lever.

[B]

I actually shouldn't.

[C]

Was he. Did he. No. Did he get hurt that game?

[B]

Yeah, that was a game or. No, he got hurt like on the last play of that.

[C]

Last play of that game.

[B]

Yeah. Like he scrambled and beat the Bills and then the Pats beat fucking Stidham who played that game.

[C]

Yeah, Jared Stidham.

[B]

He almost beat him.

[A]

I was Stidham.

[B]

Anyway, Bills, I'm like, that is a disaster. Right. Because this was your year, Mano Mahomes in the way. Like, what are you doing? I feel that way about the Canes this year where they go. And again, no offense, because Montreal has been awesome, but they go, oh, my God, we got the third place Habs. That's what's standing. We're 80 and we got the third place Habs versus the Panthers or Tampa, all that bullshit. I think if you're the Canes, you go, we better fucking make it this year.

[C]

Yeah, we don't have the Florida team anymore.

[A]

Yes. That's what I was saying when they're like, everything went perfectly.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, the fact that Florida ritually, ritualistically suicided themselves this season and then Tampa is just like, I was gonna use the F word and call them frauds, but I don't know that they're frauds. You are. This is not discrediting Montreal, but you are feeling pretty good. So, God, time to nut up.

[B]

Yeah. Because, dude, there's no more. I will not hear. And I have a lot of Canes fan friends that I love, but I will not hear a peep from them if they don't win this series. Like, if they get knocked out here, especially if it goes bad, if they lose in four or five, you are in fucking timeout for a year.

[C]

Yeah, well, I mean, how do you don't have a leg to stand up. Correct. It's funny how you say that with the Florida teams being out. Like, this was something that Darrell Sutter used to love to point out to us when he was just trying to make a point, like we weren't playing well after we had won in 12. That he loved to point out that the only reason why we won in 12 was because Phoenix knocked out Chicago. And it was just like. It was just something that just got under your skin.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Like, you know, that's so funny, too,

[A]

because you're like, you're winning too.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

Like what? Yeah, but.

[A]

Oh, that's hilarious.

[C]

But, yeah, no, that's a good point though.

[B]

And. And that's actually a funny chirp too, because I try as a fan, there are times when I like the. We talk all the time ad nauseam for people that listen to the show about the 2019 Bruins losing to the Blues. Like, I. I will never sleep another night because I cannot believe the Bruins blew that series. And. But very vitally, that 2019, I think that was like the Tampa record breaking team, like, best regular season ever, who choked to the Blue Jackets in the first round. So then the Bees got the Blue Jackets and they went to the cup.

[C]

So I'm like, Anderson had, like an unreal series, right?

[B]

So I'm like, the Bees, I cannot believe you choked that cup. And I'm like, it's a miracle you didn't get the Lightning in the second round and get swept, you know, like it was. You shouldn't even have been there. So it is a. It is a factor. It's like you just play the team in front of you, but playoffs shake out that way. It's crazy.

[C]

Yeah. It's like a slippery slope. Right? You can't think that way. But it's like, it's hard not to. Yeah, it's hard to matter.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

Human nature, man. Yeah. It's real. Not robots.

[A]

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[B]

He can do that?

[A]

He can, but.

[B]

Okay, do you know what you.

[C]

They employ me.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. Correct. Dan, he's like, take the abs.

[C]

I'm not gonna take a shit in my own backyard.

[A]

Here's a full opportunity to talk shit about Vegas.

[B]

Damn, dude.

[C]

All right, where do I start?

[B]

Hold on. Ev, do you ready? Do you know what you want?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay. You know you have yours?

[A]

Sure do. Yeah.

[B]

You know what's fucked about this one? Here comes more caveats for me before we.

[A]

I was gonna say, why do you always do this?

[B]

The injury thing is such a factor. Like, I don't know who's gonna fucking play.

[A]

Well, you gotta make your pick, dude. I put on a fucking clown nose last year when I picked Tampa over Florida because I thought they were going to be too hurt.

[B]

Yep, I remember. So did I. Yeah. Okay, Marty. And we'll go around this way. I'm ready. Team and how many games?

[C]

I'm going Vegas in seven.

[A]

I'm going ABS in six abs and

[B]

six abs in seven.

[A]

I like how you strategically did that so you could go last.

[B]

You said Marty first.

[A]

Coward. Yeah, I assumed. I assumed it would go around the horn this way because we went around the horn that way last.

[B]

We would reverse horn. Yes. No, we won't talk. Right. Reverse horse.

[C]

You set that up pretty nice. You throw the caveat and then you just.

[A]

And he's always collect data, I collect

[B]

data, collect data, I collect data. So we had a Vegas. We had an Ave 3 AVS. Or you said. What did you say? Three hours? Three hours, six, seven. Okay. And there's a chance like this one. I asked you guys earlier about if it went quick. I actually don't think that Eastern Conference series is going to go quick. There is a world, I think, where the AVs are a fucking wagon.

[A]

I do too. But I think everything that has shown, everything we have seen is that Vegas is way better than we all thought. Way better.

[B]

You see the Bednar comments today or yesterday?

[A]

No, what he said.

[B]

Well, I mean, this is that shit you were talking about earlier where it's with. About Owen or we weren't recording, but that Owen power stuff of like the X Factor thing, blah, blah, blah. He's actually sick. Bednar was Like Vegas is. If you look at all the advanced stats, they're like a top four team in the league, even though they were barely winning the terrible season.

[A]

Well, this is what I think. The Pacific, numbers wise, was pretty shit this year.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

I think personally, the Kings were just on the struggle bus all year. They couldn't score goals, which is pretty important to win hockey games, as we've learned.

[B]

In fact, it cost them.

[A]

Edmonton was just, like, kind of mid all year. The Ducks were coming out of their shell. They were being happy this year. Yes. And I think that they revealed themselves to be actually.

[C]

Nice pun.

[B]

Yeah. That was really good.

[A]

They revealed themselves to actually be pretty good. And they got better as the year went on. And I think Vegas just did what Vegas always does. There were tons of injuries. They had the whole goalie fiasco, and they just, like, survived. And then they were at the top at the end of the year, and they were just like, yeah, I mean, we did what we did. We had guys who missed time and, I mean, the Wild Bill played what, 12 games this year? Yeah, guys like. That's a big fact.

[C]

Five months. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, they didn't have Anderson until halfway through the year.

[B]

And he actually wasn't that. He went through that slump to his own admission. He was like, man, I was not good. It was like the worst stretch of his career. And now he's been playing great.

[A]

And then, like, it didn't get Hart until halfway through the year, and Hart is playing really well. So it's like. Yeah, I think that they're. They were just like, dude, we do this every year. What are you guys talking about? They still were at the top of the Pacific, and now they're fucking fisting teams. It's insane.

[B]

Okay, tell me why Vegas can win.

[C]

Well, I think it's funny. It's like, you know, obviously, on paper, I'm sure all the odds are in Colorado gotta be.

[B]

I haven't looked at. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[C]

But not to go back to the. The other, you know, the eastern side. But, like, I feel like if there's one team that can knock off the Canes, it's Montreal. And if there's one team that can knock off Colorado, it's Vegas.

[B]

I love that take.

[C]

Which. Which makes it. Which makes it interesting. I think my big thing is, you know, it's like, well, if you. If you break down, like, what have either team not seen yet in the playoffs? I don't think Colorado has seen. It was funny that you mentioned it earlier. The strength up the middle from a team and that's.

[B]

That can go toe to toe with them.

[C]

Right. That can go toe to toe but then also play like either a physical like slow grinding game and try to frustrate like it was like we talked about how were the Kings going to beat Colorado when we did the pre playoff preview. It's like, well, you have to keep them to two goals at most.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

You got to win three two, you got to win two one. Things like that. I don't think Colorado has seen, has seen a team that can play both sides of that. But then on the other side of the token is that Vegas hasn't seen a team as good as Colorado right now either. Yep. Right. And in a lot of ways I think, I don't know you could make and this is no disrespect to either side but you could, you could argue like the winner of this series has. Is maybe the favorite in the final. Yeah. But again I don't like, I hesitate to even say that because there's obviously two sick teams on eastern side this or sorry.

[B]

Finish.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

So that's.

[B]

I don't know.

[C]

I just, it's. I'm excited for this one.

[B]

Oh, dude.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I'm obviously saying finals. I'm excited for both.

[C]

Vegas is just cagey.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Like they just hang around.

[A]

Yes. You know, I mean like they know how to rope a dope. Right. I mean they're, they're. I can't sit here. I love that take by you that if there is a team that can beat them, it's. It's them. I, I probably would have said. I mean I've picked Colorado the whole way of from the very beginning. But I was like, I think Minnie could give them a fight here. And then we saw how that went. But it's weird to say because if you look on paper like there's a lot of offensive talent on Mini, but just like the way Dorothea, the way Marner, the way Eichel and if Stone comes back in the way Howden is scoring, I'm like they're, they're pretty good, man. I mean, Jesus. Like that's a lot of scoring firepower that also Wedgwood hasn't seen. Right. That's a factor too. So it's. This could be like a really different series. It could be a very slow chess matchy physical series that will be fun to watch for sure.

[B]

The they pulled up there was like a side by side of like power play and everything. And it's all, it's all reasonably close you know, like the face off the two really good teams, but one that I was surprised at or one to what you just said is the King series has skewed the Avalanche's team, specifically Wedgwood's safe percentage, all those stats, because it was like four games of giving up one goal or whatever where they actually did kind of both of them, more Mackenzie, but they did kind of get lit up by Minnesota. So even though I've thought Carter Hart's been good, but a couple times leaky, the Vegas save team save percentage is. Is a big bump over the abs, which I think will be interesting. But the one that I thought was that that stuck out to me that you called out already was how much more hits Vegas has.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And I was like, man, that. I could see that, like, if they were just so heavy this whole series and it doesn't go four because they get their win in a few games and Colorado just grinds down a little bit. Yeah, that could be interesting.

[C]

Yeah, like, I. I probably sound like a broken record, but I'm just of the old school mentality that, like, yeah, you obviously got to score goals, but that. That run and gun game is not going to win you a Stanley Cup. Like, you have to have that physical element. And that's why I thought if there's one team that can knock off Colorado, like, don't get me wrong, they can play the physical game, too. But there's just something about Vegas that they're built for playoffs that way. And I think, you know, if they bring that physical presence and then they frustrate the top guys, then that's. That's probably their recipe. Yeah.

[B]

Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. I love how it's. You know, this Habs team missed plays for a long time is kind of. I know they made. They got in last year, but now they're making this cool run, but a lot of inexperience. Rookie goal. I love the fucking Dryden Patrick Waugh dovish. Like, the rookie Habs goalie thing is so sick. But, you know, they got a lot of young people. Whereas on this side, it's the last two cup winners before the Panther era. Yeah, like, it was like, boom, boom. It's like, these guys, you're like, oh, these guys know how to win.

[A]

It's. It's funny. I mean, Canes fans who think they're going to the cup will be sad to hear this. If Vegas beats Colorado, they are winning the Cup.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I don't think there's any world where they could be getting better every Series, take down Colorado and then go lose to anybody. I just don't see it. I think.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Well, I love the. You know, you said that. It's a good. They haven't seen a matchup like this. McKinnon is so good, obviously, and there's no. There's no stopping a Nathan McKinnon. But I'm kind of with you with like. I mean, we love. I say, but I'm like, with a Jack Eichel. It's not even a match. You're not having a panic matchup situation on this Vegas team. Like, you have kind of some depth down the middle to be like, go play. Slow him down a little bit.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, who do you think that. The center depth thing we did. Who do you think? Because there's It. I thought it was a. No, I won't say who I think is better.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I thought it was a no brainer. And there's a lot of people who are like, no, this is a. Like, a lot of people think Vegas. A lot of think. A lot of people think Colorado. Who do you think is better down the middle?

[B]

I would go Colorado, but I think it's. I think it's super close.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I don't know if you think it's a no brainer for them or not. I mean, you're. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[C]

I. Yeah. I don't know.

[A]

I think what I'll say is. And this is for. I need Colorado fans to hear this loud and clear. If you go one for one, McKinnon Eichel is way closer than you think.

[B]

Damn right.

[A]

I know every Colorado fan is like, that's Nate, no question. And I'm like, I. You bet your ass to look at the Olympics, pal. Like, it is.

[B]

I can't hear you. With my gold medal in my.

[A]

So, I mean. Yeah. And I just. Yeah. I mean, Wild Bill being back is so interesting. You never know what I mean. You probably know what he's carrying. But, like, I mean, him coming back into this lineup, it's a. That's another reason why they're so. They keep getting better.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

I mean, man, they were without him all year, dude.

[B]

How. That's huge. I want to talk about some roster questions in a second, but how sick and crazy is it to be sitting here in the Western Conference finals being like the difference maker legitimately, like, the game breaking difference maker that could win this series is Mitch Martyr.

[A]

It's unbelievable.

[B]

No joke. I'm like, yeah, who is that? Nuts.

[C]

No. Who.

[B]

Oh, Mitch Martyr.

[A]

No, no, no, Doc Marner.

[B]

Doc Marner. Come on. The doctor.

[A]

We did this whole thing.

[B]

Doctors in the building.

[A]

My God.

[C]

You made a damn T shirt.

[B]

God. Buy a T shirt. Buy a T shirt. The doc, dude, the amount of puns

[C]

that have been just rolling through my head since you guys.

[B]

Oh, good.

[A]

Unbelievable.

[C]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

Everyone who treats that as like the

[C]

surgical by Mitch Marner, the clinic one.

[A]

That one was really good.

[C]

Like, turning ballerina into the or. Like something like that.

[B]

Oh, my God.

[A]

It's crazy.

[B]

And I. Dude, I could not. This is speaking.

[A]

The power play.

[B]

Fucking.

[A]

The power play is now the or.

[B]

Yeah. Oh, I like that.

[A]

That's really good.

[B]

The. I say this as a Bruins fan who went to war against him many times, I could not be happier for him. It's so cool to watch him thrive like this on the biggest stage.

[C]

Yeah. It's like you. You just look at it from, like, a human level. Yes, dude. Like, can you, like, you can see it, like, imagine how much fun he's having right now. Like, I mean, when it's like winning cures everything, right? And it's like. Yeah, well, he's buzzing. So of course, like, he's. He's feeling it, but just from like a lifestyle standpoint. And it's just. It's, you know, I imagine, you know, anytime it's a big change, right? Like, he's. He's leaving his hometown and somewhere that he cared a lot about, and quite frankly, they pushed him out of town. Right? And. And just imagine, like, just the feeling that he has. Like, he's having playoff success. He's. He's kind of sticking it to him.

[B]

Oh, dude.

[C]

Big time. Mean, not kind of.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[C]

Just like the. The competitive side of him, the athlete, like, he's loving this right now, but then on top of it, like, I don't really know if it's something that as an athlete, like, he. He's probably not saying, like, every time he makes a play, it's like, oh, that's. That's for, you know, all the people. Yeah, but. But like, at the end of the day, it's like something where it's like, it's nice, right? But. But yeah, like, that stuff. It's like if you. If you focus on it too much, well, then for sure it's like, it'll get the best of you. But yeah, I mean, this guy's having a blast. He's having so, so much success. Like, him. The chemistry that he's developed with Howden and. And all that, like, he's buzzing, dude.

[B]

He's a fucking cons my odds favorite right now. Can you imagine if Rich Barter leaves Toronto in his first year with the Stanley cup and cons, that city will burn.

[A]

It will be so hard.

[B]

There aren't enough Gavin McKenna's on Earth to fix that.

[A]

It'll be so tough.

[B]

That's.

[C]

That's like Phil taking the cut back to Toronto one with Pitt, like, but times.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because he will. Obviously he'll go right.

[A]

Genuinely there's.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

I. I want Vegas to win the cup just for that moment.

[B]

Oh, dude.

[A]

He should take it to. Right to the stadium, dude. Bring it right to the arena. It'll be great. Dude.

[B]

That must be part. Obviously, everyone in the Vegas locker room, as you well know, wants to win the cup more than this is. This is why we do it. But I'm sure that is an extra motivation for the other boys. It must be cool for them to be like, let's go. Look at Mitch.

[C]

Like, yeah, Like, I think. I mean, you take anything that you can use for. For motivation, but that is a. A real thing, you know, like, you want to win it for. For your buddies. Like, I remember, like, back in, like, I wanted to win it for Marion Gabric and Robin Regier, who had been, like, had way better careers than. Than I had. And. And you know, they never had the opportunity to do it. And it's like, that is a real thing where you want to win it for your buddies. And like, this is gonna sound corny and sappy, but it really is true. Like, the best thing about winning the cup is sharing it with the people that you care about. And, and. And like, that's your friends, that's your family, that's your parents, that's. But that's your teammates too. And so it's like one of the best moments I ever had was passing the cup to Jonathan Quick. Like, who would have thought that we did that in Vegas?

[B]

I know, I know.

[C]

Like, me. Yeah, I can get shipped off. But, like, quickie is on Vegas. Like, on Vegas. But, like, that stuff matters, right? Like, and guys care about that stuff, so there's nothing. There's not a single guy. I mean. And then also, like, Eichel went through the same thing with Buffalo. Like, didn't have. Totally didn't. Yep. Didn't have a very warm, like, reception going back to Buffalo. Like, that's a real thing. And so when a guy like that has gone through it himself, like, of course he wants it, you know, success for his buddy in that regard. So that is that is a real thing.

[A]

Yeah. Here's. Here's another real thing that I'm not sure enough people are talking about. Do we think that maybe this is one of the last years of this Colorado window?

[B]

Whoa.

[A]

So oldest team in the playoffs, dude, I saw that stat, so check it up.

[B]

Or guess.

[C]

Also did I see something that Montreal is the youngest team since the 93 Montreal and they're the exact same.

[A]

Dude, they're the exact same average age too.

[C]

Really?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I think the average age what was

[C]

like down to the decimal point suit,

[A]

I think it's 25.8 is their average age. It might even be 23.8, but I think it's 25.8.

[B]

That's pretty crazy.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

So this team you got, Nate is 30, Brock is 34, Landy's 33, Val's 31, Kadri's 35. Then you go to D. You've got 32 year old Taves, 34 year old Manson, 32 year old Kulak and 41 year old Burnsy. Like they're, you know.

[B]

Yeah, I'm not ready to say their windows closing, but fair point.

[A]

Why not? You're not willing to say it's closing.

[B]

I don't think so.

[A]

At least with this group. I mean, I think it's. I, I think they're going to be great next year and we'll be a cup contender next year. But it's like you, I. For what I bring it up because we've talked about on the show many times how when Colorado won in 21, 22, 22, they feel like with the Landy injury and with Val being in and out of the lineup, they feel like they missed a couple years of their windows. Like I, I know that Nate and Kale are like we should have more than one cup. Landy too. Like they're, they're like we should have more than one cup in this run here and now here they are probably the cup favorite. And I, I think there's, I don't want to say pressure, but I definitely think they feel a bit of weight of like we gotta win this one, dude. We've got to win this one. And I think part of that is they're not young.

[C]

I mean, I don't think their window's closing. I think that they have at least two or three years.

[B]

Me too.

[A]

Me too. My point is it's not opening anymore. That's all I'm saying.

[B]

Yeah, it's on the way you've opened. Like it's.

[A]

If it's a crank window.

[C]

Front nine. Are they on the back?

[A]

They're on the back nine.

[C]

They had a glizzy at the turn and they're teeing off on 10.

[B]

Maybe they're feeling full.

[A]

I'm saying I'm, I think they're more on, they're putting on.

[C]

Are you kidding me? You're calling a 32 year old?

[B]

That's unbelievable.

[A]

We're all old pieces of dude. I know. I'm not saying they're old, but I'm, I, I think they're putting on 11.

[B]

Oh, teeing off on 10. Dude, do you think they're teeing off? Yep, they're teeing off on 10.

[A]

I don't know. Again, I, I, they are going to compete for the next three years. No doubt. I, I agree, but I, I'm only saying it because let's say Montreal makes the cup and they lose, they're not like, fucking shit. We missed one. This team is.

[B]

Oh, yeah. No, they need to win this AVS team and, and no, I won't go that hard on Vegas. This AVS team and maybe the Canes feel like we, we have to win. Like, I cannot.

[A]

I don't think the Canes have this

[B]

year, and I don't think the Canes do.

[A]

Honestly, I think if the Canes make it to the cup, they're just so happy to get Pat.

[B]

They're like, fucking, holy shit. I told you. They're going to get swept in the final and then start a new, like

[A]

Kane's like, it's, I mean, Stahl. And that's it. Who's like, yeah.

[B]

I just feel like they, I guess to your point, it was you just, you go, we're not doing this again. You got is about that round specifically. But I still think they would kind of feel that way about the whole playoffs where they'll be like, God damn it, dude.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah. Well, I think, like, if Colorado doesn't win this, there is a thing where it's like, like, fuck, that was a missed opportunity.

[A]

Yes, totally. Thank you. That's really what I mean.

[C]

I had years like that too. Like when we lost to Montreal in the conference final.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah. In Vegas.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

We were just like. And, you know, like, Tampa, we would have had to beat Tampa too, but, like, that, there's a couple years that stick out in my mind. And I think, like, as you get older, like, you, you know, you have a good feel for whether you have a real shot at a cup team or not, especially after being on a cup team. Yeah. And, and yeah, there's a couple years that stand out in my head. Like, 13. I know that was a weird year for us with the lockout that we lost to Chicago and. But there's like, two. Yeah, those two years really stick out in my mind where I'm like, yeah, like. Or I guess even the bubble year, too. But maybe we weren't quite there yet with Vegas, but. But yeah, that's definitely something that's in their mind where it's like, hey, we have. I mean, just like, any good. All four of these teams are sitting there saying, hey, we have a really good thing going. Like, we need to get this done. Let's not waste this.

[B]

Don't waste it. Yeah, yeah, no, that's cool. I don't know if you heard the. When Brooks, like, was on the other day, but he said that about the. What was it, the 16 Capitals or something? But he was like. We felt like in the locker room, it was like, we have to win. And he got traded that year, but they lost in the second round. It was just like. But you really feel that way. Okay, so, dude, here are my questions to you guys. If Mark Stone doesn't play, I personally feel like this is too uphill of a battle. If he does play, I think this is absolutely winnable. I want to know what you think about that. And then I want to know. Don't say, because I don't want you in trouble, but, like, do. Have you heard anything? Don't even say what it is that you've heard, but have you heard anything? Do you know anything about it? Yeah. So I'm like, dude, this. That's when it scares me, when just, like, there's not a peep. Not practicing at all. I'm like, fuck, we could be in trouble.

[C]

Yeah. I mean, I think the thing that Stoney brings is. I mean, it's obvious, like, he's that low play guy on the power play, like, he. That. I don't know what the numbers are, but the difference between the power play numbers that they have, when that thing's clicking and he's in the lineup versus not is a big difference. But the thing that Stonie provides is just, I think, like, in the room, like, the calming presence. And that's not discounting anything. I mean, he's.

[B]

No, he's obviously in the eyes.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

But, like, he just. He's the cog in that wheel. And I think that in a lot of ways, he makes that go around. I mean, he's a captain for a reason.

[A]

Right?

[C]

Like, you Lose your captain at any time, like, that's, that's tough. That creates an uphill battle, no matter what team it is. But, but, yeah, so I, Yeah, but they get. I also think.

[A]

Great.

[B]

They've done it. Yep.

[C]

It's like you have other leadership. I think if you don't have the addition of, of Wild Bill.

[B]

Yeah, fair, actually.

[C]

Like, Wild Bill covers some of that of, you know, losing Stoney. But, but yeah, like, if you don't have both those guys, like, that's, that's tough. Yeah. And maybe you don't make it past Anaheim.

[B]

Yeah. Frankly, dude. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Yes. But, yeah. So I, I don't know. I hope, I mean, obviously I hope that they, they get Stoney back.

[B]

Same.

[A]

Have we heard anything?

[B]

No, that's what I'm saying. There's not a p. Yeah, like, naughty. I think it's lower body or whatever the it is. But they're like, yeah, I missed the last three rounds. Hasn't practiced.

[A]

Because they're looking to, to be in game one without Lausanne McNabb and stuff. Stone back.

[B]

He's got a one game.

[C]

Yeah, he's just got a one.

[A]

Yeah. And he doesn't have a knock right now.

[B]

No.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

He got a peepee whack.

[A]

Yeah, he did get people. So McNabb's back. That's good.

[C]

Yeah, they're missing Stone and Loza. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

And then, so then the other interesting One is McCarr missed practice again today, and they said status unclear for game one.

[C]

Well, it looked like he had that, like, shoulder stinger kind of.

[B]

Dude. He left when that happened. He left that game. I just looked this up. He left the game for like, 15.

[A]

Was that the. That was the crazy one into the boards, right?

[B]

Yeah, he came. Oh, no, because that, because that was

[A]

like, we thought that was earlier. Yeah, yeah.

[B]

And he said. He was like, my knee fell. Weird. Yeah, I'm good. It was, it was the game they won. Yeah, he got hit, left the game for like, 15 minutes, came back and played because they won that OT, right? Yeah, he came back. So he was, he was on the bench when Kulak's. Or maybe even on this. But he was, like, playing again when Kulak scored. But, but the article I was reading was like, he's visibly not okay, and he hasn't practiced since that game and then missed practice again today.

[C]

Yeah, I, I, I don't, I don't think that that, like, I'm not. He very well could just take pregame skate tomorrow. And it's like, hey, we're going to maximize this.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

You know, like, he's clearly fighting something.

[B]

For sure.

[C]

For sure. There's no secret of that. But are they getting Lekonen and Malinsky back also?

[B]

Unclear. So this said Lekkanen and Malinsky east missed the final two games, the second round with an upper body. Manson missed four games previously. Yeah, no report. No report on if they're back. So, like, they could be without Lekin and Malinsky. Maybe Makar. I doubt it. He seems like he's in a situation where I'm dealing with something, but I'm playing. Yes.

[A]

This feels like a Tom Brady questionable situation.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You ain't questionable.

[A]

Yeah, well, I am sure they're just keeping him off practice, giving him treatment and being like, just make sure you are as good as possible.

[B]

But. But certainly a factor. Everyone's dinged. Right? It's not like anyone else. Loyalty, but certainly a factor if you're like.

[A]

But Malinsky and Lekkonen remain day to day and holy shit, dude, if those two just get inserted back into this lineup, that is crazy town.

[B]

But how, dude, how heavy? Like, I'm sure in the room. That's a conversation piece with the forecheck where you're like hammer Bakar every chance you get.

[C]

Oh, yeah. It's no different. Like, we talked about the physicality. Yeah, yeah. Like, especially if you know that a guy's fighting something. Everyone is. But if you, you can see that on the broadcast, it's public knowledge then. Yeah, but even if it wasn't, you're still focusing on Makar on the four check.

[B]

Yeah, Right.

[C]

You have to.

[B]

It's already the gameplay.

[C]

This guy's like one of the best. Is he the best? You know, one of the best in the world. Like, same way with them focusing on Quinn Hughes last round. Like, that's, that's part of the game plan, regardless of whether he's fighting something or not. But I guess if he. If you know, you know that he is, well, then, yeah, you double down.

[B]

Go get him.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. We're not talking about like Bonnie Gate or anything, but like, yeah, but, but, but you, you can.

[B]

Doc Martyr. Doc Marder's good money on the operating table.

[C]

Dude, this guy's getting kickbacks from the insurance company. No, but, no but, yeah, it's like that's, you know, you're. You're focusing on that regardless. And I think that that's going to be, I mean, for, for take the, the injury stuff or even, like, you just look at Makar's ability. It's like you have to hit him every time on the forecheck, otherwise he's jumping behind you and creating an odd man rush.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

As much as he possibly.

[A]

So true.

[C]

Like, that's a big thing. Yep.

[B]

So that. I mean, those are the two. That's what I was bitching about picking before. Those are my two huge ones. Because, dude, if you were to tell me we all picked the series pretty deep. If you were to tell me that Makar misses this series, I'm like, big on Vegas, and I know the abs are still stacked, but I'm like, holy shit.

[A]

I mean, that one is like. I actually want to give flowers to Jack Achan. He's been great in. Since he came in. I mean, he, like, saved a couple games with plays he made against Minnesota, but, I mean, you lose Maar, like, what are we even talking about here? Like, that's a guy.

[C]

Like, that's irreplaceable.

[A]

Irreplaceable. That is game break. You cannot replace a Gary Bier. Like, that is game breaking. That's insane. And yeah, I mean, if. If you are without Maar and Malinsky and Lecky, like, the. I. I would. I think that fully shifts it.

[B]

Vegas is. Yeah, yeah. But I. I don't want to diminish the. And I know neither of you are. But I don't want to diminish the Stone injury either. Makari is irreplaceable, but, like, Stone, if. If I. This feels like a disservice to the series if Stone doesn't play. And I'm like, oh, man. Yeah, that sucks.

[C]

Well, that's what you want, right? Like, you see. You see the clash of two titans. You want every. You want all hands on deck.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You want best on best. For sure.

[B]

Bring it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

What do you. What do you guys think? Role play. What's going through your mind right now? If you are still doing hockey, punk. No, no.

[A]

Is this Netters After Dark? Ball gag?

[C]

Ball gag.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

You nurse or cheerleader?

[B]

One. One of each. You got two.

[C]

You got there, Frank. Yeah, She's. Okay.

[A]

Hold on. Okay, I'm ready, dude.

[B]

The. I'll tell you that later. The. Okay, what. What is going through your head? And obviously it's a tough business. What you always say, Dan. Like, NHL coaches are hired to get fired.

[A]

They're hired to get fired.

[B]

That's the point.

[A]

Sucks.

[B]

What's going through your head? If you're a Butch Cassidy right now and the Vegas Golden Knights are into the Western Conference finals and you're like fuck, yeah.

[C]

I don't know. And then you double down on that with all the reports of them not allowing them to talk to anyone with all that, that all, you know, that drama.

[A]

But yeah, it is amazing that with that drama. Edmonton and LA are like the first two teams that have apparently been talked about. I don't like what meet with anyone

[B]

other than the Pacific.

[A]

Yeah. Fuck is happening right now.

[B]

Like it's so crazy. Like are you kidding me?

[C]

There's two sides of the argument too. It's no different than like a non compete, right?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

But then you also look at it from like the coaching side. It's like, well, if you got to let me talk.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

You know, I don't know.

[A]

It'd be such an unbelievable move by an owner if he had an ax to grind with a coach and sign a, to like a six year contract with a full non compete and fired him the next day and was like, you won't work for the rest of.

[B]

Oh, dude. You know, I think what sucks is from my POV is sometimes, sometimes I think a system doesn't adapt like a coach and you obviously for the million time know way better than us. But sometimes I think a coach is a system and it has success in this league, but the league is always evolving, always changing. And sometimes I think that coach maybe doesn't change his philosophy as quickly, as fast as a guy we can talk about after. But the sometimes though, it's just a new voice. Like genuinely a team just needs a new voice. And I always feel like that sucks when you're the old voice. But I'm like, okay, so I just got punted because I've been here too long. Yeah. And then the new guy's like, and the cup. And you're like, what the fuck? It's the same guys. Like I should be winning this cup.

[C]

Well, I think it's like, I think as a coach or even anyone in this game, like everyone's got a shelf life.

[B]

Yes, absolutely.

[C]

Some are shorter. Like some, some of us go, you know, quicker on the shelf than.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

Right. But I also think like if, if you're him, you're looking at this team like he's got his, his fingerprints all over.

[A]

Totally.

[B]

Totally.

[C]

And I go back to. And we talk about like some of those defensive metrics that you were talking about with Vegas. Yeah, yeah. And it's like they haven't given up much. Well, call a spade a spade. That's Butch's system. Yep. You know, and that's. And I think that's a big reason as to why we won in 23. Like, that system is good. It works. A lot of teams have tried to change that. It's copycat league. That's another conversation. But, like, I also think that you have a little bit of solace in the fact that you're like, well, I helped put that together. Together. Like, we. Okay, we talked about, like, I remember Dean and Barty talked about it a couple times when we ended up firing Terry Murray in, like, February of the of 12 when we won. And it's like that defensive posture and that, those teachings and all that had Terry's hands all over it. You know, that. That was like. You know, he was all about, like, the five on a die and coming back to home plate and this and that. And, like, that was one of the biggest things that allowed us to win that year. So, I mean, I don't know. I've never been in that situation. Like. Yeah. Would he love to be behind the bench with Terry? Would have loved to be behind the bench when we won? Yeah, of course. But, like, I think maybe they. And they know deep down, and I wouldn't be surprised if there's a conversation unless there's really bad blood. Yeah. But, like, down the road, if Vegas does end up winning it, then there is a. You know, it's like, hey, you had a big hand in this, and he knows that, too, so. So I don't really know how the workings of all that. But I'm sure Terry Murray and Dean Lombardi had talked and. Yeah. And like, you know. You know that you had a big hand in getting that team there, Right?

[B]

I like that, actually. That probably would feel cool. I mean, it's a little bittersweet, obviously, but you're like.

[C]

Or the other one's just like. Like this. Like, exactly. So I. I mean, I don't know. I can't. I can't speak for him, but what's the.

[B]

Hey, what's. What's the name rules? Like, I know there's, like, to get your name on the cup, you have to have played whatever. Whatever.

[C]

I think it's. You have to play. If you don't play in the. In the playoffs, you have to play at least 41 games in the regular season. I believe it's. If you just dress once in the final, you get your name on it. Yeah. And I don't know what the playoff one is. Is it just play one game in the playoff? Maybe. But then there's also, like, exemptions, too.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Like, we. We had A couple guys on LA in 12 that didn't play in the playoffs, but they played in the regular season and we vouched, you know, Then we said, these guys gotta be on it.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Yeah. And so like there's, there's room to.

[B]

And does that include, like, let's say I play for you on the right in the regular season and I'm. I play every game. I've played 60 games. And then I get traded and then you guys win.

[C]

Yeah. No, that doesn't.

[B]

I don't get it.

[C]

Like, you can't get trade. You can't be on another Ross.

[B]

Okay. Yeah. I'm like, I, I, I did it. I won the cup.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah, yeah. I don't think it works.

[B]

What would if it assuming no bad blood? Because we don't know assuming no bad blood would. Does Butch get his name on this? If they're like, you were no coach for 75 games.

[C]

He could. Yeah, I don't. The league wouldn't allow that.

[B]

That's so funny. You're like, dude, it's wild. Yeah. You're like, what the.

[C]

How happy is torso right now?

[A]

Oh, my God, dude, it's so funny. When that happened, I kept saying on this show, I was like, torts. No, it's like they've talked about it. This does not go into next season. This is an interim job. And he's just riding it out. But then they go, what was it, like seven zero and one in his first eight and now he's in the conference final and he's probably like, I'm back.

[B]

Yeah,

[A]

five year deal.

[C]

At least six, seven.

[A]

There is no way that he's not

[C]

getting a house in Henderson right now.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. Like, there's no way that he's not feeling himself. And he should.

[B]

Dude, 100 especially you. So you made this joke the other day.

[C]

The.

[B]

And they have to win first. But winning the Panthers guys, everybody was like, pay me whatever, baby. I'm back. Like, if they lose that cup, Marshy's gone, everybody's gone. They win the cup, everyone's staying. If Vegas wins. Dude, 100 in, like in the locker room towards is gonna be like, I'm in.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And they're gonna be like, keep him. He's perfect.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

He's doing show me the money if they win this thing. Yeah. And he's no question looking at. Looking at crim saying, you gotta. No, you have, buddy. Like, I'm.

[B]

Damn, dude. Fucking great.

[A]

All right, well, we broke down both series, got our picks in first game tonight as you're listening to this?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Fucking hell.

[A]

Holy shit. But it's. I'm pumped. I'm really excited that Florida and Edmonton aren't in it.

[B]

Sorry. Oh, same.

[A]

No offense, those fans, it's just like. This is exciting. We got a new cup winner here.

[B]

I really want a split in the first two games in both series. It'd be awesome just coming out one one like, here we go. No sweeps. You know, no one's gonna roll.

[A]

Yeah, more hockey. Electric shit. That's what we need. All right, that's it for this episode. You'll find us again later in the week as we watch all the games. Break it all down. Marty, as always, it's great to have you here.

[C]

Hey, thanks for having me, guys.

[A]

Beautiful, beautiful stuff. We'll see you next episode. Till then, skate hard.