Tampa Bay Montreal Might Be The Best First Round Series

Summary

Empty Netters Podcast: "Tampa Bay Montreal Might Be The Best First Round Series"

Date: April 22, 2026
Hosts: Dan Powers & Dr. Watkins
Network: Almost Friday Media

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Episode Overview

This episode of the Empty Netters Podcast, recorded live from Tampa, brings high-energy, detailed, and occasionally chaotic recaps of the opening games of the NHL playoffs, focusing on four matchups:

• Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens (OT classic)
• Boston Bruins vs. Buffalo Sabres
• Utah Mammoth vs. Vegas Golden Knights
• Colorado Avalanche vs. LA Kings

The hosts provide firsthand impressions, relentless banter, and sharp analysis, wrapping in stories from the road, press box antics, and questions for the fans. Throughout, their player-level insight and love of the game make for an engaging breakdown of playoff insanity.

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Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens

Main Feature: Overtime Bloodbath in Tampa
[00:20 – 27:00]

Atmosphere & Early Vibes

• The hosts, reporting from Tampa, were welcomed and given the royal treatment by the Lightning organization.
• Setting the energy: “We are horned up and we are going deep.” (A, 00:20)
• Immediate appreciation for Tampa fans, the in-game experience, and the wild crowd energy.

Notable Moment

• Lap Pillow Banter [02:06 – 03:13]:
  Hilarious digression on the use of lap pillows at games, blending into their brotherly chemistry.

Game Flow Breakdown

1st Period: Intensity from the Drop

• Montreal dominated the early minutes with sustained pressure and a near-goal from Lane Hudson (pipe shot) [04:46].

• Brandon Hagel asserted himself immediately – “shot out of a fucking canon” (A, 05:08).

  “This fucking guy looks like he got a shot of adrenaline straight into his cock.” – Dan [05:15]

• Tampa's first real zone time results in a Hagel goal, flipping the momentum [06:42].

• Multiple scrums and line brawls erupted throughout the period, evidence of bad blood between these teams tracing back to past playoff meetings.

Ref & Chaos: The Kucherov Call

• Controversial interference penalty on Kucherov turns potential Tampa PP into a Montreal PP, ultimately leading to a Lane Hudson power play goal [08:30 – 09:29].
• Quote:

  “It was just bedlam. Every five seconds, every whistle blown, everyone on the ice is fighting.” – Dan [09:29]

2nd Period: Montreal’s Response & Fisticuffs

• Canadiens wrestle control, but the game's pulse quickens with Hagel dropping the gloves against Juraj Slafkovsky.

• Hagel lands a clean KO punch, wild reaction on social and from the bench.

  “That was a fucking KO punch. They get in a fight...throws a fucking clean hook that just goes straight knuckles to chin.” – Dan [11:30]

• Both teams’ stars getting involved in the scuffles – the hosts debate their roles in the rough stuff.

• Josh Anderson scores late in the 2nd after a Vasi miscue, Montreal up 2-1 heading into the third [14:32].

3rd Period: All-Out War

• “This team is fucking nasty.” – Hosts on Montreal’s true talent level and depth [15:08].

• Tampa starts strong but faces adversity; Kucherov appears frustrated and out of sync [15:56].

• Braden Point’s near miss and Cole Caulfield’s maturity (“scorer – leave me out of this”) gets shoutouts [17:15–17:57].

• High drama as Tampa ties it: Kucherov scores a relieving goal after a 16-game playoff drought, building erupts [19:09–19:32].

  “You could see it in his celli, too...thank fucking Christ.” – Dan [19:22]

• Late in regulation, Sabrin takes a “truly the dumbest penalty you will ever see,” nearly costs Tampa, but they escape [20:15–21:16].

Overtime: Tact and Tension

• After killing the late penalty, Tampa controls much of OT, Montreal’s Lane Hudson defending without a stick gets special mention:

  “It was fucking a masterclass of skating.” – Dan [22:07]

• On a key icing and smart coaching change, Jon Cooper throws out the top line. Jake Moser dangles and scores a gorgeous OT winner.

  “Moser comes around, snipe job. Put it up...where the nasty stuff is, dude.” – Dan [24:32]

Tampa’s Reputation & Hockey South of the Border

• Huge praise for the Tampa experience and the city’s hockey culture:

  “That barn fucking exploded. All the northerners...watch a clip of that OT. That fucking barn goes nuclear.” – Dan [24:53–25:13]

Audience Questions & Community

• Puzzlement over Greek salad being served on potato salad in Tampa [28:23–29:56], asking local fans for answers.

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Boston Bruins vs. Buffalo Sabres

[31:29 – 46:45]

First Period: Goaltending Show

• Jeremy Swayman steadies Boston early with a stellar performance.
• Both teams start physical, but offenses are muted; power plays struggling.

Second Period: Bruins Take Control

• Viktor Arvidsson (RV) scores on a backhand, labeled “about to get a fucking bag. What an unexpected bag.” [33:14–33:26]

• Morgan Geekie scores in consecutive games, ending his drought and stepping up as a key depth piece [34:19–34:48].

  “He is back. We are back.” – (B) [34:48]

• Bruins’ kid line (Hagens-Minton) receives love for their energy and relentless forechecking.

Third Period: Bruins Survive Late Scare

• Boston jumps ahead 4-0 with Arvidsson’s second of the night [37:24].

• Buffalo battles back with goals by Byram and Krebs, making for a hectic ending.

• Jeremy Swayman calls his own timeout from the crease, displaying leadership:

  “Sway is like, call a fucking timeout, dude. Like, are you shitting me?” – Dan [38:45]

• Final moments: Swayman’s clutch stop with 2:20 left seals the win.

Analysis & Trends

• Buffalo is dangerous late, but their slow starts may cost them ("way too late, twice").
• The hosts believe Boston is fundamentally built better for playoff hockey, while Buffalo's dynamic offense has yet to transfer completely to playoff success [45:52–46:19].
• A fashion critique of PK Subban’s wild broadcast attire adds a laugh [43:30].

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Utah Mammoth vs. Vegas Golden Knights

[49:26 – 63:34]

Game Recap

• Utah bounces back to tie the series on Vegas ice, a gritty comeback win.

  • Early lead for Vegas via Mark Stone.
  • Utah equalizes on a quirky play (puck deflection).
  • Second period sees Utah dominate puck possession, outshooting Vegas.

• Jack Eichel’s “horrific” holding call leads to a wild power play sequence; Carter Hart in net for Vegas is sensational, keeping the Golden Knights alive.

• Dylan Guenther gives Utah a 2-1 lead with a bomb, quickly erased by Ivan Barbashev’s one-on-three solo goal to tie it up [56:12–57:17].

• Logan Cooley nets the winner, becoming the youngest American to score a playoff GWG in his first two games; does it going head-to-head with Jack Eichel [59:26–60:16].

“He is not disappearing in this moment. He scores the Utah Mammoths first playoff goal ever.” – B [60:16]

• Carter Hart impresses despite Vegas’ loss; Utah’s resilience and constructed roster get top billing.

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Colorado Avalanche vs. LA Kings

[63:41 – 84:32]

Slow-Burn Defensive Showdown

• Series low on goals, high on defensive steel – “not a lot of action” (A, 63:45).
• Abs press early (14 shots in the first), but LA bends, doesn’t break. Anton Forsberg stands out in net for LA [65:36–65:52].

“I think a forsie deserves a fucking tug and a half for how well he's playing.” – Dan [65:36]

• Battle heats up: Mikey Anderson throws a massive, clean hit on Marty Necas, sparking a line brawl [64:13].
• Kings’ defense and PK keep them in; Forsberg outdueling Colorado snipers at times.
• Quentin Byfield’s penalty shot goes wide after a blazing Makar recovery; Wedgwood (filling in for Georgiev) is “marvelous” in his first playoff games.

Oddities

• 30-minute delay after a fan shatters glass near the Kings bench; hosts riff on etiquette and “beaking” players from expensive seats [69:10–72:22].

Game-Winner: OT Heroics

• Tied 0-0 into the 3rd, Panthers score on the power play after a fierce net-front battle (debate over allowance of cross-checking) [75:18–76:27].
• Colorado ties late with a slick play from Necas to Landeskog, sending it to OT [78:30].

“Nature actually passes through Forsberg’s five hole. Back door to Landy. Goal. Captain ties it up.” – Dan [78:30]

• OT: Nick Wa is the difference-maker, banging home the rebound in front. Avs up 2-0 in the series.

Series Read

• LA commended for gritty, frustrating play – “Floyd Mayweather” style.
• Kings must find scoring from top forwards (Kempe, Byfield, Moore) to capitalize on their defensive effort.
• Colorado is content grinding out low-scoring wins: “They are SO happy to play this way.” [84:17]

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Memorable Quotes & Banter

• “This fucking guy looks like he got a shot of adrenaline straight into his cock.” – Dan Powers on Brandon Hagel’s energy [05:15]
• “If you need to know how good a skater Lane Hudson is, go watch that shift in OT...it was a masterclass.” – Dan [22:07]
• “Jeremy Swayman calling timeouts from the crease...he was right to be like this. Yo, fucking stop the game.” – Dan [38:45]
• “He is not disappearing in this moment. He scores the Utah Mammoths first playoff goal ever.” – B [60:16]
• “Glass half empty: the Avs have to change nothing. They are so happy to play this way.” – Dan [84:17]

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Noteworthy Moments & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Event/Theme | |-------------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 05:08–05:33 | Brandon Hagel’s all-out energy shifts | | 11:23–12:02 | Hagel vs. Slafkovsky tilt — the KO punch | | 15:13–15:57 | Montreal’s surprising team depth analyzed | | 19:09–19:32 | Kucherov ends playoff scoring drought | | 22:03–22:39 | Lane Hudson’s stickless defensive shift | | 24:20–24:32 | OT winner called: Moser “puts it in grandma’s cabinet”| | 33:14–33:45 | Arvidsson praised as Bruins’ under-the-radar signing | | 38:45 | Jeremy Swayman calls timeout from the crease | | 56:12–57:17 | Two goals in a minute, Vegas-Utah | | 60:16 | Logan Cooley’s GWG – youngest American first two games | | 64:13 | Mikey Anderson’s huge hit on Nachess | | 75:18–76:27 | Debate: Allowing cross-checks leading to PP goals | | 78:30 | Necas-Landeskog hookup sends Avs-Kings to OT | | 80:03–80:22 | Nick Wa delivers the OT winner |

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Conclusion & Closing Thoughts

• Tampa/Montreal is positioned as maybe the most electric, underappreciated first-round series: star power, old-school hate, OT drama, and a "bloodbath" to come.
• Boston/Buffalo sees the Sabres as a dangerous but immature team, while the Bruins flex their playoff pedigree.
• Utah/Vegas: Mammoth’s refusal to be intimidated and their roster's belief/energy are giving the defending champs trouble.
• Colorado/LA: Avs have no need to change, Kings’ frustration is palpable but the series is tighter than “on paper.”

The hosts mix sharp, often riotous analysis with deep fandom and inside-the-rink access, infusing the night’s games with contagious excitement.

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Empty Netters Sign-off
"Remember: Skate hard."

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Transcript

[A]

Welcome to the Empty Netters podcast.

[B]

Can you believe what this has become? There's a full 48 hours where I felt like I was like literally Superman.

[A]

Jumbo loves playing Fortnite, so he gets on the sticks. Did TR show you the sauna cycle or was that already.

[B]

No, I invented that. Almost a year now that I haven't taken a body check. That's kind of nice.

[A]

So we are back. We are horned up and we are going deep. Finished tonight with some chicken fingers and a few Guinnesses. Ran into you guys. And that's where this pod came to life. Ice is ready. And we are back. Back with another episode of the Empty Netters podcast, brought to you by BetMGM. We're live in Tampa. Just got back from the amazing Lightning Canadiens game. OT thriller. What a fucking show. We got a big Boston Bruins win. Huge Utah win.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And then a wild OT win for the apps. So we're going to get into everything right now. Beautiful stuff again. Coming to you live from Tampa, I'm your host, Dan Powers. Dr. Watkins on the sticks.

[B]

What? What is up?

[A]

Can't see him.

[B]

You can't see.

[A]

Always hear him.

[B]

We can always. I'm like John Cena as we have made this. This place a petting zoo behind him. It's true.

[A]

There's so much food over there.

[B]

There's a lot.

[A]

And then on the ir, but still

[B]

here, battling CP as always.

[A]

Let's fucking jump right into these games. Like we said, we're here in Tampa. We got the end of the ABs game going on here on the TV. But what a beautiful show the Tampa Bay Lightning put on for us. We come down here, we get brought in, treated like royalty because that's what the Tampa Bay Lightning organization does. They're just high class, class, class everywhere.

[B]

We went to hat tricks a billion times every day.

[A]

We did everything with this team. It was unbelievable. And then we come in and we get a thrilling, thrilling game.

[B]

It was beautiful. Yep. Echoing everything you said. Top to bottom. Everyone we meet in the Tampa Bay staff, thank you a million times over. The experience is top notch. The people here are amazing. The rink's amazing. The atmosphere is. I have a question. I have a question for the people of Tampa to start this segment. I have a question for the people of Tampa to end this segment. My question for the people of Tampa to start this segment.

[A]

Do I look like a bitch boy with my lap pillow?

[B]

Why do people do that?

[A]

Get ahead of it.

[B]

I actually like a lap pillow too, but why is that?

[A]

It's because there's somewhere to put your arms. There's like, you know, you don't have to just like, lay your arms flat. And it's really good.

[B]

I think you're also protecting a very

[A]

vulnerable part of your body.

[B]

Your belly, your groin.

[A]

And it's like, you know, I sleep with a pillow.

[B]

I hug a pillow when I sleep. Really?

[A]

Yeah. It's good. It makes my shoulders not collapse in on themselves.

[B]

And do you do your T Rex or do you still do?

[A]

I've actually been working on my T Rex hands.

[B]

You should get like a. A wrist.

[A]

I still do it. And I'm like, stop doing it.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay, so we're gonna lap pillow.

[A]

I mean, I am.

[B]

I'm not changing the thing.

[A]

I don't need to see my erection.

[B]

My question of, yes, it is hiding an erection. I actually. Well, that's. Maybe that's a little rated R for this pod. Yeah. I'll ask you later. Are you kidding? My question for the people of Tampa.

[A]

I don't like your laptop pillow because your shorts are all jacked up and it looks like you were ass naked.

[B]

I am.

[A]

You got to remove your lapel.

[B]

I wear I pod.

[A]

I can see your tan line.

[B]

Dude. I pod. You look. You look like a pervert. I pod in only this. I hate it

[A]

now. Slightly better.

[B]

My question to the people of Tampa, when they do their starting lineups, they show the players who are starting and they go, this guy, this guy, this guy. And each guy on the jumbotron hits a slap shot, and it's like a photo shoot slap shot. It's not like an in game highlight. They just all go, here's Nikita Kucherov. And then it shows him hammering a clapper. Yeah, Jake Gensel was starting tonight. They played his clapper. I only saw it for a second, so I'm not accusing him of anything. I just need the people of Tampa to let me know if anyone else has noticed this or if I saw it wrong. It looks like his starting lineup clapper is the biggest mishit muffin to ever have been clapped. And I'm. I. I'm like, how did nobody go, jake, hit that again. Because obviously you're one of the great goal scorers in the league and you can do this. You just. He needs to hit that one again.

[A]

Okay, so we need. We need the people of Tampa to come in the comments and let us know if that's something they've noticed before. I'm going to say the one thing I noticed about that. I actually thought his face was the most realistic. Like, he kind of went like this. Like, I think he actually really stepped into one.

[B]

Yeah, maybe. Oh, he stepped too hard. He overstepped.

[A]

We don't know.

[B]

We gotta find out. I think he overstepped.

[A]

I'm not sure that that happened.

[B]

I think he overstepped.

[A]

People of Lightning community, what am I looking at? Wemby just knocked himself out.

[B]

Oh, no, he's gone. He's gone.

[A]

He just smacked his face on the parquet floor. We're not talking basketball in the show. All right. Yeah, People of Tampa, let me know.

[B]

Let me know. This game starts. It is three minutes of Montreal domination. I got to say, Lane Hudson goes pipe dreams off the crossbar. And I was like, holy shit.

[A]

Definitely there was some. I mean, Tampa didn't get a shot until, what, in a second? Yeah, but definitely Montreal was on it early, but no one was on it as much as one man.

[B]

Oh, my God.

[A]

We're going to talk a lot about this man in this segment. Brandon Hagel was shot out of a fucking can.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

I said it from his first shift. And you'll see this on our mid forum of going to the game, but I was like, this fucking guy looks like he got a shot of adrenaline straight into his cock.

[B]

You said that the first minute and then we said it 15 fucking times the rest of the night. Because it was insane.

[A]

It was so true. I mean, he was all over the place. And it's.

[B]

We.

[A]

We're. We're a big Brandon Hagel podcast. Just a great dude in every sense of the word and a great player in every sense of the word. He is a big game guy. We saw it at four nations, we saw it at Olympics, and we see it here in playoffs. This guy just gets the team going like nothing I've ever seen. I actually saw something on Twitter that I couldn't agree with more. When Hedman retires, you put that seed directly on Brandon Hagel's jersey.

[B]

Whoa, dude.

[A]

What a take to be this talented.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

And this effective and this much of an energy guy is fucking ridiculous. So many people all over the bird today were like, every. Get a clone of Brandon Hagel on every team if you do whatever you can to find that to happen. But he fucking comes out and he's all fucking over the place. And yes, like you said, Montreal had most of the chances, but then Tampa gets it in their first shot on net. We were saying, like, they had a lot of good in zone possession. They were working it around, but they weren't getting any pucks. In the cage. Finally they got some good end zone time. Puck goes over onto the half wall. Hags gets it and just rips one. Gets through traffic, finds it in the net. And Tampa was buzzing.

[B]

He goes crazy. It's like, oh, shit.

[A]

This is going.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Dude. And then we saw something that we've teased. When we were on our playoff preview with Marty, we were talking about, like, no, there's a little bit of. There's a little feistiness in this series here, a little bit of bad blood, and these teams fucking hate each other.

[B]

I forgot you brought up the St. Louis thing. And I was like, oh, yeah, right. But I kind of forgot they played in the cup in that second final. I was like, oh, yeah, the bubble final. That was them. And there's. There's more here. They were obviously battling in the Eastern Conference in the Atlantic. The whole way. This team is. They're not friendly.

[A]

No, man, they were fucking go. I. I also. I hate this. You got to stop doing what you're doing.

[B]

This is.

[A]

I'm begging you. Don't get another pillow.

[B]

Evan. Find me a third pillow.

[A]

I hate looking at you.

[B]

Find me a third pillow.

[A]

I hate looking at you. You got to get rid of at least one of them.

[B]

Actually, just. Just that.

[A]

Actually, I'm okay with that because I know it's uncomfortable.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

You've made your bed. These teams were fucking going at it the second they could in the first period, and it was unreal. We had multiple full on ice line brawls. Just every time people could get in the mix. And it was always Higgs.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Harris was in there mixing it up after every whistle. It was just a fucking donnybrook. It was unbelievable. We're getting it up on the grid. Like these teams are going at it. And it felt like in that first period, Montreal was out shooting them for sure.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But Tampa's pressure just felt significant. And then we had our first holy shit moment of the game. Delayed penalty against Montreal. Tampa gets it. Take it out of the zone. They go to get back in the zone. Cooch straddling the blue line, smokes on. It's like a tabletop situation. Huge collision. They call an interference on Cooch and you.

[B]

I didn't see it lie because I was filming the corner. You liked it?

[A]

Oh.

[B]

Oh, sorry.

[A]

Hated the fucking call.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What do you mean?

[B]

I forgot. I got. I mixed up.

[A]

Yeah, you're. It's late, dude.

[B]

You're losing your marbles. It's like, I've already said this.

[A]

I know. I hated it. And Cooch immediately was like, are you fucking kidding me? Like, the play's going. And he's like, what the fuck? Puck goes in, whistle gets blown. And then mayhem. It's just everyone going at it again. Pairs drops the gloves. He gets like an instigator. And now all of a sudden, Montreal is in the power play. And I had said I was like, insane that that play results in that. And again, some people in their pea brains online couldn't process what we were saying. And we're like, that was just an insane play. We had a Tampa power play coming when they're up one nothing. And then mayhem ensues. And now it's a Montreal power play. Yep. And then ultimately, Lane Hudson shot from the point. Tie game. But it was like. That was just a great microcosm of. It was just bedlam. Every five seconds, every whistle blown, everyone on the ice is fighting.

[B]

That was crazy, Dan, because there was so. The energy was already awesome. I was getting texts from friends at home going, I can't believe you're at this game. Then the big fight happened, which is an all time video on our ig. You were filming it. You got everything. The fights were starting and then it'd be like, it's over. And then fight. They fight again. And there was fight the fight again. Every people are crazy headlocks, Old school headlock noogies from people. And to your point, I guess I knew they were going to do something with the Cooch interference, but it did feel like we were about to go on another Tampa power play. And if you get a goal there, it's two nothing. The fucking rink lights on fire. And I said to you guys, in the moment, we are, we are. We're. We're experiencing one of the great playoff games ever. We are in the mixer. This is insane. And then, yes, at the end of that madness to them, for them to go correctly, assuming you agree with the interference call, which I know you don't, but correctly for them to go, that's a Montreal power play now. Yeah. Based on the rules. And then to have it be a lane goal, tie game and the first period to end. 1 1. Truly, that didn't suck the life out of that building, because the life has never been sucked out of that building. But it brought it way down from the. The crescendo that we were at, where I was like, holy hell, dude, this is amazing. And then I was like, it's actually 1:1 and you're in a dog fight.

[A]

Oh, no. It very much felt like Tampa was gonna go up to nothing on that. What? They were about to get power play, and then all of a sudden, it was the Tiger.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So then we get into the second period, and even going into the second period, it felt like Tampa's got this game.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I thought Montreal completely took over the game. Completely took over the game. And then because of that feeling, who else but Mr. Energy himself, Mr. Fucking Lightning Bolt, Brandon Hagel drops the gloves with Slavkovsky. Yes. And this was another funny Twitter moment. You saw everyone do this. Fucking chicklets posted this. That was a fucking knockout punch from Brandon Hagel.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

And if you don't understand that term in hockey terms, I'm sorry for you. That is your. That is a you issue.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That was a fucking KO punch. They get in a fight. Hayes is just head down letting slapped throw, missing. Hey, man. And, like, great, good punches.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yep, yep, yep. Steps up, throws a fucking clean hook that just goes straight knuckles to chin. And like, with a full. That was not feet get tangled. That was a smoke in the button. Straight down. And credit to Slavkovski right up.

[B]

I'm sure he's a beast. Fucking.

[A]

I'm still going. But that was a fucking takedown KO punch, and it was awesome.

[B]

Yeah, dude. He could be conked.

[A]

Dude, that was my next point. That man is concussed. And I am. I am so impressed by him for bouncing up and throwing punches and finishing that game. But that was a fucking chin shot.

[B]

Unbelievable. The slow mo or the. The freeze.

[A]

There is a freeze frame that is just, like, clean. Like, the helmet's moving one way and

[B]

his chin's moving the other.

[A]

I mean, unbelievable.

[B]

Don't be butthurt. It was a great tilt. It was a one. That's a one punch. You got to see a one punch, everybody. It was awesome. Enjoy the show.

[A]

And then also, if you wanted to have something to be fired up about, Habs fans be fired up. That slaps a fucking beast. And you popped right up. That said a couple of things. Hayes is speaking after that. He is a professional shithousery master. The. He's too small. So big.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And then in the penalty box, he's going fucking night. Unbelievable. But also, both of you guys, you can't be fighting.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, Hags is a superstar in every sense. And Slaff is a big game superstar with a hat trick in game one. You guys can't be fight camp.

[B]

What if he.

[A]

What if he is conked, scared to play? And listen, I'm not going to be the guy to Tell Hakes that, yeah, like, if I'm on the Tampa Bay staff, I'm saying that to him behind a fucking glass prison door. Being like this.

[B]

You can't.

[A]

Bulletproof. He's going to fucking chin job me if I say that to him. But it's like, you guys are too valuable. You can't be fighting.

[B]

Yep. Also in the box, I think this was in the previous shithousery. Haigs picked up a towel and was wiping tea. He was doing the crime.

[A]

Oh, dude.

[B]

Wiping tears. And Perry was. It felt like Perry was literally going, what is wrong with you guys? It didn't seem like he was yelling at them. He was trying to be like, you're being idiots.

[A]

I would pay.

[B]

I wish that was Mike.

[A]

Dude, many American dollars for what Paris was saying.

[B]

Same.

[A]

It was just like the worm was back in his bag.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I was like, this is incredible.

[B]

What made me laugh earlier is I was thinking about that scene in Mighty Ducks Dose. Yeah. Where it's one of the Iceland games. I think they come in. He comes in after all the shithousery. And Bombay goes, you having a good time? And they go, yeah. And he goes, good, because so are they. Because they're beating us. That's how I feel like, in this moment with the lighting. So you guys having a good time? And hangs in there.

[A]

They're all fired up.

[B]

He's like, good, because the halves are winning one period away from defeat. Yes. Like, literally. I was like, what are we doing here, dude? I gotta figure it out.

[A]

I mean, that period ends it truly. It felt like Montreal had all the momentum. And I'll get to a larger point about Montreal, but we. We saw late in the. In the second period, about a minute and a half left.

[B]

Great.

[A]

Good ozone entry by Montreal. You know, getting. Getting under Tampa's skin. And a rare bad poke check, I thought by Vassi. It's just kind of a paddle poke. He just missed it. And Anderson, who was fucking all over the ice tonight, banging bodies, getting on the score sheet here. Picks up the puck, gets in the back of the net. Definitely win. Sucked out of the building there.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Oh, my God, dude. So end of the period, they're going in. We go into the third period. Down 2, 1. Now, here's my point about Montreal. I think a lot of people underestimated this team, and I know Habs fans are thrilled by that. Yeah, like, keep fucking underestimating us. This team is fucking good.

[B]

Oh, my God.

[A]

This is not some scrappy team. Like, look out for Montreal. This team is fucking nasty.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Team is nasty and they've just got so much talent. Credit to their. To their drafting, credit to Hughes. Like the way they've constructed this team and so many of these players have hit and they're just.

[B]

Good God. Shout out to laugh, dude.

[A]

And what they were doing tonight was getting Tampa off their game, whether it be by. By construct or by just playing good, hard hockey. Tampa was fighting a lot tonight. They weren't playing their slow, smooth, possession based game where they let their superstars take over. They were. They were trying to get in the mixer because Montreal's fast, they're. They're skilled, they're quick. And it was just like, it was a very good game for Montreal. So going into third, it was like, all right, Tampa, what do you got? What can you do? And you had a point about Cooch.

[B]

Yeah, there was two moments. There were a few moments here that I was flagging one. Well, and you said it to me. I just wrote it down. Yeah, was. You pointed out it was this thing was in top of the second. Even you go, cooch is frustrated. Yeah. And I kind of just kept an eye on it after. And he looks frustrated, dude.

[A]

There. There was a play where the first peeper just wasn't really going. Then he got hit by, I think it was Cernak, got smoked by a point shot. And he was like, me. And then there was a play. They tried to get zone entry, got called offside or maybe a high stick, and he like faked the slap shot after the whistle. That was just like out of frustration, it looked like. And I was like, yeah, this guy's not. Not vibing right now.

[B]

Yep. So that was a little concerning. Um, this is equal parts concerning, but maybe good. This is right before Montreal scored to go up 21 before the miss. Vassi Braden point. Moser hit point on a great stretch pass. He made a nasty move and just wired one wide. And man, if you could get him. And he's probably dealing with stuff, obviously missed Olympics, but if you could get him turning into the Braden Point of. Of a year ago, centering Gensel, I'm like, God, you are so dangerous. So it's encouraging as a Bolts fan to see some of those near misses, but also remains discouraging where I go, hey, now would be as good a time as any Braden to just turn into a 50 goal guy.

[A]

No question. No question about it.

[B]

You know what else made me laugh? Dude, There was a play where Cole Caulfield, who hasn't done a ton yet, only two games, but just you know, he scored 51 goals or whatever it was. Hasn't done a ton yet. Hasn't had a bunch of great chances. He made a backdoor cut. The puck didn't come, and he just was skating away. And I think it was Cernac, but somebody just fucking fed him a cross check. Yeah. And Cole, like, looked over at him and then just skated away. Did not. Did not cross check back. Did not slash. Didn't say anything. Didn't even beak at all. He was just. It was so funny. And I'm not making fun of him. I love it because he goes scorer. Dude, leave me alone. Leave me out of. Leave me out of whatever the. This I'm saying, dude, he's gonna score a goal later in the series.

[A]

He's gonna go. Bet you wish I was mixing it up, dude. Hurting these paws, but instead I'm keeping them safe so I can talk.

[B]

He was like, I don't give a. About that. That was great. Oh, dude, this was actually crazy. I forgot about this too. There was a. The Habs at the end of the second, they're already up to one very end of the second, there's a delayed penalty and Tampa kind of gets mixed up because there was a weird interference right out of the blue. One that was also missed. Yeah, Tampa. Excuse me. Montreal had a three on. Oh.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

With the very end of second. They did one too many passes.

[A]

Yeah, it was just too pretty.

[B]

And I was like, dude, that actually would have been. That could have been game. If they go three one going into the third, that was nuts. Okay, so, yeah, you're right. We go into the third. Hagel, you. You said it. I don't know if you. You said it earlier, but they. It really started to flip here where Tampa started to find their game way more so in ot. But here's where we went.

[A]

Took about halfway through, though it took about halfway through the period, Tampa really started to find their game. They were getting all over it. And yeah, Hags makes a great play, bounces behind the net. Cooch picks it up and you could see it. You were like, man, here's the rap. Like, you just had it in a good position. He's so good at that. Comes around. You could see it in his celli too. Because, dude, this is what I've been talking about, man. We looked it up. 16 games in playoffs where Cooch had not scored a goal.

[B]

That's crazy.

[A]

16 games spanning multiple playoffs. Yep. And for a guy that good with two cups to his name, you know that That's a monkey on the back that he's like, get the fuck off, dude.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And you could see it in his cell. He was like, thank fucking Christ. That was also a big moment for the. For the Bolts where it was like, okay, Cooch is going, Yep, we're starting to feel it.

[B]

It was also sick because I had wrote. I written down that it was criminal that that building, the energy in that building, was only going to get to celebrate once, that game just because everybody was pumped full of electricity. And I was like, man, they get one goal. That sucks. Yeah. So to see Cooch tie it and have it be let them go nuclear again, that was really sick.

[A]

Yeah, no doubt. Then again, it's all Tampa. And then with 2 minutes and 14 seconds left, unthinkable, truly the dumbest penalty you will ever see from Sabrin. I mean, this was. You mentioned this. There are a couple of just, you know, like, fired up Bolts fans in there. When they call it interference, they're like, fuck you. That's soft.

[B]

Did this.

[A]

I disagree, sir. That was the most insane. Sabrin's just coming down the ice and just sees Anderson's numbers and was like this. I'm going to murder you.

[B]

There's something right behind you that I need to get to. And I'm gonna go right through you, pal.

[A]

Doesn't look at anything else and fucking buries him.

[B]

No puck, no problem.

[A]

They call a five minute major on the ice, which was overturned because that's always reviewed. And I agree.

[B]

They should have a purpose.

[A]

Yep. But I was actually gonna say shout out, Laz. I saw Laz on Twitter. He was like, lightning are lucky that they overturned that, because I think that could have been a five minute. And I was about to chirp him and be like, don't be a. Yeah. But then when you look at the replay, you're like, that isn't.

[B]

It could have been like. It's.

[A]

I. I think it was the right call to overturn it, but it was closer than it should have been.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because I'm like, what are you doing? And it was a lovely moment on. On hockey media, where it's just like the Chiclets boys. The home by three boys. Everyone was like, what the was that, dude? That is like the dumbest play I've ever seen. But thank God, because you would have hated to see that game end on a power play goal.

[B]

Like game one, too.

[A]

Yep. Such a good point. Bullets kill it off. We go to ot, and OT was all blood bath. I mean, it was like, shout out. I. There was a couple things I wanted to shout out here. Yanni Gourd was all over the ice. They actually had an unbelievable. It was like a two on two. Him and DJ went in and it was just like bang, bang, bang. And I think it like Gord slid it to DJ back door. Maybe that was Point actually with him, but, like, it was fucking disgusting. And it just barely missed. But he was all over the ice. Creight and havoc everywhere. And then Lane Hudson, dude.

[B]

Oh, yeah, great call.

[A]

There was a shave call where Tampa had it hemmed in Montreal zone for about two minutes. And for about a minute and 40 seconds of that two minutes, Lane did not have a stick.

[B]

Yep. And that should.

[A]

With that much his own time, it should have been night night.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But the way Lane was just skating, staying, shadowing Braden, Point was remarkable. I mean, like, Point is doing everything in his bag of tricks. Spinning, protecting the puck, flipping around, changing direction, just trying to get any space. And Lane is just right there with him. And like, there's nothing you can do. You can't really break that up without your stick. It was fucking a masterclass of skating. And frankly, Tampa didn't even really get a chance. And then Montreal got it out, and I was just like, dude, if you need to know how good of a skater and player Lane Hudson is, that was a great example. It was remarkable.

[B]

It looked like a drill in practice where they go, you, great call. Take your. Put your stick down and just shadow this dude. And he goes, no problem, dude. Exactly. Exactly. That was insane. So to get to the goal, because I want to build this up, because there's something I just happen to be paying attention to. The Habs ice the puck and it was a high flip and I didn't feel like they needed to ice it, but they ice it and it kind of trickles past the line. And Tampa, you know, lets it go. They get the whistle and. And it was what, seven minutes left or something? And I looked on the ice because icing right here. And the Habs had either their third or fourth line out. I don't know which one, but I just saw that wasn't a ton of stars on the ice. And then, because it's not a Dallas game.

[A]

Sure.

[B]

And then. Fucking nerd.

[A]

The.

[B]

I look at Tampa and it's same deal. And the coach line had just gone off. And I thought to myself, just because randomly I was paying attention, man, I wonder if coupe will line change here because Montreal has a not good line out. I wonder if he'll stick them on the icing. And Tampa just starts skating. They shoot the puck down, and everyone in Tampa just starts going to the face off. And I was like, oh, he's not going to do it. Yeah, who cares? They're probably tired. They're probably. He's probably saying, do you want to go? And they're going, we just got off, dude. But then right before they get to the face off dot, Coop goes spin it. And Cooch line jumps off. Moser jumps on. They all get on the ice. And then literally immediate drawback. Moser sneaky kind of hesitate a second. I was like, get the puck, dude.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But then he got it. Nasty dangle across the line with a nice little cheeky pick. Not pick, but just like stick work from Cooch. Thank you. Good. Moser comes around, snipe job. And I was like, man, what? Awesome. Not that it's. You're breaking the mold as a coach to go, hey, they iced it. Put our good line out. But just awesome instincts. And to see it work, immediately I was like, oh, my God, it was great.

[A]

I'm glad you called that play out by Cooch. It was just great to just hesitate. Doc, like, Doc was coming up. Got it. Just tangled him up a little bit to let Moser do the walk. And then he just towies that blue line, snaps one off and puts it up.

[B]

Where?

[A]

In grandma's bathroom cabinet where the nasty stuff is, dude.

[B]

Can you imagine what's in so much expired medication. That'll probably get you high as, dude.

[A]

That'll get you seeing unicorns.

[B]

There's probably lewds in there, dude.

[A]

Oh, yeah, dude.

[B]

They go, there's no more lewds. I go check. Check my grandma's house, pal.

[A]

Nasty, nasty stuff in there, I promise you.

[B]

Great.

[A]

Cmos or get that tuck too. But that barn fucking exploded.

[B]

Yes, dude.

[A]

And that is to all the northerners, not Canadians, all the northern hockey fans who sometimes like to boobird Southern hockey. Watch. Watch a clip of that ot God, that fucking barn goes nuclear. And that's just Tampa, dude.

[B]

And I was gonna say watch a clip of. Of outside the rink after the game and listen before.

[A]

Before we move on from the series and give another huge shout out to. To the Bolts, the entire organization for, you know, bringing us out, showing us a great time. Just like nothing but love, man. Like all the fans. Hat tricks. Dave at hat tricks. Everyone here, it's so awesome. We love coming down. Truly, like, love coming down. I. I said this to a couple of our friends. Also. Also shout out Ryan Wynn.

[B]

Yes, dude.

[A]

You all, you all saw him on the live today.

[B]

What's his show called? Kick Ice.

[A]

That's our boy. Yeah, yeah.

[B]

Kick Ice.

[A]

We're gonna get him in the mixer more. But I said to him, dude, as people know, I was in England and then I flew to la. I slept for three hours. I'm not doing that for a lot of you.

[B]

Correct.

[A]

There could have been plenty of places where I'd been like, dude, I can't swing it when it's Tampa. I'm coming, bro.

[B]

The party after I had a couple devils on my shoulder being like, come, come out to bars. If we didn't have to go record, I was like, dude, this might be. Let me call if we've had a couple looking for CP in the morning.

[A]

We had a couple pops and didn't have to record, I would have been dancing right there.

[B]

It was Coachella outside. It was unbelievable.

[A]

But my closing thoughts are this. Both of these teams are playing unbelievable hockey. This is going to be a bloodbath. If Tampa had lost this, I wouldn't have been like, you're dead.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

These games could go either way for both teams. These two teams are going to kill each other.

[B]

You said this to me. This was a really astute point because I. We. Everyone's been saying that about Minnesota, Dallas. Haven't heard that once about this series. After watching that game tonight, I am now, if I'm one of these two teams, I'm terrified of even surviving this.

[A]

Whichever the team is that wins the. It's going to be Boston, Buffalo. Right? Whichever team wins that, they're looking at the winner of this series. And being like this, well, they're already dead.

[B]

Yeah, they're. They're six feet under.

[A]

The way these two teams are playing each other like it is. Listen, I love both these teams chances, but like, it is going to be hard to win these series.

[B]

This series.

[A]

And the way they're playing, they're fucking beating the wheels off each other, dude. So I'm like, fuck me. It's going to be gnarly. So huge, Huge stick. Taps to Tampa. Both the city organization and the team. I mean, like just an unbelievable, unbelievable game. But both these teams look amazing. The fans are amazing on both sides. It's phenomenal. Shit.

[B]

Yes. All right, well, to do the two things, I had to finish it that I said I wanted to bring back.

[A]

Here come the CP shout outs.

[B]

Yeah, CP. CP shout out segment. Get some shout out. 15 minutes on the clock, please.

[A]

Here. CP shout outs.

[B]

Ping. And I actually meant to do this in the mid form. And I should have done in the mid form because that's where he deserved it. But since I forgot the guy we interviewed for our mid form, James at hat tricks, we said prediction. He said, 3 nothing.

[A]

Beauty of a guy.

[B]

Yeah, beauty of a guy. He said three nothing. It was three two. So not quite. But he got the Tampa goals and he said, you're going to see a Vassi game today. And in my opinion, we did. It wasn't a shot, a shutout, but I thought Vassy was incredible.

[A]

Did he get the second star?

[B]

Yeah, yeah, second star. You know, that was a big time Vassy performance. I love that. And then this one, I said I had one more question for the people of Tampa at the end of the segment. Here it comes. We went to hat tricks every day of this trip. Yeah. And when we got there the first time, the menu is so good. We were just perusing the whole thing because I said I could eat everything on the menu. And I was trying to prove that fact. Do you either of you remember the one funny thing we saw on the menu? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

It is the Greek salad laying on a bed of potato salad.

[B]

The Greek salad in the salad section, it says, this is served over a bed of potato salad. And I was like, oh, that's an interesting.

[A]

I was like, I was so geared up to order the Greek salad, and I was like, I don't know if I want that way to serve that thing.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

If I want them together.

[B]

So I think we got to consult the Greeks about this, right? Yeah. How that what their opinion? What do you think about this? Sounds like, oh, that's cool hat tricks version of that. They do wings Dave's way. They do Greek salad potato way. So then we ordered food to be delivered here. On our way back to record this, because we were starving, I ordered a Greek salad without even looking. Yeah. I opened up.

[A]

Are you telling me there's potato salad

[B]

in two scoops of potato salad?

[A]

You're fucking kidding me.

[B]

In that Greek salad? So I need to know.

[A]

So is this a Tampa thing?

[B]

This is what I'm asking the people of Tampa. I'm dead ass in the comments. Do your Greek salads come with potato salad? Standard when I order. Do I have to go, I'd like a Greek salad, please. Add grilled chick. Hold potato salad. Is that the. Is that the way you order?

[A]

I can't believe I was given CP about the shout out section and we almost missed this discussion. Because I need to know the answer to you. Come to Tampa. Come to Tampa and get grouper and potato salad in your Greek salad.

[B]

Those are two opposing salads. It's a Russian doll of salad. A salad within a salad.

[A]

This is not a Greek thing. I assure you that. Or maybe I can't assure you. I feel.

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

It's a Tampa thing. It's got to be. Got to be a Tampa thing.

[B]

How did it start?

[A]

Oh, did I to know every single bit of this? Because if this is a standard Tampa thing, that there is a bed of potato salad under your Greek salad.

[B]

That is bonkers. Unbelievable stuff.

[A]

Absolutely bonkers.

[B]

Tampa, we love you, but I need answers.

[A]

Insane. All right, let's take an AD break and move on to Boston Buffalo.

[B]

All playoffs long, our good, good dear friends at BETMGM are taking every shot, every save, every sudden death thriller and turning it into an even bigger win with the Stanley Cup Playoffs odds boost token. You know I love an odds boost. I'm always talking about boosting my odds. I was doing it all regular season. Just because the playoffs are here does not mean it stops now. In fact, it gets even bigger. It gets even better. Here's how you activate this token. Here's how you get in on the fun. You simply log into your BETMGM account and then you can bet on anything. Anything. In the Stanley cup playoffs. We can bet on anytime. Goal scorers, we can bet on money lines, we can bet on covers, we can bet on all of it, especially that there'll be an empty net goal in every single playoff game, which we are doing. Please tell us it is incredible. Is the most fun thing I do every spring. So chase that with us. You can use that. Then you just activate the Stanley Cup Playoffs odds boost token. Boom. Log into your BETMGYM account. Make a BETMG account. When you do that, use promo code netters. That's N E T T E R S. Then you get dapped up with a new player welcome offer and you can do all these fun things like we're doing and start boosting those odds on whatever you're feeling. Anytime you're, you're hot, you're sharp. Boom. Odds boost. Boom. Odds boost. Enjoy it. It's amazing. You're amazing. BetMGM. Make it legendary. All right, now we're going to Boston Buffalo, game two. And of course, if you've been listening to this podcast, we were at the Tampa game, so we weren't able to watch it live, but shout out a

[A]

couple things, maybe three things. Number one, we got Boots on the ground.

[B]

Correspondent Empty Net is correspondent in Boston. Rory Gavin knew we were at Tampa. So I said, hey, dude, I need you to get dialed for yes. So he's watching the whole game. He's huge Bees guy. Watching the whole game. Keeping us.

[A]

So we got Rory's notes also. We do our homework. We came back and we watched a very comprehensive fast forwarded replay and got the highlights of the game. But then also a couple of buddies sitting in front of us at the Tampa game. Oh yeah, go to the University of Tampa. One of them, I think assume must have been a Boston guy. He had a Boston shirt on under his bolts jersey. This fucking guy had a parlay going on. And he was just watching the Bruins game the whole time.

[B]

We were like over his shoulder like, hey, what's happening?

[A]

Yeah, yeah, Unbelievable. So we're going to dish on the B's Buffalo game right now. And yet again, Bees get off to a nice little hot start.

[B]

Well, I would say first period. Jeremy Sway again.

[A]

All Sway.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

It was like maybe the offense wasn't good. I think shots were like eight, nine in that first period. But a lot of good chances for Buffalo. But Sway was standing on his head.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it was like the first game. I know that obviously Buffalo had a crazy flurry in the end, but Sway played incredibly in that first game. He played incredibly in this game. And it's like if you're Boston, we've said a million times, if Sway is going, you're like, we can beat anybody.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And Sway's going.

[B]

And it was great. Not that he the. I didn't even think or I guess you could argue the second tage one. Sway wants back that floor cheese one. But it was just so. I don't think he had to fix anything, but it was just nice to start this game and be like unfazed.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know, so that. That was good if you're a Bruins fan. If you're Boston. But just physical game, the power play's not going for either team. Get out of the first 00 and you're like, okay, let's see how we feel this out. And then RV RV gets on the board. Arvi gets on the board with the backhand.

[A]

Can we talk about the pickup that this guy is and has been for the Boston Bruins? He is about to get a fucking bag. What an unexpected bag. He's gonna get like a four or five year deal.

[B]

Dude.

[A]

He.

[B]

What you love to see when a guy signs a prove it deal and then fucking approves it.

[A]

And like I don't even know. Like, yeah, we're going to call that a prove it Deal. But to me that was almost a kind of what, what do you got for me?

[B]

Deal. Yeah.

[A]

He's 33. Yeah. But I'm telling you, he's going to get a four year deal.

[B]

Yeah. Dan. No, it's crazy, man.

[A]

He's going to get a four by five dude.

[B]

And like what a defenseman draped all over him. Just like awesome goal. That's huge if you're boss and you want that road lead again. Right? And then, man, I had a gross goal. That's what I'm saying. Yeah. Yes. So then I'm saying, and I'm going to come back to remember this, by the way, because I want to come back to RV with something later. But then I had said if you'd listened that when you were sick, when Evan and I were just riffing. Yeah. Game one. I had said when Morgan Geekie went 17 games without scoring in the. Towards the end of the regular season after having a career year.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

And scored, I don't know, four in the last five or something. Got to 39. I wish he hit 40. But it was, it was thinking to myself, if he can get, if the Bruins are going to win the series, Morgan Geeky needs to be, he can't be going drought Morgan Geek. He needs to be flood Morgan Geek.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And we're not watching, so I'm like,

[A]

he's got to go.

[B]

I'm glad even in the loss he gets the goal in game one. And then you get the notification that he scores in games, it just says geeky goal. It doesn't say, it doesn't say geeky goal for his own goals.

[A]

Back to back games, baby.

[B]

He is back. We are back. And then we see, we watch the highlight and it's the alley oop, dude.

[A]

Unbelievable.

[B]

So crazy.

[A]

Unbelievable. That is a, like, I mean, it's

[B]

just a tough, tough situation.

[A]

Awful for Lion. And you know, I think it was,

[B]

I think it was upl oh, it

[A]

did upl get yanked at that point.

[B]

Yeah. Okay.

[A]

And yeah, I mean like, you don't, you don't like to see that happen to anybody.

[B]

Agree. Honestly, I was like Happy the Beast girl. But I was like, ah, Jesus Christ. So, then, so then you go to Shout out. Because I just thought Hagens had a good chance in this period. And I was like, yes, okay.

[A]

I, I want to say something about Hagens. The, the Hagens Minton. Who's the, who's the DNA?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Shout Out Ty Anderson. Yeah, he. He mentioned this on Twitter as well. Again, from what I could see and from talking to people, you know, who are all our Boston buddies who are at the game, that line is fucking flying.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like that is the Bruins kid line that they have not had in a long time. And not they don't have points through these games, but like they're fucking suffocating to lines that they're playing against. And when you think about like, you know, those three guys playing playoff hockey on a line together and you can confidently look at them as the coach, as Sturm, and be like this, nothing changing with that line.

[B]

It feels special. Feels so good. And then an incredible Zaka scores on the peep, which is great for a bunch of reasons. If you're Boston, power play breaks through. Also, I think it was, or maybe it was honestly a bad clear, but there was a moment and I was watching that highlight. It was either a great hold or a bad clear, but just Buffalo had a chance to get it out and didn't. And it's the same story from the first two Buffalo goals in Game 1, where the puck is on a Boston stick and doesn't come out. And man, you obviously only remember the ones that end up in the back of your net. But in playoffs, dude, if you have the chance to get the puck out, it has to be out. It just feels like you're burned on it every time. Yes. Sick. High bumper tip there. You fucking love those goals. Bruins go up three nothing. End of the second chances are pretty even. And I think importantly if you're Boston, they were out shooting Buffalo. I wrote it down. I think it was 1914 at the end of that. And I think back to game one where Sway was standing on his head. But I was saying the whole time, Boston, if they win, is stealing this game. Buffalo is everywhere.

[A]

Agree completely.

[B]

Obviously it doesn't feel that way. So through too. Yeah, I also in a cocky way started feeling like, my God, the Bruins have to feel like we should have won game one if we didn't puke with five minutes left. We're running them in game two in Buffalo both times.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, listen, when it got to three nothing, if. Excuse me, when it got to four nothing with the Arveson goal in. And like, I know you have a lot to say about this, but like, yeah, good God, the pickup that Arvin was for this Bruins. I mean like he has had such a good season. He's going to get fucking paid when you goes for nothing. Absolutely. If you're this Bruins group, you're like, dude, we fucking shit down our leg in game one, and we're in Buffalo. Yes. In one of the craziest environments you could imagine ever.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You're like, we are. Can fucking win this series, no question. So you are definitely feeling good. Then we get. I mean, again, this Buffalo team is great. So there's nothing that's like, oh, there's, you know, sneaky, leaky goals. Yep. You get a Byram goal, you get a Krebsy goal, and then you get fucking coach, player, coach. Jeremy Swayman calling timeouts from the crease. Because it's like, that was the correct call. Like, no, no, shit. Talk to Stern. But it's like, look, back to game one, dude. There's fucking five, four minutes left. They get hemmed in twice. Bang, goal, goal, goal. They're hemmed in again. They tie it up, and Sway is like, call a fucking timeout, dude. Like, are you shitting me? We're just up for nothing. In a blink of an eye, it's four, two, and we're getting it rammed down our fucking dick hole. And you're not gonna call a timeout? You're not gonna do anything? So he was right to be like this. Yo, fucking stop the game.

[B]

Stop the. Dude, I'm already dead. Jesus Christ. It was insane. Yep. So that was nuts. The. I also wanted to say on the pole, because it was after RV scored. 15 seconds into the third, top Titty Boker. And then. Then they went. They went with the poll.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I actually love the poll there. Normally, I'm not a big goalie poll guy, you know, that. Where I'm like, kind of the vassi school, where I'm like, let him go, dude. Just. He wants to see shots. I don't know. Something about Buffalo having no playoff experience. UPL having no playoff experience. I'm kind of like, you're fine, dude. Just get out of here.

[A]

I. I completely love the poll. I think that there are maybe two goalies in the league that I would accept the Vazi treatment of.

[B]

Just like, I want to see. Yeah.

[A]

And it's V. I don't even know who.

[B]

Maybe not yet.

[A]

Maybe.

[B]

Yeah, I want the rest. I think it's probably good.

[A]

I'm like, get the fuck out of the net, dude. Like, what are we doing here?

[B]

I'm gonna. There are. There are two texts, maybe, that I have from Rory that I put in these notes because they made me laugh so hard. It goes, Arvidson goal. 15 seconds. 15 seconds into the third Josh Allen silent. Really? Yeah. That really got me. Okay, so great poll. And then, dude, did you.

[A]

By the way, did you see Josh Allen's chug?

[B]

I actually didn't see it yet. Is on Twitter. I'm sure it is.

[A]

I feel like I want you to pull it up right now.

[B]

Please hold.

[A]

Maybe it might have been on. Actually. Check G. G called it out. Go. Go to G's Twitter. And he was like, listen, I'm not a chug guy. And so, like. And I'm gonna say, this is a bad chug. And I couldn't believe it. Before even watching it, I couldn't believe the call out because I was like, josh, if there's any man that I feel confident in his beer abilities, it's Josh Allen. And then I watched it, and I'm wondering if we need to have a conversation about Josh Allen's beer chug.

[B]

Oh, that's a response. That's a response of a good chug.

[A]

Try to find this chug and let me know what you think, because he

[B]

just posted it on his regular Twitter.

[A]

I'm a Josh Allen guy, and I. I feel like I don't like the slander here. Well, my heart is with the Bruins.

[B]

This is it, right? Yeah.

[A]

He does the. He does the drum bang.

[B]

Oh, and then chug.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Wait till he finishes the drum bang.

[B]

He's in the goat head.

[A]

He's in the goat head jersey. He's in a tucky jersey, too. He pulls it out, back pocket. Beer starts chugging. He's swaying side to side. And he slams it. And a decent amount of beer comes out.

[B]

That's not as bad as you guys made it sound.

[A]

What do you mean me?

[B]

That's not. I guess you're questioning.

[A]

Yeah, I'm saying let's have a discussion about the chug. Yeah.

[B]

And. And G only says weak chug, which I would. I would say it was a weak chug.

[A]

It's not the best chug.

[B]

Yeah, it's a weak chug. But I was afraid it was. It was. Actually.

[A]

I think I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt. Skinny can. Yeah, that looked like a Mick Ultra. Or maybe a bouncing in his Corona. It's a skinny can. I'm sure it's not coming out that well. It was probably warm, actually. No, he should have a warm beer in Buffalo. They'd rather die. Yeah, there's no chance. You're right. So I. I'm just saying I think Josh Allen would maybe like another chance of that, Chuck.

[B]

I bet he would, I think. I agree with you on that. I agree with you on that. So then, as you said, Buffalo starts going crazy. They score with. With the goalie pulled. The Bruins can't get an empty netter to pay us, which is some. They are. Buffalo is scary with five minutes left. Like, they're a fucking scary team with five minutes left. And Rory was making me laugh again because he just. We obviously saw the highlights of the chaos at the end, but he just kept being like, it's relentless. It's relentless. We're fucked. Like, it's like all the texts are coming in. Flurry of shots, we're fucked. We're fucked. And then. But the two things he called out, which were massive gargantuan Jeremy swayman save with 220 left.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because if it goes four, three there, dude, you just go, what are we doing? Literally, what are we doing?

[A]

If it goes four, three, like you get a TV timeout, Buffalo comes out. They then pull the goalie. And you're swarmed. Yep, you are swarmed.

[B]

And then there was that also that play where this what I wanted to come back to. RV had that huge clock kill in the corner, just burning. He had two tucks and one of them was an absolute snipe. He opened the scoring. He had. He had. He was the Hagel. Not to that level, but he was the Hagel. He brought the intensity. He was the high bar for that that entire game. Eds had that play in the corner. What a pickup. That was already a given. But that was a career game for him. Like that is literally a career game for that dude of just.

[A]

Oh, brother.

[B]

Unbelievable.

[A]

I just told you. This man is getting paid. Yep. This man signed. What is it, one year, three mil? Just like just get a little more cash in the pocket here. He's going to get a fucking five year deal from.

[B]

From this season.

[A]

It's unbelievable.

[B]

If I'm the Buffalo Sabres, I don't give a fuck.

[A]

I want to give a quick shout out to our boy PK Looking like a York High school colonial should be churning butter if people aren't privy yet to the fact that he is wearing something preposterous. Everything. First day he had bell bottoms. On day two, he looked like a. A the hot priest from Fleabag. And day three, he looks like my 1700s ancestor. Just be weaving baskets.

[B]

Yeah, playing. Playing. What's that Hoop and stick game?

[A]

I think it's called Hoop and Stick.

[B]

That's awesome.

[A]

If it is, there's no way. It must have a name.

[B]

Yeah, I think it does.

[A]

It might just be hoop and stick, though.

[B]

They weren't naming things. If I'm the Buffalo Sabres, obviously you don't like, you know, the road team is always get a split. That's the job. Yeah, I actually don't give a fuck if I'm the Buffalo Sabres. You go, no, we, we've. We've gotten into the game way too late.

[A]

Twice.

[B]

But we see how deadly we are. Playing on the road is sometimes easier when you have all that hype behind your city. It's okay. You, you've solved Swayman a little bit at the end of game. So you go, we can score. Yeah.

[A]

It's like, I don't even think they've solved Sway. I think they've solved the Bruins team in the end of games. And I do. That's kind of been a theme of this Bees team a little bit. I don't think that you're happy that you're shut out into the third period back.

[B]

You're way too late. Twice. Way too late. Twice that.

[A]

So that's not great. But there's no panic at all in Buffalo. And those two goals are big. Those two goals are very big. I love the fight from Nikita Zorov with Zach Benson. Yeah, like, talk about a size difference there. But he talked about it after the game, as he always does. He answers the bell, but he was like, listen, dude, you slash my goalie, I'm.

[B]

It's my job to protect my goal.

[A]

So kind of miss me with the like, oh, typical Zadora of going after the smallest guy on the ice. Zadorov is a defenseman who's going to protect his team. And it doesn't matter if he's a fucking tiny guy or a huge guy, he's going to give him a whack.

[B]

Absolutely.

[A]

Very. Two different series for me. Boston, Buffalo, Montreal. Oh, yeah, totally like this. Boston, Buffalo, even though Buffalo is waiting till late to turn it on, feels very high flying, very offensive, focused puck, possession focused. And yeah, I mean, here we go, another series. Tied one one. You're going into Boston. Anything can happen. I, you know, Boston loves playing at home, but at the same time, I don't think Buffalo gives a shit.

[B]

And I straight up think they're going to be having more fun. It's awesome of the crowd behind you, but they're just like, there's so much emotion there.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

They're like, just go on the road and play, dude. My sneaky, controversial take is I genuinely believe that the bot this Boston Bruins team is a better playoff team than this Buffalo Sabres team. I think this Buffalo Sabres team is a better regular season team than Boston.

[A]

Well, I mean, I completely agree. I don't even think that you can argue that. I don't think there's enough guys on this Buffalo team with playoff experience to be able to put that measurement up against. So I'm absolutely right.

[B]

So I think Boston's going weak because of that series.

[A]

Even before we knew they were playing Buffalo, we said so many times, I felt like every hockey talk for the last month when people would be hyped about the Bruins, I was like, no one wants to play this Bruins team.

[B]

Yeah, I assure you that.

[A]

And it's the similar thing with as the Flyers were surging up and it looked like they're playing Pitt, I was like, that's not a fun matchup for Pitt. And Ottawa, too. Is like, Ottawa's going to be a problem for someone. This Bruins team. What is is not a matchup that anyone wants at all.

[B]

And they're showing why.

[A]

Unbelievable.

[B]

All right, let's take an ad break and they'll be right back.

[A]

This episode of the Empty Nerders podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Folks, we just got through tax season. It is a time of year where everyone is thinking about their finances. And if that's something that stresses you out, gives you some bad thoughts, makes you feel a little bit down on yourself, let me tell you what, you are not alone. Over 88% of Americans feel stressed out because of financial issues. That is a huge, huge group of people. It is not something that people take lightly. It is something that bothers almost everyone in this country. That is unbelievable. So give yourself a break right now. Like we said, we just got through tax season. If you don't have a cpa, I highly recommend. It takes a lot of that stress off. You can get a professional to help you out and just know that you aren't alone. This is something that everyone feels the weight of. It's crazy times right now. It feels like you have to have three jobs just to stay afloat. So many of us live in crazy cities where rent costs so much, groceries cost so much. Of course it's going to add a lot of stress. Now, BetterHelp is not something that's going to help you out with your finances. BetterHelp is going to help you diminish some of that stress and diminish some of that pressure that you put on yourself because of things like financial burdens. BetterHelp is unbelievable. Let me Tell you what, they do an initial match for you so you can focus on your therapy goals while they work with all of these different therapists. Over 30,000 therapists on their platform. And they do their best job to make sure you get set up with the perfect person. 12 plus years of experience and industry leading match fulfillment rate, which means they typically get it right on the first try. So if you've never done done therapy or if you have before and you're looking to get into it more and find someone great who can help you out with your therapy needs, BetterHelp is the way to go. It's unbelievable. They have over 30,000 therapists, like I said, having served over 6 million people globally. And let me tell you what it works. They have an average rating of 4.9 stars out of five with over 1.7 million client reviews. I'm on BetterHelp. I talk to a therapist all the time, Dr. John. He's my guy. Helps me out with tons of stresses and things that are going on. And if you have some of these burdens and some of this weight that's just on your shoulders all the time, whether it be things like financial issues, things like stress at work, relationships, family stuff, it doesn't matter. Therapy is a great way to get through that. And BetterHelp is one of the best things you can do to handle those issues. So when life feels overwhelming, therapy can help. Sign up and get 10% off at betterhelp.com that's better. H E L p.com/netters kicking it to the Utah Mammoth getting their first ever playoff win.

[B]

Wow. Sick. How about that?

[A]

Utah ties up the Series 11 on Vegas ice. Fucking phenomenal stuff. Phenomenal fight from the Mammoth.

[B]

Little fight.

[A]

I'm not going to lie. This game started about halfway through the first period. Vegas gets a power play. Stone scores. I thought, oh, okay. I didn't think it was done because Mammoth Mammoths were playing well. But I was like me, it just. This feels like Vegas especially because it

[B]

goes, it goes off circuit Chev. And sometimes when that happens, I go.

[A]

And it's also Stone.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

It just felt like, oh God, here we go again. And also, for Christ's sake, is it the first loss for Tortorella?

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. Well, actually this was.

[A]

No, it was regulation.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. Then, yeah, then literally the first regulation loss for. That's actually so great. Man.

[A]

Vegas is buzzing. We got Stone scoring. I was, I was a little nervous.

[B]

Oh, that's insane. Agree. And what I was gonna say earlier was somehow when it's sometimes if it goes off a defenseman, I go, it's not your fault. Who cares? But sometimes when it's just Vegas, I go, you're. This is. This is all gonna happen. But then Vegas returns the favorite and. And Utah bounces one in. And this one killed me because it's a week's goal off Raz.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I'm like, whoa.

[A]

He's just like, thanks, buddies.

[B]

That's.

[A]

So a couple of guys who got out of Calgary are facing off and they're still linking up for goals.

[B]

So love to see it so good. Okay, so then you go into the second one. One.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And it's. It's a pretty good game, I think,

[A]

at this point for me. Or go.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What were you about to say?

[B]

I was about to say Utah picked it up. Cranked it up even higher here.

[A]

100. Utah 13 shots in the second period.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Cranked it up even higher this period for me. Utah ties it up. That. We go in the first period. We get to the second period. I'm like, Utah's feeling.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Utah's feeling it. This team is going. We belong here. We belong in playoffs. We belong playing against you. Fuck a. Fuck a wild card. A Duck don't care. Ducks are in your division. We can them too, dude. We'll a golden knight. I'll put a slit right in that. Shining armor.

[B]

Golden, shiny. It already looks like a V. And

[A]

I'll absolutely crack stick on you.

[B]

Look at their mask.

[A]

There's that little V. You're telling me those tusks can't cut a slit in there and then that trunk can't slide in. You're telling me that.

[B]

Look at this. Tusks up.

[A]

Dude, watch that.

[B]

I'm stuck.

[A]

You got a trunk right in your shield.

[B]

Did you know I was permanent tusk right now?

[A]

Yeah, you're tusked up. Permanently.

[B]

Permanently tusked.

[A]

That's unbelievable.

[B]

That's incredible. Dude, get me back to Utah.

[A]

We got to get you to Salt Lake, dude.

[B]

Can I take. Take you on a quick tangent?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I was seeing a friend and they were. We were talking about baby books. You know, baby books are so not. Not like how to raise baby. Like books for kids. They have a baby.

[A]

You know.

[B]

You read kids books. There was one book that was like emotions.

[A]

This sounded pretty weird of.

[B]

So it goes. It goes. Who is this friend? Mr. Epstein. Yes. Yes. Talking toast. I'm sorry. That wasn't a bird.

[A]

I also.

[B]

I think they're just called children's books. Baby books. Okay. Baby books. Is the weird way to put it. No, baby books are. Are how you raise a baby.

[A]

Yeah, but you kept saying baby books,

[B]

so it's children's books. Talking about children's books.

[A]

You got it.

[B]

Okay. And it was.

[A]

That's. That's all the hanging out with Jeff that he's been doing.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it goes, this might be the new bit on the Empty Ners podcast. CP Good friend.

[B]

No, that's my dog. He's your brother, man. That's my alive friend. You know.

[A]

You know who CB Is actually friends with is Palm Beach. Pete. Pete. Dude, you know about Palm Beach. He's this who's like, getting famous on the Internet because he looks exactly like Jeffrey Epstein.

[B]

Oh, yeah, I've seen that. Oh. Oh.

[A]

He's like, no, dude, I just look like him. Then people are like this, are you. Have you. Are you. Have you been with him? Do you know him? He's like. I was once at a party with him and wow, I didn't. I wasn't invited by him. We just happened to be at the same party and he was attached to a lie detector test, and the woman was like, there's some deception going on. And people are like this. So you're just Jeff.

[B]

He goes, every. Actually, every party he's ever hosted, I was there. Yeah, yeah, it is me. Cuz it's in fact me. The. The children's book goes, are you. It's teaching kids emotions. And he goes, are you happy like a hippo? Are you excited like a dog? Are you this? And some of them are sad, right? Because it's trying to show a kid whatever. And then the. The one of them is, are you angry like a duck? Are you this? Are you that? And then at the end it said,

[A]

are you insatiably horny like a mammoth?

[B]

Like, yes, that was in there. And then it said, it said, but you know, moods come and go. Don't worry. Don't have to worry about anything. And it's like all the animals and everyone's like, happy. And then the last page of the children's book says, except the duck. He is always angry. And I was like, what the fuck, dude?

[A]

The fuck did a duck do to this author?

[B]

It's insane, discriminatory because. But I just realized it's because you get fucked like a duck. You just, you just said, fuck a duck.

[A]

Duck.

[B]

And that's what made me realize, didn't

[A]

you were the first person that said a duck? Just so we're clear, just to be very crisp also.

[B]

So where everyone's clear. It's like 3:00am yeah, we're loopy. Definitely losing. They're pissed all their time.

[A]

Stop fucking me.

[B]

Pissed all the time. Anyway, recovering from tangent. Yes. In the second period. Jack Eichel takes a. Hold on, hold on, hold on.

[A]

I. I was going on saying like the Mammoth were. Were definitely vibing.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

They were starting to feel other games. So. Okay, go on.

[B]

Jack Eichel takes a. In my opinion and his opinion because he gave it to the ref. A horrific holding call that was just like his stick is entitled to get in the. In this. The space I think he was on. Cool. I can't remember. But anyway he takes a call and then I think that put the mammoth up 4 on 3. But this, this moment the mammoth had a 4 on 3, then a 5 on 4. Ensuing once the two matching or the miners came out of the box and it was chaos. They were flying all over the place. It felt like. Like the mammoth have cranked it up. This is where they break through. They might get one. They might even get two here.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And Carter Hart, dude was making outrageous saves in and even not just great saves on point blank chances among the chaos. Oh yeah. Which is also. Dude, he was like. He was flying.

[A]

Careful.

[B]

He was on the ground.

[A]

That hog's gonna come out. Your trunk is gonna come out.

[B]

Careful. Carter heart's doing backflips. Yeah. It was incredible and kept it even. And that's when I went. Actually the Mammoth are fucked because they are playing better. But Carter Hart is going to be a brick wall and steal this down a goalie. Yep, exactly.

[A]

But then, dude, 40 goal. Dylan Gunther right after a kill too right, dude. Like truly Vegas on the people.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

And we always talk about the vulnerable minutes. Usually the team that just killed it as we got the reverse vulnerable minute come down. Dylan Gunther absolutely clap bombs.

[B]

A one team wire job.

[A]

Just gorgeous gold. And I was like mammoth, dude. They're coming in here. They're not playing around at all. And then what was it like 20 seconds later? Yeah, genuinely. It was maybe a minute. Let me look at.

[B]

I want to get an exact under a minute.

[A]

No, it was a minute. A minute and two seconds. Am I doing that math right or is it under a minute?

[B]

I thought it was under a minute, but I don't know.

[A]

I think it was. Oh, it was about a minute.

[B]

Yeah. He's not feeling very well.

[A]

It was about a minute. He's not feeling very well. Barbie Ivan Barbashev one on three. Just a ballet dancing wrecking ball Swan Lake just muscles his way through and scores a gorgeous goal. That felt quite suffocating for the Mammoth because it felt like game one where it's like the Mammoth were in the fight and then it was just like Vegas was too much to score that goal right after the kill. And then Vegas doesn't even let them celebrate. Yeah, it's. It's just like. It's only one of those situations. I know this game was in Vegas, but it's where like the guy on the. The. Yeah, still saying what the am I trying to say?

[B]

The. The loudspeaker pa.

[A]

The pa. The PA is announcing the goal and then the baby book scores too fast

[B]

and you're like, oh yeah.

[A]

And so yeah, Vegas ties it right back up. And it was like, dude, when that

[B]

happened, they announced that Vegas Jack Eichel had 12 multi point playoff games in his Vegas career. And Vegas was 11 and one in those games. And then that goal he had an assist on for his second assist of the night. So they're like, this is his 13th multi point playoff game. They are 11 and one in the previous 12. And I was like, oh, so that was a huge moment. I'm with you on that. And then I will get to the goal in a second. But I just wanted to state again because I thought Utah was again awesome in the third period.

[A]

That completely agree.

[B]

Carter Hart, dude is wasn't even that good in the regular season. You know, it was such a to do when he got signed and everybody was like, wow, Vegas gets this a goalie. And then people were like, he wasn't even that a before. And then he got here and he was fine. You know, he's good but just like, like whatever. And then when torts went with him and he played well down the stretch, you knew it was going to be him in playoffs. But before those seven games or whatever, I was like, maybe they start hill. Like who knows? And I cannot say enough good about how well he's playing goalie.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Right now. Like that is actually scary.

[A]

No, for sure. Because Utah was on it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

In the third period, Utah outshot him 10 to 7. Felt very much like Utah's game, but at the same time I felt the third period was a little scary.

[B]

Sleepy.

[A]

Sure. It was like they were tied. There were some decent chances here and there, but nothing crazy as far as I was concerned.

[B]

Yeah, Vegas had some good ones too. I don't want to make it sound like they were getting steamrolled because. Yeah.

[A]

And it was also in the. I mean, what were the, the. We had power plays in this game. I'm trying to look up the tower, but it was like brutal for both teams. 0 for 4 for Mammoth. 1 for 4 for Vegas. Vegas got that first period power play

[B]

which was on off circuit champion.

[A]

But yeah, it was just like, you know. No, like nothing was really going there. And then again, you know, great play or great save by Carter Hart. But then Cooley came in.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Cleaned it up. Sets a record for us born players.

[B]

Yeah. Oh yeah. Good call. So it was, it was sick because it was an awesome move by. By Gunther. Awesome save. And then Cooley scores to be the youngest American scorer in this first two playoff games ever. And I gotta say, Cooley beat Jack Eichel down the ice like they were Jack. And Jack's back checking Jack's in his back pocket and Jack gets his stick on him too. So to Cooley to win that race and have that strong stick. We just saw it. We'll get to it. But just you know, QB had a chance where it's like a last minute stick lift, you know, it up. Yeah. Logan Cooley is going toe to toe with one of the best centers in the league. Alive. Alive. And I'm like. And I'm not saying he's better than Jack or anything but I'm just like holy hell. He is not disappearing in this moment. He scores the Utah Mammoths first playoff goal ever. And the Utah Mammoths first playoff game winning goal ever.

[A]

Yeah, he's fucking 12 years old and that is remarkable.

[B]

Yeah. He's not a teenager.

[A]

So this one to me was. I forget what sen. Marty had this series and I think I said seven. I can't remember what you guys said. But this, this to me on Vegas ice was the exact type of performance that the Utah Mammoth had been doing for the last two and a half months.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Where they don't give a shit about whoever they're playing. They're not afraid of any team. They're not afraid of any superstars, they're not afraid of any away ice. They, they can play with everybody. They've got a great constructed roster and they've got a lot of belief. And this was a gritty win.

[B]

Oh my God.

[A]

Go down, you tie it up. You take the lead. You take a punch in the chin of giving up that lead immediately. Then you go into a tough gritty third period. Your power play is not going. But you just keep fighting. And to win that game in regulation was impressive.

[B]

And man, Vegas pulled the goalie. And some of us bet on empty netters 0 for 4 today. And that. Not getting. Not getting that. I didn't get the Boston one, but I was like, that sucks. Tough break. Well, you don't get to. We're in Tampa. We don't get it. Overtime. Not going to complain. We're in the building. Free hockey. Boston pulls the goalie or Buffalo pulls the goalie. Boston has five minutes to score. Can't do it. And then Kings go to overtime. So it's like, whatever. I mean, actually not whatever. We'll get to that. But. But this one. Logan Cooley is waltzing down Main Street, Park City. And I go get on the lift. Pop it in. Get on the lift. Go up top. We'll all celebrate with champagne. And Rasmussen goes full butterfly and stuffs it. That was insane. And then, by the way, after that, that's when you feel like you're gonna lose because you go, oh, fuck. And Vegas came right back down, and it was chaos down the stretch. Who? Someone whiffed one. Maybe Hannifin.

[A]

It was a left shot, D. I

[B]

forget who that was. Someone up top whiffed one, but then it ricocheted right to stone. And he got incredible wood on.

[A]

That was Hanny, I think. Yeah, he did. He got okay wood on it. There was a. There was.

[B]

Given the situation, he got incredible wood. Yeah.

[A]

It's like another stick got in there. Like, you couldn't really lift it. Like. And it's funny, in those situations, I said when you have that goalie pulled, it's 11 guys on the ice. It's like when you're packed in like that, it's so hard to get a puck through.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And when a puck goes through, it's

[B]

like it's going in because it's like,

[A]

how did it get through everybody? The goalie definitely can't see it. And it was one of those situations. There's just too much going on.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But it was great.

[B]

Felt like they were going to tie it, but, dude, that one's one I'm happy for just because I get a lot of friends on both those teams, and I just want a great series. And you don't want anyone to accidentally run away with it. So to get one, one. One is awesome. Utah gets the split. They're so fired up to get home. You know what I actually don't love? They're doing these. You. We've all seen the. In the tunnel, you grab a player on the way to the locker room between periods. But they've been doing this a ton of shit with guys like, guys, like, skate over to the bench, and I'm not mad at the reporters for doing it, but they're just, like, grabbing guys in game. And they grab Gunther when it's like, two, two or something. And they're like, how sick is Delta center going to be? And he was like, I. I don't know. I'm. I'm juiced to find out. But like, yeah, it's two, two, and our life is on the line up. And again, I think it was like, Steve Levy, who I love and adore and have so much fun every time I see him. I'm not mad at the questions. It's just so funny where these guys are like, I don't have time for this, dude. Yeah. But that being said, Delta center is going to be fucking rocking. And I am also juiced.

[A]

Crazy. All right, let's wrap this episode up with the final game of the night. Another OT battle. Abs Kings.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

A lot of people saying, need more from this series.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

A lot of people saying, not a lot of action. They're not totally wrong.

[B]

Well, coming in.

[A]

What do you mean, coming in?

[B]

Coming into tonight.

[A]

No, I'm talking about all night tonight.

[B]

I. I thought there's. I actually thought they went like this.

[A]

There was zero goals in this game until the third period.

[B]

I thought they went watch. They watched the Tampa, Montreal first period, and they said, that looks fun. And then Mikey Anderson absolutely lights up the up Marty Nachess. And then they.

[A]

They get into a dog that was a monster dude.

[B]

That was insane.

[A]

And, like, talk about a guy who's gonna keep it clean. And that was a clean dude. Elbow tucked.

[B]

And I know people online in the slow mo, like, he bounces up and hits him in the head. I know people are gonna be mad.

[A]

We can't have another discussion about this. If you are so dumb that you still don't understand the leave your feet rule, then I'm sorry, we will not waste time talking to you because it is a brain that cannot comprehend things. And that is that.

[B]

That was. And that's our boy right there.

[A]

He.

[B]

That. What a fucking hit, Mikey. Holy shit. But that. That fight, so. So in game one, the. You're right. No goals till late. But the Kings were very pesky. They were like, literally the Kings players, like, everybody juices, face washing kale. And. And I'm not saying the only way the Kings can beat the ass is if they dirty up the game.

[A]

I'm not.

[B]

Not saying that, though. So I kind of liked the way they played game one. And to Just see Mikey lay that hit and then all the boys like, full line brawl. I was like, yes, Come on, dude. That was firing me up.

[A]

I, I, I have so many questions about this series.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And to keep it positive for both teams. Listen, abs, we're all over them.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

I, I think a foursy deserves a fucking tug and a half.

[B]

I know, man.

[A]

For how well he's playing. I mean, this guy not supposed to be the starter.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Coming. You have a Vesna type goaltender in Darcy Kemper, and you've just been playing so well. So Anton Forsberg is playing in these games and he's been playing outstanding. 14 shots in the first period by Colorado.

[B]

Can't figure out six or seven something.

[A]

Eight shots in the second, 12 shots in the third. It's like, and the guy is just fantastic everywhere. But the Kings D has been good all year. People forget that they, they, they were not scored on a lot this year. To have scored so few goals and to be a playoff team means your D must be pretty good because you're winning a lot of crazy games. So here you are, and the Kings are just kind of doing what they do. They play a really frustrating style hockey. So on the positive side, D.J. smith and the Kings go, listen, we're not scoring that many goals. We gotta frustrate a team and we gotta just try to stay in a battle. And they did that.

[B]

Now they're a little Floyd Mayweather, you know, forgive the ridiculous comp, but they just take like, they're like, everyone feels like you're, we're hammering him and I'm like, I'm not actually getting hit though. You know, like, they're just kinda like, yeah, you 20 shots.

[A]

Take all your shots.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

But at some point you're like, is it fun hockey to play? Like, are the guys liking that? I feel like we've talked about it all year. They have so much talent, they have so much offensive talent. I feel as if it's not being utilized well. But at this point, can you change it and can you change it against the ABs? I don't know. So you look like you're in a game where it's like maybe you just have to duke it out and try to not get lucky, but like patiently wait and get your chance. Now they had a chance with the QB penalty shot.

[B]

Yeah. So as with the power play, puck jumps over Kale stick, QB breakaway.

[A]

I was like, well, no, it was a penalty shot, but yes, he gets pulled down and whatever.

[B]

I just thought it was hilarious that Cale Caught him. Like, I know he caught him only to the effect of a penalty shot, but like, that puck goes over his stick and I'm like, oh, wow, QB is gone. And then the camera's like on qb. And then all of a sudden, Kael is just right here, still grabbing him, and I'm like, how are you here, dude?

[A]

I. Dude, I. I'm not lying. I. I knew he was catching him immediately because it's not. Not anything against Q. Yeah. Because it's Kale.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

If there's one guy, like, in what world are you surprised by that?

[B]

Oh, dude, you just had such a head of Steve. I was like, yes.

[A]

Yeah, it's Kale, though.

[B]

Yeah, it was insane.

[A]

But QB gets a penalty shot. Incredible move, in my opinion.

[B]

Totally agree.

[A]

Incredible move. Makes Wedgwood bite the shot. The fake shot goes to his backhand, elevates the backhand, and Wedgwood still got it. Which leads me to my next point. How many times did I say. I'm curious to see how Wedgwood does? He has been doing phenomenal. He not only like, would that save, and I know the Kings aren't getting that many shots, but fucking A, he's saving them. So Scott Wedgwood has never played in the playoffs. He has two games and he looks marvelous.

[B]

Marvelous. Yes.

[A]

He.

[B]

Dude, he's answered the bell in such a big way. It is awesome to see.

[A]

Even in.

[B]

In chaos. Things like there's been a few plays where a puck will ricochet up and he loses it. He doesn't wear it. He kind of retweets to the net, gets it back that nothing is facing him. No weird playoff. The playoffs are always extra crazy because everyone's just getting every puck to the net and it's almost. You're facing shots in ways you. You have never before and that has not bothered him at all. So after the QB miss, we have a 30 minute delay because a fan hits the glass and it shatters all over the King's bench and staff.

[A]

Marty texted us about this. That was fucking insane.

[B]

That was insane.

[A]

Marty texted us about this and was like, dude, look at Greener on the bench.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And shout out our boy. That green. It's just like completely unfazed.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

By what has happened. His hands are in his pockets. He literally just turns around and then he steps forward and starts testing the. The Testing the strength of the other glass. Yes. Like, it was just unbelievable behavior and that. Yeah. That was nuts. That was a 30 minute.

[B]

That was wild. Dude. That was so crazy too, because no One knew what was happening on the broadcast we're watching. They're like, we don't know what's going on. And then Dewey was like. One of them was like, Dewey's yelling at us, being like a fan hit the glass. And I don't mean maliciously. They were just kind of, you know, they were fired up as a big play. But that was fucking nuts, Dan. How much of a fucking douche must

[A]

that guy have felt like? Yeah, I'm not your fault there. I, I gotta say, I'm a bit of a. When it comes to like the people who sit around the bench and they're giving it to the other team, I. I'm. I just couldn't see myself ever doing that. And again, I'm a for that. But like, I'm. I'm like, what are you doing? I don't think, I don't think you're

[B]

a. I think it's dumb as hell.

[A]

I think it's like, what, what, what? What?

[B]

What's up with your life that you got to do that?

[A]

That's kind of what I'm saying. I'm like, you spent all this money. First of all, those seats you can't see.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So if you're going to an NHL game and you're like, those seats seem great, they blow. You can't see any of the game. But to spend all that money and then go and sit there and spend the whole time beaking these players who, who, who are just going out there battling and have marvelous lives that we probably wish we had. I'm kind of like, grow the up, dude.

[B]

Okay. But just to be very clear, I. Neither of us have any idea if that person said any words to the Kings players. And I, from what I saw on the thing, he goes like this. Yeah. Like wedge makes a. Say Wedge MC save. And he goes like this. Whoa. Banging the glass. Just like any soul on earth on the glass. Like a celebration.

[A]

I. I don't know if that's what was going on. Okay. And I don't care what. I don't care what. Yes.

[B]

He wasn't like you.

[A]

I don't care what you saw. I find it hard to believe that he got up and like one handedly was like, yeah, Pat, Pat, Pat, Pat, Pat, Pat.

[C]

Well, there was a dude at the.

[A]

I bet there was some two handed pushing going on that class. Now if it was Rockham Sock Em pushing. Yeah. You're a douche.

[B]

Did you see that?

[A]

It was kind of just pushing. Whatever.

[B]

There was a guy tonight at the Tampa Bay game who was like in the second row but he was lurching over somebody to pound the glass angrily. That. Yeah. From. And I'm like, that's a little rude to crazy. Yeah. But I actually think Dan, either way, even if I was doing literally this.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

I just think if that glass had shattered, I'm talking me personally, I would have been like, oh my God, I am so sorry. Like this is. I am mortified.

[A]

A couple of the King staff definitely gave it to the fans. Yeah. So I don't know, like, I don't know if the fans were like, you like that bitch. In which case I'd be like, get this person.

[B]

Agree, agree.

[A]

Oh dude, I would have pigeon tossed again. Maybe I'm a bitch for that. But if I. If there was a fan after that begin like the coaches, I would have pigeon tossed that person so fast.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But yeah, also very possible that person was like, oh my God.

[B]

Cuz it just takes so long. Like it's literally the whole rink like the 18,000 people, 30 minutes and you're like this off like you know when you drop your glass, drink at a bar and it shatters and you're like like sorry, I'm such a prick. Yeah. Like brutal. It's like the all time bar drop nightmare.

[A]

We also then had that crazy play. Was that like second period or something. But I forget who hit it, but looked like we had a Colorado goal and it went in like the skirt of the nose.

[B]

Dude. No, this was the third. I had this in a second. So there's. These are just small plays, but it was awesome. I thought Clarky made an unreal. No, look past the laugh. Oh, gorgeous. I wanted to bring that up because that was another great Wedgwood saver.

[A]

He is just and seeing everything.

[B]

Great play by Clarky and left. Then iconically, dude, Legacy game. Iconically. After murdering Marty Natures in the first, Mikey Anderson faces a three on one with Landiscog Kale and nature and. And eats it, dude. Like plays it perfectly, swings it, blocks the pass back across in a 00 game. And I was like, Mikey, dude, have a day.

[A]

Gorgeous.

[B]

Outrageous. Then we go to the third. Ten seconds into the third or whatever it was Bang AB's goal. And we're like, ah, fuck yeah. And then, then Dewey, eagle eye Dewey.

[A]

Do we saw it so fast that didn't go in hand up. And he was like, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. It took so many people a long time to figure it out. And I actually saw someone tweeted an abs Fan tweeted and was like, abs. Fans who are booing that goal being called back.

[B]

We have lost the plot. Yeah, correct. It did not go in.

[A]

And also, that's not like a boo. We wanted a goal. That's like a. No, no. Like you. You go, yes, of course.

[B]

Yeah. Yes, of course it did not go in. Continue the game. So, dude, then we started recording. So it's. It's very tense, right? Like this whole third period is very tense. And the Kings get a late power play. What was that called? Do you remember? No, cuz Clarky got clipped.

[A]

My brain is dead.

[B]

Clark got clipped, was bleeding. They didn't call it on Nate, which I actually thought was a fine. No call. I thought it was a high standard stick. It wasn't.

[A]

Then I think it was. It was a high stick. It was a high. Panera Panarin entered the zone.

[B]

It was.

[A]

Panera Kelly gets 100% up and like

[B]

really, like ripped him back.

[A]

I was like, oh, my God, you gotta call that one. And it was even worse on the replay. But yeah, it was a call. You know, Parker Kelly high stick on Panarin. Then Panarin gets a beautiful pass.

[B]

And dude, we said in the preview, the King's power play is like 29th. The King's PK is 29th. The AVS power play is second. The AVS PK is second. I was like, ah, this is such a bloodbath. Power play looked awful. But then they get some possession.

[A]

Yep. Good play by QB up top. Gets down to Trevor Moore who makes it unbelievable play to keep the puck and then just feathers a great pass through. But then the fucking. Let's give it the. The third assist. Scott Lawton just buries devontaves in front, dudes, lets that pass go through and then Panarin rips it in. And you know what? I will say this.

[B]

Yeah. Because I want you to say your

[A]

take on this, dude. If we're gonna allow. We. How many times have we talked about this? We've talked about this on the pod for years. If we're gonna allow pushing and shoving, cross checking, chipping, all that in front of the net. In hockey in general, power player or otherwise, when a goal gets scored as a result of one, you can't. And devontave's rightfully so. Immediately to the ref was like, I just got cross checked in the back. And that resulted in a goal. I'm like this. Sorry, dude. Like, if. If we have all agreed that this is how hockey is played and certainly in the playoffs, then that is just what's going on. And I loved the way Lottie celebrated too. Like, that puck went in and Lottie was like, let's go. And I was just like, that's right, Lottie. You get an assist on that play.

[B]

Dude, your. Your take is correct because of. Of the disclaimer. Because you're 100% right. I would go because in the moment, I thought both parties were right. Devontae's is right to get up and scream at the ref. Cause he's like, you gotta be fucking kidding me. But the ref is right to not call it because he goes, buddy, I will show you clips of you in front of the net.

[A]

Correct.

[B]

Burying people with cross chest.

[A]

Correct.

[B]

This is what's happening now. Me personally, I know I'm gonna get sewered for this. I wish those were penalties. I think there are ways to move people in front of the net without fucking burying people with cross checks. This isn't. This isn't lacrosse.

[A]

This isn't nom, brother. There are rules.

[B]

Yeah, there are rules here.

[A]

You can't just go shooting people on a whim.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And brother, we've been talking about this for years in the pod.

[B]

I agree with you.

[A]

Yeah. Like, I'm not saying. I wish that was called. I think it is crazy how in sports it's like basketball, how everyone just fucking travels and no one cares about it. And it's like in soccer, how everyone dives like a. And we don't give it yellow cards for embellishment. We need to just at one point at the beginning of a season in all these sports, go, hey, you know how for years we've let this fucking stupid ass thing continue? We're not doing that anymore. Yeah. I think pushing, shoving, absolutely. Not only should it happen, it is necessary, but these just fucking unhinged cross checks to the ribs, back and spine. I'm like, we could probably tone that down a little bit.

[B]

You know how roughing is a penalty. But like, what's so rough? And you're like, well, you know, you. Yeah, well, no rough like you see it, you know? You know, there's no clear definition. There is a cut and dry black and white definition of what a cross check is. And they are being delivered in front of the net and no one cares. Epidemic.

[A]

I forget who was on the show. We were talking about him. They're like, oh, yeah, dude. And when you do the ones that like, go down.

[B]

Yeah. Over your, like, hip by vertebrae too. Yeah.

[A]

In your pants. Terrible. But anyway, great goal. Beautiful shot by Panarin. It felt like we were actually joking around. We were like, I mean, Colorado's gonna get a power play.

[B]

Yeah. Too.

[A]

And they didn't need it because they were all over it. We actually saw Nate Dog get a bit of a breakaway. Oh, yeah, I think that was also, Mikey.

[B]

Yeah, that was a sick move. I. Nick. Because he kind of got it under the stick move.

[A]

And just a great save by Forza. And Forzy was standing on his head at the end there. But yeah, it just felt like Colorado's like, well, well, we're not regulation.

[B]

Yeah, we're not. And we're not losing one. Nothing.

[A]

They came down and then just such a cheeky play. Kings get it, Try to rim it around. Can't get it out. Great play by tapes. Keeps it in. Tries to put a shot on net that Landy actually tips wide. Yeah. Goes right to nature for Z. You know, jumps over to the post and nature actually passes through Forsberg's five hole. Back door to Landy. Goal. Captain ties it up. Boom. We go to ot.

[B]

And before that, I want to say, because I said this earlier and I was like, we'll come back to it. Cube had that move that. That Nate did under the stick. Q had one of those coming the other way.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Oh, my God.

[A]

What a beautiful move by Q.

[B]

Made an incredible save. And the one, I forget how it happened, but that one that was sitting on the doorstep step that Q had,

[A]

it was a great tie up.

[B]

I think it was Drury, but I couldn't quite tell.

[A]

Yeah, Drew definitely had him physically tied up, but Q got his stick down and another stick came through and like, kind of blocked it off. So I actually give Q a ton of credit.

[B]

Me too.

[A]

Battling through two players and still got a shot off. So. But that was just great. D by the apps. It was unbelievable chaos.

[B]

Now we're in overtime.

[A]

So, yeah, we go to ot and I actually like the Kings fight, you know, me too. Like, I. I thought we. We didn't even get halfway through ot, but I thought the Kings were all over him at times. They. They had three shots, two good back and forth. But then, yeah, bit of a scrum in front of the net. Puck's ricocheting all over the place. Nick Wa gets in front. Clarkey's battling a couple, trying to get.

[B]

Yeah, he drops to his knees, block

[A]

the shot, and like three sticks go in. Wastek gets on it, taps it, sneaks through. Beautiful fight. Boom. Abs go up. Two games to none in Colorado. Now, all things considered, like we said at the top here, I Think a lot of people would have guessed ABS would be up 2.

[B]

2 games. Yes. After 2. Most brackets. Most brackets have that.

[A]

I also think the Kings have a lot to be psyched about with how frustrating they're being. This is the number one scoring offense in the NHL, and you have held them to two gills in both.

[B]

Yeah. Two, one, two, one. And the second one was overtime. Yeah.

[A]

Forsberg's playing incredibly well.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

You are getting fucking Dewey. Winding the clock back through two periods. You had fucking almost 18 minutes.

[B]

That was time on ice.

[A]

It's insane. This has been the case all season. Colorado is happy to play this way.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Happy to play this way. Like, dude, is it frustrating? Yes. But you've won both games. So if we go through games here and they sweep and they win fucking two one, they don't give up.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

So until the Kings frustrate them and then also start scoring, this means nothing. The one good thing you will say for the Kings is you are frustrating them. You are doing one half of the game very well. But when you do look at guys, we're going to, you know, not call anyone out, but point out the most important things and the some of the best players on this Kings team. You look at guys like Kempe, you look at guys like Q. Panarina goals in both games. Laugh. Trevor Moore. These are guys that need to score goals. Absolutely. And you are in this King's locker room and you are going, dude, this is going. We got to get the other half going. And you can fucking absolutely win games here. Now, Colorado has the beautiful recipe of going, we're happy to keep things just the way they are.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Just the way they are. Wedgwood is playing incredibly well. The defense is playing incredibly well. You're holding the Kings to a low amount of shots. Like you're happy to keep playing this game because if it turns into a shootout and the King starts scoring, the ABs will loosen up their game a little bit, and we know they can fucking score. So this is a steep mountain to climb. But I glass half full. I do think the Kings look at it and they're like, there's an op. There's a way through here.

[B]

Yeah, dude, it's. It's a dagger to lose such close ones, especially in OT1 when you go, God, if we could have stolen one in Colorado. But I will say, man, we got a lot. Or I got. I'm sure you did too. But I got a lot of personal texts after our preview thing of people, and some of them are Denver fans, but them Going fucking kings or abs in six. What are you talking about? Like, what are you paid? The king's paying you to say this shit and you know, it's currently on pace for four. But I think any AS fan, if they were telling the truth, would be like, Christ, dude, these are. This has been way tighter than I thought it was going to be. So I think you're pumped. If you're la, you go do. Those are two tilts on the road. Let's go back to LA and see if we can win a couple hockey games, dude.

[A]

That's what I'm saying, man. And it's like, you know, it's. You got. You got Kopi out there and Kobe's last year. You got Clarkey and Dewey on the points. Like, there are guys who can score amongst all the other. Other guys that I just named. And absolutely Denver, Colorado fans have every right to have chirped like, Marty picked the kings and said, yeah, like abs and six, blah, blah, blah, we deserve those chirps. But with the way these two games have gone, this is all I'm saying. We come back to LA on Thursday, LA wins that game. I don't think you're going, this is a joke.

[B]

That's what I mean.

[A]

Let's say LA wins that game like 3, 3, 4, 1, 3, 1. And like they get goals going. You are definitely like, hey, they're a little bit frustrated. Yeah. Yeah. So this is again, the glass half full is LA has every opportunity to make this a fight.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But again, if things stay the course, I don't think these are games you're winning two, one. I don't think they're games that you're winning in OT.

[B]

So, like, glass half empty is the ABs are this close to breaking through and they score five in game four or game three.

[A]

I actually think even worse. Chris, the glass half empty is the apps have to change nothing.

[B]

Yeah, right.

[A]

Like I said, they are so happy to play this way. Yeah, they'll play if. If you want to play this game, they'll play this game.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

They'll take a couple.

[B]

Yeah, we take up miles. You give me a couple miles. Yeah.

[A]

So the opportunity is there, but the ABs are in no hurry to change anything.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

And that is scary. All right. That is the wrap up of these games. It's latest. We're gonna hit the hay. Remember, folks, this episode will be out Wednesday when you wake up.

[B]

Yes. Yeah.

[A]

This episode's out Wednesday. Thursday we will be live.

[B]

Friday, we will be live.

[A]

And then we will be back to a normal schedule as life settles down

[B]

a little bit for us. Theoretically we might have more trips coming up.

[A]

We don't know yet but yeah, but every day you're getting Netters con content. We're going to be live on all the socials. Those episodes then come out in case you missed the live and then we'll have our regularly scheduled program episodes. So do us a favor like subscribe. Give us those five star reviews on Spotify and Apple. It helps us a lot. Please, I'm begging you right now. If you're a netters fan, you're a hard hardcore fan. We love you so much and you've not given us those reviews. Give us the five stars reviews say some funny in there if you want.

[B]

We love it.

[A]

Make fun of CP please. Fun of me? I'm a boy.

[B]

Buy some merch.

[A]

Great playoff merch. More merch coming for the teams that we haven't yet made. They're all coming. Don't worry. Subscribe to the YouTube.

[B]

YouTube, YouTube, YouTube.

[A]

We love you guys so much. We will see you next time. Until then, get some rest. Me especially. And then also the number one important thing Skate hard.

[C]

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