Spittin' Chiclets Episode 641: Featuring Sean Avery & Erik Johnson

Date: April 27, 2026
Main Hosts: Ryan Whitney, Paul “Biznasty” Bissonnette, Rear Admiral, Mike Grinnell
Main Guests: Sean Avery, Erik Johnson

Episode Overview

This highly anticipated episode arrives as the NHL playoffs are in full, chaotic swing. The Chiclets crew—Ryan Whitney, Paul “Biz” Bissonnette, Rear Admiral (RA), and Mike Grinnell—dive into the most controversial, emotional, and wild developments from the first round.
Special guests Sean Avery and Erik Johnson lend their unfiltered perspectives, with the episode focused on:

• Scorching takes on the Oilers-Ducks series controversy
• In-depth breakdowns of each playoff matchup so far
• Insights into player injuries, officiating drama, coaching performances, and off-ice antics
• Vibrant banter and notable rants reflecting the hosts’ allegiance and irreverent humor

The tone is raw, irreverent, and passionate—true to Spittin' Chiclets’ roots.

Key Segments & Insights

I. Edmonton Oilers vs. Anaheim Ducks: The Goal Controversy

[03:15 - 26:37]

• Playoff Controversy: Whitney opens recounting his viral meltdown over the controversial goal call in Game 4 of Oilers-Ducks—ranting about NHL officiating and the standards for overturning goals.

  • Notable Quote - Wit: “I crashed out last night... Any person who roots for a team in the world, if you're a true fan and a die hard, you'd had the same reaction as I did... I calmed down. I said, listen, that puck was probably in. I'm still not willing to say 100%. I'll say 99.8%...” (03:16)

• Biz’s Counter: Biz expresses rare gratitude for the wild level of competition in the playoffs, tempers with analysis, and suggests “common sense finally prevailed” with the call.

  • Notable Quote - Biz: “If everybody on planet Earth were hooked up to a lie detector and you asked if that puck was in? Yes. For fucking the first time ever, it seems like common sense has prevailed.” (09:06)

• Injury Impact: Heavy focus on Connor McDavid’s injury and its effect on the Oilers’ chances.

  • Wit: “I just can't help but think if Conor's healthy, it's a different story. Buddy. That's. I understand that is the loser mentality... but when you have a guy who literally is like Wayne Gretzky in the playoffs that gets hurt... it is what it is." (14:50)

• Anaheim’s Rise:

  • Whitney and the crew marvel at how the young Ducks flipped the switch after a poor season.
  • Impressed with veterans like Alex Killorn and Troy Terry, and the “joke” that is defenseman Jackson Lacombe (leading the playoffs in scoring).
  • Biz on Ducks' vet signings: "Kalorn's not paid to fucking dance in the regular season. He's made for when the hockey gets hard." (16:05)

• Future Outlook:

  • Oilers in crisis if they lose at home in Game 5. Whitney jokes “we could be done” if the city panics or McDavid asks out.

II. Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning: Overtime Mayhem & Officiating Debates

[27:50 - 44:49]

• Overtime Drama: Three games go to OT; Game 4 might as well have.
• Coaching Masterclass: Shoutout to Habs’ Martin St. Louis for keeping faith in struggling players.
  • Biz: “Credit to Martin St. Louis for giving him another opportunity... That whole game was, was the fourth line.” (28:41)
• Embellishment/Etiquette: Debate over embellishment on high sticks and the unwritten rules of drawing calls.
  • Wit: “If you get high-sticked, and then take two, three strides and then throw it back, I don't know how you don't call embellishment.” (33:37)
• Physicality: Noted battles, big hits (Crozier on Slafkovsky), and fights—Brandon Hagel lauded as a “dog,” potential Conn Smythe front-runner.
  • Biz: “Boys. That is a fucking dog right there. Every day of the week, twice on Sundays. That guy's on my team.” (38:39)
• Canadiens Miss Opportunity: Consensus that Montreal “let it slip” in Game 4, which could define their series.

III. Boston Bruins vs. Buffalo Sabres: Home Ice Disasters & Swayman’s Fire

[46:02 - 52:49]

• Home Woes: Bruins’ disastrous home loss and shock at the Garden’s dead crowd.
  • Wit: “To have the road team score nine straight goals in the other team... you might as well take a shit on their logo.” (46:49)
• Swayman’s Outburst: Heated debate on goalie Jeremy Swayman yelling at his team from the bench.
  • Yance: “I always think it’s such a double standard when it comes to goaltending... Do it in the locker room, not where 20,000 people can see it.” (49:47)
• Buffalo’s Rise: Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs praised for their high-impact play; Buffalo's forecheck highlighted as a coaching master stroke by Lindy Ruff.
• Bruins’ Fate: General agreement Boston was playing “with house money” this season and is being totally outmatched in this matchup.

IV. Carolina Hurricanes vs. Ottawa Senators: A Beatdown & The Tkachuk Debate

[71:12 - 97:00]

• Canes Domination: Carolina sweeps Ottawa; relentless puck pressure and stifling D.
  • Wit on Sens’ power play: “I’ve never seen a five-on-three that bad... They had four of them and I don't know if they got a shot through games three and four.” (72:30)
• Ridly Greig Incident: The Greg sucker punch—Avery defends it as “playoff hockey”; Biz calls it “bullshit” and worthy of suspension.
  • Avery: “I'm all for it... What a fucking punch.” (73:12)
• Brady Tkachuk’s Future: Panel argues Tkachuk “didn’t do enough to lead" during the sweep; speculation Ottawa will move him in the offseason.
  • Aves: “If I'm the GM, he's gotta go.” (82:26)
  • Wit: “I don't see him back there. I don't see it.” (87:47)
• Praise for Carolina: Consistently credited for depth, toughness, and balanced attack; Freddie Andersen’s goaltending is a difference-maker.

V. Other Playoff Series Updates & Performances

[113:10 - 153:26]

• Dallas vs. Minnesota:
  • Analysis from Erik Johnson on the growing rivalry and standout performances by Matt Boldy and the Faber-Hughes defense pairing.
  • EJ on Boldy: “He's a big dude... His skill set for a guy that size. Fuck, is he fun to watch.” (119:02)
  • Consensus: This series deserves 7 games.
• Utah Mammoth vs. Vegas:
  • Biznasty raves about coach Tourigny’s impact and the “dog” mentality of players like Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley.
• Colorado Avalanche:
  • Questions linger about the power play's struggles; Makar praised as “best defenseman in the world” for his solo efforts (172:18).
• Retirements & Legacies:
  • High praise for Anze Kopitar’s career on and off the ice.
• Derby Talk and Off-Ice Banter:
  • Lighter, off-topic discussion about golf at Augusta, Kentucky Derby, and horse picks, showing the Chiclets’ range beyond hockey.

VI. Sean Avery & Erik Johnson Guest Interviews

Various timestamps, fully integrated into playoff talk

• Sean Avery: Delivers classic Avery attitude—calls out fan bases, dishes on matchups, and espouses “mental warfare” after whistles.
  • Notably goes on a tangent about the need for shadow players and “bring back the game of the shadow.”
  • Avery, on the Greg incident: “This is playoffs. Where’s your moral compass?”
• Erik Johnson: Breaks down Minnesota-Dallas from a player-turned-analyst POV, reflects on his transition to TV, shares stories about Augusta National, and offers measured, insightful commentary.

VII. Listener Q&A & Rapid Fire

[176:24 - end]

• Panel chooses which movie set they’d want to visit as spectators—answers vary from Braveheart and Gladiator to Wolf of Wall Street and Caddyshack.
• Hypothetical “Saw” scenario: Would you hack off your own arm to survive? Reactions vary from “no chance” to “for my kid, I hope so.”
• Shoutouts:
  • Kenny Albert for reaching 1,545th national broadcast call.
  • Matt Duchene’s “old guy” resurgence (5 assists in 4 games).

Best Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Wit: “Let me tell you something. I can criticize any fucking thing I want.” (08:30)
• Biz: “Be careful what you say about your own team... You could drive guys out of town.”
• Avery (on playoff fights): “I’m all for it... What a fucking punch.” (73:12)
• Biz (on McDavid): “It sucks not seeing him 100%. It’s probably a different story.”
• Aves (on fanbases): “The Montreal Canadiens fanbase? They’ve got no ‘je ne sais quoi.’ They order the rings after one win.”
• Yance: “Philly’s fanbase is the greasiest, most obnoxious in the NHL. And that says a lot coming from you, Aves!” (105:34)

Closing Thoughts & Overall Tone

The episode mixes hardcore, inside-hockey analysis with classic Chiclets banter, emotional rants, and humor.

• Playoff controversies and officiating dominated the early discussion, with Whitney’s Oilers fandom on full display.
• Guests Avery and Johnson upped the intensity and authenticity—a blend of combative old-school mentality and modern insight.
• The panel gave respect where due (Ducks’ rise, Carolina’s depth, Hagel’s Conn Smythe case) while grilling underperformers (Oilers, Bruins, Senators).

The tone: high-energy, emotional, irreverent, and never boring.

Essential Timestamps

• 03:15 – Oilers-Ducks Goal Controversy
• 14:50 – McDavid injury discussion
• 27:50 – Canadiens-Lightning Overtime review
• 38:39 – Brandon Hagel’s monster performance
• 46:02 – Bruins’ home ice woes, Swayman outburst
• 71:12 – Carolina’s sweep of Ottawa, Greg Punch controversy
• 82:26 – Brady Tkachuk’s future in Ottawa
• 87:44 – Coaches, trades, and Sens’ off-season
• 113:10 – Erik Johnson on the Minnesota-Dallas Series
• 146:51 – Vegas-Utah goaltending talk; Tourigny credit
• 172:18 – Kale Makar’s “wiggle hips” solo dominance
• 176:24 – Q&A: Movie sets, “Saw” scenario, Kenny Albert shoutout

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

You’ll find this a must-listen for the authenticity and raw passion—especially if you want deep dives on the Oilers-Ducks, Habs-Lightning, and Canes-Sens series.
Whitney’s fan agony, Biz’s balancing takes, Avery’s firebrand hockey-guy mentality, and honest, detailed breakdowns from Erik Johnson make this three-hour playoff marathon a definitive snapshot of first-round NHL mayhem.

If you only have time for one segment, jump to [03:15-26:37] for the Oilers-Ducks controversy or [38:39] for the Lightning’s Brandon Hagel appreciation.

Pinky’s up. Double wristers everywhere. The playoffs, the Chirping, and the chiclets magic roll on.