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

Summary

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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)

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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.

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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

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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.

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

Transcript

[Whitney]

Hey Spit and Chiclets listeners. You can find every episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Prime. Members can listen ad free on Amazon Music.

[Biz]

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[Aves]

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[Aves]

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[Wit]

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[Biz]

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[Aves]

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[Wit]

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[Biz]

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[Aves]

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[Wit]

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[Aves]

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[Biz]

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[Aves]

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[Wit]

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[Aves]

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[Wit]

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[Aves]

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[Wit]

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[Whitney]

Me and Ryan have been officially welcomed to the jungle that is Barstool Sports.

[Biz]

I brought it towards the Coyotes and I asked him if it was okay if I joined the Spit Chickens podcast full time.

[Wit]

Ryan Whitney's got a pink Whitney out there now. The song man is a full time member. My religious galaxy got an assist from Chris.

[Yance]

Whoa, we're buzzing right now.

[Wit]

What is up everyone? Welcome to a very, very, very specially highly anticipated episode of Spit and chicklets. It's number six 41. Before we get to everyone, before we get to thoughts, before we get to reactions and maybe overreactions, let's shout out Pink Whitney. Pinkies up. Biz. I'm trying to not get angry at you putting on that Oilers jersey, but I'm never angry at Pink Whit. People may think that this is coffee in my cup, but after last night and the Oilers going down three One, it's just straight Pink Whitney. Not even ice. Not even ice. So it's been Pink Whitney for me. Left, right, center, Pink Whitney for all the fans in the NHL, maybe fans of every sport everywhere. I think Pink Whitney was all over the NFL draft. I know. Crazy Pittsburgh people crushing Pink Whitney in a parking lot. If you go to the NFL draft, you're insane. Shout out, pink Whitney. Pinky's up. Thank you so much. What a fucking joke. What a disgrace. I. I have a couple things to say before I throw it over to you guys.

[Yance]

Say it.

[Wit]

I crashed out last night. And what's unbelievable, the dishonest journalism these days and everyone just posting the video I made right after it was called a goal in the Anaheim Ducks Edmonton Oilers, Game four, They're posting the video where I had a crash out. 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. There were many Oilers fans that had the same reaction as I did. Having looked at it later, having getting back to my hotel, I calmed down. I said, listen, that puck was probably in. I'm still not willing to say 100%. I'll say 99.8% chance the puck was in. I then released another video where I made it very clear that my entire opinion that I'm upset about is based on the fact that those refs called that a goal on the ice. I will never understand it. I will never understand why they were able to do it. They were both standing on the boards. No one could see anything. They saw Ryan polling put his hands in the air and they heard that the pawn go crazy and they were like, okay. I tweeted out that they said, hey, did you see anything? No, I didn't see anything. What do you think? I didn't see anything either. Oh, we can't call it a goal then. No, the fans are polling. Has his hands in the air.

[Whitney]

So let's call it a goal.

[Wit]

Oh, we have a goal on the ice. The puck was. The puck was probably in. The puck was 99.9% chance in. I just don't get biz how you call it a goal on the ice. I don't get it. I don't understand it. And I don't care if everyone's telling me, OK wit, if they didn't call it a goal on the ice, but it ended up being a goal, then they got the call, right? But no, no, no, no, no. Because you have to have full proof and if it was called no goal on the ice, I do not think that that is called a goal once they review it. Somebody say something.

[Yance]

Biz, he. He literally kicked it over to you. Biz, you put the jersey on. You put the jersey on two days ago. Absolutely mushed this guy's team. Now you sit there in silence and say nothing when he throws.

[Biz]

Well, I'm not, I'm not. I'm. I'm collecting my thoughts.

[EJ]

I'm.

[Biz]

I'm like, I'm. I'm taking it all in. And I just want to express the level of gratitude I have right now to be recording this podcast and not just with this situation, but just with the amazing, competitive, insane hockey we've seen over the last few days. Like, I, I, I'm. I have the best job in the world. I have the best job in the world. I just want to thank everyone. I want to. Even Oilers fans out there right now listening. Even though you want to spike your phones or punch your steering. Steering wheels while you're listening, I'm going to start with this. Um, the fact that people keep posting that still image of the referee in the corner and then the two other refs out saying, how can you call that a goal on the ice? How can you call that a goal on the ice? He clearly, as the, the player for Anaheim, starts celebrating, you could see him start making his ways closer and closer and closer towards the net. Does he ever go like this to signal a goal?

[Wit]

No, he actually kind of goes like this.

[Biz]

No, he doesn't. He goes like this to be like, what the fuck's going on? What's he celebr. Let me ingest what's going on here. Whoa, whoa, whoa, everybody. And as he comes from that angle, people say, how can you see that the puck's in. You could see the puck is in from where he's skating from. As he gets closer to that way easier than you would be from that

[Wit]

overhead cam by the time he gets there. Biz. I'm pretty sure Murphy had already put it under his skate, though, had whacked it back. He did. That ref didn't get there in time to see before Murphy hit it a split second.

[Biz]

Okay, that's fine. But he would have at least started creeping up a little bit and had a better angle to, like, see the red line and see where the puck was. Because the blade is, like, this far off the ice. It's not, like, right on the puck. Right. So you would be able to see it way of, way better from an angle Coming from the corner that he did compared to that picture right there that you see on camera that we all saw. So to say that the reference didn't see that this thing was across the line because he didn't signal a goal. He was. I think he just put his hands like this, like, whoa, what the Is going on? This is chaotic. We got a guy celebrating like it's Patrick Kane, Game 6, when he scored over the Flyers, like, whoa, whoa, whoa, what the going on? He never signaled a goal. Then he never s. The referee was just as perfect.

[Yance]

Usually if you don't see it go in, you do nothing. For this reason.

[Biz]

For this reason. So you're just trying to ingest it. So he's like. And. And. And a credit. Credit to. Was it polling is that you say his last Paling. Paling. Credit to paling. I think his celebration had a lot to do with the influence of the fact. Why are you laughing?

[Wit]

Because that's like kind of my point. Like, if this is.

[Biz]

It feels like him.

[Yance]

I trust him over the ref. He's the guy who's.

[Wit]

If you're telling me any player who puts it there, whether it's in or not, isn't going to fucking start, usually

[Yance]

the guys know, don't you think?

[Biz]

You can't criticize somebody's natural reaction, right? As far as the ref being like, whoa, whoa, whoa. When then a player sees it over the line and he's going crazy, just like Patrick Kane did.

[Wit]

Let me tell you something. I can criticize any of the. Any fucking thing I want.

[Biz]

That's fine, buddy.

[Wit]

That's fine.

[Biz]

But I think.

[Wit]

Let me ask you. Let me ask you, actually, let me get this out there. Do I think it was a goal? Yes. So in the end. Ok, but, but, but, but, but. And I agree that. Is that. Is that. Is it. If they called that no goal on the ice, do you think it stands as no goal biz?

[Biz]

I honestly. Okay, so. So if you're going based on the rule and them saying, well, we can't technically see it cross the line, what I tweeted out wit is clearly the way that the skate blade is and where the line is, you can essentially see that the puck is in. I think everybody on planet Earth, if they were hooked up to a lie detector and you said, is this puck in the. In the net? Yes or no? They would fucking. It would be yes. Ok. So what I think is for fucking the first time ever, it seems like common sense has prevailed. Yeah. And if. And if fucking all the Oilers fans want to bitch and complain and blah blah, blah. Direct your attention towards the fact that this has been an absolute fucking Gong show as far as roster management and all the fucking nonsense with goaltending that they put up with over the last three years.

[Yance]

Jerry was great.

[Biz]

It's a. Listen, I'm not talking about last night's performance in net. All right? Hey, I thought Jari was solid. How about. Let's talk about the fact that leading up to this, okay. In the last six game fours, when trailing a series two to one, Edmonton has found a way to win. They had six straight wins. In game four is when trailing series two to one, they go into Anaheim in a doer death die situation. Essentially they're down 3:1. Right now their backs are against the wall. If I think.

[Wit]

You think there's no chance they come out.

[Biz]

I think if there's one team that could do it, it would be the. Because we know that they play crack hockey. But I think that this series with coach, Coach Q behind the bench, the same thing we saw all season long, down two, they come back to tie it. Down one late. They tie it. They're the comeback kids. Yance brought up the stat right before the end of regular season what coach Q's done with this roster. But the fact that they go Into Anaheim, Game 4 Do or Die situation, and they get out shot and out chanced.

[Wit]

Forget even the outshot and out chance. They were up two nothing. They're up two nothing and three, two. And what happens? This fucking Duck's fourth line. I am so sick and tired of this Ducks first line. We got a fourth line. We got a defenseman. We got a guy who played at Western Michigan last year was. And we got a guy who the Bruins had for about eight seasons that was in Providence. Most of the time they're dominating. They're dominating. We got McDavid injured. OK? On the PK still I. Duck. Can you explain that one to me? Cause he's on the PK and the Ducks second power play goal. Why is he on the pk? He's. He's hurt. He's injured. Now, last night, I don't think the straightaway speed's that affected, but obviously when he went around Seneca, I think that little burst he's missing is what gets him around. Doe style, to put it around his. How many times have we seen him go wide and then the goal. He's too fast. But it was that split second that injury's been the killer. Jari was good. Now at the same time, that wasn't a great goal.

[Biz]

Nope.

[Wit]

That wasn't a great goal at the end. But no matter what, you're up two nothing, man. You're up three to two and you can't close the deal. And what did I say? I, I, I, I. No, man. My second. My other video last. I think I made a couple. Saying the Ducks fans shouldn't have watched the series is just. That's an all time fumble. Saying, I'll never root for the Oilers again if they don't win. That's an all time fumble.

[Biz]

Oh, you're on a run right now.

[Wit]

The Oilers. The Oilers are not as good as last year.

[Biz]

I thought.

[Wit]

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

[Biz]

I thought you said this was the best team that they've assembled. I thought that was.

[Wit]

Have you ever changed your mind? Taking back a lot of shit. Have you ever changed your mind, Biz? Because I believe you said that wa. And who was the other guy? That was good. They were going to add up to take Marner's offense to the same level. Wah wah.

[Biz]

Has been.

[Wit]

It was. I think it was wa. What was? Who's the other guy?

[Biz]

Well, if you're going.

[Wit]

If you're going to go there.

[Biz]

No, I don't. Because WA's been more effective than Marner has. Not on the playoff.

[Wit]

Yeah, but not on your Leafs. Have you ever changed your mind? Is my point now.

[Biz]

Yes.

[Wit]

The Oilers. Dude, I. I don't understand. I want to give credit, though, to the Ducks. The Ducks are nasty. What I don't get is, and you guys can tell me if you remember a situation like this prior. They were horrible at the end of the season. Horrible enough to the point where it's like they could miss the playoffs. I don't remember a team turning it on like this. Maybe the Oilers are just that bad. And they're just. And with McDavid hurt, they're just like, oh, the Ducks didn't even have to turn on that much. They look incredible. And I don't remember a team, boys, where. That's why I was so cocky. Did I get way over my skis? Yeah. I was on a double black diamond. I'd never skied before. I don't remember a team turning it on like this. I can't. They were horrible. They were giving up seven goals a game the last month. When did it. When has a team ever done this? Do you guys remember one?

[Yance]

And with being that young, too, you would think that would have bled into the playoffs. But I don't know. Whatever has been going on in that locker, I don't know if it's Q. I don't know if it's the older guys in that locker room, but the way that they've settled that down and put these young guys in a good position, like the young guys are carrying them too. Like this G is a sick, sick joke of a, of A. Like that shot he had was insane. Leo Carlson. So I think it was maybe one of those things where we all know, and especially in an Olympic year with a crazy schedule, maybe just towards the end of the year, they got gassed out and just didn't have anything left. And then whatever, they had their, their pregame meetings before this playoffs, their practices before this playoff. Whatever was said between those guys has got them going. And the young legs are winning right now.

[Wit]

I will take, I will take the heat, Biz. I will take the heat to this because everyone's always said you're a one man team. You're a two man team. Leon Connor. 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 and, and it's next man up and everyone's playing injured, but when you have a guy who literally is like Wayne Gretzky in the playoffs that gets hurt and can't do what he always does with cutbacks and ninja moves, it's just, it is what it is. I, I would base. What do you think about if McDavid was McDavid and you can obviously tell he's injured. I don't think it's 3:1. That's all I'm saying now. Just.

[Biz]

Yeah, I mean, I, I think it's obvious he's a, a wounded duck, but it sucks, man. It sucks not seeing him 100%. I agree. It's probably a little bit of a different story, but I mean, fuck, man, I don't know, man. Leon put on quite the performance when he had that high ankle sprain a few playoffs ago. Like, I mean, you know, there's a lot of guys banged up right now.

[Wit]

But Leon, Leon. I agree, but Leon doesn't. His game wasn't soup.

[Yance]

Yeah.

[Wit]

His game wasn't. The cutback stops, it starts quick turns. So it, it. Do you know what? Do, do you get that?

[Biz]

I, I, Buddy, I completely agree. And it sounds like maybe there's some fucking going back to the drawing board for McDavid and, and, and finding a way to maybe add some different things to his bag that translate better to playoff hockey. Like, I'm not saying that he's not a fucking. Listen when he's fucking 100% and he's zipping around out there. Yeah, he's one of the best players in the world, if not the best. I mean, you saw it at the Olympics. You got the mvp. I don't know. Couldn't find a way to really penetrate in the fucking gold medal game, now could he? I don't know. Fuck, man. But goes back to what Yan said, man. Like, look at these veterans. Like, I think a lot of people g just messaged in there. Like I, I think people thought when Alex Kalorn got the deal he got, even though it was a four year deal, like it was a lot of money. But Kalorn's not paid to fucking dance and fucking shine in the regular season. He's made for when the hockey gets hard. And I think that like Troy Terry has been awesome and it's been a perfect blend of these veterans, like credit them for having the balls and the, and the persistence to go get John Carlson to bring him over. Like Gudes isn't even in the lineup and they're getting this done. They don't need that fucking toughness. Jackson, the comb, man, this guy, he's a joke.

[Wit]

He's leading the playoffs and scoring, for fuck's sake. Yeah, he's got eight points. And guys, in classic fashion, we've talked many times about the, the decision to not draft Wallstead. You know, the wall of St. Paul, the guy who's pretty fucking good. In 2019, the NHL Draft went down and with the 38th pick, the Edmonton Oilers selected Rafael Lavoy. I don't know if I'm saying that right.

[Biz]

Oh, that's Savoy's cousin.

[Yance]

Yeah, yeah, love boy.

[Wit]

The 39th pick was Jackson fucking Lacombe. It's just, it's just a comedy show after comedy routine. Steve Harvey, Theo Vaughn, left and right, of Oilers decisions and Oilers management of their roster. And listen, Matthew Savoy had a great season, played in every game. Would you rather him or Ryan McLeod right now? How would Dylan Hallway and Broberg look? Having said all that, we've got.

[Biz]

How about, how about, how about this too, though? How about this? This wagon of a team that's supposed to be a Cup contender. They couldn't even win the pillow fight of a fucking Pacific Division. They put themselves in this situation to go against Anaheim in the first round too. They should have been fucking playing. They should have been playing Utah. Not saying it would have gone any better for them in that series either. Because the way that Utah is buzzing but definitely a lot easier in my opinion than going against one of the. If not is he the all time or second all time in wins in playoff history?

[Wit]

Coach Quinville, I pretty sure we all came to an agreement on this podcast that we'd rather play Anaheim than Utah. We, we like talked about that.

[Yance]

I, I think mostly because of the way Anaheim finished and yeah exactly like. Yeah, I, I think 100 I bet if you could go back I, I would. 100 choose Anaheim over Utah. Utah's look great too. But this Jackson McComb man like the, the American D in this playoffs right now are absolutely incredible. Him, Hudson Faber, like it's a real joke how good they are but I

[Wit]

just love Quinn Hughes.

[Yance]

Quinn Hughes.

[Whitney]

Yeah.

[Yance]

I meant yeah. I was thinking more younger. Younger guys but this it's. I mean with the only thing you can be looking forward to is like it like Biz said, if there's any team that can do this and come back and make this a series and get to a game seven and if you get to a game seven with Connor McDavid, it's a coin flip. Right? And it's, it's one of those things where you'll take in Connor McDavid's team anytime in a Game 7. So I don't think it's complete complete panic time yet in oil country, but it's, it, it's pretty damn close.

[Wit]

It's far from over, I'll say that.

[Biz]

Can we talk if they lose at home?

[Wit]

Biz. If they lose at game five at home, I, I don't even under. I don't even want to think about what's going to go down. I would hope there wouldn't be complete panic with the front office because he got two more years of Conor and, and, and, and, and hey, listen, listen, listen.

[Biz]

Well that's. If he doesn't ask out to Detroit.

[Wit]

Yeah, that's. That, that, that would mean that he doesn't ask out for Detroit. Yes, correct sir. Correct. Correct. Now you think if they lose this

[Yance]

first round series he's going to be like all right, let's saddle up and get ready for next year here or Oil Nation.

[Biz]

Really?

[Wit]

He signed a two year extension.

[Biz]

Just go. Going back here quickly though. We talk about these veterans for the Anaheim Ducks and I'm going to throw Korn, Troy, Terry Kreider. How about that Grandland signing? How good is that? That guy is a fucking dog. Playoffs and then Carlson in the first four games of the series combined 22 points for those veterans.

[Wit]

Wow. Those Guys, Grantland, Grant, this guy is unstoppable. I. But the coverage on that goal, it's just.

[Biz]

Well, buddy, let's. Let's be real here. The defense has been a fucking issue since, Since Christ was a cowboy. Like, this isn't just like, oh, that, this.

[Wit]

I don't know, man, but I think you sometimes forget that they went to the cup final back to back years. Like, I don't this season. I can give you that. The defense has been a joke all year. Like you're acting like Christ was a cowboy. Like you don't think they played solid defensive hockey the past two years against Dallas and then against, like, what do we talk about? They didn't win.

[Biz]

They.

[Wit]

They lost to a better team. Can you not say they played good defensive hockey the past two playoff runs?

[Biz]

Okay, I'll just, I'm just going to read a stat for you. Okay. Oilers most goals against in first four games of a postseason. 20 goals allowed in 2026, which is right now, this year.

[Wit]

Yeah, horrible.

[Biz]

20 goals in 1982 in. In the first four games. 1919 goals allowed in 2025. So in back to back postseasons, they've allowed 20 and 19 goals in their first four games of the playoffs.

[Wit]

And one of them, they went to the cup. One of those, they. They won the round and then won two more rounds. What that.

[Biz]

I know, but we're.

[Yance]

If we're talking outscore every.

[Biz]

If we're talking about defensive hockey, I'm saying is like, sure, I guess there's been signs of some okay defensive hockey, but I wouldn't say that that's what they're built on.

[Wit]

No, I, I agree, but I think that their defense the past few years has been much aligned when you look at like there was games that they were team defensively, incredible. Now this year, this is a joke. There are guys running around. They give up, buddy. They gave up a four on two last night. I think it was late in the third with Boosh pinching and Nugent Hopkins is skating backwards like he has rollerblades on facing a four on two in the third period. Yeah, it's. It, buddy. It's.

[Whitney]

It's.

[Wit]

It's not a sound.

[Biz]

Just some words of advice though. Be careful what you say about your own team because like, you could drive guys out of town. I'm just saying. I'm just saying don't be too critical.

[Wit]

I think that our city in Edmonton is, is so much more like loyal and hardcore than Toronto. And what you've dealt with, being accused of, oh, yeah.

[Biz]

Is that why Spec blocked you?

[Wit]

Do you include everyone? Spec. Spec is sensitive. If Spec doesn't unblock me before game five, we could be done. But before we end this, it's, it's not over, guys. And if they win at home, game five, they gotta steal one on the pond, and then game seven is anyone's ballgame. Now, right now, the odds are. The odds are against us. Our backs are against the wall, and I wish we had two days off in between one of these games.

[Biz]

All right, well, now, now he wants the two days off. He's in the chat.

[Wit]

Yeah.

[Biz]

Asking why do these teams got two days off between game. He wants a fucking. He wants to call timeout.

[Whitney]

Tampa has it.

[Biz]

He wants to call timeout.

[Wit]

No, I want an extra day of

[Biz]

treatment for Mike Zack Morris over here. Timeout. Timeout. Timeout. Speaking of fourth lines, where is your guys?

[Wit]

Oh, non existent. No speed, no physicality.

[Biz]

They're getting eight year deals, though.

[Wit]

Oh, so you're calling out Frederick? Yeah.

[Biz]

I mean, no, I'm. Fuck. I'm just saying is, like, I don't know.

[Aves]

What do you mean?

[Wit]

No, I mean calling out Frederick. I get it. Yeah. Eight year deal. Really hasn't been the player that I saw in Boston a lot of years and has come over. I know he had a tough injury. He's kind of battled through that at this point. I think he's healthy, and it just seems like a little, kind of a step behind. The entire team's a kind of, kind of a step behind. I mean, Leo Carlson's flying down the fucking ice. He looks like he's six, seven. He's setting guys up left and right. He's back checking. He's. Yeah, they got Carlson. How old's he? He's amazing on the team. I, I, I can't keep sitting here and talking about it. They got the call. They got the call that went to the docs. It was probably right. The puck was probably in. I still will never get. And I'll never back down. I don't know how they called it a goal, but they called it a goal. And I guess it's correct that they did that because it was in, according to everyone. So congrats to the Ducks. Hey, hey, Ducks. You guys won the series, right? This thing's over. If you talk to Ducks fans, talk to Ducks fans, talk to Ducks fans, think it's over. It's McDavid, man. Duck fans, Ducks fans, don't. It's all. It's literally over. Like, they're like, oh, what do you mean, there's another game? No, we won. So whatever.

[Biz]

We. I think. I think we gave everybody the. The appropriate double wrister on the Anaheim side, because what they've done. Don't. I was just. I was just gonna. That toe save on McDavid. And I agree with you Wit. That extra pep of speed, gets that over the goal line like he beats his toe to the post. But Ra RA was the only guy who picked the Anaheim Ducks.

[Wit]

Let me tell you something. RA also picked the Kings. So RA is a big. RA is a big fan of, like, when he makes a call, right? Which great call. He. He has been on the Ducks for a while and. And congrats to RA and he's coming on. But RA Will pump out the call he made, right? And really stick down the Kings in seven pick and not mention, like, because with baited breath, you know, you think you'd be like, yeah, I got the Ducks. I also had the Kings, so, you know, I'm kind of 50%. But he's just like, no, no, Ducks. Ducks, Ducks, Ducks. Well, yeah. Kings beating the apps.

[Biz]

Yeah, Kings. And Savage should negate his. His. His Ducks pick for sure. Little California.

[Wit]

And then there's me. And then there's me. I mean, I had the Ducks in five. I mean, the Oilers in five. I had the. The Sens in seven. This has been, I think, two years ago. I went eight for eight in the first round. I am basically, it's like, it's opposite day in my life. Everything I say is incorrect.

[Biz]

Dare I say you've turned into me.

[Wit]

I'm. I'm approaching you as. As quick as a.

[Yance]

Wow.

[Biz]

Hey, you got more teams than me now. You got. You're going to public appearances in Buffalo. You're part of the Blade Gang.

[Wit]

I'm going. I mean, I'm going to Buffalo as a. As a sign of, like, hey, guys, I fucked up and I'm somebody that can own this. I'm somebody that can walk into the belly of the beast hand up. Hand up. I got this one wrong, ok? And I'm putting my seat and my row on Twitter to let people know. You want to come in, Let me have it. Rub my face in it. Tell me how stupid I am. This is where I'm sitting. If Blade Gang will have me, I'd love to. Apparently, it's going to be like a monsoon with hurricane winds in Buffalo. My rollerblading in wind and rain, that is a recipe for a disaster. But in terms of having a million teams like you, no, I Would not say that's true, but I do. I'm happy for Buffalo fans.

[Biz]

I think let's move on. I think that's a wrap on that series so far to the Anaheim Ducks

[Yance]

fans, but it's not a wrap. Can't count out McDavid

[Wit]

Ducks fans. Yeah. Okay, guys. Montreal and Tampa Bay. This has been an all time series so far.

[Biz]

Unbelievable.

[Wit]

You get three games in overtime. You get the game four on Sunday, which was basically an overtime game. Brandon Hagel is a maniac, a complete lunatic. But I want to go back to Game 3 because Martin St. Louis with a masterclass in coaching, everyone said dawks gone, Docs out of the lineup. Get him out. Horrible icing. Gets bit by Moser. You said no. Okay, whatever. Yeah, you're a genius. He keeps him in. And what happened biz? You texted the group. This is, this is scenes, this is feelings, the Bell center chanting his name. Take us through that whole entire night game through.

[Biz]

Well, I just. I had a feeling. I texted the group chat. I think, I think doc gets one, so. Credit to Martin St. Louis for giving him another opportunity. I didn't know what the odds were going into that one. It actually wasn't as good as I thought for Doc to get a goal. But buddy, that whole game was, was the fourth line. Like they played probably the least amount of any line. They ended up plus three and they had six points total. And then it's in that first period. Doc makes that beautiful play inside the blue. And it was, it was, it was Bullduke who ends up picking that pass out of midair. What a play. Did you see that?

[Wit]

Unbelievable.

[Biz]

Oh, dude, that line and him and Texier, they've been fucking unreal. And then, and then after he bats it down, a beautiful pass over to Texier and he makes no mistake, bar down. And then to see after that, the crowd chanting Doc's name because obviously everybody's well aware of what happened. Like he had that horrible icing, the turnover. A lot of Habs fans in his DMs. And this is how you get, get, get to these modern day athletes, man. You go after their social media. So he deactivate, deactivates it. His girlfriend deactivate her social media. He gets refocused, he gets put in. And then what do you know, he ends up getting that fucking second goal too. Just pucks on net. And even before that, he had that beautiful opportunity where he got set up in the slot. And then he shot it and I think he hit Basilevsky like right in like the throat area. And then boom. Gets the rebound and they keep going. And. And a Arbor Jack guy, man, he's been fucking unreal this series so far.

[Wit]

And he was, he was in and out of the line. He was, he was bad earlier in the year. So to see him turn it around is awesome.

[Biz]

Unbelievable. And he's the one who pinches down and keeps that play alive so Doc can get it on the half. He throws a kind of like a. A knuckler towards the net. And that's deflecting off one of the Tampa Bay Lightning defensemen. So that tied it up. And then of course you guys saw what. What ends up happening in overtime. And I mean, this series, like between the, the fights, the hits, the KOs and like, I mean the one other thing, and we're going to have to get into it for game four. And it's kind of like a. Not as bad obviously of controversy in the Anaheim Edmonton series is the high stick and the embellishment. The embellishment and the, and the stick play has been a lot. It's. It's been the, the highest topic of focus for me. That is like the, you know, every year you kind of have one thing that stands out that's like, oh, like this is happening over and over. Like one year, I remember it was like goals off of face offs. It felt like half the goals were being scored right off of draws within five seconds. Well, right now, especially in that Tampa Montreal series, if you go back to the game before you saw Anderson and Demidov with these like unnecessary, like high sticking. Their sticks are going everywhere, buddy.

[Wit]

And it goes back to the beginning with Genel. It's been all.

[Biz]

It's weird some, some of these series, this playoffs, it's been like these guys are losing their brains. And we talk about the league getting younger and younger and younger. I just feel like sometimes some of these young guys obviously gen old, there's a big surprise. There is a veteran like guy back on his back pressure. Like the fact that he swung a stick like that was banana lands. But I get it from some of maybe these younger guys who have inexperience. And you saw Martin St. Louis, they pen him on the bench. He's like, my fucking God, boys. The Montreal Canadiens shouldn't be taking more than three penalties a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. That's it. That should be your number. Okay? If you're taking more than that, you're being irresponsible and you're doing it wrong. And once again, on the back Check there. Listen, Montreal fans, sure you have a gripe. He did swing his head back a

[Wit]

little bit and wait. And he did it like, three seconds after he got it.

[Biz]

But here's the thing, though, is he got him, and you don't know if the ref saw it. So he did get hit in the face. You want to make sure that you're. You're, You're.

[Yance]

You're.

[Biz]

You're getting the call, man.

[Wit]

So you don't mind the embellishment, buddy.

[Biz]

Here's the thing. So I had. I had somebody reach out to me yesterday, basically being, like, a little bit frustrated about it, and I personally feel there might have been a little bit of Canadian bias towards it. So I said, oh, okay. So if you think that's embellishment, then you think the Crosby one's embellishment, right? And they're like, oh, I would never accuse Crosby of embellishment. It's like, well, then, fuck you. Like, I'm not. Then your opinion means nothing to me because you can't be honest about it. If you're telling me that that should have been embellishment, I'll agree with you. But you can't sit here and look in my eyes and say that you didn't think Crosby when he got nicked. And the face was also part of the.

[Wit]

I think. I think I did say that at the time. And my thing on this one was if. If your head snaps back the moment you get the high stick, I never blame them. I never get it. Because that is a natural reaction. If you get high, stuck, and then take two, three strides and then throw it back, I don't know how. You don't call embellishment. I don't get it.

[Biz]

And that's fair, but. And another thing, too, he got hit like that, and when he. When he snapped, his head kind of went like this, like, to, like. It wasn't like a. Like that. It was. If you watch the replay, if you go back and watch it, he gets stuck in the face, and he did get hit. And then after that, there's a slight second delay, and then he kind of turns his head this way to, like, grab it as if, though, like, he's cut or it's hurt. Okay, I get why he's doing it. You're trying to get the call, you're battling for position, and then a guy just stuck you in the face, and then you. And then the way that the. Is it James?

[Wit]

That kid is nasty.

[Biz]

Dominic.

[Wit]

James who? This kid is unbelievable.

[Biz]

Another Tampa Bay Lightning out of Nowhere guy.

[Wit]

Yeah, a college guy.

[Biz]

So he. The way that he's facing, he. The ref is in the corner, so he's trying to basically make sure that this ref is going to call it. And there's no hand up initially. So that's why I think he grabs his face after, to be like, dude, I'm right in front of you. I just got stuck in the face. Where's your hand? So I'm okay with that being four on four, but I'm not okay with. With. With Montreal Canadiens fans bitching about officiating. When you had a two nothing lead, you allow them to all of a sudden get all this momentum at the end of the second period by allowing Jake Gensel to get free alone in the slot for a backdoor tap in. Then you give up another grade A in the last minute even before the period ends. So you should be lucky that you're not even going in there. Tied 2. 2. And then what do you do when you come out for the third period? There's no reason to high stick James on the back check there. Your sticks out of position and you high stuck them. And then on top of that, what does Evans do? He gives fucking Kucherov the cross check in the.

[Wit]

That was just. And then.

[Biz]

And then Montreal Canadiens fans are bitching that they said Kucherov dove and what Martin St. Louis. I like his wording in the postgame press conference. He goes, they're very good at drawing penalties. Listen, if Kooch felt that and he fucking kind of went down, hey, man, all the credit to him to get the call, buddy.

[Wit]

I don't even think he dove on that.

[Yance]

That was just a dangerous play. That was dirty as shit. I didn't like that play at all.

[Wit]

Keith, as the Canadiens guy. This is coming from a person who had a full blown mental breakdown the other night last night, Canadiens fans, for you to sit there and they were going crazy that that wasn't called a dive and that it was a dive. It was like he was Evans. Evans had had one of the best shifts of the playoffs. That shift. He'd been making plays. He had the stick lift on the back check. He's going for a change. There is no reason whatsoever to give Kucherov that cross check. And when you're that going that fast and that close to the boards, that's a dangerous play. I thought he might get kicked out of the game and so did Coop. Coop was going bananas when they only called it two. So Canadiens fans, Keith, you. I don't get that.

[Yance]

Yeah, zero you cannot argue that for one second that not only is that a penalty, that's a dangerous play, there's no reason to do it. You're. You're in good enough position to just skate with them if you need to or get back. I did not like that play at all. But it's also too like, remember it was either last year or two years ago when the cross check from behind were the big top topic of conversation. And you'd see guys, you'd take one cross check and then the second one, you'd see guys dive to get that penalty. Because you, the coaches, you're having meetings with your players like, hey, if you get a stick up close to your face, snap your head back, put your hand on your face. Like, you know what you have to do to get a penalty in the power in the playoffs? Because it's. They're so important, and if you can score on them, they're obviously even more important. But the little things of even having those conversations in your locker room where it's like, hey, if the sticks are up by your face, you got to put your. You snap your head back to get that power play. Because, yeah, at the end of the day, that's one of the things that's being called the Titus right now is the high sticks.

[Biz]

People like, people like that are complaining about him snapping his head back. It's like, buddy, you do whatever the fuck it takes to win. Yeah, shut the fuck. Just cause. Oh, it should have been four on four. Buddy, you fucking. You threw that game up all over yourself. You were up two nothing at home. You took two stupid penalties in the third period and you gave up a last minute goal at home leading into the third.

[Yance]

I also put a little. I put a little blame on the, on the Canadiens fans too. You do not start booing KOG during the playoffs. When he's a little bit sleepy, you let him sleep. Do not wake him up.

[Wit]

Yeah, but that spent a. A time honored tradition of booing the best player on the other team when they get.

[Yance]

Yeah, not him.

[Biz]

Don't do it to him.

[Yance]

Let him sleep, man. Like, then, like, if they weren't booing him, does he shoot that one from the corner at the end? Like he might dust it off a little bit? I don't know. I think you leave him alone. Don't boo him. Let him sleep and try to win other ways.

[Biz]

12 minors for the Montreal Canadiens in their two home games, amateur hour. You should not be taking more than three penalties. Four max. If it goes to overtime. Sure I guess we'll save the best for last. Brandon Hagel, bro.

[Wit]

Boys, he's got six goals.

[Biz]

Boys, Boys. That is. That is a fucking dog right there. That is a. That every day of the week, twice on Sundays. That guy's on my team. Just an animal. An animal. And he fucking. He set the tone with that fight with Slough. How about Slough and both their losses? He fights Hagel.

[Wit]

Boom.

[Biz]

Gets the fucking right hook right to the. The. The. The dome drops. He's the one who turns it over in the. On the tying goal to Hagel. And then in this game, gets lit up at center ice. Who ended up getting him again?

[Wit]

Crozier.

[Biz]

Crozier.

[Wit]

Hey, the View. I saw that hit it. It is shoulder, like, directly to the face.

[Biz]

Yeah, but he's driving through his body. There's no way. With the. With the.

[Yance]

That's a hit, man.

[Wit]

It's a beautiful hockey hit, but I see a lot of people, like, wow, it's shoulder directly to the face. They might not know how the rule is, like, worded.

[Biz]

Yeah. They also smoke cigarettes for breakfast and eat Joe Louie's and a Diet Coke.

[Wit]

Good for.

[Biz]

And they speak. And they speak with a French accent. That's. Who thinks that was a dirty hit. Yeah, that's.

[Wit]

Hey, Caulfield getting on the board, though. He's got his first huge. Okay, so now leading in. Oh, my God. For Canadiens fans, though, I just. They had it. If they make that thing three one, they're in the driver's seat. And now you got two of the next three in Tampa, you got. You got Cooch coming alive. Who knows how slapp feels today. Slap is taken. He got knocked out by Hagel and completely Scott Stevens, Paul Korea, by Croer, and credit to him for coming back into the game. He came back into the game, and on the ESPN broadcast, he's got him on the bench and he's go. He gives a nose a little adjustment. He looks over at Caulfield, he goes, is my nose straight? And Caulfield's like, yeah, he was.

[Yance]

He was on Tampa's bench.

[Wit]

Hey, we didn't.

[Yance]

Did we talk about the Cole Hudson goal or. We kind of breezed over that.

[Wit]

We breezed by it.

[Yance]

This kid has been so impressive to me, and I know in the beginning, before playoffs started, it's the question mark as a smaller defenseman for him. Like, can he get to that next level of that, you know, Tier one NHL defenseman. This kid is so impressive, man. Like, what he does on the ice every shift is in have you ever seen. They interviewed him after the, after the game, after he scored the overtime win. He didn't have a drop of sweat in his hair and he's moving a

[Wit]

thousand electric interview though an all time. I couldn't believe that interview.

[Biz]

It felt like he scored a goal goal in beer league or something.

[Wit]

Who, who was, who was doing that interview? I sent it over.

[Gee]

Kyle Bukakis. He just 30?

[Wit]

Yeah. Yeah, I, I felt for him, man. He was, I think he asked him like 10 questions where I think usually that's a two or three question interview. But he was giving him absolutely nothing.

[Biz]

Nothing.

[Wit]

And you know what with Lane Hudson,

[Yance]

he's a hockey player.

[Wit]

It's hockey. It's a hockey guy in his mind. He's like ask, hearing the questions, he's like, I, I want to go back out and like work on like a bad play I made in my own zone. I want to try dealing the net a little tighter. And then he's like, what'd you say? Oh yeah, it was awesome. I mean they asked him, you don't take many slap. You said it was the first slap shot of the year. You take it. He's like, well I, I took the last one was a one timer. Like he's just hockey brain, hockey mind and that goal.

[Biz]

He's like hockey autistic almost.

[Wit]

Yeah, I'd give you that one. Yeah. Hockey spectrum. That's a great call. That's a compliment too.

[Biz]

That's a tire pump.

[Wit]

That's a tire. But you're on the hockey spectrum now. The video, the, the still image of the game three winner in overtime. I will never understand how that puck went in. Have you seen behind him Biz, there's seven bodies. I don't even know. It was like the seas parted. Maybe his hockey spectrum autism is, is, is like it's like Jesus. No, like the seize part. He was able to do that.

[Biz]

Who's the guy? Who's the guy from X Men? The guy in the wheelchair. Like with his mind he could just like part, part things. Like he could make things move.

[Wit]

Yeah.

[Aves]

Big bald guy.

[Wit]

I know who you're talking.

[Biz]

He was also in Star Trek.

[Wit]

Yeah. He's the leader of them, I believe.

[Yance]

Big C's.

[Biz]

Oh, it's. He's. That's right. That's right,

[Wit]

boys.

[Biz]

Yeah. Yeah. What a, what a series.

[Wit]

I and Vazzy's found it biz.

[Biz]

Vazzy's found it boys. And I, I, I in my gut, I, I, I picked Montreal in seven. I knew this was going to be an Unbelievable series. But I think that we're going to be looking back when Montreal loses the series, and we're going to remember game four and how they had it. Hey, this. This is. This is like. This is like the Leafs. The leafs were up 31 again. It's Florida in game four last year. This is the exact same situation. And then, boom, they made it 3 2. And then the 3, 3 goal. We all know about my Marner rant. This is exactly this exact same situation. Just a high scoring game. I. I feel like it slipped from their fingers, what I do.

[Yance]

No, it ain't fucking over, Biz. It ain't over.

[Biz]

You go telling me ball.

[Yance]

Yeah, well, fuck your gut.

[Wit]

The.

[Yance]

Like, what do you think the conversation in the coach's room is about what can to contain this hagle mutant?

[Wit]

All right.

[Aves]

Yeah.

[Wit]

The motor on them, there's not much you can do. And now Hudson has a very similar type motor, but on the back end, it's just different because you're never in on the forecheck and running guys and in front of the net and having pucks hit you in the stomach and go in and fighting people, like, it's

[Biz]

a different thing, too. That's another thing, too, is. Is people are like, oh, like. Like, oh, it's all cooch. It's all cooch. All haggle. He's just standing there. Goes off the shin pad. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Imagine being that size and having the fucking balls to go to the blue paint the way that he does. And if it was so fucking easy, why didn't everybody else doing it?

[Wit]

I see a little where. When people say, Hyman's only Good because of McDavid, I think it's kind of similar. Like, nobody. Not everyone can do it. You got.

[Biz]

I. Yeah. And I. And I think that right now, the way that. That Hegel is impacting the game and the areas that he has, he's. I think he's above that.

[Wit]

He's Con Smythe.

[Biz]

He's Con Smythe.

[Whitney]

Yeah.

[Wit]

He's legitimate Smythe.

[Biz]

He's the front runner right now, I think. I think. I think it's incredible, the impact he's made. Like, I. If I. If I'm in, if I'm the Chicago Blackhawks, I'm sick to my stomach.

[Wit]

How about the Canadians and the Sabers? Now, the Sabers are loving life, and the Canadians, they got tons of young talent, but Chicago, yeah, that is. As I'm sitting in Chicago right now, it's like, hey, you guys see Brandon Haggle play? You've seen the six goals he has in four games. Oh yeah.

[Biz]

You guys.

[EJ]

What was that trade exactly?

[Yance]

Can we get that trade?

[Wit]

I think two firsts they ended up with.

[Yance]

It was too first. Okay.

[Wit]

Bu. And the other first rounder was pretty. Is pretty good too. I can't think of it off the top of my head. G. Check that.

[Yance]

I thought it was less.

[Biz]

They'll be trying to package those for.

[Aves]

For.

[Biz]

For Brady could Chuck in about two months.

[Yance]

Two minutes.

[Wit]

Well, we'll get to that. We'll get to that series. Before we have on our first guest, we gotta bring up the Boston Bruins and what was probably the most embarrassing home playoff game I can ever remember seeing from the Boston Bruins. And. And gee, just in classic kind of, you know, kind of like I've been just so cold. I mean you said this place is buzzing as I think you walked into the arena. I mean that place was completely asleep. They were horrible.

[Gee]

Outside was buzzing outside inside the arena. I'll be the first one to say it it. I've gone to a lot of playoff games in Boston, guys. A ton. That was the most quiet I've ever heard that arena and by far the most visiting fans I've ever seen. I mean there was let's go Buffalo chant at some point in Boston for a playoff game that should never ever happen. So it was. It was tough. And then in game. In game three, I feel like it started when Bruins score. Arvinson gets the penalty shot.

[Biz]

Dozens could have gone up two nothing.

[Gee]

Yeah. Later, Byram scores. Entire life is sucked out of the arena. And then it's just for two days. Two games in a row.

[Wit]

It's just trash after that. To. To have the road team score nine straight goals in the other team that. That is.

[Biz]

You might as well take a. On their logo.

[Wit]

It was an indictment of a team and a franchise. They were one of the best straight in the garden.

[Gee]

They were one of the best home teams I know this year too. That's why it's so crazy. But I. I guess at home their past 10 games in the playoffs, they have not been good. I believe they're 3 and 10 in their last 13 home playoff games dating back to 2023. That's awful. That's. I can't happen.

[Biz]

We. We got to go back to one of the EBR rules and something that we were talking about in the group chat was the fact that I. I kept hearing about how good of a matinee team this was. And then I think it was backed up with chat GPT Digging up what their actual record is. But mind you, this season, because I, I once I fired that tweet out, I had a bunch of Bruins fans saying like what? Bruins fans told you that? So they're 500 this whole season. Now playoffs, when it comes to the matinee games, they're 5, 5 and 1.

[Yance]

So there's a Bruins fan out there that tells you they do not like an early start game. They are lying out of their teeth because that is Boston Bruins fan. Super bowl to get a Buzz on by 9:30am Go to the game, get waffle, cheer for your team, have a good time. Obviously not in those games. But when, when they have that early game, that's their absolute Super Bowl. I get group chat texts from people back home who's going to the matinee game, who's going to the matinee game. Matinee game today that is their Super Bowl. So biz, if anyone's saying that to you, they are completely lying out of their teeth.

[Biz]

I, you idiot Bruins fans in my, in my mentions right now because I said, oh, I thought this. But mind you, I just gave you the record this season though, they're, they're 5, 5 and 1. So this year, whatever you guys told me, as far as your EBR rule number two always bit bet Bruins in the matinee game.

[Wit]

So they had, in the regular season they had 13 losses at home, I believe, and four of them were in day game. So I guess this year they could complain. But for a long time the Bruins afternoon at home have been like a money bet. A money bet.

[Biz]

Now that's like going, that's like going red on roulette. Like it goes 15 times in a row and all of a sudden it's eventually going to turn the other way. And I think we're on the other side of it.

[Wit]

Green and boys, the Penguins and who stayed alive. We'll get to that. And the Bruins who are barely alive all year, I didn't get how they were so good. I never understood it. I believe I said that they both could be lottery teams in the preseason preview. And now you're kind of seeing now granted Pittsburgh's alive and they're going home. So let's not like Pittsburgh is in a better spot than Boston. Do we agree on that? And that's what's not in a great spot. But both teams, to me, I didn't get it. I didn't get the regular season success. And now you're kind of seeing like, oh, maybe, maybe it was a Little bit smoke and mirrors. Maybe they weren't as good as the regular season. Said the Bruins, they are outmatched. They are outmatched. Skill wise. I think Pasta was getting booed by the fans. I don't want to blame Pasta and all.

[Yance]

Swayman flipping out on the bench now.

[Wit]

What did you guys think of that? What did you think of that?

[Yance]

Hate it. Absolutely hate it.

[Wit]

Just because.

[Yance]

Listen, here's the deal. Goalies, they're like, I don't know, they're untouchable, right? You can't call them out in the media, you can't yell at them in the locker room. You can't do anything. Like they have this protection about them and then they can go out and do something like that. I always think it's such a double standard when it comes to goaltending and whether they're playing good or bad. And if they're yelling at the team, oh, they care. Nobody else cares. I don't, I don't like it. It's got to be something. And if you are going to call the team out, you do it in the locker room in front of your guys. Not where 20,000 people can see it and every a million is watching at home. So what if, what if the guy

[Gee]

holds more of a leadership role in the locker room? Normally, like, normally a goalie isn't necessarily a vocal guy in the locker room, but I feel like Jeremy Swayman, it's a bit different in Boston. Like he, he is a locker room.

[Yance]

It's locker room.

[Wit]

Gee, tell me or any of you guys, tell me the last time you remember like a Stanley cup winning team. And I can't think of one now of a player on that team screaming at his team in public, on the ice, not in the locker room. The McDavid won after the first two games in, in Florida a few years ago was in the locker room. It just happened to be Amazon, right? I don't remember a Stanley cup winning team where a player is screaming at his team in Florida front of the entire world to see.

[Yance]

No, the coaches do it. Maurice, Maurice did it to the Panthers one year. But that's the coach. That's the coach's job to do that.

[Gee]

Would you guys have liked to seen more of like a Mavoy approach? Like after the game? McAvoy was asked about it and was just embarrassing.

[Yance]

100%.

[Biz]

We're a team here. Keep everyone from, you know, myself to everybody down the list. We got to be better. We should be embarrassed. Now the other side of that is if you look at, look at Swayman's playoff numbers. I believe in the last 16 games that he's played, he has a.925 save percentage with the Bruins. His record in those playoff games, seven and nine.

[Wit]

So he's got a reason to be pissed.

[Biz]

He does. He does have validation in what he's brought to the group. He's been the best Bruin in.

[Yance]

Okay. McDavid hasn't had a goalie in 12 years. He doesn't after every game or when they lose and he wins games for his team.

[Biz]

Yeah, agree, agreed. I was just, I was just bringing some numbers as to maybe why he's frustrated.

[Gee]

He's been the best player.

[Yance]

He has every reason to be frustrated. But do it in the locker room. That's all I'm saying now.

[Wit]

And Sturm was asked about it, and Sturm said, well, I'm glad somebody showed a little bit of fire day. So he doubled down with Swayman because I, I would guess that we're in the minority, having played, saying, that's bullshit. Yelling at his team in front of the cameras, getting off the ice where I think most fans probably loved it. And then the fans see Sturm back up the comment. And the fans, I would say, do you guys agree that most Bruins fans love that Swayman did that?

[Biz]

Oh, buddy, they're jerking off to that. They're watching that on loop.

[Wit]

That is a difference, I think, between having played and not. And that's no offense, no shot. It's just kind of how I feel.

[Gee]

I do think Stern is getting a bit out coached here, though. Me and RA Were on the phone last night talking about this. Like, I think you're seeing right now. Lindy Roth, 24 years of coaching experience. Marco Sturm won. I just, I don't think it's, it's even close.

[Yance]

You see it, you see it in Philly, too. And in, and in Anaheim, Edmonton. Like, that's why they don't give out the Jack Adams Award during the playoffs. Because you're telling me Rick Talkett wouldn't get it over Dan Muse after what

[Wit]

he's doing right now? They voted, didn't they?

[Yance]

That's what I'm saying. That's why they do it before.

[Wit]

Oh, oh, you were saying, like, the playoffs don't count. Yeah, yeah. All right. I, I, we need, we need some opinions.

[Biz]

Well, we gotta, we gotta, we gotta pump some tires here on Buffalo side, boys. All we just did was fucking rag on the Bruins. We haven't even talked about Alex Tuck. Like, I mean, what the Fuck. Dude, this guy's had an impact on every single game. He gets the primary tying assist on the Tage Thompson goal. Game one to revive them in on the forecheck. Good body, puck springs loose, he ends up getting the empty netter, which is the eventual game winner. Cause Boston got a third goal. I mean, let's. Let's go down the list.

[Wit]

If you're going to say an Alex though, it might be Lion King. Oh my God.

[Biz]

We're not even. We're not even done with Tuck. Yeah, he got the fucking game winner in game three. Boys in on the four check. Reverse hit on low ride. He. He punted him out of the lineup on that reverse hit. And then he kept going in that shift. And then he scores the winner. And then what did he do? What did he do last game? Fucking great read off the Boston could even make a ten foot breakout.

[Wit]

Yeah, on a set, breakout.

[Biz]

Yeah, on a set, breakout. Tuck just wheels in. He probably called for the reverse, gets it. No, look, backdoor dish to Quinn or I think it was Krebs and then top titty, the game's on. Let's go talk six points right now in the first four games.

[Yance]

The way that Buffalo four checks like their sticks, it's. It's Josh Doane, it's Benson, it's Tuck, it's Thompson. Like they forecheck so well with their sticks. It's incredible. They are forcing Boston to make these bonehead plays that they don't usually make. Like the one on, I think it was Josh Jones goal. It's like two good, good sticks. You get a turnover, you get a goal. Like, they are so good with their sticks. And that's coaching. That's Lindy Ruff saying, hey, get your stick in first. Like a lot of guys, especially in playoffs, you like to go in, you like to hit the glass, make a big boom noise. But no, use your stick, get your puck on stick on puck. And you're getting turnovers. And they're capitalizing on their turnovers. It's. It, it's. It truly is like really, really good. Fundamental for checking the way that they're scoring.

[Wit]

I had a, I had a call before about Darlene either taking a suspension or somebody taking suspension on him. We got a little close, Mr. Doro.

[Biz]

Yeah, we did. Yeah, we did.

[Wit]

Everyone gets sick of Darlene but Biz. We got to bring in our first guest.

[Biz]

Yeah.

[Wit]

Because he's gonna have some thoughts. This guy.

[Biz]

He's pretty much a carny himself.

[Wit]

100%. And before we get to him, though. We got to talk about body armor. This episode is brought to you by Body Armor Flash iv. The NHL playoffs are here. God, are they ever here. And there's no better rapid rehydration than body armor Flash IV, an official partner of the NHL. Flash IVs packed with electrolytes, delivering faster, longer lasting hydration without any artificial dyes, flavors or sweeteners. None of the junk. Whether you're training, traveling, or just feeling the heat in the playoffs, work hard and hydrate hard with body armor flash IV. Grab it at a 7 11. One more quick with Aura Frames. This was a hell of a big time gift in the Whitney household for Christmas. It's the perfect Mother's Day gift, which is coming up to capture the chaos that you put your mom through and the memories that have come with it. Add as many photos and videos as you want. Keep adding from anywhere, anytime. Add a message before it arrives. Every frame comes packaged in a premium gift box. No price tag. Download the aura free or app or text photos straight to your frame. It reached the number one in the App Store on Christmas Day 2025. Make Mother's Day special with Aura Frames number one by Wirecutter. Boys, that's a big one. Number one by Wirecutter. Save on the gifts Mom Love by visiting or frames.com for a limited time. Listeners get $25 off their best selling Carver mat frame with code chiclets aura frames.com promo code chiclets. And support the show by mentioning us at checkout. Terms and conditions apply. Aaves, bring him in. John Avery, show me the pointer. Show it to me.

[Yance]

No, that's his pen.

[Wit]

Pinky's up. Point her up.

[Biz]

Very similar. Very similar. I cannot wait to hear what you have to say.

[Wit]

I almost want to see. Where do you want to start? Yeah, but start with Buffalo.

[Yance]

Benson's godfather, Sean Avery.

[Aves]

So, Buffalo, first of all, shout out to the fans. Beautiful. Because I went to the LA Kings game yesterday and let's just talk about an atmosphere, okay? I get to the Kings game. It's like a regular season game. There's no vibe outside the arena. There's no activities. There's nothing. All right, These Buffalo guys, the Rollerblade crew, they went into Boston enemy territory. I mean, it's just two totally different worlds. So I haven't been watching. I've watched the series. I haven't been dissecting the games as much because I'm just so focused on obviously, one series. But the LA Kings last night, really shame on them for the performance. That they put in Kopitar's last NHL game. I don't know if Kempe's hurt, but that team is. And you know what? All these coaches, they pull the goalie early now. I don't know if it was 3:1 or 3:2 with five minutes left. And LA went on the power play, and DJ Smith didn't pull his goalie. You're facing elimination. You're done, your season's over. You got to pull the goalie and go six on four with five minutes left in the game. I don't understand it. I do not understand it. So, yeah, the old. I mean, obviously, no one's talking about LA because, well, that series is over. And I think Colorado just. They did enough. You know what I mean? When they got pushed on, they raised their level of game. They didn't expect, put too much energy. It wasn't too much of a battle. They're in a good spot. They're in a real good spot.

[Whitney]

Very.

[Wit]

Yeah. Very similar to Carolina, too, where they kind of just breeze through. Yeah, some games were a little stressful. Now, both of those teams could get eight days off. All right. But I guess the series that you're talking about, that you're really dissecting is Tampa, Montreal. Right. And you are all in on this, this series. What do you think happens in these final three games? What are you looking at as a. As a. If you're a Canadiens fan, did you completely blow it? And by blowing game four, did you blow the series?

[Yance]

Oh, man.

[Aves]

What a series. Yeah, what a series. I mean, all the series are great, but these guys, after every whistle, they want to kill each other. St. Louis, I'm a huge fan of. I'm a huge fan of the Montreal Canadiens as a team. I think it's interesting that they've gotten good again with minimal French players on their squad. I don't know if that is a hot take or a coincidence, but they got some dogs on that team. They got. And St. Louis is the best coach in the league. Barnard. There's no question about it. That series is incredible. PK Suban's on the train. You know, Hagel. What the fuck?

[Yance]

It's a joke.

[Biz]

It's an anomaly.

[Aves]

Kucherov needs to pick his game up right away. You know, Cooch is. He's been good in spots, but we need Cooch, who's a little bit more angry, who's slashing guys, getting involved a little bit more. I think Braden Point's game is starting to pick up. I think his game is Getting better and better as we go along in the series. But coupe, obviously, there's a structure there and those guys are dogs. And they ordered the rings way too early in Montreal. That is the problem with all these Canadian franchises. Their fan base is starved for anything. And they win one game. You guys all know these series are seven game series and they have to win four. And if you don't win four, you're probably going seven. It's just the way this thing works. So that series is incredible. It's incredible. I love watching the Tampa Bay Lightning play it and I love Montreal. Slafkovsky. I got to give this kid credit. I mean, he's been killed twice in this series.

[Yance]

Died.

[Aves]

And he's still. He's still going. He's still going. So it's going seven. There's no question about it.

[Wit]

Who do you got?

[Whitney]

Seven?

[Aves]

Listen, how do you. Obviously the goaltending. I think if it goes seven, you have to take Tampa in that. If you're splitting the deck on that one. And then I think, I don't know where Headman is. I don't know what's going on. It's none of my business.

[Yance]

He's the one. I heard.

[Aves]

Okay, okay. I mean, how. Victor Headman, wherever he is, has to be chomping at the bit to say I'm coming back for six or I'm coming back for seven. And if he comes back, that's a major difference maker. Those are major minutes by a hall of fame player. So I, I take. I take Tampon seven. I have to.

[Biz]

That's tough.

[Yance]

We asked. I asked, you know, the guys earlier. What, what do you say? If you're Marty St. Louis, it's a. Slow down, Hagle. What do they have to do as a guy, that was a disturb. But you got guys off their. Off their game. What are you telling your guys to do to get this guy who is absolutely putting his team on his back out of the game?

[Aves]

Well, I think you got to pick one player and just. And just do a matchup. I think you have to. You know, I got this whole theory about we need to bring back the game of the shadow player, you know, the head to head. Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. If a guy's causing too much problem, too much separation, you know the little kid in Buffalo, either Benson or Krebs. Krebs. I don't know anybody's name. I say all their names wrong.

[Biz]

I think it's Krebs.

[Wit]

Welcome to the club.

[Biz]

It's hard, man. There's so many of them and There's a lot of these Euro names where it's like who's, who's number 49 for Dallas? It's like Ritzkovian.

[Wit]

That was a tough one.

[Yance]

Sounds like a drug law, like a weight loss drug.

[Biz]

Yeah.

[Aves]

Yes, doesn't it does. By the way, you gotta get on that.

[Wit]

Ritzkovian.

[Biz]

Yeah.

[Aves]

What were we talking about?

[Biz]

We were talking about Benson and these little rats.

[Aves]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. And also I think that, that somebody needs to really quickly look at the penalty killing in the league because Tampa's doing it now. Now their power plays starting to click a little. The double loop back, the double late guy. I think you need to send PK1 with the late guy because you're flat footed at the line. And the entries, I don't know what the percentage is. There's probably a stat. But offensive zone entries on the power play, it seems like it's gotta be 80%.

[Biz]

Yeah, but Abe's. You're so you're, you're saying that you want to loop a killer with the last guy coming up? Yeah, but then, but then the. There like, then there'll only be three other guys left on the ice and that'll be an even, easy, even easier zone entry. Like that's the reason they do it, right? If, if you swing a guy like so basically now it's a four on three zone entry because you have one guy swinging all the way down with that late guy.

[Aves]

Yeah, but I don't have Connor McDavid coming 100 miles an hour, Braden Point or Cooch or whoever it is.

[Biz]

I know, but the whole, the whole purpose is to just gain zone entry and that I think that you're, you're, you have a better chance having four guys. Basically. Basically.

[Wit]

It is crazy that in the past few years now it is like they do get in, set up every single time. If you have one super skilled player, you're in the zone now. And that was not the case when I came into the league. Remember, there'd be times, power plays, couldn't even get in the zone.

[Yance]

The right play was to rim it. Remember you used to go over the red line and rim it, like get fucked. That is insane. But when, when. Because I thought Barkov's one of the best at getting it in zone and I would be the one dropping it to him. And there used to be a guy that would cut off behind me as soon as I got to the blue line. Tampa, I believe, did it the most where they would have a guy waiting for that. That Back pass. But the guys now are so good at either going left or right. You can make a play and get it to them.

[Aves]

Yeah, I. I don't know. I. I think. Okay, so segue out of that. You gotta shadow players. You have to shadow players. There's matchups that can be had that can, you know, if you want to shut a guy down, put another guy on him.

[Wit]

It is a good point, man. We. I talked about this earlier this year with little kid hockey, and I was considering doing it, but they're eight and I didn't. And the kid had eight goals. But what if you took. What if you took Jake Evans and literally he was standing next to Kuchov? Because it's more Kuchov to Hagel than Hagel to me. But you stand him and you're like, kuchov isn't even going to touch the puck. He's not. It's going to be four on four.

[Biz]

I'm. Yeah, I. I'm interested because like you just said, like now all of a sudden, like Hegel, if you're off to the side, it's kind of like when, When Colorado, if they're in the ozone, they put that third guy high across the blue, right? Well, all of a sudden they have so many dynamic offensive players where all of a sudden, if you have a two on two down low with natures and McKinnon because you brought a guy high, or if you're shadowing Hegel and he's like, okay, I'm going to stand off the side and let these other two guys go to work, it makes it a little bit harder structurally, defensively to shut them down. Especially when you have dynamic offensive players like Kucherov. So you have to be careful what you wish for. And aves, who would be your guy? Let's say it's not Evans. Is there another guy that you would maybe sick on on Hegel or maybe give one particular line that responsibility to shut him down? Because I feel like Suzuki's been a little bit quiet this year. Like, that's the one. 100 points. Like all, all fucking Montreal Canadiens fans want to do is stroke this guy off and tell us how good he is all the time. Like, he's the most underrated, underappreciated guy in the league. Well, now's your time to make your presence felt.

[Aves]

Well, yeah, or you could say the same for. Let's put Nick Paul onto Caulfield or

[Wit]

Slukovsky, and I'm just getting dummied and

[Aves]

he's been good, but he's been good, but I need Vic Paul to be better. Okay, so who am I picking on Montreal? I mean, honestly, I. I don't know. They kind of have this team that's sort of layered. In the same way, you need your best skater and you need a guy that can handle minutes defensively. But. But Cooch is the guy. Yes, you do it on Cooch because Cooch will lose his mind. He'll either lose his mind or it'll get him so fired up that he'll out think you and he'll use it to his advantage. So I agree. It's a dangerous game to play. You have to pick the right matchups. But. But Buffalo comes to mind more because they got a couple of those smaller crafty guys that can really. That, that can really play. Oh, I want to come back to one thing also. I believe there were numerous times where Henrik Lundquist in the playoffs did a drive by of our bench.

[Wit]

Okay.

[Aves]

And his brain exploded. And he just. Half Swedish, half English, you fuckers. You know, tighten it up. And Hank never said anything ever, ever. But I know two occasions where he did do a drive by. And when he drove by the bench, you're like, oh, shit. Oh, shit.

[Wit]

So.

[Aves]

And you can ask him biz. But I, I'm. I'm almost.

[Biz]

By the time he had, by the time he had done that, keep in mind, Torts was probably the coach, so he can make you go crazy in his own right. What would you compare his resume at the time of doing that compared to where Swayman and his resume now?

[Aves]

I wouldn't do it. I wouldn't. I wouldn't have a comparison like that. They're the starting goalie, that. That's your guy.

[Wit]

And I also mentioned though, a Stanley cup winning team, that we've seen it done and that's no shot. I didn't fucking win a Stanley Cup. But the Rangers didn't either. Now was that on. Was that on Lundquist? No, that was not at all on Lundquist. He.

[Yance]

One year when we were playing Pittsburgh, he flipped the net off of the Moorings the one year and. But didn't call anybody out. But you know, he was pissed. Like Abe's is saying, it's like, okay, the big fella's pissed off. We gotta fucking shape up. So there's other ways to go about it. Is. Is that what you're trying to say?

[Aves]

Well, no, I'm saying that, you know, I.

[Biz]

You're okay with it?

[Aves]

I'm okay with it.

[Yance]

Of course, of course.

[Wit]

And you're and would it have to be. You're saying you're okay with the goalie or the star, the best player on the team, do you understand? Or are you okay with anyone team in front of the cameras and in front of the crowd on the ice giving it to their bench?

[Yance]

But when my own did it, everybody got pissed, remember?

[Wit]

Yeah, because he was. He was saying. He wasn't doing any of the stuff

[Biz]

he was saying, buddy.

[Yance]

Right?

[Biz]

Come on.

[Gee]

Come on.

[Biz]

We're talking about a guy. We're talking about a guy who.

[Yance]

Who.

[Biz]

I don't think he had a. I don't think he had one goal in Games 5, 6, and 7 throughout the last 21 games of his Leafs career in playoffs. Come on, we're talking about apples and apples and oranges here.

[Aves]

No, I think your goalie gets a pass.

[Yance]

Okay.

[Aves]

I think. I think the goalie gets the pass. I do. I mean, the Buck stock stops with him. You know, sometimes they're just too dialed in. It's not in their nature. Like Vasco Vasilevsky. I've. I don't think I've ever seen him do that, but. Holy fucking Tampa. Tampa, Montreal. What a series.

[Wit]

My God, it's incredible. And we got to move on to another one that's over. It's almost. It's tough to. To have a lot to say on this series. It's more of what will happen in Ottawa after. But I'll start with this. Carolina is legit. They're for real. They're. They're. They just. They just are in your face. You can't get anything accomplished. And the fact is that I picked Ottawa in seven, and I. I made a. I made a point to say that's if all. Mark plays great guys. Oh, mark. Oh, Mark. 931. First game save percentage. 939. Gave two. 926. Game three. 929. Game four. Oh, my. If you told me that through four games those were going to be Omar's numbers and that Ottawa wouldn't win one game, the offense disappeared. And when I tell you, Aaves, I've never seen a five on three that is that bad. They had four of them and I don't know if they got a shot through games three and four. And I'm talking not like 20 seconds on the five on three, like a minute 17 where they couldn't even make a pass. And I don't know what happened. I. Where was Stutzel? Where was Brady? All these guys, they just offensively, they dried up. I Think if you told the entire league that Omark would have those numbers, they'd say, oh, fuck, that's two. Two through game four and it was a sweep. And give credit car. Give credit to Carolina, man. They Nikishin gets knocked out. Game four was a Braveheart battle scene. Okay. And Ottawa was actually aves. I'll go to you because Biz made a hell of a rant on tnt. You played on the edge. What did you think of that Ridley Greg hit and that sucker punch?

[Aves]

Well, I was the first to go live with it because I don't have barriers.

[Yance]

Right.

[Aves]

I have the pointer stick, my Instagram,

[Wit]

so I'm in it.

[Aves]

All right. I, that was incredible. I mean, I thought it was a body shot. Closer examination and maybe it was a chin shot. That was, that was. I'm all for it. I mean, I don't.

[Wit]

Okay, okay.

[Aves]

I'm not. Yeah, absolutely, absolutely. I mean, that, that was a wild. What a fucking punch.

[Wit]

Look at that view. Look at that still image. Just a wind up as a guy's wrapped up with somebody and a straight sucker punch. It goes back to when Bobby Clark baseball batted the Russian in the ankle, knocked him out of the 72 Summit Series, and they won the next three games. That is hockey now, Biz. You disagreed. You were disgusted with it.

[Biz]

Yeah, I think that's fucking bullshit. What do you mean? I'm, I mean, I, I kind of even get a little bit annoyed by all the scrums too. I wasn't a big scrum guy. I was like, let's fucking do this. Let's just fight. What do you mean? Abe's. What do you mean?

[Aves]

Well, the scrums are the best part. I mean, Montreal.

[Biz]

No, the fight. No, no, no, no. The fighting's the best part.

[Aves]

No, no, I disagree.

[Biz]

I, I, I disagree with you, Hegel punching out Slavkoski as opposed to just seeing stinky mitts for five minutes till everybody collects their gloves and sticks and we can drop the puck again if you want to go, go, go.

[Aves]

You sound like torts. You sound like.

[Biz]

What do you mean I sound like torts?

[Aves]

You understand?

[Biz]

It's not like I'm being.

[Aves]

You understand the mental game. Do you understand the mental game? The trenches?

[Biz]

Yeah, I do. I'm not being a hypocrite. I'm not being a hypocrite. I would have rather just fought, then scrummed it up, going like this the whole time. No, you're. And, and when. Listen, and whatever. I'm not saying I'm not okay with the scrums go scrum it up. But if you want to give a guy a couple little rabbit punches in the back of the head while everybody's linked up, that, yeah, that's fine. But when Fogle's got Walker in a headlock and you go like this, like that, that's. That's a suspension to me. That's fucking bullshit. As entertaining and as much as, like, yeah, I'm on. On TNT saying, that should be a 5 gamer. I'm also saying, oh, my God, this is fucking amazing. And this is entertaining because I have no skin in the game, but this is bullshit. And if it happened to me, I would. I would probably. If I played against them again, if we were in the minors and maybe there weren't as many cameras around, I would probably have my butt end out and look to catch him on the jaw, and hopefully the refs don't see me. Me, like, I'm looking for massive retribution if that happens to me. Yeah. To the point where I said, I might even be at the other locker room after the game waiting for the guy and saying, let's go fucking figure this out in the parking lot, you fucking scumbag. I never did what he did in my entire playing career, I never did that. The worst thing I ever did was I bit a guy's finger, but he tried to fish hook me. Don't put. Somebody puts a finger in your mouth. A's. I mean, listen, you might like that kind of thing. I don't mind it once in a while, either, but not on the ice. Not on the ice.

[Aves]

No, I. I agree with you. I agree with you. Here's what I'll say, is that I have personally and Brady Tkachuk. I'll tell you a quick story. I think we were playing Buffalo in the second round, game one. I don't have any points. I'm playing on a line with Shanny and. Might have been me, Shani and Yoggs. I can't remember exactly, but it was Shani for sure. And he took me out for lunch after game one because I was ashamed of myself that I went pointless in game one and I wasn't effective. I was ashamed of myself, okay? My fucking world was over. And he talked me off the ledge and said, series are seven games, and the momentum can change immediately. You come back, you have a big game, too. What the fuck? How does Brady Tkachuk sleep at night, putting a series up on the board like that? Like, don't you say after game one or. Definitely game two. Okay, I Am going to completely dominate game three. Whatever I have to do. And this is where it comes back to the scrums. The scrums. To me, when I played the way I played, that was. That was beauty. Because every single time we had a scrum, I could get Kovalchuk even more mad. I could whisper something to him in his ear. I could fucking. I could light the lamp inside of his head continually. It's like. It's like when boxers come together and they're dirty boxing. That's what I like to see. This is the type of game that I like to see. Because who's going to keep their shit together but also be able to push the envelope as far as it can possibly go after every fucking whistle. And so, yeah, I mean, the Greg kid and by the way, biz,

[Wit]

it

[Aves]

was the most electric moment of television that you and Anson Carter have ever had. Arguing on TNT about that punch.

[Biz]

Oh, I buddy, entertainment value. Give me that. Every fucking playoff game. But the act itself, you have to call it out. Abe's like, if somebody did that to you, Abes, what would you want?

[Aves]

Oh, fuck off. This is the playoffs. I mean, where's your moral compass? This is. This is ridiculous.

[Biz]

I just told you, Abes. I know, but I never did that.

[Wit]

So if you would have been in

[Yance]

the box with that guy, losing your mind, yelling across at that guy, did

[Biz]

that aves you be. You'd be digging up so much information on that guy's personal life and his wife that like you. You hired a private investigator. Like variables, old lady.

[Aves]

Yeah, well, I wouldn't. Is that who hired the investigator?

[Biz]

I don't know. I'm just speculating that speculation.

[Wit]

I do think that if. If Walker had been knocked out and then landed on his face, it's probably a 25 game suspension. He might still get five.

[Aves]

Yeah, like no waves.

[Biz]

Let me hear it from you. What do you. What do you think that you should. You think no discipline? 5 $5,000 fine for fucking giving a guy an uppercut?

[Aves]

I mean, the season's over. They got embarrassed. Let's talk about the little guy on Carolina and how important he's unbelievable third lines are.

[Biz]

And if you're going to go deep, their second line.

[Aves]

They're the second line.

[Biz]

Yeah. Jordan Stall's third line.

[Wit]

I didn't remember. Jordan Stall was the third line center A. That's how cold I am.

[Biz]

Thank Hoven. Stankhoven had been playing second line center all year. I think he put up 40 points. Not to say points or everything. I was a Little concerned, thinking, oh, fuck, they want to go on a deep run, moving this guy to center for the first year. What is this guy going to do come playoff time? And question Tulski and that decision and not pushing all of his chips in. Holy fuck. Because he and that fan base made me look fucking dumb. All of us. Really? All of us.

[Wit]

Well, he's one. It's one round at the same time.

[Biz]

That's. That's. That's fine. But he's also not being paid a hell of a lot of money. And Taylor hall was supposedly on the back half of his career. The back nine. Well, they had seven goals combined in that series. Second line. They didn't even need their first line.

[Wit]

And if you remember, Jason Blake is. Is. He was good, man. He had. I think he had a couple 40 goal years and he was a rat. I think his son's better than him. That kid is nasty, man.

[Aves]

That's his son?

[Wit]

Yes, that's his son. Yes. And he played two years at North Dakota and he came right out of college ready to go. His stats have gotten better each year, and he's a rat, too. And that line is humming. And the fact is that they got through with ease without much from a ho and Jarvis and Svetchnikov, and they're gonna, at some point pop off. So, yeah, you brought up Stankhovan off the hop here.

[Aves]

I don't think they have the depth to. To push it.

[Wit]

There's no Florida, though.

[Biz]

Yeah, I'll. I'll say I am. I am 1000% a believer now in the Carolina hurricane. And I think the narrative of that. They're boring. Yeah, there's been some series in the past where it's been brutal. Like, I'm no interest, but they provided more entertainment than a lot of teams in the first round against the Ottawa Center. If anybody's to blame for being boring, it's the fucking scumbags of Ontario if we're going to bring the scumbag word back up, because that's what they performed in game four. They didn't lead for one second of that series. Carolina. Carolina out chanced them on Ottawa's power play for the series. They had one power play goal. Carolina had a shorthanded goal. Ottawa's power play finished even for the fucking series. Oh, outside of. Outside of all marks, that was the most embarrassing playoff performance I have ever seen.

[Aves]

Oh, Ottawa's Ottawa is an embarrassment.

[Yance]

And not.

[Aves]

I'll take it a step further, Brady Tkachuk, all his bullshit about being so sad that he has to watch his brother. And I thought it was funny that Matthew, he kind of took a shot at Ottawa. He said, oh, I'm not going to go watch him in Ottawa. So he went and watched him on

[Wit]

the road, I think on our show. Yeah, on our show he goes, I ain't going to Ottawa. Yeah.

[Aves]

I mean, that was a clear cut. That was a shot at Ottawa. I mean, his brother.

[Biz]

We're pro Kachuk playoff or we're, we're, we're a pro Kachuk podcast, so we don't, we don't tend to rag on the conchuks here.

[Aves]

Well, let's do it. Because Brady, I mean, we have to address this.

[Wit]

He needs, I think he would.

[Aves]

If I'm the G, he's gotta go,

[Wit]

oh, you want, yeah. The question I, so that's been brought up a lot. Is he gonna be there next year? It's kind of like, wow, we're like pumping Carolina's tires. That's the story. That's a big, big discussion this off season. But I think Biz, as much as we love those guys, I think even Brady would say, fuck, man, I, I didn't have it this round. I didn't have it. I, I, I don't know. He couldn't get anything going. And he starts off with the fight with Stahl and I respected that. I like that. All right, let's get this series going. And it's, it just fired up Carolina. I mean, it's not just Brady, all these guys, they're offense was pathetic. And Stutzel, is he a playoff type player? I don't know, man. He's fucking one of the fastest players in the league. A little perimeter. He didn't get anything accomplished. But what, what I want to talk about too in this series is the handshake line. Boys. Eves, did you see?

[Biz]

I think that's being blown out of proportion. They'd already shaken, they've, they'd already shaken hands.

[Wit]

So you think Travis Green was just, it wasn't anger, it was just after. Okay. But he didn't really.

[Biz]

I reached, I reached out to our boy Tripp and I said, hey. I said, are they making something extra this? I know they already shook hands after the game right by where like the coaches walk out of the door. So it obviously looked like, like Rod Brindamore was pissed because it looked like he threw Travis hands Travis Green's hand away. I don't think that, that, I don't think that's anything there. I think that's being blown out of proportion. And then the fact that, like, people are saying that, like, he stubbed Mike. Yo. I don't know.

[Wit]

They'd already shucking hands, though.

[Biz]

You're saying that's. That's. That's that. I. I did a little digging on it now.

[Wit]

Okay.

[Yance]

Nothing.

[Wit]

But. You don't dig. You don't dig, but.

[Biz]

Well, I. I dug because everybody was making a big deal about it, so I wanted to come on the podcast and be prepared to talk about it.

[Wit]

That's a pro move.

[Yance]

Trip's gonna try to, you know, downplay it, too, to not get the going first.

[Biz]

So you think that there's something there? It.

[Yance]

I. I mean, I don't know. Didn't do any digging, but it sure looked like there was. The way that they. That handshake was.

[Aves]

I agree. I mean, what do you think Rod's not pissed off that. How many players did he lose in that series? Two, definitely. I thought it was Valerie.

[Biz]

No, it's Nikisha. I get those mixed up all the time.

[Wit]

That hit, boys, that was one of the biggest hits. I think they were both around 230.

[Biz]

Clean hit.

[Yance]

It was Cromwell.

[Wit]

Clean hit.

[Aves]

Yeah, it was Cromwell.

[Wit]

Pick your head up. And what's amazing is our buddy Brandon Yip sent me a video of a Nikishan hit in the KHL against the Shanghai Dragons or whatever. The Kunlun Red Star. It was bigger than that one to some little Chinese kid. That one.

[Yance]

That one was huge. You got to post that. That's one of the biggest.

[Biz]

He's.

[Yance]

He scorpioned him.

[Wit]

His body was the same exact hit. And Nikishan got Clevin. But, man, I. I think Delorier. I think if he'd gotten on the ice, he might have ripped Ridley Greg's head off. Like, I'm talking, like, the mountain.

[Biz]

Well, he was on the ice. He was on the. He was on the ice there, but he was tied up with Brady Kachuk closer towards the bench.

[Wit]

Okay.

[Biz]

He was.

[Aves]

I like Travis.

[Wit]

He didn't.

[Biz]

He didn't. He didn't see that wit. He was tied up when that punch took place. And then afterward. Afterward, he was, like, by their bench, like, yelling at them. Perfect game for Delorier to be put in. I don't know if you saw him walking pregame. He looked like a. Like a refrigerator.

[Wit]

I. I didn't know he looked like that off the ice. When you were saying it, I was like, what the.

[Biz]

Like, 240. And he had the Vaseline on his face like you probably used to do. AES.

[Aves]

They should Honestly, he should really think about it at, at a certain point. I don't know how much longer he's going to play, but you remember the mountain on Game of Thrones?

[Biz]

Yep.

[Aves]

Delore is way scarier than that guy.

[Wit]

Oh yeah.

[Biz]

He looks like Brock Lesnar's kid.

[Wit]

Yeah.

[Aves]

If he can, if he can string a sentence together and hold a frame, he should really think about acting because that's a face. I mean, you just don't have that. Imagine you saw that guy in a haunted house or a dark alley. Holy fuck, he's terrifying. Or on a mountain in armor. My God.

[Wit]

But I want to come back to

[Aves]

Travis Green for a second, please. I like Travis Green, but Travis Green, you gotta go, bro. If you can't get fucking Kachuk and Stutzel and these guys playing, you're out. I got no use for you. Same with the guy in LA. Smith. D.J. smith. I played against Smith in juniors. I, I, he played hard. He played hard. But if you can't get your troops fired up, you're gone.

[Biz]

I don't know. The reason I disagree, man, is they dealt with a lot of injuries on the back end. They still got into playoff.

[Wit]

Like the no Sanderson thing was just the death blow. And then Shabbat is pretty obviously playing through something bad and he was giving it what he could, right? I mean, they, they, they were, they were down men and they needed everyone to be happy.

[Biz]

What did they, boys, what did they finish on the power play? And like, like, listen, like, the only thing I'm going to say about Brady is like, I, I, I feel like he had one foot on the way out. Like, I feel like.

[Wit]

So biz, let me ask you, is Brady on the Senators next year?

[Biz]

No, not a fucking chance.

[Yance]

4.8% on the power play.

[Wit]

4.8%. That's my percentage in picking and making calls this playoff. And I'm a failure that biz. I agree with you though. I don't see him back there. I don't see it.

[Biz]

I, and I, and I don't see, I don't think that this should be put on Travis Green. I think that all things considered with the power play being that percent like what were the difference in goals in the series? I feel like every game was like a one goal game right up until the last one.

[Wit]

But how did, how did Ottawa have

[Yance]

us all so fooled that going into this series?

[Wit]

Because the advanced stats, which say what you want, when they got goaltending, they were good. They were not just good, they were like top seven team in the league, and then we didn't. Then they got the best goaltender they've had all year for 14 games.

[Yance]

That takes away when you.

[Biz]

You didn't believe in the Canes either. You guys don't believe in them. You guys think they're a joke. Tripp came on here and told you that your takes were laughable.

[Wit]

Wait, what do you mean? You were the same. You were with us. You just said you changed your mind.

[Yance]

You had the King. You had the King of Ontario hat on, you jerk.

[Wit]

You just said. You just at the beginning of this segment said, I'm a believer now. And I wasn't before.

[Biz]

I picked them to win the series, though. Whit. Yeah, you picked him to win the series. What do you mean? Here.

[Wit]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. But hold on, you.

[Biz]

24 hours for you, buddy. I said I'm a believer. In a sense. I think they can win a Stanley Cup. That's what I'm a believer in. I pick them to win the series. I knew they were going to stop him. I knew Ottawa was a joke. That's why I kept saying, leafs are king of Ontario. And this. This series couldn't have been played any more perfectly for me to prove the point. As as much of a laughing stock as the Senators want to label the Toronto Maple Leafs, look at the season they had the amount of rumors and bullshit off the ice. Trying to torture their captain for being proud to be an American, for starting rumors about their fucking goaltender for then dragging him through the mud because he wanted a little bit of rest. It was a fucking three ring.

[Yance]

Sending the singer to Thailand.

[Biz]

Don't forget, they sent one of their Ivan to get executed in another country halfway around the world.

[Wit]

Did you see the video Blutman found? If he did it in 2017 too. So he's done it three times. Not just twice, Kyle. Ivan kicked out of Sens Nation, I believe, for life.

[Yance]

Oh, yeah.

[Wit]

So here's.

[Aves]

Here's a take. Here's a take, guys. Okay, we got. We got Brady Tkachuk, we got Jack Hughes. There's a couple American players that obviously they won the Olympic gold that came back to their team and really didn't step up the way that they needed to be counted on. Okay. Versus a Brandon Hagel or who else? Who are some of the other Canadians that have come back.

[Wit]

And McKinnon have been amazing, but LA was an AHL team.

[Yance]

Sanheim's been amazing.

[Aves]

You know, you gotta question. Let's just really peel it back and go, what's that all about? What's that all about? Because there's, there's some Canadians that are rolling and there's going to be some Canadians that, that are on teams that win Stanley Cups, that are huge, huge parts of it. And that's a big. You got, you got Matthew Brady. Who else off that team?

[Wit]

Jack came back. Eichel's been a little, little off in this series, I'd say in, in Utah,

[Aves]

Vegas, who didn't make the playoffs, who else didn't make the playoffs off that team?

[Biz]

Got a point. And I was going to correct you. Like, Jack Hughes was pretty lights out when he came back from, from Olympics. I think he had 45 points to close out the year. But yes, they didn't make playoffs. I agree with you on all that, but I don't think he's a guy.

[Aves]

This is what I'm talking about. It's not just about the points. Like, Brady didn't do enough to lead his team. He did not do enough to lead his fucking team. So, so where does he go? Do you, do you want him on the Rangers now? Because I'm a little. I mean, obviously, I know, I believe in him as a player, but am I going to take a big swing and say, you know what? I think this is a cornerstone piece to the future of our organization. He hasn't done a fucking thing really, in the NHL.

[Wit]

Going to be on the Panthers.

[Yance]

But who, who could, who could have done anything for that team to get past Carolina in that series? They scored four goals.

[Aves]

Well, you need individual efforts. Yes, you need individual efforts. You gotta sometimes put teams on your back and carry them into tough barns and, and, and, and do whatever he needs to do. Take the focus off everyone else and put it on him and be that dog. And I didn't see an ounce of that. We had a couple of good shifts.

[Wit]

You need to score any score. Yeah. It comes down to, like, you can run around and you could be physical. It's not just Brady, it's everyone. Like, if you don't get points and you don't score at the end of the series and you're making the money and you're the captain, the finger's going right at you.

[Aves]

You need to lead by example because

[Biz]

you got the big bucks. I think we're focusing a lot on the negativity of Ottawa and I think

[Wit]

a lot of Carolina's awesome. Dude, they're awesome. They're awesome.

[Biz]

So let's fucking talk about it. Anderson. Unbelievable.

[Aves]

Carolina gets shit kicked by Tampa

[Biz]

if they get there. I listen, I'm I'm all in on Carolina. Man, what a, what a resilient group. What? Rod. Rod has these guys firing on all cylinders. He's got them bought in. Everybody knows their role. They just dummied a team that you guys thought that they were going to lose to in four games that didn't lead for a second. After all the penalties that they took and all the bullshit that they dealt with.

[Aves]

I think the coaches, these coaches are all so brain dead, honestly. Here's how you win. You get the puck behind the other team's D. If LA had a fucking hope of winning one game, they would have said at the start of the series every time you get to the red line. And Panarin is a dog. What a horseshit. What a fucking joke. I watched him last night, yesterday. He is embarrassing. They just gave him 22 million for two more years. When you get to the red line, you dump pucks in and you get behind their D. You fucking hit Makar every chance that you get. Ok? So in Montreal, Lane Hudson, you hammer, hammer, hammer him. Every single time you have an opportunity, you put him through the fucking boards. Because seven games is two weeks, it's 20 days, whatever it is. And you need to turn it into a nightmare for defenseman. So the teams that are going to win are going to do that.

[Wit]

I don't know. That's what Carolina did. That's what they did. You can't, you can't, you can't break out against the Maes. You can't, you can't get out of the zone against them. That's. So you're saying they're doing exactly what you need to do. And then you know the Ottawa D and there's a lot of other teams D that you can't do it. But look at Florida. And I guess in your opinion what Tampa would do is they would just pound them and that's the only way you're going to beat them is beat the fuck out of them. And Ottawa tried and they couldn't do it.

[Aves]

Yep, well, they didn't try the right way. They didn't get the puck behind their DNF and whoever's going to play Colorado, I watched Colorado's got some man, they're very good. But you can wear on Makar, you can make it painful on him. You got who else is there? D?

[Biz]

Malinsky, they got Brent Burns, they got Mate Manson, who's, who's, who suffered injuries. Devon Toews, they have an unreal decor.

[Wit]

And quickly, before we get, before we get there. Sorry though. But in, in terms of Carolina's defense, because we just brought up Nikisha getting knocked out, I got to give some credit to the former Ranger Keandre Miller, man. Yeah, that was, that was. You know when you say we've said hall fits in perfect as a Carolina Hurricane and Taylor hall said it himself. Miller's the same way. Like, I think he's similar to Slavin, not as good, but just makes the right play. He could skate all their D can skate that Sean Walker moves like he's like the wind out there. So they have all these mobile guys, right, that have great sticks. None of them are super offensive besides Ghost. And then he's in the third pair and it's just built the correct way. And if Anderson plays like this, biz, that is the one thing. If Anderson keeps up like this, yeah, they can win the cup. Now Anderson, Anderson at times I think has. Has shown weak goals go in.

[Biz]

I look, you know what though? They got. But they got bussy. They got a two goalie system, buddy.

[Yance]

They got busy to back them up, does them not? I mean they scored 11 goals in this series. Nine. Five on or. They had two empty net goals, so nine not with an empty net. Does that scare you? Scoring nine goals in a series against a team that we clearly just saw? They outclassed them.

[Biz]

Yeah, but I mean it goes.

[Yance]

But other teams are going to score. Other teams are going to score, buddy.

[Biz]

Okay, are other goal, our other goal is going to play as well as all Mark, bro. That's it. There's your answer.

[Aves]

Well, yeah, goaltending is going to get better Biz.

[Biz]

What was. What was all mark?

[Wit]

Save percentage average. 9:30.

[Biz]

Now I don't know if you. You might, you might get that. I will.

[Aves]

Clearly it wasn't good enough. I mean he didn't pitch a shutout. He didn't pitch two.

[Biz]

I mean you got a fucking win. But, but, but. Right, but the conversation that Yan's brought up is are they going to be able to outscore teams moving forward? And I said, well, they generated a ton. They got their grade A's. Omar was shooting fucking Roman candles out of his assholes, keeping them in the game. And, and yeah, I think that they're going to be able to score. I think that they're going to drum who they play next.

[Wit]

I was just going to ask you.

[Biz]

I think they're going to drum who they play next.

[Wit]

Oh, okay. So Philly Pittsburgh looks like Philly is going to win that series. You think they just drum Philly?

[Biz]

I Would say that goes

[Yance]

doing what Philly's doing right now.

[Aves]

I think Philly wins. I think Philly wins that series in

[Wit]

seven Biz is right now your pick to come out of the east, the Carolina Hurricanes once again?

[Yance]

I think Buffalo would work them if they made it to the East.

[Biz]

I think Buffalo would scare me. Me, Buffalo would scare me. Okay, but, but, but, but I'll say this for anybody, like, knocking Carolina and, and the people who are picking against them in the first round and like the fact that, oh, they're boring. I just, I'm way more all in right now on the Carolina Hurricanes than I ever have been in the past. I think the fact that they did what they did to Ottawa and their first line wasn't even a factor in a, in a, in a, in an offensive scoring sense. Like, Jarvis was quiet. I think Aho was pretty quiet up until the empty netters, at least as far as point production. What I am proud at is Svetchnikov, the response after the Clevin hit, and the dog. The amount of dog in him that has been gained over the last few years. Like, I think Fetch. I think there's going to be a massive, massive moment for Spetch this playoff. I think he's going to come out of his shell and you're to say, holy fucking shit, that's the power forward and the guy they've been missing this entire time. And, and there, there's been a big evolution in his game. I think that the Carolina. I would be willing to say the Carolina Hurricanes are going to the Stanley Cup Final.

[Wit]

Okay. All right, all right. So that, that said, and I think that should lead us over into the discussion of Philly Pittsburgh. I don't think anyone. I mean, I guess going into game four, a lot of people did think they'd pull the sweep off there at home. The crowd's incredible. I had to think Crosby wasn't going down like that, right? He gets the, he gets the. Nice goal. Nice little dish there. I think it was. Did Carlson give that little pass to him? One timer. Pittsburgh stays alive. Now they're going home. Okay, now Philly, it's the hardest game to win. AES, you know that. To close it out. Now they're in Pittsburgh. Where they walked all over him in Pittsburgh. It wasn't even close. Game two was an embarrassment. What ends up happening in game five? Does Pittsburgh continue this? They got the momentum now. Crosby showing up. Or is it finally the time that Philly moves on? I don't know what to think going into this game, five boys.

[Aves]

So Philly doesn't have what it takes to win the Eastern Conference, but they're proving to themselves as a team that they can win, and they're understanding what the level needs to be at to win big games. And by the way, let's bring it back to Sid. Sid dominated that game. Let's say he put the team on his shoulders and he won that game. That's what you're supposed to do when you're the fucking star of the team. You have to do that at least twice in a series to win. That is the difference. That's how you win the Stanley Cup. So when I talk about guys like Hagel or somebody told me that Vasilevsky's got Vesna numbers from the regular season. So you guys are all fucking. You're all yip, yapping about Carolina. You got a Vesna winning, winning goaltender playing lights out right now with Headman possibly coming back, and you're talking about Carolina winning the East. Get fucked. What are you analyzing?

[Wit]

Well.

[Biz]

Well, Abe's like, they would still have to pass. You're talking about Hallmark. They would. They would still have to get past Buffalo and Montreal. That's a tough. That's a tough.

[Yance]

I agree.

[Biz]

So, like, I agree. So that won't. That wouldn't be their matchup until, like,

[Aves]

Pittsburgh was a lame duck. So it's tough to say Philly's got what it takes. They're. They're winning the series. No question. Can you ride some of these young guys that get hot? We've all seen it. You know, something happens when these kids come in and they just don't have the pressure and they're playing free that first playoff run.

[Whitney]

Yeah.

[Aves]

No fear. And that's dangerous. That is dangerous. So that could push them a little bit. And Konecki could say, you know what? I want to become a fucking superstar right now. This is the playoffs where I become a superstar in the entire league. And you don't know what happens when a guy makes that decision, unlike fucking Stutzel and Brady Tkachuk, who just. I mean, Brady needs to go have a long, long chat with himself. I'm telling you, Lynn.

[Gee]

And.

[Aves]

And the. If the Rangers want to go and make that stupid move to get Brady Tkachuk. No, thank you.

[Wit]

Okay. I don't even know what.

[Aves]

We were talking.

[Wit]

No, we were talking.

[Biz]

Last question.

[Wit]

We were talking Philly. And listen, I think Flyers fans have been disgusted, and I'll give them credit in terms of, like, they're up 3, 0 and the main conversation is like should Mechkov be in the lineup? Well, there was a reason it was being brought up because he's out of the lineup. Ok. Kind of. I, I understand not doing it before game four. You haven't lost the game. How can you switch the lineup? I get it now. Philly fans are a little disgusted but they're trying to balance how happy they are with being up 3:1. And they're discussed that Mechkov isn't going to be playing. I get that this is not the biggest storyline. The storyline is Owen Tippett and Porter Martone and how Zegras who with a great. With a great regular season you may be. You're maybe like, oh, what's he going to do in the playoffs? Different style hockey. He's been excellent. He's been excellent. So the Flyers, they just have so much good juju around their team and good momentum that I think talk it's like boys, we weren't going to win this thing in four. This was never going to be a sweep. And there's like seems to be zero panic with that room. Why would there be and going into game five, I, I don't know what's going to happen but if Philly closes thing this thing out, it's no surprise, no surprise whatsoever.

[Yance]

It's also learning lessons too right? With the young team like that how to close out series. They're. They're hopefully, you know, with the way that they've looked the last half of the year that they're going to be playoff contenders every single year. Especially under talk like they've been great but it's learning and trying to close out Sidney Crosby, one of the best players to ever fucking lace up the boots. So it's I think for them this game is huge. What you'll see from them. I don't disagree with the Meech God thing. I think having Martone there kind of probably takes a little heat off of them with the fans because I feel like they could probably switch on them as much as they do love them now that they have Martone, you can just kind of ride his coattails. But this team's been fun to watch, man. And you got to give a lot of credit to Sanheim and Ristalign and what they've been able to do to the big dogs like back there. They can skate, they can defend and and, and business boy. Vladard holding. Holding down the fort.

[Wit]

Did you see Biz the slash wrist align and gave Crosby when he was laying on the ice Yeah, I mean, that's just like

[Biz]

you. You. You said the word scumbag in our group text the other day.

[Wit]

I've said it for seven years.

[Biz]

Seven years. And I'm like. I ended up saying it on tv so people think it's just me who said it where I'm like, we're pretty much all in agreement that these. That organization is full of scumbags in a complimentary way. Like, people also forget, like, we played for the Penguins, right? I played in the AHL against the Phantoms at that old bar next door. What was it called again? The Spectrum.

[Yance]

I played Spectrum.

[Biz]

I had guys running me through the end wall. I had. I think the guy's last name was grant. Grade 3 MCL sprain, dirty knee to me, like I wanted to, but all. All those meatheads, so.

[Aves]

Oh, no, no, there's no question. Let's say the. The. The city of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Flyers fan base are the greasiest,

[Yance]

rude,

[Aves]

obnoxious in the entire NHL.

[Biz]

And that says a lot coming from you apes.

[Yance]

They are the worst.

[Aves]

Oh, I. I played there a lot. I had. They threw. They throw quarters at you and trying to take your eye out when you're walking down into the.

[Biz]

We used to get change thrown at us at the Spectrum.

[Aves]

Yeah, they're the fucking worst, but that's what makes them great.

[Biz]

Yep.

[Aves]

And again, Zegrus. Let's talk about Zegras. Here's a guy. Here's a guy that says, I want to be a dog. We're watching a guy unravel, unpeel himself. Whatever a caterpillar does when he turns into a fucking butterfly, Zegras is doing it in front of us. Everyone else again, Brady Tkachuk. Get fucked, Trevor Zegras. Talk about a guy breaking out and showing you what it's all about. And I'm not going to question talk because we're not in the room. So if Mechkov needs a wake up or he can't play right now because he's just not at the level, then that's Talk's decision. He's not a guy.

[Yance]

You'd rather have Zegras than Brady Tkachuk?

[Aves]

Oh, in a million years, based off of 4. 3. Four playoff games and the second half of the kids season. Absolutely.

[Yance]

Stop.

[Wit]

Oh.

[Aves]

Oh, are you joking?

[Wit]

No.

[Biz]

I'm gonna go take a hose. Yans and Aaves can go at it.

[Aves]

I'm gonna go take a hose.

[Yance]

No, I.

[Biz]

Like this is getting uncomfortable for me.

[Wit]

Yeah, I'd rather. Brady, of course. Oh, no, guys, no, no, no.

[Yance]

I mean shout out. Shout out to Zegras. He's been playing great. He's been unreal in the talk. Sometimes a guy needs a different. A different coach, a different setting. And it's been great for him. He's been amazing. But to say that is a wild statement.

[Aves]

Do you see. Well, let's see. Do you see Zegrus's body? Like his, his vibes right now?

[Yance]

Well, they're playing with confidence. They're winning. Ottawa couldn't even get a shot on that.

[Aves]

Well, that's. That's the problem. That is the problem. It's not because they were physically dominated. We have physical parody in the NHL, okay? You can go out there and be a one man show and take over games. And Zegras is dominating right now. Would we say that he's not one of the best players in the playoffs?

[Wit]

He's been awesome. Now I don't think Pittsburgh is Carolina. So it's like if he was doing this against Carolina, just a. Just a team who smothers you to death, I'd be like, holy shit, there's a lot of open ice and the way the Penguins are playing, I could see him having way more of an impact than in a tight checking, just Carolina, Hurricane, in your face type series.

[Aves]

Oh, imagine Philly, Tampa. What a fucking series that would be. That's a fun series.

[Yance]

That would be a fun one.

[Wit]

That would be. That would be sick. I mean, I respect. Hey, she loves. Comes in. He looked good. That can switch up some momentum getting the new goalie in for Pittsburgh. I want to see. I want to. I want to see Pittsburgh. Hey, if. Hey, boys. If Pittsburgh can get it done at home. Yeah, I thought, all of a sudden it's a little panic. The Tang's been off. He scored a big goal, but he's not been.

[Aves]

I thought he retired years ago. I swear to God. I was watching the game, I was embarrassed to myself thinking, Jesus Christ, Sean. I go, that's fucking Latang. He's still playing.

[Yance]

Yeah.

[Aves]

Did he play all season?

[Yance]

He took a le. He. He had something going on a couple years ago, right, with. Didn't he have something crazy?

[Wit]

Yeah, he's had something. He had an issue with his heart at one point.

[Yance]

Yes, yes.

[Wit]

Penguins fans have been on Latang's tank's case this round. Did score that big goal on a beautiful guy. Beautiful kick passed by Crosby. That was kind of sick. All right, we have Eric Johnson coming on too. This has been great. I got rollback. Last question for you go to roback.com. use code chiclets. C H, I, C L, E, T S on R, H, O, b a c, k dot com, 20% off. Polos, shorts, hoodies, swimsuits, everything. Chiclets on Roback.

[Aves]

What if. If you. If you despise the Montreal Canadiens? I got a pretty light day today. All right? Tomorrow, I will do cameos for anybody who hates the Montreal Canadiens because their fan base is really. They're just like, je ne sais quoi. They have no je ne sais quoi. You know what? I, I, I, I. That's a. They're just like, order the rings. No, PK Shut up. All of you, shut up. You got to win the series.

[Biz]

Okay, Abes, go touch some grass. You seem a little angry today.

[Aves]

Well, no, I. I just want you to. Oh, you're in the mammoth.

[Biz]

Oh, wow.

[Aves]

What is this? Oh, that's the thing.

[Yance]

That's the banana hammock.

[Wit]

Yeah. Holy stinks.

[Biz]

Go check. What? They've outscored the Vegas Gold Knights since I thrown this thing on.

[Wit]

It's final question. Who's winning the cup?

[Biz]

Carolina.

[Wit]

That's the rollback.

[Biz]

Carolina.

[Aves]

Oh, I can't.

[Wit]

Too much clarity. No answer. A no answer. Sean, what about the finals? No. Can't get the finals. Too much parody. Too much parody.

[Aves]

Headman coming back is the question. You fucking. If you want to, don't avoid it. If he's coming back, look out.

[Wit]

All right.

[Aves]

Look out. And Brandon, my guy from day one. Let's go.

[Wit]

Sean Avery, everyone. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. We'll talk to you soon. We're going to bring on Eric Johnson. We got to talk out west a little bit. But first you talk DraftKings. The playoffs are here. Everyone knows that. DraftKings Sportsbook, an official sports betting partner of the NHL, has a new customer offer. When the ice gets coldest, the best players in the world show you exactly who they are. Playoff warriors turn it up round by round. And DraftKings turns it up with them from the first round all the way to the cup final. Bet player props bet live from the opening face off to the final horn. Every goal, every assistant, every overtime hero moment matters. New DraftKings customers bet $5, get $100 in bonus bets instantly. OK, all right, 100. Right now, download the DraftKings sportsbook app. Use code Chiclets so you're ready for the Moment. Code Chiclets. 5 bucks into $100 in bonus bets instantly. Also, the crown is yours.

[Biz]

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[EJ]

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[Biz]

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[Yance]

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[EJ]

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[Wit]

Reese's Remember school lunches as a kid and those times you scored a Reese's were you were in heaven. You were a kid in heaven. You had the Reese's in the cafeteria. You were King Kong of middle school. Now you can go back to that same feeling. Reese's is dropping two limited edition cups, the return of Reese's Strawberry, PB&J, and the all new Reese's Marshmallow Cup. Younger, you would have done anything to get one of these. Luckily, adults you can go to the store and you could buy one, but for a limited time. So grab one before they're gone. Reese's the official candy partner of barstool sports. Get Reese's at hersheyland.com Reese's Bring In Eric Johnson. This guy is crushing, crushing it. As the color commentator for ESPN abc. There he is. Ej. Sorry for the delay. We had Aves going off the handle. Ave style. What's going on, buddy?

[EJ]

Wit boys, thanks for having me on. What's going on?

[Wit]

Not much. And look, let. Let's start off. Congratulations, buddy. It's not easy what you're doing. You've kind of just been very natural at it. You look great. We I sent you the good job at home. One of my Buddies said, wow, EJ's a stallion. I said, let's not go that far. But you do look good in the suit. Have you been enjoying it as much as it seems?

[EJ]

Biz, what are you wearing?

[Biz]

My mammoth. My mammoth costume.

[EJ]

Nice. It's been good. I think going into it, as you guys know, when you retire, it's kind of there's a lot of uncertainty. And, you know, I knew I wanted to stay involved in the game and I had a talk with Danny Brier. Well, maybe doing some stuff with the Flyers, but the TV thing popped up and I just thought, like, you stay close to the game. You know, I knew I want to stay involved in the NHL. And for me, the biggest thing was, is it going to be hard being between the benches, being that close to the game? So quickly out of retirement. Like, am I going to miss it? Is it going to be hard to be out there? But it's actually been the opposite, guys. Like, I think it's been such a great transition to stay that close to the game, and I don't think maybe that would be the case for everybody, but for me, it's been unbelievable. I've really loved it, love to travel, love hockey, love the people I've been working with. And just, it's been a. A really, a blessing to be able to stay involved in the game like this. It's been a ton of fun.

[Biz]

Do you almost feel like it's easier because your hockey knowledge from just, like, getting out of playing is like, you know, your. Your brain's essentially firing on all cylinders. So to be able to, like, talk about it and break it down for the people at home, the transition has been nice. Where you just didn't take this, like, layover.

[Whitney]

Yeah.

[EJ]

Like, I think the. The thing for me, biz was I. I wanted to enjoy life a little bit too. First year of retirement, so I wasn't super busy the first half of the year. My schedule was kind of packed towards the second half, which has been awesome. Like, I got to do a bunch of. I could never do as a player at that time of year in the fall and the winter and. And earlier in the spring. So that was great to be able to enjoy life a little bit, too. And then just going right from the ice to the microphone has been way easier than I thought. I think, like you said, it's. It's easy because I know all the players right now. I think it'll probably get harder as it goes because you don't have those relationships. You're not sure.

[Biz]

No, it actually gets easier to start carving guys the more and more you get separated.

[Wit]

Now we got Avrion over Brady.

[Yance]

Yeah, exactly.

[EJ]

But no, like, that's, It's.

[Aves]

It's.

[EJ]

You have to critique your buddies.

[Aves]

Right.

[EJ]

That's. That's. Can be difficult. Right. So that's the hard part.

[Biz]

You mentioned, like, doing things you weren't ever able to do when you were a player. Like some people, like, obviously skiing is something you can't do for you. You're posting a lot about your. Your love for wine and then also horses, and we've talked about that before. What sort of things were you doing in the first half that you weren't able to do while playing?

[EJ]

Yeah, so I. I like bird hunting. I went on a quail hunt in Georgia. My buddy's got A plantation.

[Yance]

I don't even know what a quail is.

[Biz]

It's a little bird. It's a.

[Yance]

From a movie.

[Wit]

That's Wedding Crashers.

[Biz]

Oh, sir.

[EJ]

Yeah, he's got a big, big place down there.

[Yance]

So we.

[EJ]

We hunted on horseback for quail with his dogs. It was fantastic. And then I got to play Augusta for the first time.

[Wit]

Oh, did you pull that out? We're not getting to Utah. Vegas and Minnesota. Dallas, because we're going hole by hole. I'm sorry.

[Yance]

He's drinking through the thing right now.

[Wit]

How did you. How did you pull that off?

[EJ]

So there's a. There's a buddy of mine who's a member out there, and he said, for your retirement, I'm going to take you down to. To Augusta. So we flew down there three. Three Denver guys, and Dustin lynch, the country singer, came with. So we had a. We had a good time down there. And it's. It's everything that's cracked up to be the food. Like, it's so proper. You got to show up in a. A coat and tie, and you can't go anywhere with your cell phone. It's crazy. But it's a spectacular place and didn't embarrass myself too bad. I did skull one out of the bunker on the first hole into the grandstand, though, so not ideal, but it was fun.

[Yance]

Whit would have retired after year four if somebody promised him that, but. But speaking of, like, you know, what'd you shoot quickly?

[EJ]

The first day I shot 85. The second day I shot several.

[Biz]

First day. Yeah, you got to play it twice.

[Yance]

No, he's there for a week.

[Wit]

You usually go down and you. You get. You get to. And play again. I think that's kind of the standard.

[EJ]

They got cottages on. On property and.

[Wit]

Was that a 79 the second round?

[EJ]

79 the second.

[Wit]

Wow, that's awesome.

[EJ]

Ripped out for eagle on 15. Still pissed that one down my leg, but wow, man. Yeah, it was. It was a great time. Just. It's as special as he. As you would think. So I was pretty. Pretty lucky to be able to go.

[Wit]

Man, that's awesome. You deserve that. Good for you. All right, back to the hockey quick. Let's start here. What series have you done so far? What have you done a game for which series?

[EJ]

I did games one and two. Dallas, Minnesota. And then I did game two, Colorado, la. And then I'll do some second round games, and I don't have anything past that. But, yeah, it's been fun that. I mean, that. Dallas, Minnesota Series has been.

[Biz]

We should start there.

[Wit]

Okay, let's go there and biz.

[Biz]

I'm gonna make a statement.

[Wit]

I'm gonna make a statement. And any of you guys, you can disagree. Game 4 for the Minnesota Wild was the biggest game in franchise history.

[Biz]

Yes, absolutely.

[Wit]

By a mile. By a mile. And were they going to go down 3, 1 and Minnesota Wild fans, EJ before the game. We're going to lose this game. This is what we do. Minnesota sports and Foligno over the top of Ottinger buries it. And Matt Boldy. Ej, we have an American, full blown superstar.

[Biz]

What a.

[EJ]

And he. He's one of those guys that you could always kind of see it playing against them. It was just, when is he gonna break out? Right? Like, this kid is. And I interviewed him after the game. He's a big dude, man. Like, oh, yeah. I didn't know he was that big. But his skill set for a guy that size. Fuck, is he fun to watch. I mean, Capri soft. If they can get one more center. Like, everyone's been bitching about. They need a center. They need a center. They need a center. I mean, they can be a contender for a long time. That. That Faber Hughes bearing might be the best in the league. I mean, I probably give the edge to McCarr and Taves, but I wouldn't. Pairing is fun to watch, man.

[Wit]

I wouldn't. And. And quickly, Baldy could. Baldy would give you six on the front, six on the back and still beat you on the 14th hole. That's the most incredible part about him.

[Biz]

Yeah.

[Wit]

Best golfer in the NHL. So I. I digress. The Augusta talk got me just like a little. I got some blood flow here. If. Okay, now you're going back to Dallas, right? So you could get game four. They did it. Now build the momentum here for the Wild. Like, what do they have to do from what you saw in games one and two? Like, what is their game plan and the way that they're able to beat Dallas in Dallas for game five?

[EJ]

Well, their power play in game one was spectacular. Dallas tightened it up a little bit. Like, they wanted to be so aggressive. You could tell on the penalty kill. But they kind of got a little more patient against Minnesota. They were just picking Dallas apart with their one touches. Especially finding this is, by the way, this is the most overused term in hockey. They found the bumper, so. Well, I hate the bumper. Just so you know. Fuck the bumper. I hate the bumper. But they use the bumper as in.

[Biz]

As in. As in what the guy in the middle.

[EJ]

I just hate. I hate bumper. I just hate it. I think it's the most overused term in hockey. I don't know if you disagree. Agree. I say middleman. I don't like bumper. That's my rant. I don't like the bumper.

[Biz]

Okay.

[EJ]

I thought they used bump the bumper.

[Biz]

The. The.

[EJ]

The middleman so well. He. The middleman so well in the power play. And I think this has seven written all over it. I'm sure you guys all thought seven before the series started. We deserve seven. Hockey fans deserve seven. Colorado probably hopes it goes seven. They're licking their chops with eight days off till they have to play next. But that series, for me, I hate that it's the first round, right? Doesn't it feel like a conference final almost of, you know, no back to Colorado. But that. That's a shame. That's done that. Two of those team. One of those teams will be out in the first round. But for me, Minnesota, they have played with better pace than Dallas. I don't think that necessarily means that they're going to win the series, but they look like a faster team to me. But I mean, what two. Two. Those games gone overtime.

[Biz]

Three, Whatever.

[EJ]

I don't know what it is, but Minnesota seems like the. The quicker team, the fresher team. But that doesn't mean anything at the end of the day. Right? But what a. What a great series that's been to watch. And I just think the officials got to let him play. I want to see this five on five, put the whistles away, let these guys play.

[Biz]

Yeah, I, I thought it was a pretty crazy stat in the game three where it ended up going to double overtime. Minnesota didn't generate one scoring chance from inside like the tighter house, which is where 50% of the league's goals are scored from. So I found it odd that Minnesota not being able doing to do a good job of getting inside. Obviously a lot better at that in. In game four.

[Aves]

Who.

[Biz]

Who's impressed you the most for Dallas? I mean, Ottinger put on an absolute clinic and net and probably deserve to get the win in Game 4 with how many 10 Bell saves he had in overtime. But who are the other guys for Dallas that you've been impressed with?

[EJ]

I really like that Essa Lindell. I think he's really underrated. I think people know in the NHL, the, the average. Not the average NHL fan, but a lot of people within the league know how good this guy is. He's such a beast defensively. He's tough to play against. And I remember when we were playing against him in Colorado, McKinnon would just say he's a complete nightmare, miserable to play against. So a guy like that, I, I kind of try and give him some love. I don't think he gets a ton of love nationally. I think he's a total horse for, for Dallas and, and that Wyatt Johnston. I, I, I love him. He's, everyone knows about him, led the league in power play goals this year, but he's not the fastest guy. But for, he's not that old, but he's so smart, right? He just knows how to get open, finds the right areas. He's got a heck of a shot. Everyone knows about Ranton, how good he is in the playoffs. But Johnson and Lindell are guys for me that are total and I think Haskin and playing, he looks a little nicked up to me right now. He's still playing well, but I don't think he's at full health. But let's face it, no one is this time of year.

[Wit]

Guy, you didn't mention.

[Biz]

Oh, go ahead. Yes.

[Yance]

Jason Robinson, he's got four goals in four games. Like, this guy got snubbed out of the USA team and it just looks like he's on a vengeance to be, you know, even playing against Billy G, where it's like, hey, listen, I'm a guy that can perform in these big type of games and he's been outstanding.

[EJ]

Yeah, him too. He's another guy that, like, he's not super strong, he's not a great skater, but like, he just knows how to get it done. Great shot, thinks the game super. Well, it seems like he's kind of a step ahead out there. But yeah, I think Dallas, I mean, what was the draft that they had? Where did they get Robinson, Robertson in one draft? Like, yeah, Jesus.

[Wit]

Changes a franchise.

[EJ]

I mean, incredible, those three guys. And yeah, I'm happy for Ottinger too. He, you know, he could have maybe gotten yanked in game one and. What a response. He's played so well after all the shit he went through last year right towards the end of the playoffs. So I'm happy for him too. He's played really well.

[Biz]

What was it? Oh, I was just gonna ask. What was it like being there, alive for the Blackwell hit on Trenon?

[EJ]

Oh, I mean, you, you could feel that one, right? I mean, and Blackwell's not a big guy. Like, not big at all. Little bit of a sewer pass from Bogosian. He admitted it after to the media. But Trenin's a huge guy. He had 13 hits in game one, and then he gets steamrolled in game two. And I think he's going to play in game five. At least he skated yesterday or today, but, I mean, that was as bone crushing as you could. You could just feel it at ice level, right? I mean, you could hear it or see it on tv, but, man, he trucked him.

[Yance]

I think. I think back to that game. You had one of the greatest breakdowns of the puck over the glass. A lot of people didn't see it. And you pointed out the mark on the guy's stick because he had white tape that it ramped up. So I just wanted to give you your. Your props on that. That was an amazing eye by you.

[EJ]

I can't believe I saw it either, Yance, because I legit can't see. Like, I have the worst eyes ever. And I'm like this monitor and dismiss, like, what the hell are you doing, man? Because the backup is right next to you at ice level when you're between the benches, and they can hear every time, everything you say. So like, sometimes I'll want some affirmation. I'll look to Smith and he'll be like, nice, man, nice call. And then he'll be like, not right, you know, like, just giving me. But yeah, it's fun, man.

[Whitney]

That was.

[EJ]

That was a fun one to pick up live.

[Wit]

I really thought you were going to finish off. You know, my vision isn't great with. That's why I missed the Eagle putt on 15 at Augusta National Golf Club. But that, you know, good for you to not. To not blame your eyes on that. I watched game. I watched game four with Brian Yandel, his three boys, and I sat there and I said, I can't believe that the Nashville Predators bought out Matthew Duchene. Oh, because you look at him and you look at what's happened with Nashville and the signings of the older guys and what's going on there. It's like, what the hell were they doing getting rid of him? He looks fucking awesome still. I mean, he has. He has. I think he's got four assists already in the series. He's a. I'll give him dog status. He competes like a bastard. And that's just part of, like the Dallas. I mean, I will say I don't know if Minnesota can win this series without Zuccarello. Any word from anyone on this? Have you guys heard anything playing tomorrow?

[EJ]

I think he was practicing.

[Yance]

That's huge for me.

[Wit]

That's big.

[EJ]

Practicing on the first power play. Probably game time decision, but last I saw, he was playing. Yeah, that's huge for Minnesota.

[Wit]

Wow.

[Yance]

He's practicing on the power play.

[EJ]

Yeah.

[Yance]

If he's practicing on the power play, that usually means you're in, right? Yeah. Yeah.

[Wit]

And ej, we had Billy G. On biz. Was it the season preview last year or this season? I think it was two years. Like.

[Biz]

Yeah. When we're talking about Baldi.

[Wit]

Yeah. And he's like, I think this guy is a 40, 40, 40 guy. I thought he might have said 50. 50. Either way, it was. It was like, okay. And now you're seeing it. I didn't know. And he never mentioned with us. I saw an article that said he did grab him maybe two years ago and said, you just need a little bit more, like, F you to your game. And I think he has it like, on the four check. His stick's incredible, but he's also, like, laying it on the line. Like, his body, he's taking hits, he's giving hits, and he's. I think Billy G probably meant, like, you're so big, as you mentioned when you interviewed him, like, you can take over games physically because forget your skills. And how many times is this guy gonna flick the puck over somebody's stick or body to himself? He's. He's mastered that move. So shout out Billy G as a gm and then Boldy just. He has reached a new level. And that's incredible for Wild fans.

[EJ]

To me, it seems like all those U.S. olympic guys came back and have played with a level, a new level that they.

[Biz]

They weren't at.

[EJ]

They have such confidence. You can just tell they have a swag from that. And I can see it with all those guys. Like, Faber and Hughes seem like they're on a different level. Like, I have a new appreciation for Quinn Hughes. I mean, I played against him for a long time, but this kid is unbelievable. Like, I'm sure I'm beating a dead horse there, but I think, like, I have a way, way more appreciation for. For how good he is. And I think playing on a better team, you're seeing that now too. But all those guys, Boldy Hughes, Faber, they just seem like they have some type of swagger, confidence that they got from the Olympics. Because I remember coming back with after 2010, and I. I didn't want to, like, play the rest of the season. I was miserable after we lost in. In overtime in 2010. So what those guys got from that goal, it just seems like they're playing with a. A new type of, you know, swag to their game that they didn't have before that.

[Biz]

And going. I mean, we talked about Marcus Foligno on that. That huge tying goal to send it to overtime. Quinn Hughes on that shift just makes everything happen. He fucking dangles the guy at the blue line. Oh, what. What happened with Faber on that one?

[Yance]

They just, like, made an unreal, like, give and go play. It was just sick.

[Biz]

Yeah, well, I just meant more so like the individual effort, like beating the one guy at the top there by the blue line. And then two guys got sucked into Quinn Hughes. And then he kind of just takes that step, goes to his back end, and then gets stirred with speed, who ends up taking the shot where Foligno cleans up the rebound. I thought it was pretty sick too. He used the side of the net in order to keep it alive, but he banked it off of it. And the bounce off of that ended up getting in behind Ottinger. And for him to find it over the top like that was actually for the guy who called the Minnesota Wild a fraud squad. Merle's X factor in the series was Marcus Foligno. Now, I would be interested to get murals on. I don't think we are, but if he had the opportunity to maybe switch his pick at this point, whether he would do it to save face, to not get absolutely obliterated by Wild fans if they can pull this off.

[EJ]

I love Marcus Foligno. He's so hard to play against. Like, that's a guy I take on my team anytime. When we would play against him in Minnesota, you just one of those guys. You always know when he's out there because he can truck you. Great leadership, like, and I love what he did to a couple years ago to Oscar Sundquist when Wilson laid out Sundquist with a bad hit. And Foligno told Sunquist, I'm gonna. I'm gonna get Wilson for you. Like. Like, who does that? He's just one of those ultimate team guys. And now that he has his brother Nick with them, those are. That's just a. A terrifying fourth line. McCarran and both Felinos. Like, are you kidding me?

[Wit]

It. It seems as though I would. And tell me if you guys disagree. The general consensus was that Montreal, Tampa, and Dallas Minnesota were going to be seven game series. And it just. It's just shaping up to be exactly what everyone thought. I can't wait for that next game.

[Biz]

Did you. To go back to one particular play though this series could be 3:1. It was 2:1 at the end of that game when they had that crack on the goal line, when Hartman essentially saved the goal with his glove.

[Yance]

Like that game was in the hit before that. You see the hit before it killed that.

[Biz]

That guy whose last name starts with an H. That doesn't sound like Ohuru.

[Wit]

Ritzkovian.

[Biz]

No, Ritzkovian.

[Aves]

Two guys with H's.

[Biz]

Yeah. And fucking. I like to buy a vowel. But that play that Hartman ends up dying, he makes that hit and then on that scrambling play, I think it was Wyatt Johnson on the other side of the net hit it. It ends up hitting the inside post. And then somebody else was there to clean up the rebound. And Hartman just grabbed it, fucking slung it out and kept it out of the net.

[EJ]

So that was a wide open net, too. Through the crease. Didn't he miss? Open net. Was it Foxa?

[Biz]

Yeah, I think it was him too. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, that's right. The tapping.

[EJ]

Yeah, that.

[Wit]

Yeah, that's. That's serious electric. It's.

[EJ]

Who are you guys picking in the Kentucky Derby this weekend? You got any picks? I saw Portnoy's got a Philly running in the Oaks.

[Wit]

I don't. I don't know the horses yet. I'm kind of like Saturday at 2:00', clock, like, checking emails for Mr. Red for a pick. Yeah. Who do you. Who do you have?

[EJ]

Well, he drew the rail, which is like the Kiss of death and the Derby, the one. But I. I like Mike Roli's Renegade. He's the morning line favorite, but the rail is like the Kiss of Death, so. So we'll see. And then in the Oaks Friday, I like Percy's Bar.

[Wit]

Okay.

[EJ]

Yeah, so we'll see. But that's the. That's the best day of the year, I think. Just.

[Yance]

Yeah.

[EJ]

Kentucky Derby. Have you guys been. It's a. It's a total blast.

[Yance]

I got to walk the horse out one year. I got to walk Albino Rosso. It was unbelievable. One of the most things

[Aves]

that is

[Yance]

so random in biz, the horse that he's talking about, Rapolo's horse, that he's the noble guy, so you gotta. You gotta put some money on.

[Biz]

Yep, yep. Oh, okay. I'm all in there. Yep.

[Wit]

Yeah, he was hanging out with Minty recently, though, so that might be a mush on him.

[Yance]

Oak stays way better horn, don't you think?

[EJ]

It's both. They're both fun, like.

[Yance]

Yeah.

[EJ]

You can't go wrong. The party's Friday night.

[Biz]

Right.

[EJ]

So get You a Friday leave Sunday after the races. It's, it's, it's great. You go once, you don't need to go again.

[Biz]

I think we can move it over to Colorado because that was probably your, your favorite team to play for one a cup there. And would you say that that's where like your, that's where your heart's at?

[Wit]

Yeah.

[EJ]

It's funny. Like, I'll look at my Twitter mentions sometimes and people are like, you should never do a Colorado game. You're the biggest. And then I get mentions from ABS fans. You're way for the other team. You got to Colorado right down the middle.

[Biz]

You can't keep these people happy. Man. Don't even.

[Yance]

This is lighting candles for the Leafs on, on national tv. Lighting candles. You at least played for the team, won a Stanley cup for the team. You can do whatever the fuck you want.

[Biz]

I got a schlong thong on my fucking whatever for anything.

[EJ]

I don't know if you're like this. I don't. I don't care who wins. I hope it's a good game. Literally, it's like you want to talk about a good play for the one team, for the other team, I don't give a shit who wins. You just want to see good hockey. But for the AVs, I think no surprise they swept LA. But I thought LA played them hard. Like they, they could have maybe won one or two. That could have gone either way. Obviously the ABs all played them, but you got to give LA their marks. I thought they hung in there, there, there really well. And I mean, if the ABS don't go to the Western finals at least, like, are you looking at a coaching change there? Personally, I don't think so, but I think people are asking that question. I think Bednar is one of the best coaches in the league. But you know, they've won one playoff series since 2022. Right? Now two since they beat LA. So we'll see. I mean, they, they had the team to do it. I mean that, that team's a freak show, right? I mean that and Wedgwood's been unbelievable. Like, if you had one question about the abs, it was their goaltending. For me, Wedgwood never started a playoff game. But you know, if they have to turn to Blackwood, he can give them good minutes too. So I think you're going to end up using both of those guys. But. But I mean, I think it's going to be.

[Biz]

You guys did when you want it.

[EJ]

Franc souls. We had Franc Souls. He was six.

[Biz]

Edmonton against the Edmonton.

[Aves]

He was six.

[EJ]

And oh.

[Wit]

So I, I tweeted. It was about a month before the playoffs. I said, if you're not questioning Colorado's goaltending, go into the playoffs, you're crazy. Gotta get ahead of this one. I was on Ambien. That one doesn't count. So I, I was, I was. I was on ambient the next morning. I was like, oh, man. I was kind of ran. And so people are sending me that tweet. Let's get this out in the open. That was an ambient tweet.

[Biz]

Okay.

[Wit]

Second thing. The shift Lekonen had on Panarin in game four. What a absolute dog. Like, he cannot. And are we overusing the term dog maybe a little bit. He is one.

[Yance]

He's all over the guy.

[Wit]

He ends up clearing that puck. It was just a perfect. So I just wanted to shout that out. Third thing. It's the question for you, ej. I know when you won the cup, you swept Edmonton in the Cup Conference finals. She had a little bit of a weight, you know, A little bit of a weight. Now they're going to be getting their eight days off. It's great. Guys get more healthy. But in terms of Colorado, I'm sorry, Mini, Dallas going to seven. Do you think it ends up causing anything for terms of rust or what are your thoughts on that?

[Aves]

Not for.

[EJ]

No, not for me. We swept Nashville in the first round, too, and I think we had five or six days off. So, like, we had that. And those guys, I know those guys, they're. They're not going to be. They're not going to be rusty. The rest is. Is so key for those guys. And I think Manson got nicked up a little, so, like, that's going to be big for him. And it gives a chance for Wedgwood, Blackwood to practice and get some practice time. Because the AVs, they don't practice all year. I bet you they practice the least amount of any team in the NHL. They're so big on rest and recovery. So I think. I think the rest is going to be really good for him and it gives them a chance to get healthy. I don't. I think Dallas and Mini are going to beat the shit out of each other. And, you know, it's going to be a tough series for Colorado, but I expect him to go to the Western Finals for whoever they play in the second round. I think those teams are going to be so beat up if they aren't.

[Biz]

Yeah. If they aren't practicing hard I would imagine they're still getting on the ice and still working on the power play.

[Yance]

They have to. They're 9.1% biz that they should stay straight of doing correct.

[Biz]

Love the face off play they had the other night on the power play with nature locking up Lawton there and then McKinnon sliding back door. Yeah, they're. They're big on set plays. I would assume off of Ozone draw wins, maybe even even all over the ice. What would you see as the issue with the power play from the regular season? And, and like how, how does a power play with that many weapons struggle the way that it has?

[EJ]

It's a good question. And I think for years everyone's called for the head of the power play coach. And the power play coach only has so much like it's not just the power play coach. You don't think Bednar has any input? You don't think Joe Sakic has any input. You don't think think any of these guys. The dog put on the power play like it's not just the power play coach. You shouldn't have five players like that though and have a 9%. It's. It's unbelievable. And it's been bad all year. It was good from the Olympic break to the end of the season and now it's kind of rear its ugly head again. But imagine they get that thing going

[Wit]

like, oh, why E.J. what have you seen? What is it? What is it?

[EJ]

I think McCarr needs to shoot more from the top.

[Biz]

Yes, agreed.

[EJ]

I think they, everyone knows they want to go to McKinnon or maybe find whoever in the middle or Kadri on the side. I think McCarr just has to shoot more. And I think, you know, Nate might be in his ear a little bit about not shooting a ton because Nate has a good shot off the flank. But Cale's got to shoot more because once you shoot from the top, as you guys know, everything opens up. Everything opens up because everyone starts to respect the shot and they know it's coming. And I just think a little bit more simplicity. It's not always the perfect play this time of year and they know that. But I think Cale needs to shoot more from the top, whether it's one timers, wristers, any of it.

[Wit]

Yeah.

[Yance]

And then that opens up the bumper guy, but they're also there. But their PK was 80% too against LA. And we talked to Matthew Tkachuk and I had mentioned the, you know, with Colorado having a tough power play going right now, but he said in, in playoffs and to win a Stanley cup, you need your PK to do well at 80% right now against a team like LA, but probably not where you want it to be. So, like, the special teams are the big question right now.

[EJ]

Yeah, I think. What were they number one in the NHL all season long? The PK was maybe second, but I wouldn't worry about that one either. And yeah, I think their penalty kill, like, they have. They have so many guys that they can rotate in and out of there. And I think, like, having. Having Burns this year has been huge because Cale doesn't have to play all the penalty kill, right? Like, have to play 27, 28. He can play like 24 or 25 and have Manson, burns and even Malinsky kills penalties. So I think having like that depth to give your top players a rest has been so big for those guys. I, I don't. I don't worry about their PK one bit at all.

[Wit]

All right. I guess we got it. Before we get to Utah Vegas biz, at least bring up Andre Kopitar. We've talked a lot about him, and I think it was. Was it boochie? Somebody's saying that if you redid the draft. That was Crosby's draft. He goes second overall and the career, and I just want to show them out. I mean, he's given the waves after. It sucks to go out with a sweep. Did the press conference with his kids, which I think is the big reason why he's ready to be done and be around his family more. But what an unbelievable player in person. And just the fact that they ended up getting in this year kind of for him, and they were able to at least get him four more playoff games. It sucks with the sweep, but we want to shout him out as that series ends.

[Biz]

Yeah, we've talked about him quite a bit here. The, the, the, you know, the second half of the season just kind of pumping his tires to what he brought to his team, the franchise, the league, and how he's handled himself. Ej, you probably played a lot against them, like, to. For a guy to be as good and competitive as he was and to also be like a lady Bing Winger winner. Excuse me. It's like, kind of like an anomaly how well and how hard he played to. To have done it with such class and grace. Yeah.

[EJ]

And I think about Kopi is he could keep playing like he's that good, right? Like just done to spend more time with his family. It's. It's unreal what Some of these guys are doing at this stage of their career. What is Kopi 39, maybe almost 40. But whatever it is, I mean, he could keep going and be effective. And it's. I. I just. I think it's. I have so much respect for these guys who can keep playing this well late into their career. And you mentioned Duchenne earlier, Whit. Like, he's a guy that has gotten better as he's gotten older almost too. And you don't see that too often nowadays. So I think he always just handled himself with class. Kopitar did, right. Like, he was just a great ambassador for the game. He played in la, so, like the east coast people maybe didn't see him that much, but he was right up there with a Bergeron type as far as how he played. Like, he was kind of the West Coast Bergeron, in my opinion.

[Biz]

300 more career points than Bergeron.

[Aves]

Yeah.

[Biz]

92 point year.

[Yance]

Just crazy.

[EJ]

Crazy.

[Wit]

I know Biz, you got. You got the look on you called the Mammoth. I think you've done every one of their games in this series. Maybe three of the three of them.

[Biz]

No, I know the first two. First two, I think. I think were on espn, but was. What? No, just watched them and was dialed into them. I thought. I thought game one, obviously the Cooley line for Utah was their best line. I thought that, you know, Kells and Schmaltzy definitely needed to get their feet wet and dive into the series. They were way better in Game 3. That was an unbelievable goaltending performance, especially in the first half of the game by. By Veggie and he's been great the whole series. And like, I think they were pepper and about 15 to 5 in shots and it was two nothing for. For the Utah Mammoth. The first goal from weaker, probably one that. Probably one he wants back Carter Hart, right. It ends up hitting him kind of right in that mask and hits him in the stick and it's almost like an own goal.

[Wit]

I thought it was a bad bounce on that one. Kind of like.

[Biz]

Yeah, yeah, still one that. I mean, it hits you right in the middle of the chest or like the helmet. You should have it tough. Tough bounce for sure. And it. I mean, weaker gets all alone because that weak side winger dropped down in the slot area. So it kind of left him open. So I actually thought it was. I think it was Liam o' Brien where he was in the slot and then boom, all of a sudden it just pops out and Weger gets to step into one. The second goal. I'm trying to remember. Oh, Gunther again.

[EJ]

Gunther gonna score 50.

[Biz]

He's a. Dylan Gunther is just as lethal from that spot is Alexander Ovechkin. If you leave him all alone at the top.

[Yance]

This, this, this, this about the greatest goal scorer of all time.

[Wit]

That's fine when he's 60 or you can't say, I'll agree with you. You, I, I, it's like Stam Kosovechkin, you think he could get there or you're saying right now.

[Biz]

I'm saying he's just as lethal if you give him a one timer there as Alexander Ovechkin, he's, I think he's automatic from that spot right there in game eight. In game two, he gets the backhand cross ice from Yamamoto. He literally flicks his wrist and it's fucking top titty down.

[EJ]

It's the best release in hockey right now.

[Wit]

Thanks.

[Biz]

Thank you.

[EJ]

Best release in my opinion.

[Biz]

Take it over.

[EJ]

Goalies hated this guy because he would get on the flank like Sam Erson when I played with him in Philly.

[Aves]

He's.

[EJ]

Gunther torched him for maybe two one night. And Ersin's like, man, my angle was perfect. Like, I don't know how he gets this shot off so quick. Like, this guy's a total stud. Utah reminds me of the abs like six years ago, how fast they play. Like they're going to be a problem for a long time. And they always give Colorado a really tough game. So I'm going to be interested to see if Utah can get to the Western finals. They end up playing Colorado like, that's, that's going to be the fastest series ever.

[Biz]

Well, the craziest part about this is if Anaheim wins and Utah wins, one of those teams is going to the conference finals.

[Aves]

Crazy.

[Biz]

And think about how fast that happened. We knew they were coming, but we didn't know they were coming this quick. And going back to that game three, I, I'm, I'm interested to see how this story develops with, with Aiden Hill and Carter Hart. If Carter Hart has another tough start to this game, are they going to go to Aiden Hill? I feel like they've wrote Aiden Hill off.

[Yance]

I agree.

[Biz]

The fact that they didn't go go to him in that game at any point. This guy won a fucking Stanley cup for the Vegas Gold Knights. He was unreal in that cup run. And he stood on his head in some moments. I mean, we were, we were there live in attendance when they played against Florida, and he was fucking incredible. So I don't know what is going on there. But going back to that, that game three, I don't think Tourney gets enough credit as a coach. He is probably the least paid of any head coach in the NHL. I think his job was in question at certain points. It was. And they, they. I don't think Clayton Keller has taken a face off. He was 38% during the regular season. I don't even know if he's face off so far in this series. So they have, they're up two nothing and they have a D zone draw. And they throw their fourth line center out Stenland with the top line of Krauss and Schmaltz. Remember when we used to have Boyd Gordon on our team? The Repairman?

[Yance]

Yep.

[Biz]

Defensive zone draw. Gordo, get out there, win the draw and get off. We're gonna get, get the off the ice. And then you're throwing that centerman who's supposed to be there. Well, what does Stemland do? He snaps it back. They go up strong side, a beautiful job through the neutral zone. Krauser kicks it out to Schmaltzy and then boom, it's right in the back of the net. Off a tip going to the net. And as that puck's going in the net, Keller stepping on the ice and the Repairman's going off. So that to me, great coaching, great execution. That puts the game out of reach at 3 nothing. And sure enough, Kells and Schmaltzy, that line ends up connecting again for Krauser second of the night and to make it four nothing. And after that, it was pretty much game over, boys. So credit to the first ever playoff win at home in the Delta center to the Utah Mammoth. And they have a big opportunity because like you said, ej, this is a fast team. And when you have those first top two lines going man and veggies kicking, they are going to be very, very difficult to beat. Even if you're the Vegas Golden Knights.

[EJ]

I totally agree with you about Andre Tyragny. I had him as a. He was our D coach in Colorado for three years with Patrick Waugh. And we always said this guy will be a head coach one day. If he can figure out the English, English language, that'll help it. His English was very poor at the time. It got better over time, but we had a tough time understanding him and we just said when he gets more comfortable with the language, he's going to be an unbelievable head coach. You can hear this guy on the ice when you're playing, literally yelling commands on the penalty kill. Like pressure Pressure.

[Biz]

Hold, hold.

[EJ]

It was, it was unbelievable. I never had a coach that you can hear that clear in an NHL game. But he, he, he did a lot for my career too, personally, just pushing me in different areas to get better. And he, he's a really good coach. Like, a really, really good coach. So I'm happy to see him have some success there. And I think Torts is going to stick with Heart. That's kind of his guy from Philly. He had Hart in Philly. So I, I don't think they're going to go to hell.

[Yance]

No way.

[Wit]

I was just gonna ask you, Biz, like, did you want Hill to start games? Game three? He was good in game two.

[Yance]

No, he said if he struggles early. I thought you said who was, who

[Biz]

was good in game two?

[Wit]

Hart.

[Biz]

Yeah. How was he in game three?

[Wit]

Yeah. So you're saying you want Hill to start game four?

[Biz]

I don't know, man, but you're acting like he's a career backup. He won a Stanley cup as a starter. What the fuck is Hart done?

[Wit]

Yeah, I think Hill was overall pretty brutal this year and Hart's been pretty good.

[Biz]

So Heart didn't play half the year.

[Wit]

Yeah, I'm talking since Torts came. He was awesome.

[Biz]

Well, how was he last game?

[Wit]

Okay, he had one bad game. So you're pulling the goalie.

[Biz]

I'm saying it's crazy that he got lit up for four and he's still between the pipes when you have a fucking Stanley cup winning starter as a backup.

[Wit]

Okay, so you're saying they should have pulled him in that game?

[Biz]

I'm saying that I think there's something going on there in the fact that they didn't.

[Wit]

Okay, now I'll say this about Vegas. I'm not panicked if I'm them. No, I mean, dude, like, they're, they're.

[Biz]

Me neither.

[Wit]

Now they. The way they like dominated at least a shot clock in that game. It's more, it's more a question of like. I see Hurdle right now and I see Dorothy of. Dorothy of. In the playoff. Dude, this Guy's like a 35 goal scorer in the regular season. It seems he shies away from any physical contact in the playoffs. Hurdle hasn't scored and I think 24 games they broke up Stone, Eichel and. What was it? Yeah, because now Eichel's with Stone and Barbershev, Marner's with Howden and Dora Dorofiev hurdles with Riley Smith and then Blutman. Our guy, our Vegas guy doesn't understand why Kolasar stays on that third line. So there are questions, but in terms of the way game three went, I don't think there's panic for Vegas. Put it this way, the Oilers are in a way worse spot than Vegas is. In my mind, Utah's faster, but I still think Vegas is, It is a great chance of winning game four and tying this up. That's kind of my thought. In terms of not panicking, I'll.

[Biz]

I'll say this. If Tor. If there was a goalie, Annette, that Torts didn't like, if he would have had the start to the game that, that Carter Harhat in game three, he would have been getting the hook in no time.

[Wit]

Agreed.

[Biz]

So I'm saying, yeah, it's his guy from Philly and that's fine. But I feel like there's something going on where there's like literally no trust in Aiden Hill. And I don't think that that's fair in a sense of. He's accomplished way more in his career than Carter Hart has.

[Yance]

Horn, do you think Vegas kind of overlooked Utah here in this series because it kind of looks like the last two games.

[EJ]

I don't know about that. And, and on the, on the Hill thing, I think he had the worst 5 on 5 save percentage of any goal the. In the NHL this year. Like, I don't think there's any trust there. Right. Like, yeah, it's great he won a cup. And like, that's great then. But what have you done for me now? You know? Like, I don't think they can go to him. Like, like they had. They were like top five in the NHL in every metric except five on five state percentage. Yeah, some of that's on your team in front of you. I don't think they can go to Hill. I just think they got to ride it out with heart. I don't think.

[Biz]

I'm totally stealth.

[EJ]

Right.

[Biz]

I'm totally okay with them going back to Hart in game four.

[Aves]

Yeah.

[Biz]

But I'm saying, if it's a similar start to game three.

[Aves]

Sure.

[Biz]

And two goals go in and all of a sudden it's like, nope, we're not seeing Hill put his stuff on. I'm saying, okay, like, this guy literally hates his guts.

[Wit]

Yeah. Yeah, I'll agree. I'll agree with that. And it's funny. So Marner gets out of, gets out of Toronto and obviously the, the, the, the, the attention and the pressure is totally different. Doesn't have a goal yet. I thought that he would light it up this playoffs. I think I said in this series preview, I think he's going to explode. And just being out there and how different it feels and he doesn't have a goal, so it's like they sign him to this huge ticket. They need the guy to score. Stone performs every playoff off. Right. Can Marner perform? This is a huge game for Vegas. And obviously this series I think they've had. Is this their second two day off? They've had. They've had two days off between. I'm all about the two days off, E.J. because Edmonton hasn't had it once.

[Biz]

Yep.

[Wit]

But I don't know. I, I, I don't know what you think happens in game four. If you, anyone want to, want to give a take or a preview.

[Biz]

I, I think that Vegas is fine. I think that they'll, they'll figure it out and regroup. I think this is going to be a long series. But, and I, and I don't think that they overlooked Utah. I just think that when Utah, when they got everybody going, including goaltending, they're a very, very, very good team.

[Yance]

Oh, yeah.

[Biz]

And, and Logan Cooley has surpassed my expectations on how much of a. I know we keep throwing the word bumper and dog around, but he's been a dog. Bumper. He's been a dog.

[Yance]

He's dog bumping.

[Biz]

He's dog bumping.

[Wit]

Yeah. All right, E.J. buddy, we appreciate it so much.

[Yance]

You're.

[Wit]

You're crushing it. So we'll see you next when it's

[EJ]

maybe game seven for Dallas. Mini. Not for sure. That's tbd and then if not second round.

[Wit]

Okay. All right. Well, congrats on everything. Congrats on playing Augusta. That's the coolest thing. Forget the in between the benches and the Stanley cup playoffs. You're a legend, buddy. And thanks, guys.

[EJ]

Appreciate it.

[Wit]

We'll talk to you soon.

[EJ]

All right, guys.

[Biz]

You're the best, C.J.

[EJ]

thanks, guys. Take care.

[Biz]

Man Missile.

[Wit]

Yeah, Man Missile. Okay, so we still have RA to come on. Correct.

[Biz]

I think he's just going to be venting about the bees. We're just, this is a therapy session, okay. And he can, he can gloat about the Ducks.

[Wit]

Very true. Very true. I, I have been crushing water. So bring in RA While I pee.

[Gee]

RA Needs a few minutes here. RA Needs a few minutes.

[Biz]

I'll keep everybody entertained. Go ahead, Whit.

[Wit]

No, no. I won't leave you hanging, buddy.

[Biz]

Oh, okay.

[Wit]

I won't leave you hanging. How the hell is RA not ready? What am I missing here?

[Biz]

I, I think he's still getting back from the next on me.

[Gee]

I didn't send him the link yet because I didn't want to come in and distract the EJ interview.

[Biz]

No problem. No worries. We can. We can. Hey, listen, this is good. We should be able to. You know, we should.

[Wit]

I'm on till. I'm on till. This is as down as I've ever been.

[Biz]

I know. I can tell.

[Whitney]

Bad.

[Wit]

I'm down bad. It's. It's. It's one thing to. To be. And now I said on. Pardon my take like it's man in the arena type it. I'm gonna give takes forever. As long as I'm doing this, I'm gonna give takes. And you're always gonna miss. And if you bat 3. 300, you're a Hall of Famer. But I'll tell you right now, I. I'm. I feel. I feel small. I feel little. I feel like a failure. And it's tough getting beat up non stop on the old world Wide Web, Buddy, listen.

[Biz]

Everybody goes through it. I was getting roasted after the Leafs got beat 6 1, 61 games 5 and 7 last year. I felt like a complete loser. I still am a complete loser. But before we bring an ra, I think that we should just. Even the people at home listening, if you're in your car, let's just take a few deep breaths.

[Wit]

I need a very.

[Biz]

It's been a very stressful playoff, so we're going to do a little box breathing. Okay? We're going to go four on the way in. Hold for four. Four on the way out. Hold for four. All right, let's do this together. All right. Four on the way in.

[Wit]

All right, come on in. Let's bring them in. That was enough for me, thanks.

[Whitney]

Hello, everybody. Welcome to Ra's World here on the Spitting Chicklets podcast. What's going on, gentlemen? Another awesome weekend of NHL playoffs before we get to the pucks. Biz, I know you mentioned the. Yeah, quack, quack. I got my bucket right here. You were talking about that Rabel thing earlier. Biz, did you hear who actually. Who took those photos? I know you mentioned a possible private investigator or paparazzo. It was.

[Biz]

I have no idea.

[Whitney]

It was another couple staying at the resort. Like, they recognized them and so they didn't know them. They weren't working for anybody. They just took pictures, sold them to the post for under for four figures. So even if they got $9,900 after taxes, basically, these people, you know, hey, cheaters. But like, these people, like Nuke those other people's lives for, like, $3,000, which is, like, basically what that place costs per night. So they basically probably got a free weekend just by Nuke and Rabel and Racine.

[Biz]

So assuming that they knew who Vrabel was and the fact that maybe he wasn't with his wife or just being, like, sending it to people, being like, oh, look, I. I saw Variable at. In Sedona. And then next thing you know, they're like, oh, like, who's the girl he's with? It's like, oh, that's not his wife.

[Yance]

They probably knew it was her. Yeah.

[Whitney]

Yeah, I'm sure. If they recognize.

[Gee]

I think that couple's about to get sued, too. R.A. because that. That hotel has a pretty strict no photography policy. It's like one of those hotels you go to.

[Yance]

I hope they get you.

[Gee]

Yeah. You can't take pictures.

[Biz]

Yeah, no, that's. Sedona is one of those types of places where it's very private. Like, you're going there to, like, get off grid and fly under the radar. That is. Yeah. All of it sucks. RA not like her. Since we're into it, her tweets and all of it was just one of the most bizarre things I've ever seen in my life.

[Whitney]

Yeah.

[Biz]

The fact that, like. Like, if I was having an affair with a woman and I ended up having a kid with my current wife, the last name on the planet I would name my daughter is the woman that I'm having the affair with. Name that is just, like, lunatic.

[Whitney]

My daughter Shitty Cindy right here.

[Yance]

That's coming from a guy with a thong. Schwong on.

[Biz]

That's coming from a guy with a. Yeah, with a face.

[Whitney]

We'll go to a worse topic, and that would be the Boston Bruins effort yesterday. I mean, particularly the first period. I mean. I mean, I watched every playoff game in that building, whether in person or on television. I can't think of a worse game. I mean, obviously, there were traumatic games. Game seven, 2019, game six, and 2013, of course. But just that first period, it was just. Just a woeful effort. I mean, sloppy. They. I never saw them just so outperformed like that. I mean, they were not ready for prime time and credit to Buffalo. They could get in the zone. They could barely get out of their own zone. Buffalo took full advantage. But. But. But it was ugly, man. And the Bruins fans, they want to revolt now. They act like we were like, you know, two to one, Stanley cup favorites. Like, it was ugly. And, you know, the game collectively Was ugly, but they, they were a little bit better than the second period. I know they had a couple clankers, but it was just a horrific loss. And you know, I, I think it, you know, it's a learning experience. I know people like, oh, blow it up. Trade this one, trade that one. It's like, if you want to fucking trade Swayman after that game, you shouldn't watch hockey. You're absolute moron. I had said that biz, I did a spaces after the first, said you should do one, and I was like, you know, swaming gives up a fifth pull up. And I don't know why they waited for a six, but just ugly all around. What, what's going on, buddy? What do you have on this one for us?

[Wit]

Oh, yeah, it was just pathetic, truly pathetic. Ryder had a baseball game, so I'm coaching that. It started at one, it went to, I had to leave actually at like 225 to catch my flight to here in Chicago. So I quickly, I'm like, all right, they're probably 10 minutes in. It was three nothing. I, I, I was, I, I gasped, I, I said, there's just no chance. It's three nothing already. And then I see the goals and we mentioned already, I mean, we're talking 15 foot set breakout passes that they couldn't just completely not ready to play. My question to you is your opinion on Swayman giving it to the bench? Did you not mind it?

[Whitney]

Loved it, Absolutely loved it. He did get hung out to dry. It was a woeful effing. And I know, you know, goalies can't be captains or they aren't captains and, but like, that was like, I thought that was captain, like behavior. And I know you guys said you'll keep it in the locker room, but I don't know, I mean, we see Nate Dog do it on the bench to his, his teammates once in a while. Just because he's a goalie doesn't mean he can't snap at him. And obviously the coach was fine with it. Sturm thought it was okay that he did it. And even Chucky Max quote after the game, man, man to man in here, if we're not fucking embarrassed by what just happened, then I don't know what to say. And you know, I think that quote combined with what we saw from Swayman kind of go hand in hand, Little dovetail.

[Gee]

All right, all right. I think you're on the same page as me here though, too, where, like, you know, what if the Bruins lose in the next game? They lose in five. Yeah, it sucks. But I'm really not that mad because we were talking last night like, this is all gravy this season here. No one expected the Boston Bruins to be in this place. They were. Plus 10,000, I believe, to win the division at the beginning of the season. No one saw this coming, that they'd be in the playoffs. So the fact that they're even here and in this rebuild that we were talking about 365 days ago is a lot is sped up a lot faster than we originally expected.

[Whitney]

Yeah, it's an on the, on the fly fix all house money right now. And honestly, like, that's an awful game to play. Like, I think those are like learning, learning experiences that help, you know, young guys later down the line. And there's, you know, and people like, oh, they should have traded at the deadline. They only had two pending UFAs on the team. Ivison and I, I believe might be peak. So it's not like, you know, they had a bunch of guys like that we're going to be leaving at the end of the year, like, like last year. It's like, okay, well what would you realistically got for what, a fucking six rounds or maybe it's a four? It was, it wasn't even worth doing anything. I think, like I said, they just, they had what they had. Hey, let's see what happens with it, boys. And you know, we've been saying that from the jump, I mean, but it was still ugly. Not, not the type of stuff you want to see. But.

[Wit]

All right, you got, you got a little good news coming your way in that and. Oh, God, what. I love to see Buffalo bury you guys in Buffalo. Game five to move on. But Merles and I are there and that's a sign. That could be a tough sign for saving.

[Biz]

Not a chance. You guys are closing that out.

[Wit]

Wow. You believe in me.

[Biz]

I believe in you, buddy. Absolutely. There's no shade that not even you can mush the Blade Gang.

[Wit]

But I'm with girls. I'm with most.

[Biz]

Double mush.

[Wit]

Double mush. Oh, double negative equals a positive positive. Yeah, we're math guys. What do they. What, like without saying, Swayman needs to steal it? How do they beat them? Game five. That's. That's the problem. There isn't really any.

[Biz]

Slow them down, boys.

[Whitney]

Coach, it's coaching right now. Like G, G, like we talked about last night, you know, you know, as. As good as a year Sturm had. Lindy Ruff has 24 more years experience as the Head coach them. This is Ruff's 2050 year at Sturm's first. And. And just watching the Bruins, like I said, trying to get out of their own zone was ugly. But. But it was like fucking. Basically, the Sabres had like, you know, the Great Wall of China at the blue line. The Bronzers couldn't barely get any penetration a little bit in the second period, so they got to do some adjustments. You know, I've never been an X's and O's guy, as you know, but, you know, they have to change. I don't know if maybe mix the personnel, the lines up a bit more, but more. So figuring out just how to, you know, break through with Buffalo stifling them. Of course, once they get the lead, you know, they don't even have to sit on it. They just basically, like I said, it looked like they were putting four guys at the blue line sometimes and the Bruins could break through. So. So they need to do something strategic and, and to, you know, get a much better on the four check. They've been outshot all four games. 38 to 20, 35, 27, 30 to 25, 35, 24. They haven't even gotten 30 shots on goal in one of these games yet. So they gotta do something.

[Biz]

I think the, I think the ca. The coach scapegoating is like a little bit much.

[Wit]

I agree with you, Biz.

[Biz]

I think this.

[Wit]

I've never. I'm sorry to interrupt you. I've never been like, oh, out coach completely to play the game, boys.

[Biz]

Is he the one snapping fucking 20 foot passes off the tape, like in, on, on easy zone entries or.

[Wit]

All right, not to call you out. What is, what, what is Ruff done to out coach him? That's what I never get.

[Whitney]

Well, well, again, like what, basically, Buffalo stifling the Bruins, they can't get in the zone. So to me that's like, okay, the whatever system. And again, I'm not, I'm not familiar with that. I was a street hockey guy. But whatever they're doing, it's. It's a coaching strategy. So, like, Sturm isn't able to figure that out apparently, at least from very rudimentary way to put it. But, you know, the Bruins can't get entry into the zone. So to me it's like, all right, whatever Buffalo's doing, the Bruins need to change what they're doing. So the fact that again, the game, they're being outshot, they're not getting great possession in their, in the offensive zone. So yeah, to me, I think that ultimately goes down to coaching. At the end of the day. Yeah. Effort's a huge pot, but, yeah, to me, that's an X's and Osting and, you know, Lindsay's X's are doing better than Sturm's O's right now.

[Wit]

So where I disagree is only that I look at Buffalo as more skilled. They're faster.

[Yance]

Yeah.

[Wit]

And they have better defensemen overall. That it's like, this is a straight up personnel mismatch. So I. But I'm not saying, buddy, you, you, you are not alone in saying like, oh, coach, it gets mentioned a lot in all different playoff series. I think I've always just kind of been like, oh, that team's better than that team. Obviously, there's times when you have masterclass coaching examples, but for Buffalo, Boston, I just am not looking at this like, oh, man, Sturm is overmatched. I'm like, the team is over matched.

[Whitney]

Yeah, true. True that as well.

[Gee]

I think you got to get Lindholm off Pasta's line, too. He's clearly hurt. He's slowing him down. They moved him off the power play like, Pasta was playing with Mitten and Kuznadin off at the end of the season. I get they're under 23 years old. I get you don't want to throw them into the fire. But he needs to play with someone a little bit faster because Lindholm.

[Wit]

Okay, that's a coach.

[Biz]

Mitten had the pizza to start things off on the reverse start game three.

[Gee]

He did. He did.

[Biz]

Game four. Excuse me.

[Gee]

I agree. He did. He made that one mistake. But I think overall in the series, Mitten's been pretty good. And I, I, he's been much better than Lindholm, to say the least.

[Whitney]

Yeah. One, oh, one last Bob Buffalo note. Some lady tweeted the other day, she was sitting there where her husband would get ready for the game, and the door opened, and some guy walks in, and they're like, can we help you? And he's like, is this Steve's party? They're like, no, Steve's three doors down. He's like, okay. And he reaches his cool. It gives them shots. And they all did a shot together like total strangers.

[Wit]

Like Frank Whitney.

[Whitney]

I don't know. I don't know if they were doing pinkies up, but. But that's just like a quintessential Buffalo story. But we got to give props to our boy. Coop Cooper now has 90 wins with Tampa Bay in the playoffs. Passes Glenn Sather for the Second most career playoff wins by a head coach with a single NHL franchise. He also enters the top 10 in NHL history for playoff wins by a coach. So shout out to our pal Coop and what a series that's been.

[Wit]

All right, sorry. Who's number one for. With one team?

[Whitney]

It's got to be Bowman, right? With Montreal. Yeah. You know what I mean?

[Wit]

I. I don't know, but I'm wondering if we have that it might actually

[Biz]

be Al Arbor because Coleman was with Detroit and, and Montreal.

[Whitney]

Right. Yeah.

[Biz]

Stretches of time in Pittsburgh.

[Whitney]

Yeah. Well, one franchise. But would it only be one franchise? Yeah, actually it's a good question because Montreal won four in a row.

[Yance]

Gotta be Arbor.

[Whitney]

And you know what? It's probably, it's got to be, you know, because Arbor, when Montreal went four in a row, there were a few games and then when the island is the one, there were more play up games. So shout out to you. Good stuff there. But that, that's there.

[Biz]

What was it? 19 straight series victories that'll never be beat again.

[Whitney]

And you know, I think, I think you know who's either second or third, like as winning consecutive playoff series. Pat the, the big rig. Pat Maroon. It's like team, team and then Maroon. He's like, I believe number three in most consecutive series. One.

[Biz]

Yeah, he's probably at 13, right? 13 or 14.

[Whitney]

I'm not sure the number at the top. The top. But he's definitely like in the top three of most four with teams.

[Wit]

Yeah. And then they lost in the. What happened after they lost in the finals. Right?

[Whitney]

Yeah.

[Biz]

So 15.

[Wit]

Yeah.

[Whitney]

Good, good stuff there. I'm glad to do Mini in Dallas. We're getting six games there. This has been an awesome series. No surprise there. Two one goal games. Both went to ot. Game two had an empty net goal. So that was essentially a one goal game. Curls get six points in four games. I know you talked about Boldy earlier, but what he's doing, man, talk about just raising his game on the big stage like this. It's been great stuff and we got to give up.

[Biz]

So Kirill going to Kirill. Like obviously like game one, like everybody was good for Mini. Like they dusted him obviously. I think he had two assists last game. Did get an assist on the winner. Like, you know, hey, help win a puck battle down low, low to high. I think we can agree on like the. Even though he has six points, not as like visibly dominant.

[Yance]

Right.

[Biz]

Like the regular season, like Boldy, it's like, oh, it's visible. He's taking over Shifts. He's having solo individual efforts. Just would expect maybe a little bit more of that from Kirill. I think though, if Zouk is like 90% when he comes back, I think them too, if they get put together, I think that that could help Capri soft get going again.

[Wit]

Yeah, I agree.

[Biz]

That could really get him going again, which could be dangerous.

[Wit]

No, Hints is still like, dude, that is.

[Biz]

I don't. I think he's done the whole series.

[Wit]

Series, yeah. It has to be at this point, I would think. Right. And who knows, even the next round, dude, based on what they've talked about in him, I mean they've ruled him out of game four, like going into game two, so.

[Biz]

And I believe Hints was injured a little bit last year as well. Like missed some games in, in the run. And it kind of going back to Kopitar. I know we've been jumping around a lot. This pot is like the best. What is it? The best ability is availability.

[Wit]

Yeah.

[Biz]

Kopitar was always available. That's what made him as special as he was as a player. He was never hurt. He was always there to be relied upon. I don't know if he was battling through stuff or he just didn't get injured because if you look at his ankles and his body, he is like, he's built like Delorier, but he moves like fucking putty. Moves like Logan Cooley, like that type of guy. But he is just, he was, he was a force that was always available.

[Whitney]

Also to a shout out Matt, 35 year old Matt Duchene. He's having a hell of a series as well. 5 assists, 7.5 in 4 games. Great to see an old guy getting it done like that. We got a shadow veggie VKA the other night. I mean, what was it? Vegas, 32 shots. He made 30 saves. Utah only had 12 shots that game. Four goals on 12 shots. They held on not for dear life, but you know, Vegas got a couple late, but that series, I mean they could take a 31 lead. That's pretty wild. I don't think a lot of people saw that coming. And again, that's another tight series. We've, you know, two one goal games. I'm sorry, a one goal game, an empty net game and you know, four, two the other night, I think that's been entertaining itself. So I got to give Freddie Anderson his props. I know you guys briefly mentioned that earlier. 4, 0, 1.10 goals against a.955 save percentage. One shutout, just five goals against that entire series. But you know, for a sweep, very competitive series, you know, Ottawa lost two nothing three two and double O T two to one and then four two with you know, the netting had goals so just five goals they scored. And I know, you know, this is probably the captain obvious, but I'd be shocked to shit if Brady Kachuka is wearing a Senators uniform come September, October, just, it just seems.

[Biz]

Where do you think he ends up?

[Whitney]

All right, you know what, there's too many, too many places that I think whittle it down to one I would imagine, you know, a big pocket American team, you know. But he does have two years left, I want to say at about 8.2 million at his cap. So it's not like, like his brother, you know, had one year left and hey, I'm not signing after this year with two years. It's obviously a different scenario. But yeah, it just seems like sort of one of these relationships that might, might be coming to the end and might be mutually beneficial for both sides. But obviously Ottawa, you know, if they don't have to do anything, they don't have to the. The trade and they could sit around and wait for the proper deal. But you know, a power photo averages, you know, you know, what is it, 0.80 points per game. You know, a tough guy like that. Obviously I think teams will be lining up to get them, but yeah, sure, it feels like it might be over on that one and, and they had

[Wit]

his picture next to Boston. They had his picture on the espn. I was like, oh, that would be a nice site.

[Biz]

What's up, Yance?

[Yance]

No, I was just going to say like a lot of it too could be these teams that lose. Like if Minnesota loses, they're going to have to retool, get better. Like they could go. If D loses, they go out, get better. Need a guy like him. Florida obviously didn't make playoffs. They're looking to retool, bring in guys. So I think there's going to be a ton of teams that want him. Even though A's wouldn't think so. But it like the fact that you could add him to your team next year if you're a team that's on the cusp is going to be going to be huge.

[Biz]

We didn't even mention Kale McCarr much. Wiggle wiggle Dick Shakira hips as I'm calling them now.

[Wit]

Just going across a great tweet.

[Biz]

Just, just giving her one of across the blue line. If I was a head coach of a team, we're Playing against him, I would tell my forwards, if you run out at him, I'm going to murder your family.

[Wit]

Yeah, same as Quinn. Don't just stay off him a little.

[Biz]

Stay 8ft to 10ft away from him and just keep him in front of you. And the minute that he starts moving towards your net, just turn around and skate back like it's fucking. You saw that guy yesterday. It's. Was it Taylor Wright?

[Wit]

Yeah, yeah. Rook. Rookie.

[Biz]

Oh, dude. There was a little pick play there. And then he's like, I gotta get out. And it's like, oh, man, don't do it. And then Kale's just licking his chops, blows by him. And how about Makar? Like, the minute that he's got a step on him, he just takes his. He takes his ice inside. So now you can't even get to his stick because he's a righty, right? And he sips that puck. These goalies are holding their gloves like this now, and he throws it right at his elbow. So you can't. It's hard for them to come down in real time where it's more comfortable to go up. He knows exactly where he's going with that puck, that guy. For solo individual efforts at the blue. You can't tell me this guy's not the best defenseman in the world.

[Yance]

It's a jo. In biz. Like, when he puts his body into you, there's a 50% chance you could take a penalty on him because he's getting inside. You either got to hold him to not. Not. The announcers last night were like, if

[Wit]

he beats you like that, you got

[Yance]

to take him down and take a penalty because he's either scoring or you're going on the power play.

[Biz]

I would have just skated through the tunnel. I would have just got out. Avoid the minus.

[Wit]

That was Taylor Ward's first playoff game.

[Biz]

Ward?

[Wit]

Yeah. And he's. And he's like, oh, my God. No, no, no. And you know right away as a player, you know, the second. The split second, you're beat. And then when it's a guy like him. Him, you're like, I'm. This is going to end up so ugly and so bad. And the fact is, it looked like he might have recovered and maybe most d. He did recover. Nope. No chance.

[Biz]

You know, he's going to be at the bar this summer showing girls. This was me here getting burnt, getting toasted in his group chat by his boys.

[Yance]

He was listening to this whole podcast like, oh, fucking rice. They didn't talk about it last five minutes world.

[Wit]

But we're also saying, we're also also saying like buddy, you're one of a million. Like this is not the badge of honor be ashamed about.

[Whitney]

Well, well, like, like the Senators, I mean the Kings, I thought they were. I know, I know I picked them in seven. It was sort of my, my one upset pick of the first round. But I thought they were. Except for the game four. They were in every game. I mean they were very competitive. Just, you know, outman too much skill. Forsberg was terrific. I mean except yesterday he had a tough game in the, in game four. But Wedgwood four and oh, with one to one goals against.950 say percentage. He kind of of probably, you know, definitely quieted some critics right now. And I know you guys talked about Kopita earlier, but I just want to like, just I love like the handshake line when it's a lost guy's, you know, going time going through that. You know, him and Burnsy, they competed God knows how many times against each other. That's just real special shit. But wild stat though. You know, he, he actually only got out of the first round three separate times in his career. Like 12, 13, 14. But you win two cups, it's not the shabbiest thing. In the middle time they went to the Western Conference finals day. And also the Kings since then. The new TV deal the last couple years, the Kings are the first and only team to make the playoffs all five seasons under the current TV deal and never have won a series. Just kind of a weird little statistical anomaly right there too. And who would have thought a Ducks defenseman leading the playoff scoring Jackson eight points in four games. Brandon Haggle with goals, he's got six. Lacombe leading with seven assists as well. But want to give a shout out to our pal Kenny Albert. Name drop Keith Heath. He has the most national broadcast of all time here in the states. Saturday was his 1545th call, passing the legend Dick Stockton through all four major sports. But that's awesome to do all four sports like that and you know, to be able to do it at that level. Awesome stuff, Keith. I know you were asking for all right, Hamilton last week. So we'll do a couple, couple fire right here.

[Biz]

Shout out to Kenny Albert, boys. That guy's course machine.

[Yance]

Unreal guy too.

[Whitney]

All the, all the travel, all the travels guys do too. And the preparation manual. Hats off to to him and all the other folks doing that. All right, this one is from Sky God 2000. All right, Hamilton this is for everyone except Biz, since we know his answer. If you could go back in time and be a spectator on the set of any movie, which one would it be? What would you do with.

[Wit]

Wow, Cool question.

[Yance]

That is a question.

[Wit]

So I. I love Braveheart. And I think just, like, being around, like, those battle scenes.

[Biz]

Unbelievable answer.

[Wit]

Fields, I think. And. And then being around, like, because there's so much outdoors in it and the way they film the battle scenes. For me, if you're just standing where the director is and where the cameramen are, I think that'd be my pick.

[Biz]

I. I actually wouldn't say There will be blood. I would have a different answer.

[Yance]

Mine would be Gladiator.

[Wit]

Well, what was Biz? A Gladiator's good one.

[Biz]

Mine is also a war movie. I would take Ben Hur.

[Whitney]

Wow.

[Biz]

Just because I'm interested. To how they made movies back then. Like, it's just like. It was a way. It was a way different era where there. There wasn't. There was no cgi. There was none of that. Right?

[Whitney]

Yo. Yeah. Yeah. Everything was practical effects. Very much so in that era. Plus you'd be taking down, like. Like, extras in their big bushes every night.

[Wit]

What a mature answer, Biz.

[Yance]

Like Saving Private Ryan.

[Wit]

Saving Private Ryan. The beach.

[Yance]

Yeah.

[Wit]

Like on Normandy, that is. Or was it Omaha? Ra.

[Whitney]

Yes, Omaha Beachville. Saving Private.

[Wit]

That would be. That would be sick.

[Whitney]

Gee, what do you got for us, bro? I see you sitting there.

[Gee]

I would say

[Whitney]

Wall street, just Wolf of Wall street.

[Gee]

Just because I actually heard when they were filming that it was just.

[Yance]

They weren't doing actual blow and doing,

[Gee]

like, I hear crazy party, though, and it was nuts. And Margot Robbie. I think Margot Robbie in that movie is like, the hottest girl of all time. So I'd love to be on set for that.

[Whitney]

All right, I'm.

[Biz]

I'm gonna go with answer.

[Whitney]

Caddyshack.

[Wit]

Oh, great.

[Biz]

Great answer.

[Whitney]

There's actually a. A book. So Chris the show would say. He. It's the. It's a book. Probably the last one I read, and I read it in about three days to make it a Caddyshack. I mean, as you expect in late 70s Bill Murray, Chevy Chase. Like, enough said there. They basically. They had it in the budget. They. There was. It was drugs. They didn't have it listed on the budget as drugs. They euphemized it with something else. But they literally had it in the budget to buy, like, you know, whatever drugs they needed, obviously, weed, coke, whatever. And the only dude who didn't touch One thing the entire, like I don't month or whatever. They filmed it down in Florida was Ted Knight. You know, the judge males. Like the uptight guy with the. With the white hair.

[Biz]

No way. He's not a drug user.

[Gee]

Not at all.

[Whitney]

Yes.

[Biz]

He was incredible in it.

[Wit]

I've played. You'll get nothing unlike it. I've played the course. It was filmed that. It's.

[Yance]

It's Grand Oaks.

[Wit]

Yeah. Great. It's actually pretty sick. Yeah.

[Yance]

Cool track.

[Wit]

But it's boom.

[Yance]

I'm surprised no one said Flapshot.

[Biz]

Oh, great call. Yeah.

[Whitney]

Oh, wow. That's a. Yeah, no, probably I said that probably because I read that if you're.

[Wit]

If you're. If you were behind the camera in the locker room, that would have been

[Yance]

even just like. I'm sure they brought in. I'm sure they brought in like a bunch of minor league guys and NHL guy or whoever to like show them exactly how locker rooms and where. I bet it was a blast.

[Wit]

Bruce Boudreau. He's in it.

[Whitney]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. His. His apostle Reggie Dunlop's apartment was Bruce Pro's. Bruce Boudreau's actual apartment. Because they need. They needed a dumpy apartment. Apparently that's what they said when they talked about it. So. Yeah. Pretty good stuff there. Let's see. Got one more for you and then we'll wrap it up here.

[Biz]

Did you have any other answers? Ra. Like as backup.

[Whitney]

Yeah. Animal House in Revenge of the Nerds because they basically would just, you know,

[Yance]

Snakes on a plane.

[Whitney]

No, Animal House in Revenge on the Nerds because they basically it was like party central because they filmed the Animal House. I believe it was the University of Oregon. And then Revenge of the Nerds was Arizona University. And again, this is the late 70s, the late 80s. Like dudes would just, like the whole cast and crew would be out all night, show up to the set on like an hour or two asleep and just get. Get at it once again, like it was just like, you know, a two month long party. Obviously those are hilarious movies too, but. Oh, you did. You did mention Boogie Nights a few minutes ago. There's actually a great read, an oral history. I think Grantland did it years ago when they were filming Boogie Nights biz, you know, Mark Wahlberg, Maggie back. He wasn't much of an established actor yet.

[Biz]

Yet.

[Whitney]

And meanwhile he's going with John C. Reilly and Julian Moore and Burt Reynolds, all these legend of stage and screen.

[Biz]

Right.

[Whitney]

So Paul Thomas Hannsen like deliberately kept him like away from other. The other people on Set. So it would increase his, like, feelings of isolation, you know, becoming into this new world. And I mean, you know, if you obviously seen the movie, Marky Mac is by far his best role ever. So, yeah, the director, like, delivered, like,

[Biz]

as in, like to. To make him kind of like that innocent, naive character.

[Whitney]

Yeah. Or just come into it just more so like that. You know, he. He wouldn't be. He wouldn't get too, like, maybe familiar or with his co stars, but, you know, because he was. He was a newbie in the, you know, in the movie. He was coming into this new industry. So, yeah, he deliberately kept them from, you know, from his co stars early on to like, sort of feed the role and I mean, sometimes, you know, direct. Interesting, crazy tricks. So. Yeah, I thought you like that.

[Biz]

Paul Thomas Anderson's a genius. I love that guy.

[Whitney]

Yeah. Absolutely brilliant director. Hey, you watch one battle after another yet?

[Biz]

I. I haven't yet. I will. I will. That's a problem. I. I just got to get about 15 more. There will Be Blood watches in and then I'm really happy I watched the Godfather. I. I have Godfather 2 for the fall.

[Whitney]

Oh, yeah, absolutely. Yeah, absolutely.

[Biz]

Which. Which is apparently better than Godfather 1.

[Wit]

I like it more.

[Whitney]

Yeah.

[Yance]

Both incredible.

[Whitney]

Yeah.

[Wit]

They go flashback to when the Godfather was like 20 years old.

[Biz]

That. It's a. It's a prequel it.

[Wit]

In Godfather 2, they go back and forth between when. What. What's Marlon Brando's three years old and comes into power, and then back to when right now, Michael Corleone's in power. It's. It's. I like it better. Yeah, I think you should watch it today after you relax to wind down.

[Biz]

I'm gonna. Yeah, I'm gonna smoke a J and do that. That's awesome. Yeah.

[Yance]

I.

[Whitney]

One, one last one here. This is a good one. This is from B. McCocker. NY Rangers fan. If you were in a Shaw, like, real life. No, not that. No, not. Not that one. That's been on Twitter forever. There's another dude here. Anyways, if you were in a Shaw, like, real life scenario, would you be able to saw off your own arm or leg to save yourself biz? This is right up here.

[Biz]

I don't think you. I don't think you, like, mentally can. It's very difficult. Although there was a story about a guy who, I believe he got caught when he was rock climbing 27 hours.

[Whitney]

Yeah.

[Biz]

Yeah. And he had to. Maybe it was his leg he had amputated or one of his arms that he did to himself. Would I personally, like. Yeah, I think obviously mentally, if it's life or death, you just have to kind of grind through it.

[Wit]

I. I would love to think that, like, for my kid, like my kids, I would. Yeah, I would do it. I mean, easier said than done. Maybe the all time. Easier said than done.

[Biz]

Could even get Wit and Yanza block a shot off their arm.

[Yance]

I've lived a. I've lived a good, good enough life. I'm. I'm good.

[Whitney]

Gee, what. What about you? Would you be able to pull that off?

[Yance]

Me thinks he could just pull his arm off. He wouldn't even have to cut it.

[Gee]

It wouldn't take much hospital. It wouldn't take much. I think three or four saws and my wrist would be snapped.

[Yance]

So I think probably, yeah, that could do.

[Whitney]

It's probably same situation.

[Wit]

You couldn't do the arm, but you had no problem taking some scissors to your wrist.

[Whitney]

Oh, that, that. I did see that movie too. I remember when, when he was, you know, based on the true story, like Biz just mentioned when he actually is cutting it. And like, I like, it's obviously not real, it's a movie. But when he gets his, like. I never got the, like, worst, like, chills, goosebumps, awful feeling like when he cuts through his, like, tendon. Because you just can imagine, like, how awful that must have felt. But, you know, it's quite the testament that what, you know, what the human body will do.

[Wit]

I'll tell you what, if Buffalo loses game five, there might be a Sabers fan trying to cut my arm off, so. All right, all right. Well, I don't know.

[Whitney]

Well, boys, I know it's been a long one for you guys today. Playoffs, you know, rolling along. Everything's been awesome so far. So hopefully give you a little energy, just energy boost for the end of your Monday here.

[Wit]

Thank you, boys.

[Biz]

Shout out to Whit, man, like that. Hey, despite how many L's you've been taking, Buddy, you've been carrying the content side of the game. And I mean the. The amount of comments on that video you dropped last night. 6400. Wow. On the spitting chicklets Instagram. I don't know. That's got to be some sort of a record or something.

[Wit]

Hey, man, in the arena, boys. And I would say maybe take. Give 800 to Oilers fans. Would you say 67? 6,600. How many total?

[Biz]

6,400 to 64.

[Wit]

So let's say 5,600 are just carving me. Yeah, but man, in the arena. And these tapes won't stop and they never will stop. And this series ain't over. And everyone, three hours. Thank you for tuning in with us. I wanted to do something very special right now. A little family feud action next week. So thank you to everyone. Thank you to the fans. Unbelievable first round so far. That's why the shows are a little longer. So we appreciate you tuning in with us. Appreciate Netflix. Love all you guys. Thanks to our guests, our sponsors, ej, all our sponsors. Go get a Reese's.

[Yance]

Thank my computer.

[Wit]

Go get some aura frames. Go drink some body armor. Right. Go bet on DraftKings. We love you all. You guys are the best. I'm gonna go touch some grass.

[Aves]

Peace.

[Wit]

Won't happen, won't happen, won't happen again? It won't happen, won't happen, won't happen again? A bad habit worth breaking but it's taking time I don't know it don't matter it's going to happen it's going

[Biz]

to happen again Sam.