Local Hour: Stand Out of the Way, Here Comes OKC

Summary

Summary of "Local Hour: Stand Out of the Way, Here Comes OKC"
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Release Date: May 27, 2025

---

1. Introduction

In this episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, the hosts delve deep into the current state of the Florida Panthers' performance in the NHL playoffs. Amidst spirited discussions and lively banter, Dan LeBatard, Stugotz, Greg Cody, Tony, Roy, and Zaslow dissect recent games, player performances, and strategic decisions that have significant implications for the Panthers' quest for the Stanley Cup.

---

2. Florida Panthers Playoff Performance

a. Recent Game Analysis

The primary focus of the episode is the Panthers' recent playoff encounters, particularly their surprising loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Stugotz initiates the conversation by questioning the team's inconsistencies, especially after losing depth players like Mikola, Reinhart, and Greer. He remarks:

"I can't believe the Carolina Hurricanes before yesterday lost 15 straight conference finals games, which is an epic, epic way to be a loser." ([09:28])

Greg Cody counters this by highlighting the Hurricanes' resilience and the Panthers' vulnerabilities:

"That's what Paul Maurice is about. Coach Maurice is an uncommonly honest coach who is extremely thoughtful in his answers." ([12:04])

b. Player Performances

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Matthew Tkachuk's performance and his impact on the team's dynamics. Stugotz raises concerns about Tkachuk's current form, questioning whether injuries are affecting his gameplay:

"Why doesn't it buy him anything? Why as the person this important to the team, as the person at the center of a team that's winning, but not right now because of him." ([16:18])

Dan LeBatard defends Tkachuk, acknowledging his struggles while emphasizing his past contributions:

"Two Stanley Cups ago where he came back and had a game-winning point in the one win that they had against Vegas when his body went through what is tantamount to a car accident, it bought him a lot." ([17:20])

c. Coaching Strategies and Decisions

The hosts critique the Panthers' coaching decisions, particularly the resting of key players like Sam Reinhart. Stugotz expresses frustration over what he perceives as unnecessary risk-taking:

"It is a game that literally no one involved will ever remember... Minnesota is now finished. OKC will win the title." ([35:44])

Greg Cody offers a more nuanced view, suggesting that the Panthers' mantra of preparing for seven-game series is strategic, even if it doesn't always yield immediate results:

"Paul Maurice won. Media nothing. He was right. It's been closer than the score seems." ([12:57])

---

3. Franchise Dynamics and Injuries

a. Impact of Player Injuries

The discussion delves into how injuries, especially to pivotal players like Tkachuk, can disrupt team chemistry and performance. Stugotz emphasizes the need for the fanbase to understand and support players battling injuries:

"Any performance that is poor would be mitigated or diluted by anybody playing hurt." ([16:18])

Conversely, Dan LeBatard points out the challenges of maintaining performance levels despite physical setbacks:

"If you're sloppy with the puck and you're hurting your team, you don't show up wearing all black for a funeral and play your worst game of the season." ([17:49])

b. Team Roster Depth

The hosts examine the depth of the Panthers' roster, questioning the reliance on injured forwards and the bench's capability to step up. Roy highlights specific issues with turnovers and defensive lapses:

"Kachuk just gave the puck away. We had no chance." ([14:18])

---

4. Host Banter and Light-Hearted Segments

Interspersed throughout the episode are moments of levity and camaraderie among the hosts. A notable segment involves Greg Cody sharing dad jokes, leading to playful teasing from Stugotz:

Greg Cody:
"What does the custodian say when he suddenly comes out of the supply closet?" ([30:10])

Stugotz:
"You blew that joke." ([30:43])

The hosts also engage in humorous debates about the effectiveness and charm of such jokes, showcasing their chemistry and the show's entertaining dynamic.

---

5. Conclusion and Final Remarks

Towards the end of the episode, the hosts circle back to the central theme of the Panthers' playoff journey. They express a mix of frustration and hope, acknowledging the team's potential while critiquing strategic missteps. Greg Cody encapsulates the team's standing with an optimistic outlook:

"We're seeing a budding dynasty. The seed has been planted for a Thunder dynasty, young team. They're going to be better in three years. Stand out of the way. Here comes OKC." ([40:21])

Stugotz reflects on the paradoxical nature of the team's successes and shortcomings, urging for a balanced perspective as the playoffs progress.

---

Notable Quotes:

• "We aim for a consensus opinion here."
  Dan LeBatard ([02:44])

• "Stand out of the way. Here comes OKC."
  Greg Cody ([40:21])

• "It's the kind of show that just will cater to one comment and be."
  Stugotz ([02:33])

---

This episode offers a comprehensive look into the Florida Panthers' current playoff challenges, enriched by insightful analysis and the hosts' signature humor. Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to the team's dynamics, the discussion provides valuable perspectives on the factors influencing the Panthers' pursuit of the Stanley Cup.

Transcript

[Mike Ryan]

What does Zyn really give you? Not just smoke free nicotine satisfaction, but also real freedom to do more of what you love, when and where you want to do it. Why bring Zyn along for the ride? Because America's number one nicotine pouch opens up all the possibilities of right now. With Zyn, you don't just find freedom, you keep finding it. Find your Zen. Learn [e-mail] this product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

[Dan LeBatard]

Now's a good time to remember where tequila's story truly began. In 1795, Cuervo invented tequila. Cuervo, what are you doing here?

[Stugatz]

Cuervo? Anytime someone says Cuervo, I show up.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, I do know that to be true. But even during ad reads like Cuervo, I think he could lay out especially.

[Stugatz]

For one of our great partners, Sweet, delicious Cuervo.

[Dan LeBatard]

Since then, Cuervo has stayed true to its roots. The same family, the same land, the same passion.

[Stugatz]

Cuervo.

[Dan LeBatard]

So enjoy the tequila that started it all. Cuervo. Cuervo, the tequila that invented tequila. CVO.com please drink responsibly Cuervo.

[Stugatz]

Shadow Show.

[Greg Cody]

Shadow Show.

[Stugatz]

Shadow Show.

[Greg Cody]

Shadow Show.

[Stugatz]

Shadow Show. Shadow Show. Shadow Show.

[Greg Cody]

Shadowing it. Shadowing it.

[Stugatz]

So Stugots came in here just a bit back, bewildered. He asked me correctly. It's the correct question to ask. Is Greg Cody in today?

[Tony]

Mm.

[Stugatz]

There's no proof of it.

[Tony]

It's Tuesday.

[Stugatz]

Ever since he said he's very punctual and never late. He hasn't been on time since.

[Tony]

Bad traffic out there.

[Stugatz]

Understood. But everyone else got here on time.

[Tony]

Yeah, it's true.

[Stugatz]

Everyone but him got on time. And you came from further through that bad traffic. Zaslow is here. Heroically. What is the. What is the reaction to Zaslow? Zaslo has inundated our playoff coverage. He won a giant bet, and so he's as much as he'd like to be with great riches and reward as he climbs the ladder at ESPN Radio. What Mike has the reaction to Zaslow have. What's it been?

[Dan LeBatard]

People like Zaslo.

[Roy]

Nice.

[Stugatz]

Congratulations, Zaslow. I did not know. I think that's being liked.

[Tony]

Yeah.

[Roy]

Thanks, everyone.

[Stugatz]

Yes, it's nice. So we've got a Panther fan here.

[Dan LeBatard]

And I actually checked the Internet.

[Stugatz]

I'm just assuming. Guessing, Tony.

[Dan LeBatard]

What kind of spot is that? People fricking hate you, pal.

[Stugatz]

I don't. I don't.

[Dan LeBatard]

I mean, you suck. Don't check the Reddit.

[Stugatz]

I seriously don't. I have simply avoided all commentary. And so I Was asking with genuine curiosity, what is the reaction?

[Dan LeBatard]

I mean, we've been around for 20 years. I don't care.

[Stugatz]

Okay, fair enough.

[Dan LeBatard]

Everyone's got an opinion.

[Stugatz]

It's the kind of.

[Dan LeBatard]

We're the type of show that just will cater to one comment and be.

[Tony]

Like, God damn it, we can't get it right.

[Roy]

My father will go on Google. Hey, you know, I googled your name the other. Oh, don't do that. Please don't do that.

[Dan LeBatard]

You aim for a consensus opinion here.

[Stugatz]

Again, Mike, I wasn't asking for a consensus opinion. I was asking you to tell me what the reaction. He lied to me. He lied to me. He didn't tell me the truth.

[Dan LeBatard]

He said some mentions. I don't know. Like, engagement is difficult on social media these days. I don't know what's what like, but people generally like Zaz.

[Tony]

Greg's here?

[Stugatz]

Yes, Greg is.

[Dan LeBatard]

You Like ZAZ? Type 1 in the chat box.

[Zaslow]

For what it's worth, my buddy Kevin loves as.

[Stugatz]

Thank you, Tony. Kevin, that is.

[Dan LeBatard]

Bring up the chat box so I can see all them ones.

[Stugatz]

Mike, you sound super defensive. And all I asked. All I asked was a question.

[Dan LeBatard]

Hey. Yes, and is what I did.

[Stugatz]

Mike, stop interrupting me. God almighty. Just God almighty. Stop interrupting me for a second. I asked you a question.

[Dan LeBatard]

I had a long weekend on a.

[Stugatz]

Tuesday, I hear, man, congratulations on here. Don't, don't, don't, don't.

[Dan LeBatard]

Don't direct your frustration to me. Greg just sauntered in.

[Stugatz]

He showed up, but did so with the courtesy of not lying to me. When I asked him my first question, he just remained silent and then made a bunch of noise putting his things on the sideline.

[Tony]

Leave the lying to me.

[Dan LeBatard]

What do people think about Zaslow?

[Tony]

They like them.

[Dan LeBatard]

There you go.

[Stugatz]

Nice.

[Dan LeBatard]

Anybody else have an opinion?

[Zaslow]

A lot of ones in the chat.

[Dan LeBatard]

Let's get the. Look at that. Look at all them ones.

[Stugatz]

Cody, have you seen any of the reaction to Zaslo around here? What is the. What has the reaction been to Zazlow? I don't know. I'm asking with genuine curiosity.

[Tony]

Cody knows.

[Greg Cody]

You mean my reaction or general reaction?

[Stugatz]

Well, not everybody likes that, so.

[Greg Cody]

Of course they don't. I mean, why would they. No, I'm kidding. Zaz, you know that I love you like a pet.

[Stugatz]

And why would you say that? You're kidding there. You're not kidding?

[Greg Cody]

No, he's. He's.

[Zaslow]

When you say pet.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah.

[Zaslow]

What do you mean by that?

[Stugatz]

Just an old saying he's been saying for 50 years. He's not updated.

[Zaslow]

But doesn't he call farts pets?

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, I do. You know, that's open to interpretation.

[Tony]

That's why I was trying to interpret it.

[Stugatz]

Thank you, Tony.

[Zaslow]

Like a fart or like jumping Charlie?

[Stugatz]

What? Do you like him? Tony, this is interpretation. Put the microphone in front of your mouth.

[Greg Cody]

I know. This is the Dan Levator show with the Stugatz podcast.

[Stugatz]

So among Stugatz's discombobulations is that he came in here today and Kristen said, congratulations to all. And Stugat said, on what? And then she said, on your sports Emmy and gbf, huh? No, not gbf. Then Stugatz asked because he's. He can be sometimes in his own little compartment, far away from the real world, in a sphere on acid. And when he asked mushrooms the question, what did we win a sports Emmy for? I looked at him and I wondered how many guesses I would have to give him before he came upon what Meadowlark made that would have won a sports emmy. Don't look it up. I see.

[Tony]

I'm typing in a password. That's all I'm doing.

[Stugatz]

All right. I don't trust you. Keep your sausage fingers away from the evidence. Any data collection will be used against you.

[Tony]

I didn't lie to you pregame.

[Stugatz]

I mean, you were the only one who didn't lie to me in the pregame. You were the only one. Do you know how. Do you know how lonely it is to have Stu guys next to me is the most honest man in the room. Please stop typing with those fat fans fingers.

[Tony]

I'm typing in a password.

[Stugatz]

Look, now is when you need information.

[Tony]

Little gmail password.

[Stugatz]

Gone 20 years without retaining any information. You don't need some right now. All right, what do you think we want a sports emmy for?

[Tony]

Ooh. The Greg Cody show with Greg Cody.

[Greg Cody]

Thank you. It's about time.

[Stugatz]

That's incorrect. I will say that. That I did enjoy watching on YouTube. I encourage you to watch the Greg Cody show with Greg Cody, which is produced very well. The star, the producers on that show, Yeti and his son do a very good job of conjuring from Greg Cody the best Greg Cody.

[Greg Cody]

Thank you.

[Stugatz]

The Greg Cody who is dismissed by his son. His son plays the loser who is too hard on him. And Greg gets to win because he just barrels right through all of his son's insults with an alarming amount of unfunny that then becomes funny because of how Yeti and Chris are producing him.

[Greg Cody]

Thank you.

[Tony]

All right, so it wasn't the Greg Cody show with Greg Cody. The hockey show.

[Greg Cody]

Oh, yeah. Bellamy's got that going on. That is smoking hot. The hockey show.

[Dan LeBatard]

So far, you've just named two podcasts not know what an Emmy is.

[Stugatz]

I don't think he knows what metal arc makes either. Like, I don't. I think we could have come in. I think we can have him keep guessing.

[Dan LeBatard]

So annoyed.

[Stugatz]

I think we can have him keep guessing and not get a correct answer, but I don't think we've celebrated enough. We don't get sports Emmys around here. No. Dan Patrick's been wanting begging to win a sports Emmy the entire time his show's been on the air. Begging. We won a sports Emmy. Stugatz. But you. Can you stop typing, please?

[Tony]

Password, Gmail.

[Stugatz]

What did we win a sports Emmy for?

[Tony]

Ooh, that soccer documentary we made.

[Dan LeBatard]

That was several years ago. Oh, the one with Grant Wall?

[Tony]

Yes.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah. Good rivals.

[Tony]

That was good.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, it was. But it did not win the sports Emmy. I know, right?

[Tony]

We made another movie. That much I know.

[Dan LeBatard]

Okay, which one was that did we make?

[Tony]

2.

[Stugatz]

We made. We made few movies. We got a dart movie in. In the uk, but that didn't win a sports Emmy either here or in the uk. It's a great movie. It's a great movie.

[Tony]

It should interesting.

[Stugatz]

It should win a sports Emmy. It did not win a sports Emmy. But you. Now all you have to do is correctly name a third movie that Metal Arc media has made and no one believes you can do it.

[Tony]

There was the Red Sox movie.

[Stugatz]

That's the one. It's not the name.

[Tony]

Ours, Right?

[Stugatz]

That is ours.

[Tony]

They were down 3, 0. They came back. They won it. They won the World Series. That. That whole thing.

[Stugatz]

What's the name of the movie? Oh, wow. You don't know the name of the movie?

[Tony]

Oh, the socks.

[Dan LeBatard]

I don't know how you're half right.

[Zaslow]

I have twisted from the bottom.

[Stugatz]

I have confetti. I'm twisting, and it just broke apart like I was. I was trying to do confetti. Go ahead and do your own confetti. We've got broken confetti. Look at this. All we have is that congratulations.

[Greg Cody]

Sad confetti.

[Stugatz]

Yes. To metal arc media.

[Tony]

There it is.

[Stugatz]

The. That is the height of entertainment, the height of production. We have four of seven confetti makers. Work and function. Congratulations to metalwork media.

[Tony]

Can't even get salt and pepper shaker.

[Stugatz]

That's exactly what it looks for, winning a prestigious sports Emmy. I want to talk about a number of things today, but I want to begin with the Florida Panthers. And I want to ask Panther fans Mike, Ryan, Roy and Zaslow if Mikola, Reinhart and Greer are that important that the Panthers look totally incompetent as soon as they lose their depth and lose for the first time to that group of losers from Carolina. I can't believe the Carolina Panthers before yesterday, Carolina Hurricanes, excuse me, before yesterday, I can't believe that they had lost 15 straight conference finals games, which is an epic, epic way to be a loser.

[Chris]

Well, Sam Reinhart not being in the lineup that affects your offensive defensive power play, your penalty kill and the power play went 0 for 4. So yeah, that definitely affected things in the way that Nico Mikaela has been playing lately. He's been joining in on the offense. That affects your offense and your defense too.

[Roy]

Did you, did you hear them say who scored the game winning goal in the last time the Hurricanes won a conference finals? Rod Brindle? Moore.

[Greg Cody]

Yep. How about that?

[Stugatz]

Well, I've got a couple of questions for you guys because after Carolina lost game three, I thought Brenda Moore sounded as broken as any coach I've heard who still had games to play. I thought the comments coming out of the Panther locker room was were interesting. When they went up 30 and I didn't believe what they were saying. I didn't believe what Marshan said and I didn't believe what Paul Murray said. Paul Murray said in game three, which would break any man coaching who had lost 14 straight conference finals games to be in a game on the road trying to save your season. Have the Panthers hit you with that onslaught in the third period of five goals in your face. Brinder Moore, when asked if his team was fragile, said, I don't know. And it was like the fifth most broken comment that he made. Brinder Moore, who I don't think of as ever broken, but for reasons that would be understandable, the Panthers would break him. Marchand said after going up three oh, we're preparing as if this is going to go seven and Paul Maurice said in the game that was six to two in game three, he said I had a second piece of gum ready because I was prepared to go double overtime and I just think these people are lying. I don't believe that's the actual mindset of this team. I think it's a good thing to say. I don't believe that they don't believe that they own the Carolina, the Carolina Hurricane.

[Greg Cody]

Well, you know, we expect seven game series. That's the Panther mantra that they say before every Series. But I give Paul Maurice credit. He spent the first three games of that series saying this is closer than the score makes it seem. And your friend the media and most fans were just like 3 nothing, 16 to 4 combined score. Carolina's got no shot. Well, Paul Maurice won. Media nothing. He was right. It's been closer than the score seems. And Carolina last night I thought, I mean Florida played terribly but Carolina was the team we thought it would be.

[Stugatz]

Hold on a second though. Don't say it's been closer that last year's series was closer maybe than it.

[Dan LeBatard]

Looked the one ago that would. The sweep. That wasn't a sweep.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. The non sweep.

[Stugatz]

Yes. That Brindamore claimed wasn't a sweep. That was right. That was closer than this has been.

[Tony]

You're up three. Oh yeah. Scored him 16 to four. But it's not close.

[Stugatz]

It's not just that. They're great at the penalty kill. And in the first three games of that series they have not been because Florida has done whatever it's wanted to against them. And then Florida wins the way that it always wins by ransacking you in. In the third.

[Dan LeBatard]

Carolina's first lead in the entire series. So Carolina is certainly a lot more comfortable with the lead, allows him to play. Certainly the injuries there. And if you want to nitpick about one thing about this Panther run, they have struggled to put teams away at home when they have the opportunity to eliminate them. So I think in that locker room you're hearing a team that was up 30 against the Edmonton Oilers and almost blew that. You're hearing a team that lost an opportunity to win in six at home against Toronto and had to go on the road for a game seven. They've missed opportunities in this run. They've usually bounced back, but you got to think that that starts playing with their heads a little bit.

[Roy]

We were uncharacteristically sloppy last night too. Really from the get go. Like we weren't sure. I don't think the Panthers played terrible last night, but they were sloppy really from the get go. Kachuk, I mean two passes Kachuk made terrible, including giving us zero chance with the empty net. That really it's one of my biggest pet peeves in all of sports when you pull the goalie and the other team scores immediately. So you never even get a chance with the extra skater. And that's what happened last night. Kachuk just gave the puck away. We had no chance. There was so much time. It was like two and a half minutes left.

[Dan LeBatard]

Bad Lazy giveaway at the opposing blue line. Kachuk's is good for those turnovers. Occasionally you got excited. Was it game two where he played really well and you thought, oh, Tkachuk might be back, but he's still not right. He's still not moving well. He's going to be able to deliver something on that power play, especially when he gets behind the net in his happy place. But he's always looking for Reinhardt in that high slot. He doesn't have Reinhardt there, which might attribute to the power play struggles that they had.

[Roy]

And Barkov too, by the way, last night. Two point Blake chances and he got.

[Dan LeBatard]

Sat down by Slavin. Slavin was in his.

[Roy]

Yeah, it was more about Carolina. Like both those times that Barkov had the puck, he was looking to go to that backhand and go top shelf on the glove side, which is his move. And he got it poked away each time. Like Carolina's defense was really good last night.

[Zaslow]

I think it was an intentional tank because if you all of a sudden you look at the schedule, if they would have swept, you would have had an 11 day layoff for the Cats going into the, into the Stanley Cup Final. So it's like you maybe look around say, yeah, you know what, we could sit a couple guys, try to get healthy and then not have a living.

[Stugatz]

You guys do something with health that I think is interesting and unfair. Okay, I understand that Tkachuk is out there and so if you're out there, your performance is going to be subject to critic. But if all of us are watching and we know that he was injured playing for his country in the middle of the year, then got rested and came back and looked like he had months of rest because his body has taken his body smaller than a good amount of the bodies that are out there with him has taken an unholy beating over the last few years. Playing injured during this time of year. He's obvious to the eye not right because something's physically wrong. Why doesn't it buy him anything? Why as, as the person this important to the team, as the person at the center of a team that's winning, but not right now because of him. Why doesn't it buy it something with all of you that you know he's hurt and his performance doesn't match what it would if he weren't hurt?

[Roy]

Well, what, what, what is the definition of buy him something? Like what? Like what, what is it not buying him? We're not sitting here mother effing him.

[Dan LeBatard]

No, it bought it bottom us saying he's not. Also, we revisited game two where even though his speed wasn't the same, he dominated that game, had multiple points. He was the best forward, the first star that night. So he's shown you that he can play well.

[Roy]

No one's crushing him.

[Dan LeBatard]

And we're not talking like his injury.

[Tony]

I'm not saying it should buy him no criticism. That's what he said.

[Dan LeBatard]

His injury affects his straight line speed, his agility. The problem that we had with him last night was the sloppiness with the puck.

[Roy]

Yeah. That has nothing to do with being injured. Him giving the puck away without looking at the blue line. That has nothing to do with anything.

[Stugatz]

Thing. I'm just saying that any performance that is poor would be mitigated or diluted by anybody playing hurt. And so whatever it is that he's giving you, I would think that a fan base that has now grown accustomed to winning, at least in part because he's at the center of your team, has to be good with whatever it gets from a guy that they're throwing out there when he's a percentage of what he normally is.

[Dan LeBatard]

I don't, I don't understand what the take is. Like, we, we mentioned that he's hurt. That's what that buys him. Two Stanley Cups ago where he came back and had a game winning point in the one win that they had against Vegas when his body went through what is tantamount to a car accident, it bought him a lot. Look at gutsy Matthew Tkachuk over there. That's. That's legend building stuff. But if he's out there on the ice, a lot of people are hurt. And if you're sloppy with the puck and you're hurting your team, you don't show up wearing all black for a funeral and play your worst game of the season.

[Greg Cody]

I don't think anybody's down on Tkachuk, but I will say I really admire Paul Maurice. I think he's an uncommonly honest coach who is extremely thoughtful in his answers. And he admitted earlier in this series, I think it was that through the, through most of the Tampa series, Tkachuk was not himself. He was still trying to totally recover and find his game, but now he is, according to his head coach. I trust that is he 100%. No. Nobody is this time of year, blah, blah, blah. But I think Tkachuk is himself. And like you said, Zaz, I don't think the turnovers and the giveaways can be forgiven on not being 100% healthy.

[Dan LeBatard]

And ZAZ the Panthers are winning different ways this year. But if you look at their last conference championship series against Carolina and you look at that Matthew Tkachuk versus this Matthew Tkachuk, thankfully the Panthers haven't needed him. They barely needed Sam Reinhardt out there. But Matthew Tkachuk was bossing that series against Carolina the last time out. Totally different Matthew Tkachuk. It may be because of the team, but also might be because of that.

[Tony]

Health bunch of hockey players in here.

[Stugatz]

Dan it is always interesting to me when we think we're tougher than the people out there and when Mike says he doesn't understand the criticism, what I would say is my criticism of what it is we generally do this time of year is if you win, we celebrate you. And if you lose and it might be because you're injured, we don't care that it might be because you're injured. And last night they lost because they're injured like last night they lost. Reinhardt kind of mattered. Look, zero goals. Zero goals. When I've seen what that team does, not only what they do on the power play, what they've done to ransack that Carolina team through the first three games, then when what that Carolina team does better than anyone is if they're penalty killing, you're not scoring on them. They came into this series being exceptional at that and Florida neutered them. And to me this is a funny thing to say, right, because of what happened immediately afterward. I thought that series ended when Carolina had a five minute power play and then Florida and Florida had the best chance during that five minute power play shorthanded. And then right after that Florida got on the power play. However, I can't say that because Carolina immediately tied the score. And so I can't say that the series ended there when Carolina then tied the series. And what Florida did in the third period is what Florida does. And this is, this is Jalen Brunson land, right? When you have the thing that everyone in the sport envies in the third, they're going to hit you in the face with five goals and you're never going to hit them in the face with five goals because you can criticize the Panther play all you want against that defense. They've scored a bunch of goals and I wasn't expecting that. Even if Carolina's owned, even if Carolina plays poorly in the conference finals, 15 straight games, I still don't expect them to allow six goals and I don't expect them to two games in say we're Going to change the vibe. And our goalie. Never mind. We're scared about everything happening here.

[Dan LeBatard]

Greg, is it fair to say that this is all an overthink? I mean, nobody beats a Carolina Hurricane 16 games in a row.

[Roy]

Everybody knows that's very tough.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's very difficult to do. In the Eastern Conference finals. He had a team who's a good team, whose season was on the line, who wants to finally win for their head coach in the conference final who was due. They were. They were in a rock fight. That was 10 until Tkachuk makes that slot.

[Roy]

15 is one thing. 16 is a whole different ballgame.

[Greg Cody]

Whole different ball game.

[Stugatz]

Yeah.

[Dan LeBatard]

Just like it was a team looking to avoid being swept and they, they, they answered the bell such that it was.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah. I don't think last night was a huge surprise. And I'll say that it was an anomaly what was happening, what we'd seen. Florida had scored five or more goals in four straight playoff games. Only the fourth team in the last 30 years to do that go on. Extraordinary. And during the regular season, this was not one of the highest scoring teams in the league. So I think for them to struggle a game when Carolina was playing for its life is not a huge shock. It's hockey. Hockey being hockey. That's it. I mean, I'm not. I don't want to overreact to this loss. Right. They can come back in Carolina in a couple of days and win that game and nobody's going to be surprised.

[Stugatz]

Nobody put it on the poll at lebaton show. Is it very hard to beat the Carolina hurricane 16 times in a row? I do like the push and pull of Greg saying, I don't think we should overreact. No one here is overreacting.

[Tony]

Sounds like you are.

[Stugatz]

There is. There is. There is. What? Tell me. Go ahead, tell me what my overreaction.

[Tony]

Seems like you're concerned that's.

[Stugatz]

I'm not. Tell me what my. Please tell me what my overreaction is. Give me a sentence that would suggest I'm overreacting to anything because there's nothing to tap the brakes on here. I'm simply taking the result from last night and talking about it. There is.

[Dan LeBatard]

I think you're. I think it's fair to say you're overreacting to our criticisms of Matthew Tkachuk, which are totally valid. Like, we know how tough he is. He's bought a lot with his audience. You can say that he had a bad game and acknowledge that he's injured. That may be a contributing factor. But he's out there on the ice. He'll be the first to tell you, everyone's hurt this time of year.

[Chris]

I mean, the Stanley Cup Final versus Vegas should be enough to buy him that favorability there.

[Stugatz]

This is what I would say to you guys, because it's not an overreaction. He's pointing at you because of how well you said that, Roy. That's why he's pointing at you.

[Chris]

Well, I'm just interrupting people. That's all it is.

[Stugatz]

You said it's an overreaction. I say it is just a reaction. And what I'm also saying about Katrina, Chuck specifically, is when Mike says everyone's banged up on this time of year, not so overtly that I can see the difference between them being a good player and them not looking right. Like, it's usually not quite that overt. Where it's like, oh, I don't recognize the person anymore because he's obviously hurt. Usually it's not quite that overt.

[Chris]

No, he's clearly still hurt. And there were times during this playoffs where he's just a body out there. But his skill set offensively is him being in front of the crease and rebounds.

[Roy]

Hold on, let me, let me push back for a second on, like, yeah, I think Tkachuk is probably not 100%, but Mikola and Greer were essentially game time decisions yesterday. And it really feels like they were sat down because we're up the Rio. Let's make sure they're okay. So if Tkachuk is really hurt, why, why hasn't he been sat for a game like these guys?

[Dan LeBatard]

It's an excellent point. And they have. They have a really good winger that's not dressing for games. And Mackey, they've shown how deep they are. Jesper Boquist goes from not dressing to being on the first round.

[Roy]

It's never even been a consideration for Kachuk to say.

[Dan LeBatard]

And that's. By the way, that is absolutely what's happening with Reinhardt. If the Florida Panthers were facing elimination, Sam Reinhart would give it a go. But the Panthers decided, we're kind of having an easy time with this opponent right here. Let's save him.

[Greg Cody]

That's exactly right. Because Maurice said of Reinhardt, go on. He hasn't been cleared and he hasn't been ruled out. He could have played last night. If they're in a closer series, they're up 3:1.

[Stugatz]

Yeah. If you guys say, the hell are we doing? If you got nothing, we're talking about the game last Night.

[Dan LeBatard]

What are we doing is we're talking about hockey.

[Stugatz]

We're talking about.

[Tony]

I mean, they're in the Stanley cup third straight season. Let's celebrate it.

[Roy]

Stugot. Should we only talk about the game if it goes to game seven?

[Stugatz]

Let me stop all of you when you say easy times. Well, the coach just told me he's preparing for seven or I'm sorry, Marshawn said he's preparing for seven. It's the coach's message. The coach. Well, but you say always but not in gesture. If he's sitting Reinhard right now.

[Greg Cody]

That's the Panthers mantra though. And back me up, Roy. Before every series go on. The Panthers quit saying go on. Before every series they're like, we prepare for seven games. That's just the Panthers mantra. It's nothing new about this series. That's what they say. That's what they do.

[Stugatz]

I get that. And it's their mantra. But it is a lie when they sit Reinhart and give away a game.

[Greg Cody]

It's not a lie. If anything, they're encouraging seven games by sitting.

[Dan LeBatard]

Noted. They sat him for game three and they won that game and their decision was rewarded.

[Stugatz]

I can't believe that that hit resulted in someone just being day to day. Is anybody making the joke, the dad joke as celebrated on the GRE Cody show featuring Greg Cody?

[Greg Cody]

Sure.

[Stugatz]

Is anyone making the joke about Sebastian calling him an A hole because of what he did to Reinhart? That the retaliation came on Sebastian because he was clearly an A hole? No one's making that joke.

[Chris]

No, no.

[Stugatz]

Why would they make that joke? It's a terrible joke.

[Greg Cody]

No, it's pretty good, man.

[Dan LeBatard]

You knew he would show up for that empty net. Sebastian Aho, one of the great frauds in that sport. You knew at 6:1 that dude was going to be pin hun.

[Roy]

And it was, it was a, it was such a charity goal that he was past the puck in front of the net. Why didn't the other guy shoot? Here, Here's a little gift for you, you ho.

[Unknown]

Hey listeners, listen up because I know that approaching the summer you're probably as busy as I am, but also as desperate as I am to find some healthy meals that you can fit into those busy windows. Well, it's time to make this the best summer yet with nutritious 2 minute meals from factor. Eating well has never been this easy. Just heat up and enjoy, giving you more time to do what you want. Get outside instead of prepping and cooking indoors. Factory meals arrives fresh and ready to eat. It's perfect for any active lifestyle because with 45 weekly menu options, you can pick gourmet meals that fit your goals. Choose from Calorie Smart, Protein plus Keto and more. In my most recent meals, I had the Honey Mustard chicken. I had that Garlic herb salmon and every side, every part of this meal was delicious. Honestly, at the end of it I was just left wanting more because Factor's meals are that fresh, that delicious and that nutritious. So get started@Factor Meals.com Dan50OFF and use code Dan50OFF to get 50% off plus free shipping on your first box. That's code [e-mail] Dan50OFF for 50% off plus free shipping.

[Mike Ryan]

What does Zyn really give you? Not just smoke free nicotine satisfaction, but also real freedom to do more of what you love, when and where you want to do it. Why bring Zyn along for the ride? Because America's number one nicotine pouch opens up all the possibilities of right now. With Zyn, you don't just find freedom, you keep finding it. Find your Zyn. Learn more at zyn.com warning this product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical hey everybody, it's Mike Ryan.

[Dan LeBatard]

Now the weather is warming up. That means summer concert season is right around the corner and so many great acts are releasing albums and touring those albums over the summer. We got stadium shows, amphitheaters, people that want to wear shorts and party all night long. But guess what? Some tickets are hard to find. Sometimes tickets are sold out and you have hard to get into events and you have nowhere to turn other than the secondary market. Well, why don't you turn to game time? Because from my experience, that's where I always turn to find the best deal. You may be asking yourself, Mike, what does last minute deals even mean? It means you can save up to 60% off buying last minute tickets for sports, comedy and theater. But most importantly, this summer, if you're a music lover like me, check out gametime for concert tickets. I already have. Take the guesswork out of buying concert tickets and shows with GameTime. Download the GameTime app, create an account and use code DAN for $20 off. Your first purchase terms apply. Again, create an account and redee code D a n for $20 off. Download the game Time app today. Last minute tickets, Lowest price guaranteed.

[Tony]

Don LeBatard, Lightning Panthers what do you think?

[Roy]

ST look at this face while I tell this to you, okay? Because I don't want there to be any kind of confusion. You look Me right in the eye. There's gonna take that ass, man.

[Stugatz]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the stugats. No one's making that joke. It's a terrible joke. But I will say that the Greg Cody show, featuring Greg Cody, has a weekly dad joke that is aggressively bad. And it's more like a granddad joke.

[Greg Cody]

I feel they're good jokes.

[Stugatz]

They're terrible every time. Every single time, they're terrible. I mean, dad jokes are always terrible. Aren't by definition. Put it on the poll at LeBatard show. Aren't by definition dad jokes always terrible.

[Greg Cody]

They're so good. They're so bad that they're good. That's the way I look at them.

[Tony]

Right.

[Greg Cody]

You know, you can grow. You can groan and smile at the same time. Am I right? For example, what does the custodian say when he suddenly comes out of the supply closet?

[Stugatz]

You blew that joke.

[Greg Cody]

I know. I really did. The setup was bad.

[Stugatz]

Supplies.

[Greg Cody]

Like, instead of surprise, he said supplies.

[Stugatz]

But I shouldn't have put supplies.

[Tony]

Party.

[Stugatz]

Yeah.

[Greg Cody]

Again, I was going from memory, which.

[Stugatz]

If you're a granddad, makes the jokes a little harder. Because you're telling granddad jokes. They're not even dad jokes. They're another level of bad.

[Greg Cody]

That's true.

[Stugatz]

There's no such thing as granddad jokes. Those haven't been invented yet.

[Greg Cody]

And yours coined that phrase. Let me write that down.

[Stugatz]

Yours are so bad that their granddad jokes.

[Tony]

Yeah, but they're cute and the grandkids love them. Like my dad says every time he takes us out for dinner, he says as the. You know, as he's looking over the. The bill, he says, says what we do break a window. My kids are expecting it. And they still laugh. I still laugh. He's been saying it for 40 years.

[Greg Cody]

Yes, I've been saying that for, like, 25 years. Yeah. I credit your dad for that.

[Tony]

You got it. Yeah. You should.

[Greg Cody]

By the way, my granddaughter's graduation from grade school today. Second grade. It's big. Not everybody graduates from second grade. There's a lot of first grade dropouts. So we're very proud of her for graduating. Didn't mean to derail your show.

[Stugatz]

Yeah, you did. Yeah, you did. With your self involvement and your narcissist.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, well, you brought up granddad. You know, proud to be a granddad. Any other granddads here?

[Stugatz]

No, no, no.

[Greg Cody]

Pat Riley. He's a granddad.

[Tony]

He is.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah.

[Tony]

And he's here.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's a cardboard cutout.

[Greg Cody]

Oh, it is?

[Tony]

Yeah.

[Greg Cody]

It's so lifelike.

[Stugatz]

I'm not wrong that dad jokes by definition are bad. Right. He makes the clarification that they're so bad that they're good. That's why they're dad jokes. But they are always bad. They're not good jokes on the front.

[Greg Cody]

I think they are. I think some of them are very clever. Not the one that I bungled a minute ago, but generally speaking there. If I could remember any of the others, I'd recite another one.

[Stugatz]

I'm going to move on to basketball things because I want to get stug thoughts on all things Knicks Pacers as the Knicks saved their season in a surprising way. But before I do that, I wanted to go back to just Saturday night for a second when I'm watching the start of Minnesota okc and Richard Jefferson had the audacity in the intro of that game to say OKC and Minnesota OKC was up to nothing. Quote, both teams are literally playing for their lives, end quote. Which not only are they not doing it literally, obviously more people would have been watching if it had been literally for your life. Nor were they doing it metaphorically or in any other way, because that's not a thing that can happen when the series is too. Like, what he said made no sense whatsoever. Tony, you're shrugging your shoulder how it is.

[Zaslow]

Dan, you're live on air. All of a sudden, something comes out. You're like, I wish I didn't say that.

[Stugatz]

I got a rebound now. Be better. Come on. You're. You're previewing the game.

[Zaslow]

Love him on the first team, by the way. I just wanted to say that I don't love Richard Jefferson on the first team.

[Stugatz]

That's terrible. Like, you can analyze and criticize any announcer for any one sentence, but that sentence is especially asinine.

[Roy]

What kind of number you think that game would get if they were playing for their lives?

[Tony]

Highest rated game in the history of games.

[Roy]

It'd be huge. Like mash. Right.

[Tony]

A game for your life.

[Roy]

Like, it would rival mash's rating in their final show.

[Greg Cody]

Right. Better. You have to play in the Coliseum.

[Tony]

Yeah.

[Greg Cody]

Not on the court.

[Tony]

You're right.

[Chris]

Yeah. It would be like the Running Man.

[Dan LeBatard]

I think people would tune out during the pre game.

[Stugatz]

You think that?

[Tony]

But the post game, I think people.

[Dan LeBatard]

Would tune in and be like, all right. Two teams playing for their lives. I'm like, is that the dude that used to run the.

[Stugatz]

What?

[Dan LeBatard]

I can't do it with this show. They almost never get it right. They're dying their Hair on that dais.

[Stugatz]

I think that the reaction to that show would make it so that Richard Jefferson shouting that would make it spectacle and even better. We'd be amazed. But what a weird thing to have happen. The first ever game for your actual life in the Western Conference finals. And it's the third game.

[Tony]

First two are free.

[Greg Cody]

Third one, really imagine a game seven.

[Dan LeBatard]

If we're making me playing for my life, a television spectacle, do not invite Bob Myers. Just don't. I don't want him there. I don't need his insight. Don't want him there.

[Tony]

What are the stakes for a Game seven?

[Stugatz]

This is my. My exact. My exact point on that game is the following. Having now seen that game and the way that Richard Jefferson described it beforehand, it is a game that literally no one involved will ever remember, which is not something that would have been the case if they had literally been playing for their lives. Now, having seen the result, Minnesota dragged. OKC means nothing. Means absolutely nothing. Minnesota is now finished. OKC will win the title. If they do not get hurt, OKC will win the title. They're a good deal better than everyone else.

[Tony]

Or if they play the Knicks.

[Stugatz]

Well, tell us now, how are your feelings, dugouts? Because back. I'd like to know how you felt beginning that fourth quarter. And I'd like to know. Know how you felt about Carl Anthony Towns entering that fourth quarter.

[Tony]

I was thinking, to be honest, Dan, I was firing Thibodeau at halftime. I was thinking of ways we can get rid of Karl Anthony Towns. And now I'm considering putting him in my top five Knicks of all time. I mean, that's how big he was in that fourth quarter. It's. Listen, I was upset after game one. I know you wanted my tears. I didn't give you my tears. I was really upset after game two. To lose two games at home, you're thinking to yourselves, we have no shots of winning this series, and perhaps we won't win this series. But at least we have a chance. And at least we have another game at the Mecca in New York City. So we bring the series home. I am. I'm very optimistic. I feel like the Knicks have the better team. I really, really do. I am tired of the Pacers and their fan base and Reggie Miller. I'm tired of all of it. All of it.

[Stugatz]

The thing that you said about you were upset after game one, I actually sent out to some math friends of mine and some people who really know the history of basketball, and I asked them if Halliburton took that shot 10,000 times. How many times does it do what it did?

[Tony]

Right.

[Stugatz]

And the consensus was zero. The consensus amongst your math friends, huh? My friends.

[Greg Cody]

Who has math friends, Right?

[Stugatz]

I mean dorks, nerds, right. The, the, the empirical data people who crunch the numbers on sports a little bit better than you two do.

[Greg Cody]

Math friends.

[Dan LeBatard]

You see how we added empirical to make his math dorks.

[Zaslow]

Hedge funds. Hedge fund wise.

[Dan LeBatard]

And by the way, that sounds like a guy guess zero times. Sounds like a guess.

[Zaslow]

How about this shooter's touch?

[Stugatz]

Yeah, there.

[Tony]

That's a math.

[Stugatz]

There, there. Is that how you like that one?

[Dan LeBatard]

Put it on the show with an abacus.

[Tony]

Factor that in.

[Stugatz]

Put it on the poll. Put it at LeBatard. Show shooter's touch. Is that math? Because Stugance just said shooters touch. That's the math I like. Tony agreed. And again I will say to Stu, I was trying to support Stugatz's point when he says I think the Knicks are the better team. They're that close from being up to one.

[Tony]

Yes.

[Stugatz]

Like. And instead of their season being a quarter from done, the knicks are a 0 in 10,000 tries. Because a few of my math friends then called a cooler friend, Kevin Harlan, who then said he had never seen a ball go in after going that high after bouncing on the rim. In all of his time covering basketball, all the games he's ever done, he's.

[Tony]

Called a lot of games.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's analysis. Right.

[Tony]

That's the kind of math I'm looking at that man. Right.

[Dan LeBatard]

Not math friends.

[Roy]

I think he could have done it again.

[Dan LeBatard]

What about all the bravado from Sue Gods? Like we have the better team. Yeah. They're this close from being up 2:1 in that series. They're also this close from being down 3 0. That was a game they saved their season with another 20 point rally.

[Tony]

Yes.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's not. That's not hugely inspiring to me. It's great that they fought to save save their season because then this series would have been done and dusted because. But the confidence oozing from you is a little perplexing.

[Tony]

Well, I spoke to my math friends as well and they told me we should be up to one right now. So I'm feeling pretty good about my chances. I mean I am.

[Stugatz]

I don't believe that Stugatz is a.

[Tony]

Has a math friend, a teller of.

[Stugatz]

Truth or has a math friend. I believe that he's going to go bravado on the Knicks until they lose. And then, and then he will not show us his hurt. I believe that Stugats has been concealing what is his real Mets.

[Tony]

Well, it depends how they lose, Dan. If they lose a heartbreaking seventh game or if they're up in the, you know, game six and they have a shot to bring it back to Madison Square. Gordon, I'm going to be crushed, like you will. You'll get my tears. But right now I do feel like we have the better team. And I do feel like we're still very much in the series. Of course.

[Stugatz]

But what I'm saying to you is you did lose game one that way, and you pretended like it didn't bother.

[Tony]

You, but it was one game. That happens in a game six or a game seven. I'm crushed. Like, crushed.

[Stugatz]

Okay, it is one game. But it was the one game that made it so that you'd be sitting here today saying, I still feel like we're the better team. Even though you're 11 quarter from being down 3 0. Like you're, you're, you're.

[Tony]

I'm also a bad shot away from being up to one. Like a really bad shot. Like a terrible decision, perhaps the worst decision in the history of the NBA, and somehow we're celebrating. Halliburton, please.

[Stugatz]

One of the. One of the decisions that my math friends say is a 0 in 10,000 chance of happening again.

[Roy]

How does he know?

[Greg Cody]

That's ridiculous to say that. I mean, you have better than a 0 in 10,000 chance to win the lottery. You know, you can't say mathematically. You always say, well, you got one chance because shit happens. But I also think it's fair to say that the two east teams are playing for the right to get smoked by Okies say in the final. What we're seeing here is SGA justifying his MVP award. We're seeing the face of the league emerging, and we're seeing a budding dynasty. The seed has been planted for a Thunder dynasty, young team. They're going to be better in three years. Stand out of the way. Here comes okc.

[Stugatz]

Is stand out of the way. How you say that?

[Tony]

Get out of the way.

[Stugatz]

I don't think. Stand out of the way. Stand out of the way. I.

[Greg Cody]

Get out of the way.

[Tony]

Stand aside. I think.

[Stugatz]

I think you're mixing a couple of phrases there. You were trying to punctuate it. I don't know why.

[Greg Cody]

Stand out of the way. Let me, Let me. Let me think about that. You know, you could be right.

[Stugatz]

Thank you.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah. What should it have been, though?

[Stugatz]

Get out of the way.

[Tony]

Move out of the way. Because if you're standing, stand back.

[Greg Cody]

You're not.

[Stugatz]

Stand aside. Step aside. Stand back. Jack would have worked back. But stand, stand out of the way.

[Greg Cody]

Is, well, I'm invent. I feel like I just invented a phrase that's now going to take root in the lexicon.

[Stugatz]

Has.

[Greg Cody]

You're welcome.

[Stugatz]

Has Deutscher Chamber taken.

[Roy]

That's a good name.

[Greg Cody]

That's a good one.

[Stugatz]

Root. No. Has. First of all, Lou Dort is a terrible name for an athlete. Lou Dort doesn't work. Two quick syllables. Score six points a game gives you defense. Lou Dort intimidates no one. But now I make it, I'm going to wrap you in the Dorture Chamber. That's a totally different guy. You got me. When he says of okc, he's not wrong about this. But let's go back for a second when we hyperventilate in the moment. Let's go back for a second when OKC is trading Paul George so that Kawhi Leonard and him can be with the Clippers. Let's just go there real quick and get all the analysis that said, hey, in a few years, OKC is going to be a dynasty. Let's get. Where was that? Where? Where was that in any of the analysis? I know OKC got a bunch of draft picks and it allows them to totally rig the game. And this is how they rig it. They lock up young players in a city they don't want to be in for a long time. SGA would be out of there in a minute if he could be, but he's got to stay there for a long time because they've gamed the system. And this is how they do it it with a dumbass draft. They take players who would have freedom with those talents anywhere in the world in capitalism and say you've got to live in a place you hate and it's tiny and small and you've got to live there for seven years. That's how they're going to make it a dynasty by totally gaming the math. I've asked my math friends. They gamed the math and okc, where was the analysis that's going to be a dynasty in a few years? Because they weren't saying about Danny Ainge for collecting all the draft picks either. And Danny Ainge collected plenty of draft picks. And that's not what they were saying. They were getting tired of him not trading any of those draft picks who had OKC winning the Paul George, Kawhi Leonard trade with not just a championship. And I saw it just now on get up. And Greg just said it. Dynasty.