Podcast Summary: The Hockey Show: Holy Lefts
Episode Release Date: November 15, 2024
Host/Authors: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and Guests Roy Bellamy, David Dwork, Ethan, Billy Plaguens, Doug Plaguens
I. Introduction
In this episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, the hosts dive deep into the current landscape of hockey, discussing everything from controversial penalties to standout player performances. With insights from guests Roy Bellamy, David Dwork, Ethan, Billy Plaguens, and Doug Plaguens, the conversation covers pivotal moments in recent NHL games, player achievements, and managerial strategies shaping the season.
II. Hot Takes
Ethan's Frustration with Embellishment Penalties
At [01:38], Ethan vents his annoyance over inconsistent embellishment penalties, citing recent calls against Matthew Tachuk and Nico Mikola:
"Nobody likes this. It's not consistent. It's annoying." ([01:43])
He highlights the arbitrary nature of these calls, questioning the rules and their enforcement:
"If we can't get a consistent rule, if we can't make it reviewable, then get it to bleep out of here because it does no good." ([02:31])
Ethan further criticizes the escalating toughness in hockey, lamenting the shift from a gritty sport to what he perceives as overly cautious play:
"When did hockey become such a whiny little bratty type of game?" ([03:19])
III. Wins and Losses of the Week
Wins of the Week
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Ethan's Win: The Duchene Family's Heartwarming Moment
At [06:22], Ethan shares a touching moment involving Matt Duchene:"He scored a goal like a minute into the game and his son Bo just goes screaming through the house like, ah, daddy score. It was so cool and sweet and wholesome."
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Doug Plaguens' Win: Jonah Gadjevich's Dominating Fights
At [07:55], Doug highlights Jonah Gadjevich's impressive performance in fights against the Panthers and Devils:"Jonah Gadjevich was the only winner that the Panthers had with those two big fight wins."
Losses of the Week
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Ethan's Loss: Nathan Bastian vs. Ryan Lombard
At [09:18], Ethan recounts Nathan Bastian's tough encounter with Ryan Lombard:"Ryan Lombard pummeled him to the point where he told his teammates after the game he actually felt bad at the last couple punches."
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Billy's Loss: Ryan Reaves' Jersey Advertisement Gaffes
At [11:59], Billy criticizes Ryan Reaves for the awkward Lexus advertisement placement:"It looked like he had toilet paper on his shoe."
IV. Connor McDavid’s Milestone
McDavid Reaches 1,000 Career Points
At [12:35], the hosts celebrate Connor McDavid's remarkable achievement:
"Conor McDavid ended up scoring a goal. That goal was his 1000th point of his career."
They discuss his place among the NHL's all-time greats, noting McDavid as the fourth fastest player to reach this milestone, following legends like Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy. The conversation underscores McDavid's versatility and clutch performances, particularly his game-winning overtime assist to Darnell Nurse:
"He makes this sick pass to Darnell." ([14:05])
V. Hall of Fame Discussions
Inductees and Controversial Candidates
At [15:39], the discussion shifts to the Hall of Fame inductions, highlighting recent inductees and debating key candidates:
"Alexander Mogilny should be in the Hall of Fame." ([16:36])
The hosts ponder the inclusion of players like Joe Thornton, Curtis Joseph, and Eric Staal, debating the criteria and potential public voting influences:
"There's absolutely no reason why Alexander Mogilny should not be in the Hall of Fame." ([16:36])
They compare the NHL voting process to baseball's, contemplating the merits and pitfalls of public involvement in such decisions.
VI. Florida Panthers Analysis
A. Recent Performance and Team Depth
Doug Plaguens provides a comprehensive analysis of the Panthers' recent back-to-back losses to the New Jersey Devils, emphasizing the strength and improvement of the Devils:
"New Jersey is a good hockey team... a team that's going to be in the contending mix in the Eastern Conference." ([21:25])
He acknowledges the Panthers' resilience, noting their position atop the Atlantic Division despite recent setbacks.
B. Management Praise and Team Continuity
At [25:13], Doug commends Bill Zito's management for maintaining team continuity in a challenging salary cap environment:
"The continuity that this team has had... is a huge credit... to Bill Zito in the hockey operations department."
C. Player Highlights – Samson Reinhardt
Billy highlights Samson Reinhardt's exceptional performance:
"He can do anything and he can contribute anywhere. And as time's gone on... he's taking his game up from last year." ([30:24])
Doug echoes this sentiment, praising Reinhardt as a multifaceted player with no weaknesses:
"There's nothing that there's no hole to his game whatsoever." ([30:24])
VII. NHL Save Percentage Trend
Decline in Average Save Percentage
At [28:40], the hosts discuss a concerning statistic: the NHL's average save percentage has dropped to 90%, the lowest in 29 years. They speculate on factors contributing to this decline, including changes in scoring patterns and defensive strategies:
"The scores must be that much better because the goalies can't be getting worse." ([40:52])
Ethan reflects on the impact of this trend on betting and overall game dynamics:
"The overs hit more early in the season than they don't." ([40:52])
VIII. Upcoming Panthers Games and Strategies
Facing the Winnipeg Jets
The conversation shifts to the Panthers' upcoming back-to-back games against the Winnipeg Jets. The hosts anticipate a challenging matchup against a defensively stringent Jets team led by Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck:
"They play very smart, methodical game. They're positioned well." ([35:12])
Ethan expresses concern over Sam Bennett's health but remains optimistic about the Panthers' depth:
"Fortunately, the Panthers are a very deep team right now and they've got a lot of guys that can play down the middle." ([36:19])
Doug emphasizes the critical role Bennett plays in the team's dynamics and chemistry:
"A fully healthy Sam Bennett would absolutely change the dynamic of this team." ([37:23])
IX. Conclusion and Upcoming Topics
As the episode wraps up, Doug previews next week's guest, Linda Cohn from the Kraken Hockey Network, hinting at more in-depth discussions on Seattle's hockey scene.
Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps
- Ethan: "Nobody likes this. It's not consistent. It's annoying." ([01:43])
- Ethan: "If we can't get a consistent rule, if we can't make it reviewable, then get it to bleep out of here because it does no good." ([02:31])
- Ethan: "When did hockey become such a whiny little bratty type of game?" ([03:19])
- Ethan: "He scored a goal like a minute into the game and his son Bo just goes screaming through the house like, ah, daddy score. It was so cool and sweet and wholesome." ([06:22])
- Doug Plaguens: "Jonah Gadjevich was the only winner that the Panthers had with those two big fight wins." ([07:55])
- Ethan: "Ryan Lombard pummeled him to the point where he told his teammates after the game he actually felt bad at the last couple punches." ([09:18])
- Billy Plaguens: "It looked like he had toilet paper on his shoe." ([11:59])
- Doug Plaguens: "New Jersey is a good hockey team... a team that's going to be in the contending mix in the Eastern Conference." ([21:25])
- Doug Plaguens: "The continuity that this team has had... is a huge credit... to Bill Zito in the hockey operations department." ([25:13])
- Billy Plaguens: "He can do anything and he can contribute anywhere." ([30:24])
- Doug Plaguens: "There's nothing that there's no hole to his game whatsoever." ([30:24])
- Ethan: "The overs hit more early in the season than they don't." ([40:52])
Conclusion
This episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz offers a comprehensive look into the current state of hockey, emphasizing player performances, team strategies, and ongoing debates within the sport. From Connor McDavid’s milestone to the Florida Panthers' management excellence, listeners gain valuable insights into what’s shaping the NHL season.