The Hockey Show: Is Nathan MacKinnon Better Than Connor McDavid?

Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz: Episode Summary

Title: The Hockey Show: Is Nathan MacKinnon Better Than Connor McDavid?
Release Date: January 17, 2025

In this episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, hosts Dan Le Batard, Roy Bellamy, Ethan, and guest Rose delve deep into the world of hockey, debating star performances, team strategies, and even venture into pop culture with a discussion on musicals. The episode is structured around heated debates, insightful analyses, and lighthearted banter, providing listeners with a comprehensive look into current hockey dynamics.

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1. Hot Takes on Current Hockey Dynamics

Columbus Blue Jackets' Surge
Timestamp: 02:41

Ethan kicks off the conversation with a compelling hot take on the Columbus Blue Jackets, highlighting their impressive performance during the season. He states, “They are a team on a mission right now... holding the first wild card spot in the East,” emphasizing their recent win-loss record of 17-10-4 over the last 21 games. Ethan attributes their success to strategic player acquisitions, such as Dante Fabro from Nashville, and the emotional drive stemming from dedicating the season to Johnny Dedro.

Roy Bellamy adds to the discussion by questioning the star power of the Blue Jackets, asking, “Can you name three non Wensi Blue Jackets?” This leads to a debate about the team's depth and reliance on emerging talents like Adam Fentilli, Cole Cylinger, and Sean Monahan. The hosts collectively express admiration for the team's cohesive play despite lacking marquee names, with Ethan noting, “They’re doing this with so little big names... it's just a fun, great story.”

Controversial Hit by Matthew Kachuk
Timestamp: 04:48

Roy shifts the focus to a contentious play involving Matthew Kachuk's hit on Nico Heer. He passionately argues, “That was not interference. That was the calling. The ice was interference,” critiquing the referees’ decision-making. Ethan concurs, pointing out inconsistencies in officiating by stating, “If you watch the replay, the long shot after Tkachuk hit Hecher, neither ref put his arm up correct,” and laments the watering down of hockey by “having these crazy reactions to big hits.”

The conversation underscores frustration with perceived biases in officiating, especially regarding high-profile players like Kachuk, and raises concerns about the integrity of the game’s enforcement.

2. Innovative Suggestions and Lighthearted Moments

Karaoke Battle Proposal for NHL All-Star Game
Timestamp: 06:40

Introducing a lighter segment, Rose proposes an unconventional idea for the NHL All-Star Game: “the next NHL All Star game should be a karaoke battle.” Although met with skepticism and humor from the hosts, the suggestion sparks a fun exchange about integrating entertainment into sports events. Rose envisions a more engaging and crowd-pleasing competition, where players showcase talents beyond the rink.

3. Wins and Fails of the Week

Heartwarming Win: Cameron First's Make-A-Wish Story
Timestamp: 07:29

Ethan shares an uplifting story about Cameron First, a nine-year-old goaltender who received a one-day contract with the Minnesota Wild as part of a Make-A-Wish initiative. Ethan describes Cameron’s experience, “He took part in a practice with the team. He got one-on-one lessons from Marc Andre Fleury,” highlighting the positive impact of such gestures on young fans and the community.

Disheartening Fail: Carolina Hurricanes' Performance
Timestamp: 11:00

Contrasting the positive, Ethan discusses the Carolina Hurricanes' disappointing performance. He criticizes their inability to secure shots on goal, stating, “the Carolina Hurricane somehow gave up a goal to the Buffalo Sabres without giving up a shot on goal,” and further condemns their defensive lapses. Roy adds, “the situation on that empty net goal... was terrible officiating,” attributing the loss to both team performance and refereeing errors.

Memorable Fall: Marit Cider’s Hockey Tumble
Timestamp: 15:21

In a lighter moment, G highlights a humorous fall by Detroit Red Wings player Marit Cider, describing it as “the most cartoonish way possible.” The hosts chuckle over the exaggerated nature of the fall, emphasizing the unpredictability and physicality of hockey.

4. Monthly Hockey Check-In with Adnan Burke

Pittsburgh Penguins' Goaltending Woes
Timestamp: 17:54

Adnan Burke from Prime Monday Night Hockey provides an in-depth analysis of the Pittsburgh Penguins' ongoing goaltending struggles. He discusses the recent decision to waive Tristan Jarihel and promote a minor league goaltender, expressing concerns about the team's ability to rebuild without relying solely on veteran players like Sidney Crosby. Adnan remarks, “Mike Sullivan's been the coach here a long time, but it's like they're veterans aside from Crosby aren't who they once were.”

Ethan’s Bias: Columbus Blue Jackets as a Dark Horse
Timestamp: 20:22

Ethan reveals his bias towards the Columbus Blue Jackets, presenting them as a dark horse contender in the Eastern Conference. He highlights their impressive record and strategic play, asserting, “it's the best story in hockey, it's the best story in sports.” Adnan concurs, backing Ethan’s enthusiasm and emphasizing the Blue Jackets' potential despite concerns about goaltending reliability.

5. Best Player Debate: Nathan MacKinnon vs. Connor McDavid

Ethan’s Argument for Nathan MacKinnon
Timestamp: 25:18

The core debate of the episode revolves around whether Nathan MacKinnon is a better player than Connor McDavid. Ethan challenges the prevailing notion that McDavid is the top player, arguing, “are we sure that Nathan MacKinnon is not the best player in the world?” He points to MacKinnon's versatility, leadership, and recent performances as evidence of his superiority.

Dan Le Batard’s Counterpoint for Connor McDavid
Timestamp: 25:18

Dan counters Ethan’s argument by acknowledging McDavid’s exceptional skills and achievements, including his three Hart Trophies. However, he concedes that MacKinnon's current form makes a strong case, noting, “McKinnon's an incredible player. He has all the skills, all the assets to carry a team.”

The discussion delves into statistical analyses, player impacts, and subjective assessments, with both hosts presenting compelling arguments for their respective choices. They conclude that while McDavid remains a top contender, MacKinnon's current trajectory makes him a formidable candidate for the title of the best player in the world.

6. Pop Culture Interlude: Discussing "Wicked" Musical

Mixed Reactions to the "Wicked" Musical and Movie
Timestamp: 29:00

Shifting gears, Rose brings up the topic of the "Wicked" musical, prompting a discussion on personal experiences with musicals. Dan shares his underwhelming experience, saying, “Wicked... we both walked out. We're like, ‘I just... I feel like I just lost £12.’” The hosts exchange views on the quality of the musical and its music, with Rose humorously critiquing the endings of certain genres.

The segment highlights the hosts' diverse interests and provides a brief respite from the intense hockey discussions, showcasing their personalities and varying tastes in entertainment.

7. Panthers Performance Analysis

Recent Games and Team Struggles
Timestamp: 36:41

The hosts return to a detailed analysis of the Panthers' recent performances. Roy reviews last Saturday’s games against the Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils, pointing out critical moments that led to the Panthers’ losses despite strong performances. He notes, “the puck just won't go in,” frustrated by the team's inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Ethan emphasizes the team’s ongoing learning process, suggesting that these challenging moments are crucial for growth: “this is the time of the year that you want to see them going through that... it’s a process.”

Goaltending Inconsistencies
Timestamp: 41:56

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the Panthers' inconsistent goaltending. Roy criticizes the fluctuating performances between goaltenders Bob and Spencer Knight, lamenting the lack of reliability. Ethan expresses concern over the team's dependency on single performances, questioning why both goalies can't perform consistently: “Why can't the Panthers get both of their goaltenders playing good at the same time?”

The hosts dissect specific games, analyzing coaching decisions, player performances, and strategic flaws that have hindered the Panthers' success. They express cautious optimism, hoping for improved consistency as the season progresses.

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Conclusion

This episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz offers a multifaceted exploration of current hockey narratives, from player comparisons and team strategies to personal anecdotes and pop culture discussions. Through engaging dialogue and thoughtful analysis, the hosts provide listeners with both critical insights and entertaining commentary, encapsulating the essence of hockey’s dynamic landscape.

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Notable Quotes:

• Ethan on Blue Jackets’ Mission: “They are a team on a mission right now... holding the first wild card spot in the East.” [02:41]

• Roy on Kachuk’s Hit: “That was not interference. That was the calling. The ice was interference.” [04:56]

• Rose’s Karaoke Idea: “The next NHL All Star game should be a karaoke battle.” [06:48]

• Ethan on Best Player Debate: “Are we sure that Nathan MacKinnon is not the best player in the world?” [25:18]

• Dan on Player Comparisons: “McKinnon's an incredible player. He has all the skills, all the assets to carry a team.” [25:18]

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This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting the key discussions, insights, and the dynamic interplay between the hosts. Whether you're a dedicated hockey fan or someone new to the sport, this episode offers valuable perspectives and engaging content.

Transcript

[Dan LeBatard]

You're listening to giraffe Kings network.

[Roy Bellamy]

Folks.

[David Dwark]

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[Adnan Virk]

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[Roy Bellamy]

Welcome to this week's hockey show. My name is Roy Bellamy. David Dwark of the Hockey news is over here. And for some strange reasons, Rose is in the studio. I don't know why you're here.

[Ethan]

Hi, Rose.

[Rose]

Oh, hi.

[Ethan]

Welcome to this side of the camera.

[Rose]

No, thank you. Thank you. It's. People been wanting me here.

[Ethan]

So there's been a.

[Rose]

Yes.

[Ethan]

There's been an increase in the demand for more rose content. So we.

[Rose]

I don't know why, because I don't know anything, but look at me.

[Roy Bellamy]

So more rose content includes you being in the same studio as usual?

[Rose]

Yes.

[Ethan]

So it's a slippery slope.

[Rose]

Yeah, it's a slippery slope.

[Roy Bellamy]

Okay, so we have slap shots. I don't know if you have any. Do you have any hot takes? Do you have any wins of the week? Do you have any fails of the week?

[Rose]

No, but.

[Roy Bellamy]

Then why are you in the studio?

[Rose]

I'm gonna show you things that I have. So go first with your hot takes.

[Roy Bellamy]

Dave, hot take, please.

[Ethan]

All right, my hot take is look out for the Columbus Blue Jackets. They are a team on a mission right now. Right now, as we record this on Friday, they're holding the la. The first wild card spot in the east. Excuse me. They're 22, 17 and 6. Ethan, what did you say that they were since. Was it 10, 10, 2?

[G]

Their last 21 games they're 17, 10 and 4, I believe, which has them on pace for like an 110 point pace or something ridiculous like that. So since they picked up Dante Fabro off waivers from Nashville, they're playing like an 110 point team.

[Roy Bellamy]

So the switch got flipped with Frank.

[Ethan]

Well, they've got the emotional element going with the whole, you know, they're playing for Johnny Dedro and you know, the season dedicated to him. They've got Zach Rensky playing on another planet right now, possibly a Norris Trophy winner. Here's my question to you guys though, before we move on. Can you name three non Wensi Blue Jackets? Because this is a team that has so little star power, it's kind of crazy.

[Roy Bellamy]

No, Mirkins, I can do it.

[G]

Adam Fentilli.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah.

[G]

Cole Cylinger and Sean Monahan.

[Ethan]

Very good.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah. You just made up a name.

[Ethan]

No, but, but that. My point is like they're doing this with so little, like big names and everything and they're still playing well and they're doing it the right way and it's just a fun, great story. I'm really enjoying it and I hope that they can continue the season because who doesn't love a sentimental.

[G]

The best part is that Johnny Hockey's best friend, Sean Monahan is having a great year.

[Ethan]

Oh, yeah. He's second in the team in scoring or. No, he's third. Excuse me. He's behind Marchenko and the ridiculous Zach Renci, who's actually leading Columbus in scoring as today from the blue line. This guy's probably going to win the Norris Trophy if he keeps it up.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, I guess the same could be said about Cole Caulfield in Montreal talking about best friends and everything.

[Ethan]

Yeah. Yeah, that's true. You always say the number change.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, the number change kind of changed everything. Big bump in that situation. My hot take is from the Devils Panthers game earlier this week. The hit by Matthew Kachuk on Nico Heer was clean. I don't care what anybody else.

[G]

I don't think this is much of a hot take, Roy.

[Roy Bellamy]

It apparently is because I. I've been fighting with everybody, but, I mean, Jesus, this was.

[G]

This was. This was a good shot from Kachuk.

[Roy Bellamy]

I thought I had to explain the rules here when it comes to checking in this situation, and we're showing this on video as a loop here. First, that's not interference. That was the calling. The ice was interference. Nico, he should touch the puck before Matthew Chuck hit him. Right. Magicachuk hit him up high. But it was in the chest. It was not in the head.

[Ethan]

Nope.

[Roy Bellamy]

And of course, they're all saying that he left his feet. No, he left his feet after the contact. That's the major contention that everybody seems to be having. That is not charging. That's, of course. That, of course, by the way, was not the call on the ice. It was not.

[Ethan]

No.

[Roy Bellamy]

That was the wrong call.

[Ethan]

If you watch the replay, the long shot after Tkachuk hit Hecher, neither ref put his arm up correct. The whole scrum started. Both arms were down. So I call BS a little bit.

[G]

Kachuk is. Referee officiated differently than any other player in the league. He got that call off of reputation because a scrum breaks out and they're like, well, we got to throw Kachuk in the box for starting this crazy.

[Ethan]

My other problem with the lead right now is that clean hits are being met. Like they're, you know, two hands, sticks to the mouth. It's ridiculous. Like, we're kind of watering down hockey a little bit by having these crazy reactions to big hits. It's very frustrating.

[Roy Bellamy]

There's zero reason why the Devil should have been on a power play in that situation, because considering that's the other.

[Ethan]

Jumped, that's the other thing.

[Roy Bellamy]

No, he was in a headlock. Yeah. You're gonna call roughing on him for that.

[Ethan]

That's the referees basically saying it's okay to have that kind of a reaction to a legal big hit. It's okay. We're not going to call a penalty. If you want to go ahead and react like that and be a baby.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah.

[G]

But as long as it goes against Matthew Tkachuk is the other thing.

[Roy Bellamy]

But call it interference, though, which is obviously not what happened because he sure touched the puck there. That is terrible officiating. You just made up a penalty.

[Ethan]

No me gusta rose.

[Roy Bellamy]

No me gusta it's not good.

[Rose]

Yeah. So actually I have my hot take and my hot take is that the next NHL All Star game should be a karaoke battle.

[Ethan]

A karaoke battle? Like in the skills competition?

[Rose]

Yeah. Yeah. I think there will be more scoring points and people will be more interested in I.

[Roy Bellamy]

They already have karaoke battles. That's every single band at the NHL books for these things.

[G]

Really?

[Ethan]

You don't want to see Sidney Crosby up there?

[Roy Bellamy]

No, I don't want to see Sidney Crosby.

[G]

Rose. Who would be the best karaoke singer in the NHL?

[Rose]

Ooh, Alexander Balkoff.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah.

[Rose]

I think, I think with his accent.

[Roy Bellamy]

He could just ask me the question.

[Rose]

No, no, no. I think with me, his accent and my accent we can do a better beautiful duet.

[Ethan]

Imagine it's like an endless love. I would enjoy that, my love. There's only you.

[Martin Brodeur]

David.

[G]

Who's your winner of the week?

[Ethan]

Okay, my win of the week is a young man named Cameron first, the Minnesota Wild signed this nine year old to a one day contract. He is a make a wish kid. He's a young goaltender and the Minnesota Wild signed him. He took part in a practice with the team. He got one on one lessons from Marc Andre Fleury. He had the time of his life. It was just an awesome, awesome story. I loved seeing the footage from the Wild practice. There's footage right now playing of Flower. Giving him some tips there. And now he's robbing a bunch of Wild players in the crease, making kick saves and just such an awesome story. It made me smile for hours after I saw it. I. I just love it. I wanted to share this with anybody who hadn't seen it already. Just. Just really cool all around.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah. Yeah, that's great, man. Again, golden bias. But this one is a good one.

[Ethan]

Dude, shut up.

[Roy Bellamy]

I'm sorry. I apologize. My win of the week. Now as I said before, please be a goalie. No, it is not a goaltender. It is actually Alexander Averskin. Now as I said before, humans love dogs more than they love people. And with good reason. Because people are stupid.

[Ethan]

No.

[Roy Bellamy]

What do you mean no?

[Ethan]

People suck.

[Roy Bellamy]

People suck.

[Ethan]

People suck.

[Roy Bellamy]

People absolutely suck. You don't suck.

[Rose]

Oh, thank you.

[Ethan]

Yeah, you're good.

[Roy Bellamy]

You're a person. You are a good person. But people as a whole, the bad.

[Rose]

We, we have been deceived. So deceived. Okay, but yeah, you were saying about that.

[Ethan]

So Ovechkin and dogs.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, Ovechkin and dogs. Apparently him coming, going to the Capital One arena earlier this week. He met up With a couple of dogs by the name of Maxine, otherwise known as Mad Max, who was put on his back in a backpack. And another dog by the name of Hammy, who. He was on a leash and he walked. Now this is just wholesome content here that you can see on video. So Alexander Veskins, he's walking his dog. He's giving it a treat. And the dog on his back, Max, he's wearing sunglasses.

[Ethan]

I don't know if I've seen the dog backpack before, actually. I'm trying to remember. It looks like a common thing, the way that they're all reacting to it, but I don't know if I've seen that.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, I mean, this. I mean, it's embroidered.

[Ethan]

What happens if the dog goes to the bathroom while you're carrying him in the backpack?

[Rose]

They're very intelligent. They don't.

[Roy Bellamy]

How do you know that?

[Rose]

Because brother trained. Come on.

[Ethan]

That's the sales pitch right there.

[Dan LeBatard]

No, you're good.

[Ethan]

Dogs are smart. Just don't worry about it.

[Dan LeBatard]

You're fine.

[Rose]

No, they're trained.

[G]

So dogs definitely don't everywhere.

[Rose]

Exactly.

[Roy Bellamy]

No, no, no, no. It's not like a friend of mine took her dog to the office and it. In the office and she had to pick up the. I mean, that didn't happen.

[Rose]

I. I'm pretty sure the dog went to find a specific place and smelled and smelled and there.

[Ethan]

Now here's the question. What if during that little situation, that dog did down Alex Ovechkin's back and then he went out and swore a hat trick?

[G]

Then it would be the Phil.

[Ethan]

Oh, does he have to be for every game?

[Roy Bellamy]

It would be the trick. That's what that would be.

[Ethan]

I'm just saying I wouldn't put. Players are superstitious.

[G]

Maybe not ov. But I wouldn't put it past some hockey players.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah.

[G]

Roy, what's your favorite?

[Roy Bellamy]

Superstitious? Superstitious.

[Rose]

I have a win of the week. We are all. We also have our PlayStation ready. So we're going to have a battle between the four of us and see who wins.

[Ethan]

What are we going to be playing?

[Rose]

Oh, we're going to play NHL 25.

[Roy Bellamy]

Great.

[Rose]

I. I asked for Barof Rose is going to be.

[Roy Bellamy]

You realize you do you play teams, right?

[Ethan]

You.

[Roy Bellamy]

You.

[Ethan]

You know, you want to be the Panthers? Yeah, maybe I'll be the Islanders just so I can stomp Rose with Matthew Barzell.

[Roy Bellamy]

Okay, you do that.

[Ethan]

I don't know, Dave.

[Roy Bellamy]

What? You fell.

[Ethan]

My fail of the week goes out to the Carolina Hurricanes for Two reasons. Number one, the Carolina Hurricane somehow gave up a goal to the Buffalo Sabres without giving up a shot on goal. Yeah, which is pretty impressive and unique in and of itself. And it was an empty net situation, obviously. But that goes into the second part of my fail for Carolina. You lost to Buffalo. Your net was empty against Buffalo.

[Roy Bellamy]

That's not fair because Florida lost the Buffalo.

[Ethan]

Yeah. And you know what? If Florida had lost the Buffalo and given up a goal without giving up a shot, I'd be poop emojiing on them too. But right now, it's the Carolina Hurricanes who are in the doghouse as we get back to the OBI thing, because that was a double whammy against a team that has yet to pull itself out of being made fun of. In that realm, Buffalo has yet to not become the laughingstock of the league. They're working on it. They got a nice little run going right now, but so do a lot of teams outside of the playoffs in the east and it's still January, and Buffalo notoriously has had one good stretch of play most seasons. Usually it's at the out of the gate. Usually they start off really good and then fall off a cliff. Maybe this year they're doing it in the middle of the season, or maybe they're good, I don't know. But until they prove that they're not, they're my doghouse team and Carolina. You can't do that, man. Like, what are you thinking?

[Roy Bellamy]

The situation on that empty net goal that was awarded because it wasn't a shot of goal. It was a breakaway and it was a penalty. And there was no goaltender in. In the. In the crease to stop it. So they awarded the goal aside from a penalty shot because there was no goaltender increase. That's what.

[Ethan]

I like it.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah. That's the rule. That's, that's. That's what happens in this situation.

[Ethan]

Protecting goalies.

[Roy Bellamy]

It makes me think about the Panthers, Islanders, playoff series. I don't think that was a breakaway that Vincent Trochuk had.

[Ethan]

No.

[Roy Bellamy]

But he was penalized.

[Ethan]

It wasn't. No, it wasn't a breakaway. It was like. It was like his own. They had the puck in the zone, they fed it. I think he was in the right face off circle going towards the net at the time and they just.

[Roy Bellamy]

Nobody in front of him.

[Ethan]

No, no, it was like a. They were in the zone, like passing it, trying to get a shot at the empty net. Or maybe they just rushed in over the line. I just remember it wasn't like a Breakaway situation. He had guys in between, and he just got taken down. No call. Puck turns around down the ice.

[Roy Bellamy]

And the refs. Sorry to bring up that bad memory. It's my fellow of the week. And this is a story that is delivered by, quote, unquote, the second best goaltender of all time, Martin Brodeur.

[Martin Brodeur]

Last winter, I'm in Florida. My buddy invites me to this country club for dinner, and I sit there, and Patrick's a member there, and he's sitting with a couple of his buddies and his girlfriend. And he gets up, hey, Marty. Like, long time no see. Hey, what's going on? Like. And a week later, he got the job in Long island, but never said a word to me. And so just. Just being nice. I get up, hey, it was nice seeing you shake his hand. He goes, oh, let me introduce me to. To my girlfriend. And he goes, hey, this is Marty Broder, the second best goalie in the world.

[Roy Bellamy]

I thought it was the funniest thing.

[Ethan]

Oh, my God.

[Roy Bellamy]

I mean, it is debatable. That was from the. The. The Cam and Strict podcast. It is legitimately debatable. Like, it's 1 and 2 in this situation. It might be 1A, 1B.

[Ethan]

I don't know, man, because in that era, just in when they were in the lead, you also had Dominic Hoshik playing.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, okay.

[Ethan]

I'm just saying, like, he might not have the same amount of cups as those two guys, but I feel like they're all in the same conversation.

[Roy Bellamy]

Well, here's the situation on that, though. I mean, the counting stats, you give it to Montane Brode or. But when it comes to. Well, head to head, and they've only played each other in the playoffs seven times because that was the Stanley cup playoff. The Stanley Cup Final, I should say. That goes to Patrick Waugh. And that one, I think that was his fourth Stanley Cup. And that one. Yes, put him over.

[Ethan]

That was also the Rebork year, I believe. Yeah, the 2000 year.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yep. So, yeah, that. That. That one, I think, goes to raw on. On that one, Ethan.

[Ethan]

We were spoiled.

[G]

I've got a fail of the week, guys. Did you see this? Marit Cider fall. This is. Oh, Con. One of my favorite things in sports is when you're reminded how hard sports are and just how athletic these guys are, that even the most athletic guys can be made to look like idiots sometimes. So we have the video here of Marit Cider of the Detroit Red Wings. He's skating back and he just eats in the most cartoonish way possible. Like, this is just the most drawn out fall I think I've ever seen on a hockey.

[Roy Bellamy]

Was he trying to avoid that stick?

[G]

I don't know what he was doing.

[Ethan]

It's for embellishment on one of the.

[G]

Greatest falls falls I've ever seen. It just sounds like it should have some Hanna Barbera like sound effect underneath it. It's so good.

[Ethan]

Yeah, the Fred Flintstone bowling sound. That's rough. I credit to credit to cider though, because you could see as he's kind of falling backwards, he decided to like completely lean into what was happening and he like kicks his legs up and like, like lucky nobody was around.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, that would have. That would have been tragic.

[Ethan]

I just don't understand, like, is that embellishment?

[G]

Yeah, like, no, I mean he just fell. It would be embellishment, but he fell.

[Ethan]

Maybe that's what he was trying to do.

[G]

Embellishments flat like basically like a figured.

[Ethan]

He'S like, I'm about to eat it right now. Maybe I can try to look. Make it look like I got taken down.

[Roy Bellamy]

Exaggerated slip on the banana peel situation there. Just does not make any sense.

[Ethan]

Not gonna fall for the banana in the tailpipe.

[Roy Bellamy]

You take these bananas. Coming up next, we have an Burke from prime Monday night hockey. We got our monthly check in with him coming up next.

[Adnan Virk]

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[Roy Bellamy]

Okay. It's time for a monthly check in with Adnan Burke of Prime Monday night Hockey. Aunt Nan, where were you last week? And where you going this week?

[Dan LeBatard]

Roy, it's great to see you. And David, as always. And before we get into that, I want to mention the fact I'm so glad I was able to give you some intel on Blake Bolden.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yes.

[Dan LeBatard]

Because you didn't just want, like, the official scouting report, which I did give you as well. I'm like, hey, she was a scout. Luke Robitaille loves her. But I'm like, hey, I gotta give you some good stuff. The fact that she walked out on Gladiator 2 and it's completely her husband's fault, crapping on Denzel. So I'm glad that that was a hit. Good to have Blakey here with you guys. Last week we were in the great city of Chicago, which, I got to be honest with you fellas, aside from the anthem and Connor Bedard, there's not a whole lot to watch there in Chicago right now at the United Center. It's Blackhawk down and it's not a fun team to watch, but heck of a city. And again, if you've never been to Chicago just for the anthem, literally, go enjoy the first two minutes and do a hell of a job. The anthem not quite old Chicago Stadium, which was unbelievable. We rolled in the video of 1994. Second last anthem there, but Flames win 5 2. Heck of a win for Calgary again. Although again, 5 goals against Chicago is like 10 against anybody else. Or I should say the other way. Two against anyone. El. And this. I can't wait, fellas. Big one. Lightning Leafs in Toronto. The last time the Leafs faced the Lightning, Toronto looked great. Might have been one of their best games of the season. That was a game earlier this year on Prime. Now the Leafs have lost three straight. Concern in Leafland. Big one against Tampa. It'll be fun.

[Roy Bellamy]

Well, it seems like the Panthers are keeping pace with Toronto's poor play right now. But before we get into the Panthers, I want to get into the Penguins, who have officially waived Tristan Jariel. He's getting demoted and they're going to bring up the. The goaltender from the minors. What's going on with the goaltending situation in Pittsburgh?

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, it's ugly right now, guys. I mean, Tristan Jari. I was talking to Jason Demers about this and he goes, yeah, but he's been bad for a while, right? I was like, yeah, but he was supposed to be a guy. And at one point he was a guy. He was a legit, good goaltender. And Pittsburgh's a fascinating story because especially earlier this season, you go, man, they're terrible. Like, they're in real trouble. And Mike Sullivan's been the coach here a long time, a big fan of Sully's, but it's like they're veterans aside from Crosby aren't who they once were. Malk and Letang overpriced, and they don't have a youth movement. So how exactly do you rebuild? Can you actually rebuild because you have Sidney Crosby? You're never going to rebuild. You're trying to win a cup right now, every year until Sid retires. And will Sid ever leave? I don't think so. I can imagine. I think he's a lifer forever. So how do you handle the situation? They then start playing much better hockey and you go, okay, maybe Pittsburgh's a bubble team playoff. Who knows? But the goal thing's been a real issue. So Jari's been a real disappointment for them. You go back and think about Matt Murray winning cups for them. Like they've never had. Like, hasn't been like Tom Barrasso there in a while. It hasn't. Like, their goaltending has been staunch, so it's definitely a concern. And unfortunately for Jar, that they had to make this move. We'll see if they can turn it around.

[Roy Bellamy]

I don't know, Dave. I don't think Pittsburgh is the bubble team. And it makes me happy. Very, very much happy saying that.

[Ethan]

So go back to 2017. That's eight years ago, right?

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah.

[Ethan]

That's when Pittsburgh said Mark Andre Fleury was getting too old.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah.

[Ethan]

He's still in the league kicking fairly decent amounts of ass. And Pittsburgh has been meandering around a good goaltender for the while since. Just curious, what would things have been like in Pittsburgh had they kept their franchise goaltender? We don't have to get into it. I just wanted to the universe, this should make you happy that they made such a poor decision.

[Roy Bellamy]

It does. It does. Absolutely. I mean, come on. You'll go. Tending bias is just all over the studio right now.

[Ethan]

I think this is just common sense in this case. But let's get to my bulletin bias now. So. So, Adnan, there's two goalies I want to bring up. One in the east and one in the West. Out west, you got Mackenzie Blackwood in Colorado. Who? I said when the trade happened, he was going to take them to the final. I feel like I'm looking pretty smart right now in that regard.

[Dan LeBatard]

I remember that Dave I was you there because I was saying, what if they go get Cam Talbot? I remember you said Mackenzie Blackwood's the guy, so I can corroborate that. Go ahead.

[Ethan]

And then in the East, Jacob Dobas in Montreal, he's now 4 and, oh, he's kicking the East's butt right now. And I think it's a little early, but I think this is the next great Montreal goaltender. I think he's going to be the next big one, the next Carrie Price, the next Patrick. I don't know if he's going to play up to that level, but I'm just saying in terms of a great goalie in a great hockey town. So I wanted to get your take on these two goalies who I'm very much focused on right now.

[Dan LeBatard]

Love it. Dope is first. So I was in Montreal a couple weeks ago. Montembo played in that game. But it's fascinating. Monte Bow was thought to be the guy, and he's on Team Canada's roster, as you guys know, for four nations. Number three, goal. He. Probably not going to play unless there's an emergency, but, like, thought to be a good enough goalie now. Canada's goalies are not what they once were. To your point, it's not Patrick Watt, Carey Price, Martin Brodur for all those years now, America, of course, is the better goalie. And by the way, we got to talk Connor Heluk for the heart. More shutouts than losses this year. The guy's unbelievable anyways, but Dopas has come in and been a great story for them. And now all of a sudden for Montreal and Marty St. Louise got options. And the three of us know we. We've long gone past the days of having a primary goalie. Like now, every team, you feel like it's a two goalie system. And then come playoff time, you ride the hot hand. And even then, if the guy falters in a playoff series, it's one one. He loses games three and four. All right, we're going back the other guy. Like, let's figure this out. So I think it's important. It's not like Dopas coming in that just negates Montembeau, but what it does is it allows you to say, hey, we have two guys we think are legit goaltenders. And Montreal is a fascinating story. Early December. They look dead and buried and they're like Nosferatu. They're actually in this playoff mix. They have not made the playoffs in three years, but they're at least in the conversation. Do I think they have enough. I don't personally, but you start to look at that East Dave and you go, okay, well, it's going to be one of the, like, the Bruins have fallen off. Maybe it's a Sens. Maybe it's the Habs, maybe it's the Flyers. It's not the Islanders. I don't think it's the Rangers, I don't think it's the Penguins. But like, eventually one of these teams gets in, so maybe Montreal can make a run. And this guy has been lights out. And as the three of us know, there's no better place to watch a hockey game than Montreal. It's an electric atmosphere. The fans are knowledgeable. The. You get chills just being there. And what he's doing right now is special. Blackwood, to your point. I remember asking, I think Steve coolies about the national network radio, and he was saying, I go, is Blackwood good enough to win a Cup? And he goes, we have to get over this myth of thinking that unless you're an A plus goalie, you're going to win the cup. Meaning in the past you should say, well, unless you have Hellebucker Shusterk and you win the cup, and then those guys haven't won a cup. So, like, you don't have to. The best goalie, like, I think Bobrovsky's has been a legit goalie. He's won the. Vesna was great for your Panthers. I get it. But I understood his point. Meaning that until you become a guy who wins the cup, nobody will believe it. But there's no reason you can't win a cup now. Right now at Colorado, we all know the start the season had injuries. They were underperforming. They were like that wildcard team. And now it's like, dude, watch out McKinnon for the heart. Ranson could be in the heart conversation. McCarr's an elite defenseman and Blackwood's been simply dynamite. And all of a sudden, Colorado looks like a sleeping giant, lurking. And McBlackwood again, I remember him as a devil like he. I remember at one point we were discussing who's the better young goalie, Mackenzie Blackwood or Car Hart. Look how times have changed in just a couple of years. Carter Hart is no longer in the game. We all know what's happened off the ice. And Blackwood's now had a resurgence with Colorado. So both those guys, great stories.

[Ethan]

Quick thought on Colorado before Ethan jumps in. They're also probably possibly going to be getting back Gabriel Landiscog at some point in the next month or so.

[Roy Bellamy]

Right?

[Ethan]

So look out for the if there's.

[G]

One team in the west that terrifies me, if the Panthers were to match up with them in a possible Stanley cup final, it would be the Colorado Avalanche. Like they are a matchup problem for the Panthers and the way they're playing hockey right now is terrifying. And this leads me into my question, Adnan, which is I was watching the game last night and you know, obviously Colorado got off to that great start. Then, you know, Edmonton comes back. But I'm watching that game and I'm looking at Nathan McKinnon and I'm looking at Connor McDavid and I'm asking myself, are we sure that Nathan McKinnon is not the best player in the world? So I'm going to ask you, Adnan, because he's got the Stanley cup and he's might have two consecutive Heart trophies after this season is all said and done, are we sure Nathan McKinnon is not the best player in the world?

[Dan LeBatard]

I love Ray Gold this Ethan, because it's become a thing to just be like, oh, McDavid's the best player in the world. Three time heart trophy winner. I get it. This season got to a slow start. His first 11 games that he had seven points. His last 30 games McDavid's been McDavid again. But I would argue if you said like Carco for your conversation, I'm with you. I think McKinnon right now is the guy. Capri sauce fallen off, then got hurt again. I think Hellibuck could be Wenski if you really want to go crazy. I think he's a favorite for the Norris. You could give him some hard trophy votes as well. But to your point, McKinnon's an incredible player. He has all the skills, all the assets can carry a team. That was a hell of a game last night. I mean, that's as good as it gets. You tell me Abs, Oilers, McKinnon, McDavid and both guys stepped up again. Terrible job gagging by Colorado, hell of a comeback by Edmonton. But I'm with you. I think you could make a strong conversation and say, don't get fooled by reputation. McDavid's still great, still top five, still might be a hard trophy finalist. Just a few months ago he won the cons wife as we all know. But right now, pound for pound, Nathan McKinnon might be the best player in hockey.

[Roy Bellamy]

I think we as a collective hockey community are cheering for the Columbus Blue Jackets for Obvious reasons, but we did not see them doing this well. I mean, they won six in a row. They got eight out of the. They won eight games out of the last 10. I got them as the dark horse out of the East. Austin, Boston. You don't see the Canadiens making the playoffs. You see the Red Wings possibly making the playoffs. Who's going to get that last spot in the East?

[Dan LeBatard]

It's a great point, right? The Red Wings could make a little push here because they get the coaching bump from Todd McClellan and, you know, Lucas Raymond I think is legit. Most solder attempts to me is a little bit inconsistent, but. But their power play's been humming. I mean, if there's one number you look at the joint stats go, oh, my God, like that. The 30% power planner. McClellan can't possibly continue. Eventually that should show some regression. But at some point, the ISER plan has to come to fruition. It's been five years since they made the playoffs. Stevie is supposed to be this, you know, obviously legendary player, but also in terms of an architect and building teams, eventually this will come through. Maybe it's Detroit's year to talk about Columbus. You're right. It's not only the best story in hockey, it's the best story in sports. Johnny Goudreau tragically passes away. They're a horrible franchise. No one cares about the team. And this year they're fighting for a playoff spot. Like they're. They show the jerseys for the. The outdoor game. They got the cannons going, ready to go. Like, it's amazing. Here's what's shocking. Sometimes when there's teams like that that surprise you, go, let me guess. Strong, sound defensively, great goal taking. They're squeaking by 2:1. No, actually, their goal setting is a problem. They're fifth in goal score. They can score. They can pour it in. And Rensky, again, I don't think he gets enough pub. And this, I think, is a Canadian problem. Because he's not Canadian, because he's an American defenseman. Canadians and that media will focus on other players more. I think if Varinsky was Canadian, he'd get more love in the game, but he definitely is a guy should be in the Norse trophy conversation with Queen Hughes, with Cale McCarrl. Those are my three right now. And he's been a difference maker. I talked to Jody Shelley, of course, who works on Amazon, on Prime, and he does 75 Blue Jackets games. And he was telling me what a great story it is. And I said, is it sustained, sustainable and he goes, the one concern is the goaltending. And Elvis. Bruce Lins either is an A or an F. He's not a guy that has a game right. Either he's out of his mind. You go, man. Bruce Lakens won that game or you go, holy smokes, he's awful. And Daniel Terasoff's the other guy, and he's like, oh, five. And won the last six games. So I'm. I think it's an awesome story. I'm pulling for them. Really, I am. I don't know if the goal today is good enough, but it's a great story.

[Rose]

Okay, so, Adnan, you know that hockey, for me, I have no idea about hockey. Just bark off.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, he knows that. Yeah.

[Ethan]

Sitting here with no idea.

[Rose]

I want to get into the movies.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, we wanted to. Listen, last time you wanted to ask me about Wicked, I've seen it. Ask me anything you want.

[G]

Jeremy just walked in.

[Ethan]

Oh, my God.

[G]

Jeremy just walked in. Wanted to say. Wanted me to say hi to you and also that you were wrong about complete unknown.

[Rose]

I don't have a question about Wicked. I actually have a question. Have you ever walked out from a movie?

[Dan LeBatard]

That's a great question, because we're going back to our Blake Bolton.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah. I don't. I mean, I must have at some point, but not since I'm an adult. How about that? Since I was 16.

[Ethan]

You know what? I can say the same. I remember my parents dragging me out of Bill and Ted part two as a kid, and that's the only time I can ever remember leaving a movie theater early.

[G]

The sandman scared me so much in Spider Man 3. I left that theater. Terrifying.

[Ethan]

How old are you?

[G]

I was probably, like, seven. Good God.

[Roy Bellamy]

Anit made us walk out of Wolf of Wall Street.

[Ethan]

I can see that.

[Dan LeBatard]

Too much sex and drugs and rock.

[Ethan]

Yeah, yeah, that's. Yeah.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah.

[Ethan]

How deep did you get?

[Dan LeBatard]

I love, Like, Darren Arnazi is one of my favorite filmmakers. Like, I adore the rest. It's my favorite movies. But I hated his film Mother. Like, I thought it was atrocious, but I still sat through it, like, the last 30 minutes. Javier Bardem, Jennifer Lawrence. Like, this is off. I will not leave. I've already invested 12.50 or 15. Why would I leave?

[Ethan]

We're not quitters here.

[Roy Bellamy]

Popcorn.

[Ethan]

Like, we already invested time. Like, what if the end of the movie is like a resounding comeback and it makes every. You got to give it a chance. That's why we watch games when our teams are down five, nothing. Because you never know how. It's an end.

[Rose]

Then don't watch Mexican movies because they're great. And bird, their endings, they suck. So every time you have to walk away.

[Dan LeBatard]

Hang on. I want to know. Listen, I love Mexican cinema. We talking, like, Amaros Paris here. Like, is it in a rito movies? Guillermo del Toro, which.

[Rose]

Oh, no, no, no. That's good.

[Ethan]

That's.

[Rose]

What movie? No, I'm talking, like, Casa Sequoia.

[Dan LeBatard]

I haven't heard of. Okay, those ones. Okay, no problem. That's fine.

[Rose]

Those ones, they do great, great, great. And then at the ending, they're like, oh, we don't care about the ending.

[Roy Bellamy]

That's great, Rose. That's great.

[Rose]

Yeah, that's. That's what I had to say. But, yeah. So, Wicked, what's your favorite song? First part.

[Ethan]

Sorry.

[Dan LeBatard]

So here's the issue. Rose and I. Listen, I like a good musical. My wife and I were just talking. She's gonna go with her girlfriends to go see Moulin rouge on Broadway February 9th. And her and I went for Valentine's Day a year ago. I think Willow Roos is sensational. Like, that's a great musical, both the movie and on Broadway. I think west side Story is great. You know, I mean, like, I can enjoy a good musical. I get down with that. Wicked. We sat together in Chicago and we were both underwhelmed. We both walked out. We're like. Like, I just, you know, like Hamilton. You walk out, you go, that changed my life. I feel like I just lost £12. Oh, my God. I gotta get the double DVD CD. Excuse me. Like, Wicked. I was like. And we heard. I both felt the same way. And then watching the movie, I was like. And I'm texting Jeremy, who, like, dressed up as the witch on the Dan Lerd show, and I'm like, you really like this movie that much? And I go, hey, this is all it comes down to. Because I could tell you that I'm not crazy about the story, but who goes to a musical for the story? Let's be honest, right? It's like going to an action, moving, like.

[G]

Ah.

[Dan LeBatard]

I'm not sure if the third act made sense. I'm there for the guns and the gore. So with a movie like Wicked, I'm there for the music. I just didn't think the music was that great. The exception of Defying Gravity, which is a banger, the final 10 minutes of movie is great. And I think Popular is pretty good. Although maybe I'm just being swayed by the fact I Hear it on the radio, tick tock radio, etc. That was my issue, Rose. I didn't think the music was that good.

[Ethan]

It's like Rose's heartbreaking opinion. Yeah.

[G]

Through the glass here.

[Rose]

Yes.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's an unpopular opinion. The movie's made $600 million worldwide. It's about to get 10 Oscar nominations. I'm the one guy. Me and my wife are kind of like. I didn't think it was great.

[Rose]

I'm gonna take your. I'm gonna take it. But it hurt.

[Ethan]

Oh, my God.

[Roy Bellamy]

Sorry. All right, we are going to console Rose right now. You can find Adnan on Prime Monday Night Hockey. If you are in Canada. If you're in the United States. I don't know.

[Dan LeBatard]

NHL network.

[Roy Bellamy]

I'll be on the NFL, NHL network. There you go. NHL network and network, thank you for joining us.

[Ethan]

See you next time.

[Dan LeBatard]

Hey, bro. Thank you so much, guys. This was fun. I love the monthly appearance. I look forward to chatting. February, Four Nations Cup. It'll be great.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, we'll talk to you then. We'll talk to you from Four Nations.

[Rose]

I'll think about movies. Good movies.

[Ethan]

Yeah.

[Dan LeBatard]

We'll do an Oscar preview as well next time as well.

[Roy Bellamy]

There we go. There we go. OSC preview coming up next month.

[Dan LeBatard]

Thanks, guys.

[Billy]

Billy.

[Adnan Virk]

Yes.

[Billy]

You know what we've been talking about all season long?

[Adnan Virk]

Smeared off. Yeah.

[Billy]

How'd you guess?

[Adnan Virk]

I knew it. I'm a good guesser.

[Billy]

You are. They are the official sponsor of the Dan Lentard show with Staz. So you already know that. It's an official vodka partner of the NFL. And Super Bowl 59. We're going to be there.

[Adnan Virk]

Oh, yes. I can't believe we're by 59 already. Yeah, time flies.

[Billy]

It does.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yes.

[Adnan Virk]

We're old.

[Dan LeBatard]

I'm old.

[Adnan Virk]

Hey, you know what, you guys, I was thinking.

[Billy]

Yes.

[Adnan Virk]

Since football season's winding down, super bowl is coming up. Super Bowl 59. We've been celebrating football all year. I have an idea.

[Ethan]

What?

[Adnan Virk]

Let's do a toast.

[Billy]

Okay.

[Adnan Virk]

Wow. To football.

[Billy]

Really?

[Adnan Virk]

Yeah. Me and you. Let's toast football.

[Billy]

So just a toast. So we're. We're raising our glasses of Smirno Faki.

[Adnan Virk]

All right.

[Billy]

And we are toasting. To football.

[Adnan Virk]

To football.

[Billy]

To football, everyone. What we love about Smirnoff is that you can get the world's number one vodka without breaking the bank. This feeling is what the good folks over at Smirnoff call. Billy, you want to take a stab at this?

[Adnan Virk]

Yes. Smirnoff Straw. Ordinary.

[Dan LeBatard]

Nailed it.

[Adnan Virk]

I Told you I'm a good guesser.

[Billy]

And right now, Smirnoff has partnered with Complex, letting fans get their hands on some amazing items handpicked by celebrities, including NFL legend and super bowl champion Vernon Davis, for the unbelievable price of $12.99. Just like a bottle of Smirnoff. So head on over to smirnoffdrops.com to check out upcoming drops. And check out. Oh, Billy, you want to take a guess again?

[Adnan Virk]

These Smirnoff Strawdinary items. Oh, look at us. What's the website?

[Billy]

It is smirnoffdrop.com Smirnoff. We do game days. Please drink responsibly. Smirnoff number 21 vodka, distilled from grain 40 alcohol by volume. The Smirnoff Company, New York, NY. Pricing is at the sole discretion of the retailer and may vary by state. Please do not share with anyone under legal drinking age. Billy.

[Adnan Virk]

Yes.

[Billy]

You know what we've been talking about all season long?

[Adnan Virk]

Smirnoff. Yeah.

[Billy]

How'd you guess?

[Adnan Virk]

I'm a good guesser.

[Billy]

You are. They are the official sponsor of the Dan LeBatard show with Stu Got. So you already know that. It's an official vodka partner of the NFL. And Super Bowl 59. We're going to be there.

[Adnan Virk]

Oh, yes. I can't believe we're by 59 already.

[Billy]

Yeah.

[Adnan Virk]

Time flies.

[Billy]

It does.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yes.

[Adnan Virk]

We're old.

[Dan LeBatard]

I'm old.

[Adnan Virk]

Hey, you know what, you guys, I was thinking.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yes?

[Adnan Virk]

Since football season's winding down, super bowl is coming up. Super Bowl 59. We've been celebrating football all year. I have an idea.

[Ethan]

What?

[Adnan Virk]

Let's do a toast.

[Billy]

Okay.

[Adnan Virk]

Wow. To football.

[Billy]

Really?

[Adnan Virk]

Yeah. Me and you. Let's toast football.

[Billy]

So, just a toast. So we're raising our glasses of Smirno Faki.

[Adnan Virk]

Glasses up. Yeah. All right.

[Billy]

And we are toasting. To football.

[Adnan Virk]

To football.

[Billy]

To football, everyone. What we love about Smirnoff is that you can get the world's number one vodka without breaking the bank. This feeling is what the good folks over at Smirnoff call. Billy, you want to take a stab at this?

[Adnan Virk]

Yes. Smirnoff Strawdinary.

[Billy]

Nailed it.

[Adnan Virk]

I told you. I'm a good guesser.

[Billy]

And right now, Smirnoff has partnered with Complex, letting fans get their hands on some amazing items handpicked by celebrities including NFL legend and super bowl champion Vernon Davis, for the unbelievable price of $12.99. Just like a bottle of Smirnoff. So head on over to smirnoffdrops.com to check out upcoming drops. And check out. Oh, Bill, you want to take a guess again?

[Adnan Virk]

These Smirnoff strawdinary items. Oh, look at us. What's the website?

[Billy]

It is smirnoffdrop.com Smirnoff. We do game days. Please drink responsibly. Smirnoff number 21 vodka distilled from grain, 40% alcohol by volume. The Smirnoff Company, New York, New York. Pricing is at the sole discretion of the retailer and may vary by state. Please do not share with anyone under legal drinking age.

[Rose]

So welcome back. We're talking Panthers with the boys. I'm just going to give them three minutes to do it. So let's go, go, go.

[G]

That Detroit game was rough, huh?

[Ethan]

It took us so long to get to this point, and then you just are like, all right, let's talk Panthers. Go, go.

[Rose]

So what's your first.

[G]

All right, Sam Bennett needs to start scoring, huh?

[Rose]

This is, this is going up, so I got it. You better start.

[Roy Bellamy]

All right, so, okay, let's talk about Saturday. Let's solve a Saturday's game against the Boston Bruins that was on national television and it was a fun one to watch until the very end. So they ended regulation with that Sam Reinhardt goal with one second left, and then they ended overtime with that going. I went off at Sam Reinhardt. That was credited to David Posternak with what, three seconds left.

[Ethan]

That was one of those games where it's just so frustrating because you feel like you played better. The Panthers were definitely the better team on the whole that afternoon. The, the overtime was just the penalty that cost them at the end because they were dominating the overtime session, too. I thought that was going to be a good way to go into their week considering they had those back to back road games. I just don't like the idea of giving Boston that, that little bit of, like, joy. They've been such a downtrodden team. You want to keep them down. You don't want to give them that little burst of energy like, oh, we just beat the Stanley cup champs in their own house.

[Roy Bellamy]

It's been a week of poor officiating as well, because in that game, you saw AJ Greer basically have to fight, fight off four Bruins and somehow the Bruins ended up with a power play in that sequence, which was just ridiculous. It's been a bad week of officiating against the, against the Panthers in this.

[Ethan]

It's not the only time that happened.

[Roy Bellamy]

No, no.

[G]

It's also been a week of, like David said, outplaying teams and losing. Yeah, right. They probably outplayed Detroit last night and lost. They outplayed the Bruins and loss the Philly game. They got out shot that was.

[Ethan]

They played Philly really well for two and a half periods and even they.

[G]

Much outplayed the Devils and had to go to the shootout to beat the Devil. So I mean they're the Panthers. Just the puck just won't go in. It's so frustrating. Like watching all these games, like we're going to talk about all these games here real quick. Like every single one of them. It feels like the Panthers have all the chances and the puck just refuses to go in the net.

[Rose]

Yeah, I had Carmen go to the game yesterday.

[Roy Bellamy]

You had come and go to the game?

[Rose]

Yeah.

[G]

You sent a correspondent?

[Rose]

No, just send her. You're gonna have so much fun. They disappoint me.

[Roy Bellamy]

That's too bad. So Saturday they lost the Bruins 4:3 and overtime they lose to the Flyers 4:3 in regulation. They had a two goal lead.

[Ethan]

Yeah. Reinhardt two third period leads. Yeah, very un. Panthers like loss. You don't see the pants. I think it had been like since 20, like November 23 or 22 or some ridiculous amount since they had last lost the game where they were leading after two periods. These are, this is the time of the year that you want to go through this though. Like in the January dog days. Like this is where you want to be learning these lessons and getting this because remember a lot of people look at this, Panthers seem like, oh, they've been to the finals two years in a row. They've, you know, they went, no, this Panthers team hasn't done any of that. Last year's Panthers team won the Stanley Cup. A third of that team is gone. This is a brand new Panthers team. They got plenty of good players. They've got talent to get there, but they're still learning how to win together. It's a process. Every year it's a process. That's why the teams just aren't good year after year after year after year. So this is when I want to see them going through that. Now if we're talking about these same issues in March and April, bigger issue. But right now, earn your lumps.

[Rose]

Three minutes are up.

[Roy Bellamy]

What are you doing? We're not done.

[Ethan]

Back to Rose on the case.

[Roy Bellamy]

Back to back games for Sam Reinhard harbor two goals. Yeah, he's been the one scoring so far. But he did not score in the game versus New Jersey where Panthers wanted to shoot out. That was a, that was A stellar game by Spencer Knight in. In that one. Yeah.

[G]

But this goal by Reinhardt here that we're playing the video of against the Flyers just shows everything that's amazing about Sam. Reinhardt makes a plane in his defensive end, works around a defender and no slouch in Travis Kanackney and then finishes Bruce it past the goalie like he's been the star for the Panthers the last week or so and they need him to get going. He had been quiet. Now they need their other guys. Barky, Chucky Bennett hasn't scored in 19 games. They got to get him rolling again for Hagee's got to get one to.

[Roy Bellamy]

Go like, yeah, we gotta save these dogs, man. We gotta get Benny's buddies over here back.

[Ethan]

Right. And he was off to such a scorching hot start with the goals this year too.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah. Spencer night in the game versus New Jersey. What are you doing? Come on. What are you doing? I'm over here.

[Ethan]

Rose is preparing for whatever she's got going on. For what? The puck today. So stay tuned for that on social media.

[Roy Bellamy]

Spencer Knight stopped 26 to 27 shots in all seven of the doubles high danger chances. So the Panthers defense was. Was very good in that game as well. The Panthers on the other hand, offensively only had two high danger chances going into into the third. So the Devil's defense was pretty good going into the third period up until the very first high danger chance of the third period, which was Conover Hagee's fantastic pass DS for both dress.

[Ethan]

I have a question for you, Roy, as we go through this. Why can't the Panthers get both of their goaltenders playing good at the same time?

[Roy Bellamy]

It just doesn't happen.

[Ethan]

Bob was on a really good run. Now Knight is playing lights out and Bob has fallen off the side of a mountain like. And back to my previous point. You'd rather have it happening now than when you get to the playoffs. And it's great to see Spencer Knight starting to. To build some momentum. Like that's one of my favorite things right now. But yeah, I mean, I'd like to see some consistency from their starting goalie.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah. Thursday versus Detroit. That was one to forget.

[Ethan]

Bob got pulled.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, Bob got one. I mean, that wasn't even his fault. Yeah, you don't give up three power play goals to the number two power play in the league and expect to.

[Ethan]

Win two offensive zone penalties in that game, which is a big. No, no. Yeah. But yeah, I get it that it wasn't, you know, there was deflection goals. And Paul Maurice came out and he said, look, that was a game where I just, you know, he wanted to protect his goalie from a rough night. But still, it. No matter how you draw it up, it's not a good look.

[G]

I thought. Sorry to interrupt, David. I thought Knight earned that start after the way he played in New Jersey.

[Ethan]

I had the thought, too.

[G]

I think Maurice kind of realized I should have gone back to the hot hand in this game because they had a day off. Like, I thought Knight, you know, that poll was kind of him acknowledging, like Knight should have started this game and he was good. After he came in, I had that thought.

[Ethan]

But as I went down that little rabbit hole, I was thinking, do you want to send that message to Bob? Like, they've got pretty defined roles right now, and you want Bob to get back into his Bob groove. And I think doing that might maybe stray off that path. Not that necessarily would be a bad thing because what if Knight gets hot and takes off and he becomes the goalie? Which is fine, but that's just kind of where my thought process went when I had that same idea that you had.

[G]

Bob also might need a wake up call. Think about 2023, Alex Lyon. That whole thing was kind of a wake up call. And then Bob carried him to the Stanley cup final point.

[Roy Bellamy]

And the red rings are 820 since Todd McClellan took over.

[Ethan]

That 131 power play they're running is so scary. Somebody's gonna have to figure that thing out.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah. And I don't believe any of these games had Aaron Eckblad in it. In it at all. I don't think.

[Ethan]

No, none of the. None of the past week. He didn't make that road trip, did I think he may have played the Boston game.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, he may have played the Boston.

[Ethan]

Game because he was out like a game or two before that. Yeah, played. And then they kept him home for the road trip. So either way, hopefully he'll be back. What's today? Friday. He'll be back tomorrow when they host the Anaheim Ducks before heading out on yet another long road trip.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, that's really affecting the power play as well. This is the first meeting of the season for the Ducks and the Panthers. And The Ducks are 4, 4 and 2 in the last 10.

[Ethan]

So everybody seems to be playing well right now. Except the Panthers.

[Roy Bellamy]

Except for the Panthers.

[Ethan]

Well, they're meandering around.500, which is keeping.

[Roy Bellamy]

Pace with the Maple Leafs.

[Ethan]

Yeah.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah. So that's the situation with the Panthers. Thank you for basically distracting all of us in the studio.

[Rose]

You went four, five minutes up.

[Roy Bellamy]

Thank you for that information as well.

[Ethan]

Sorry to keep you all here. Five minutes longer than Rose thinks we should have.

[Roy Bellamy]

My name. My name is Roy Bellamy. That's David. George.

[Rose]

I'm Rose.

[Roy Bellamy]

Ethan Rose. Bye.

[Unknown]

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[Dan LeBatard]

All set for your flight?

[Roy Bellamy]

Yep, I've got everything I need. Eye mask, neck pillow, T Mobile, headphones.

[Dan LeBatard]

Wait. T Mobile?

[Roy Bellamy]

You bet. Free in flight. Wi Fi 15 off all Hilton brands. I never go anywhere without T Mobile. Same goes from a water bottle, chewing gum, nail clippers.

[Adnan Virk]

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[Billy]

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[Ethan]

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