Halford & Brough in the Morning - Depth Scoring Wins Hockey Games

Episode Date: May 14, 2025

In hour one, Mike & Jason look back at the previous day in sports (3:00), plus they discuss last night's NHL playoff action with Sportsnet's David Amber (28:27), as the Winnipeg Jets find themselves one game away from elimination.  This podcast is produced by Andy Cole and Greg Balloch. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da- One-timer score! It's Mikhail Granland! A hat trick! Let him fly! Halliburton gets rid of it. Far corner, Turner, DAAAGGGER! Borders should be able to play the sport that they're reporting on. 100% agree. I think that it's aggriegrious, if that's a word. Good morning, Vancouver. 6- 6.01 on a Wednesday. Happy Wednesday everybody, it is Halpern, it is Brough, it is Sportsnet 650. We are coming to you live from the Kintec studios in beautiful Fairview slopes in Vancouver.

Jason, good morning. Good morning. Adog, good morning to you. Good morning. And Lydie, good morning to you as well. Hello, hello. Halpern Brough of the morning is brought to you by North Star Metal Recycling.

Vancouver's premier metal recycler pays the highest prices on scrap metal. North Star Metal Recycling, they recycle, you get paid. Visit them at 1170 Powell Street in Vancouver. Hour One of this program is brought to you by Sands and Associates. We got a lot to get into on the program today. Jason, though, very quickly is going to tell you about Kintec. We are coming to you live from the Kintec studio. Kintec footwear and orthotics working together with you in step.

We got a lot to get into on the program this morning. Guest list today begins at 6.30. David Amber, Hockey Night Canada Sportsnet NHL host is going to join the program at 6.30. We got two games tonight on the slate. The Panthers and the Leafs. It's game five from Toronto at four o'clock our time. Then the Nightcap Oilers, Vegasers Vegas six 30 puck drop our time. The first elimination game of the series for the Oilers.

We'll talk to David about that. We can also look back on the loan. Single solitary game from last night. Vegas now, or sorry, Vegas Winnipeg now up against it against the Dallas stars after dropping, dropping both games in Dallas. So we'll talk to David Amber about that at six 30 seven o'clock Frank Sarah Valley from daily faceoff is going to join the program for what feels like. I don't know. The 18th consecutive week we'll try and get some clarity on the Connucks

coaching situation and the NHL coaching situation at large. Uh, who's in line to be behind the bench for Vancouver next season? Where will Rick talk it end up? All of the questions we'll try and answer with Frank at seven o'clock this morning. Eight o'clock, Jesper Sorensen is going to join the program. That's right. The manager of your Vancouver Whitecaps. The Whitecaps are back in action this week against Austin.

Weird scheduling, courtesy MLS. This is the second time that the the caps have played Austin in basically a month. They whipped Austin back at BC place on April the 12th, five one. That was the four goal performance from Brian white. And now they're back at it again on Saturday. Uh, yes, for Sorenson is the first coach in MLS history to record 27 points in his first 12 games.

I've heard the Austin coach is telling his team, Hey, watch out for that guy, Brian Wright. Take a number, mark it down. Yeah, yeah. Keep an eye on him. Maybe we'll put two guys on him. Yesper Sorensen at eight, Frank Sarah Valley at seven, David Amber at 630.

We are also giving away tickets today. Every day this week, we're giving away a pair of tickets to see the Who at Rogers Arena on September 23rd. Caller number 5 at 815 this morning. So right in the middle of the Esper Sorensen interview. The phone number 604-280-650. That number again, 604-280-650. Tickets are going to go on sale on Friday, courtesy Ticketmaster, but we'll be giving

them away every day this week. And I will remind the listening audience later in the show about the giveaway. That is what's happening on the program today. Laddie, let's tell everybody what happened. Hey, did you guys see the game last night? No. What happened?

I missed all the action because I'm moving. We know how messy your life can be. What happened? You missed that? You missed that? What happened? What happened? What happened?

What happened is brought to you by the BC Construction Safety Alliance, making safety simpler by giving construction companies the best in tools, resources and safety training. Visit them online at bccsa.ca. We will start briefly with the Stanley Cup playoff game Singular from last night before we get into some of the Canucks stuff. But, uh, the Dallas Stars swept it in Dallas yesterday Yesterday it was a Mikhail Granlin. Yes, Mikhail Granlin with the hat trick for the Stars. They pushed the Jets to the brink last night

with a 3-1 win in game four of their second round series. It was a case of yet again, goaltending being the story, although with a slightly different lean. Connor Hellebuck not great, but not awful, but Jake Autinger a heck of a lot better. The Jets just couldn't find a goal. And couldn't find enough goals in Dallas, just three over the two games, and now they find themselves down three, one in the series

on the brink of elimination. Do you remember the Michael Grandlin trade to Dallas getting any real attention? I kind of remember people raising an eyebrow at the price paid But I don't really remember it being anything other than like oh, that's a tidy little pickup for the Stars in what way? What would the price I don't remember the price? It was because I got CC at there around the same time as well, right? It was sort of like it was that deal and I think there was a first that exchanged Okay, and he was actually playing well for the Sharks, but the caveat was, but it's with the Sharks.

Like, you know, a point game producer with the Sharks. What is he going to do in a real NHL team? Well, he's a pretty good player, though. Yes. And I think although he is kind of bounced around the league the last few years, some stops didn't work out. He played in Pittsburgh for 21 games and had like five points.

And yeah, you're right. Wait, he did? Yeah, he did. And played in Pittsburgh for 21 games. I had like five points. Uh, and, and yeah, you're right. Wait, he did? Yeah, he did. And I don't remember that either. I remember that. I was just looking at the stats here. Um, but, uh, he's a good player and I know some people have been wondering in Vancouver, right?

Like, Oh, could he be a guy that the Canucks could pick up in a free agency? I don't know. I don't know. The Canucks have said that they don't really love the, the UFA list anyway. But yeah, he, he's been a nice pickup for the stars and all of a sudden you're looking at their lineup. And, um, I mean, not all of a sudden, but because Heisginen returned last

night and he didn't play a huge role in the game, like Harley is still like their, their, their top minutes guy. Or a lot of Russ, don't hold me up. Yeah, and not surprisingly, right? But man, this team, it's hard to find a weakness on. The Stars are another example of a team that's absolutely loaded up front. We've talked about them over the last couple days

in context with the Vancouver Canucks and the lack of both high end and overall talent depth wise that the Canucks have it forward. And again, you go down the list and you look at the guys that are doing the business when it's not Mikhail Granlin carrying the load for Dallas. It's those other guys like Miko Renton, Rope Hintz, Wyatt Johnson, Matt Dushane. I mean, Cody Sisi and not Cody Sisi, sorry. Tyler Sagan and Jamie Benner still doing the business for this team, right? They were able to move off a piece like Logan Stankovic

to get Miko Rant in the door. These, the very high end, the very, very high end teams, and look, if you're looking at it right now, the Western Conference, the odds are that it's going to be an Edmonton Dallas Western Conference final, right? Yet again. Edmonton's up three one in their series.

Dallas is up three one in their series. What do those two teams have in common? The answer, they're incredibly incredibly deep at forward. They're not reliant on a single entity or a single line to do all the heavy lifting for them. They're getting scoring up and down the lineup. And it's reflective of a group that has been built over time and understands that you can't just have

one or two play drivers. You need more if you're going to get to the upper echelons of the NHL. Well, the Jets. All season. That conversation as well. The Jets all season getting depth scoring. And, uh, but the focus right now is they, they

can't win on the road. And, and, and a lot of that has, has had to do with Connor Hellebuck, the goalie that was so brilliant during the regular season, but seems to have really lost it, especially on the road and the bow season and, you know, goalies, what are you going to do? What are you going to do? Um, but he wasn't, uh, I mean, I guess he should've

stopped the first one last night, but he wasn't like awful. Nope. But he just hasn't been brilliant. Well, he also hasn't out-dueled anybody. Yeah. And when, yeah, exactly. Right.

And, you know, this is an interesting matchup with Autinger because it's two American goalies and you've heard the crowds go back and forth. You got Winnipeg chanting at Autinger, US backup. And then you go to Dallas and Dallas is chanting Otter's better, right? I mean, it's fun. It's actually like, you know, it's a fun part of the series as a neutral observer here.

And it might determine the Olympic goalie. There's a race on. There's a very, I'm sure Thatcher Demko would love to get back in that race next season for who's gonna represent the United States at the Olympics, but Connor Hellebuck, even in the games where, like he had a shutout, but I even feel like he wasn't the story in that one, you know what I mean?

The story was more like, is this the return of Connor Hellebuck, not necessarily this was a banner performance. He was very good in the four-nothing shutout victory in game three. Of course he was. Yeah, I got a shut out. But he certainly hasn't gone on the road and stolen a game. Well, he hasn't gone on the road and won a game.

The Jets. So I don't know if everyone is. There's a couple of stats courtesy sports net stats that were passed along last night. And this one blew my mind. The Jets road playoff losing streak right now. Is it nine games? Just take a minute to let that soak in they have lost nine consecutive

Road playoff games they have not won a playoff game on the road since 2023 back when they won the opening game of their first round series against the Vegas Golden Knights It's having a goalie who melts down on the road bad? See now you bring up a good point. It's chicken or the egg, right? Is it Hellebuck that is the reason that they're losing on the road or are they losing on the road because Hellebuck can't make a save? Like which one is it, right? Like I don't know. Well, they've only started one goalie throughout this whole process. Look, I understand.

There's one way to find out. I understand that his numbers on the road have been bad, but I look at the last two games that they lost in Dallas. And if I'm a goalie, I'm like, you guys gave me three goals of offense in two games. Like it's, it's tough to win in the playoffs when you can only muster that much offensively. Now part of this had to do with his counterpart

at the other end, Autinger. But if you look at the advanced metrics from last night, they outattempted the Stars, I think it was like 72 to 46. If you were to look at that game just on possession and shot metrics and everything else, you'd say Winnipeg had a good game. They were more than capable of winning that game.

We played well. Yeah. They played well. So the difference comes down to goaltending and your guy, Hellebuck, is consistently on the wrong end of that. Even if he doesn't play terribly, like he's- But that first goal against Grandland, like, is consistently on the wrong end of that. Even if he doesn't play terribly. That first goal against Grandland wasn't great. Should probably stop that.

Hellebuck has allowed, this is also courtesy Sportsnet stats, 11 goals this postseason from 30 plus feet or deeper, which is... Now, I understand all these goals aren't created equal. There are screens, there's tips, there's all this other kind of stuff. But you talked about earlier in the St. Louis series, Greg, I understand all these goals aren't created equal. There are screens, there's tips, there's all this other kind of stuff. But you talked to me earlier in the St. Louis series, Greg, about the book being out on a guy.

And if you study your tape and you do your research and you get your scout on him, I do wonder if the scouting, it's the Arthur C. Lovien scouting report here, just fire it from deep. It's a little surprising that that's the stat because when you think of Hellebuck's weaknesses, to me, it's the lateral plays. It's a little surprising that is that's the stat because when you think of hell bucks weaknesses to me It's it's the lateral plays sure it's the stuff off the rush that have historically given now. I think that's the concerning part

Yeah, it's it might not be his typical way that he gives up I'd have to talk to Woodley that knows the numbers right right now his weakness is shots on net. Yes, right. They're all a problem, right? And there's another weakness kicks on net Which although that didn't even go on net, technically, that was more like a center towards the net or like a corner kick. Yeah. Anyway, the Jets are now facing elimination. That series returns to Winnipeg. So we'll see what happens there. Let's get into some of this Canucks stuff, OK, because we got a lot of news yesterday

as it pertains to the Canucks vacant coaching gig. According to multiple reports from Rick Dollywall, Thomas Trance and Patrick Johnston, it sounds as though the head coaching gig is going to come down to either Adam Foot or Manny Malhotra. Now that tracks with a lot of what we've heard over the last few days. It seems as though those two guys have emerged as the leading candidates. That being said, if you start reading and listening to podcasts

and checking around the league, it does sound as though they've left doors open in the form of interviews with a variety of guys. So Elliott Friedman yesterday was on NHL Network, and he believes that the Canucks have already interviewed another candidate, Mitch Love. He of course is a longtime assistant coach and an AHL coach. He's currently with the Washington Capitals. He's a 40 year old from Quinnell in BC I might add and he has a pretty good standing and has interviewed for other jobs. NHL head coaching jobs in the past.

Elliot also believes that the Canucks might have interviewed Todd Reardon. Now, this is an interesting name because Reardon is one of the aforementioned Pittsburgh mafia, right? He was there for a couple of different stints and Rutherford actually specifically hired him back. I believe it was in 2020 after Reardon was fired as the head coach of the Washington Capitals. Now, if you go back and you look at Reardon's body of work, he's actually in the two years that he was the head coach in Washington was a

really good regular season coach. They just got, you know, they did not do farewell in the playoffs. They got bounced. They were upset in the first round twice. They didn't look good in the, and then he was gone out of that position. So the interesting thing here is that you kind of assume that Malhotra and foot are the leading candidates. But it also sounds that I don't know whether it's due diligence or they're just bored and they want to talk to people.

Can express is talking to other candidates as well. Yeah. Do you have like, is there, is there a coach in your mind that you're really excited for and you want to advocate for? Really excited for, I hate putting it this way. No? Yeah. I think that of the guys, Malhotra is the most intriguing because of the unknown.

Because he's shown that he's done a good job, granted in a small sample size in Abbotsford, but you can't argue that he's done a good job. I don't think anyone would push back on that notion. So it's intriguing. It's like, are you getting the next really good coaching candidate on the rise? But with that, it's fraught with a lot of risk. It's a first time NHL head coach. Those guys tend to make mistakes while they're learning on the job. Is this the right job and environment for a guy that doesn't have first time NHL head coach, those guys tend to make mistakes while they're learning on the job. Is this the right job and environment for a guy that doesn't have the in-game know-how, the experience, working at that level,

everything that goes into being an NHL head coach? I wonder how much has been complicated by the habits for Canucks still being alive in the playoff race. I think it's a valid point. Yeah. I don't think they want to kneecap Manny by saying like, also, could you spend a lot of

time focusing on your next job? Yeah. Right. Sometimes you just want to leave a guy alone, especially during a playoff. Hey Manny, I know you're preparing for Coachella Valley, but what do you think about forwards we need next season? And Manny's like- Hey, I brought that up in the group chat and you guys shot me down. Yeah, no. And then we stole it. Yeah. Geez, give a guy some credit here. Andy mentioned it once. Yeah. Bro was like, I don't know about that. What did you say? What did you say?

That exact thing. No, no, what you said is they haven't announced Manny yet. Yeah, well they probably- Because he's still busy with Abbotsford. That means the same thing. No, it's not the same thing. Semantics. They haven't announced him.

It's the same thing. It's the same thing. Oh my God. You were like, you were talking about conspiracy theories. No, no, no. They haven't announced it yet because he's still coaching. Well, no, because they're also interviewing all these other guys, too. You can call it an announcement, you can call it a sign, call whatever you want.

But the reason Manny isn't the Canucks head coach presently at the moment is because the Abbotsford Canucks are in a playoff round. Yeah, and I disagree with that. They just learned about Rick Tauke at a couple of weeks ago. They're going to have to go through all these interviews. Yeah, but he's with that. They they just learned about Rick talk at a couple of weeks ago They're gonna have to go through all these interviews, but yeah, but what is their guy? Oh, you know, yeah I know, you know, he's there. He's their guy for sure We need a show bed here because apparently it's between Adam foot and many more What is operation keep Quinn Hughes happy, you know, you know that lunch that broth owes you from that

Yeah, you guys had a while you should double down on that line I could so I could win another lunch that I never get bought Now you have two lunches You're right like you're basically saying that if Abbotsford wasn't in the playoffs Manny would already be the correct and I disagree because They they barely disagree. They barely had They barely had any time to do all these interviews. And of course they're going to do some interviews.

Now it being the Canucks, it's kind of funny. It's like, oh weird. It came down to the guys that were like closest. Yeah. You know, Adam Fodor, Marty on the payroll. Still working here. Not super expensive either is probably part of it as well. But I also think that they were always going to go out there and talk to other coaches.

If only to see number one,'s out there and number two you guys Yeah, what do you want to talk about like regardless of all the other interviews? They're probably looking at their guy and like okay. Well, hopefully, you know this works out They have interview some other guys just in case but now I just think I just think they've like Manny is like It feels to me like Manny is the guy that they really want Okay, okay. We'll see if I'm right point point taken. It's on the ledger. We've written it down Adam foot this one I know a lot of people are still holding the brief time that he was a head coach of the Kelowna Rockets Against him because it obviously didn't go very well

If I'm not mistaken he got fired the same year that they were hosting or headed to the Memorial Cup. So, um, that's obviously not a great reflection when you hand in your resume or like, what happened here? And you're like, don't talk about it. Uh, I, he doesn't have a ton of experience as a head coach either. So in that instance, um, it's why I say I, I'm not super excited about either candidate because there's some trepidation there. But here's the thing.

I don't know if there was one coach out there outside of maybe Mike Sullivan. And even that was a bit fraught with risk where you said, like, I'm really excited about that guy. I'm really keen to get that guy. And that guy seems like the one for this job. Now, part of that has to do with this job, because I think this is one of the trickier jobs, one of the bigger and riskier vacancies that's in the NHL right now. Don't you think if you're Manny Malhotra too,

you're thinking about that as well? Yes. I think every guy when they get in the running for an NHL head coaching gig, they're gonna be like, this is a great opportunity because there's only 32 of these and they don't come up all that often, even though they kind of do.

But but at the same time, yeah, like if if you want it to be your first job and there are some redeeming qualities as a first job. But you're right. You know, you would probably have a little bit of trepidation given where the team is at currently. May 5th or sorry, May 14th, 2025. Like it's not a great situation the connects have right now.

Nelson in Kelowna with a text, Foot should be the coach. He has more NHL experience and has the talk it system. Well, I think that's a question you want to ask if you're the connects. Do we want the talk it system back? Right.

Because according to all the texts that I get into the Dunbar Lumber Text Line, the system broke Alias Pettersson. So do you want that back? Um, I, I, look, I, I, I liked Rick Tockett as a head coach, but I'm okay if the message changes. I'm okay with try something else.

Um, the one thing, um, I like about Manny I'm okay if the message changes. I'm okay with try something else. The one thing I like about Manny Mahotra is that he's been allowed to bring in a few ideas of his own in the AHL and not that foot wouldn't be allowed to do that. It's not like be talking. Sure. You know, but I also like just the idea of an entirely fresh voice for that room. I really do.

I am big team change when it comes to the Canucks. No, that's fair. Cause, you know, last season, let's not hold on to the stuff from last season. Like even some of the good stuff, you know, we're going to talk about later in the show about, um, who the Canucks might entertain trading from the roster in order to help their issues

going forward. And I know Connor Garland was on with Donnie and Dolly yesterday and actually let's play some audio from Connor Garland right now, because he was asked a question about whether he wants to extend in Vancouver and just in perfect Connor Garland fashion, man, he kept those feet moving and he did not answer the question. You know, I love Vancouver. I think it's a great city.

I really warmed up to it last year, obviously winning helps, but this year, I just really enjoy the city. I love living in it it last year, obviously winning helps, but this year I just really enjoy the city. I love living in it, having a son this year and having a place where I can take him and walk. I find it a lot like Boston, just on the very opposite side of the continent. But I got a great agent, he handles that stuff. I just play hockey and that's what I love doing. And I enjoy doing it. And you know, that's, you know, that's, that's all, that's how I look at it.

That's up to him. So does your agent control where you want to play? Maybe. Tell me where to go. That was some very deft, keeping your feet moving from Connor Garland. He never said he wanted to stay in Vancouver. There's a lot of people that are like, yeah, I love the city and I want to be here for a while.

Connor Garland did not say that. And I think it's important for the connects to have, at least have conversations with Connor Garland this off season, see where he's at. He's got one year left on his deal and then he's UFA and I think his value around the league could be pretty high because he had an impressive season. A lot of people were talking about him in Vancouver.

He was probably overplayed in Vancouver and over relied upon with the Canucks because they had so many holes in the top six that they were like, all right, Garland, give it a go. You're one of the few guys that's driving the line. At the end of the season though, you look at his numbers and he had 19 goals. It's not many. He doesn't have a great shot. I think his game is limited. Let's put it this way. We've probably seen the best of Conor Garland.

Yeah, that's fair. I don't expect Conor Garland like break out. He's almost 30 God played a lot. I'm just he played a lot He played a lot for a guy that never averaged more than like 17 minutes a night in any of his previous NHL seasons He played 18 39 a night like that's I think, what was his average ice time the season before? Was it like 14? 1432. Yeah, he played almost four minutes more. He was a bona fide top six forward

with those numbers on that team. Ice time. Yeah. Ice time. Yeah, yeah, yeah. He was deployed as one. Right, but not goal. With regularity.

But not like the goal numbers, right? And he got power play time too. Yep. And I know a lot of people did. Seven not like the goal numbers, right? And he got power play time too. Yep. And I know a lot of people. Seven goals on the power play. Did not particularly enjoy him on the power play and really neither did I. And look, I really like Connor Garland as a player, but it doesn't mean that you want to lock in to

players like Garland because, you know, I'm not blaming Connor Garland for what happened last season, but the Canucks need to chase upside. The Canucks, and they probably need to chase it somewhat, not recklessly, but they're, if they want, if they want to get back to the playoffs next season, they're going to have to make some big, big bets

where there's significant risk. And you look at Washington with some of the bets they made, especially on Dubois. There's going to have to be a few of those. And it doesn't mean they have to bring in a guy that has a big contract like Dubois, but they're going to have to make bets on maybe some players that they feel haven't been given a chance because the team they're on is too deep. And then you're saying, okay, well, you were a third liner on this team, you're going to have to be a top six guy on this team. Like Philip Heidel was a bet like that.

Yeah. Philip, because he was, and they're going to have to make bets. And the thing when you make bets, when you make high upside bets, it's like there are certain stocks that are growth stocks and you're betting on them and other ones that are kind of like, well, you know what you're getting with this stock. And they need to bet on the growth stocks.

And Connor Garland to me is, you know what you're going to get. So why lock in with another one of those? Yeah. In the case of Dubois, like Dubois was the opposite of a guy that was being blocked somewhere, or an underappreciated value guy. He was a distressed asset. He had a big bloated contract.

He was Boeing stock. Right, it wasn't like the railroad, like the nice safe railroad, you know, invest in the railroad, that's the way to go. But he was, it was very much a guy that, when Washington took that gamble, there was the potential for that to turn out very, very badly for Washington because they were taken on the full freight of a long term,

big money deal that was in year one. And another team had already punted on it. And by the other team, I mean, the Los Angeles Kings. So there it turned out great for Washington and it'll go down as one of the sort of great high risk, high reward moves in recent memory to get a team back on track. But you're right. High risk is high risk. There's a chance that it goes badly and if it goes badly, the damage could be, you know, even more than what the connects have already suffered over the last

calendar year. So we're going to have some more time, maybe at 7.30 in hour two, we got an open segment between Frank Saravalli and Jesper Sorensen. So we'll get into this a little bit. I wanna talk about the possibility of trading Philip Peronik too. And I know some people will be like, what are you crazy?

And I'll be like, yeah, cause I'm watching the Canucks all my life. You're listening to the Halford and Brough show on Sportsnet 650. It's Canucks Central with Dan Riccio and Satya Arshah, your destination for everything Canucks. Exclusive interviews, inside info, and even the post game show. Listen 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays and on demand through your favorite podcast app. It is time for David Amber.

He is on the hotline, baby. It is time for David Amber, he will talk some hockey, maybe. It is time for David Amber, he is on the hotline, baby. It is time for David Amber, he will talk some hockey, maybe. I'm on the hotline, baby. I'm writing in the streams talking. I remember what I was doing at 23, pooping in my pants. There's a massive butt coming here guys. No one's fighting Rick talking.

No one wants to fight Rick talking. I'm on the hotline baby. It is, it's David. It is, it's David. Amber, it is, it's David. He's on the hotline. 6.33 on a Wednesday. Happy Wednesday everybody. He's on the Halford and Brough show on Sportsnet 650.

Good morning David, how are you? I'm doing well. It's raining a little bit here in Toronto, but it looks like the sun's trying to pop its head out and it's going to be another beautiful spring day I hope. So let's talk about these Leafs and we can talk about the Jets Stars series a little later on, but the focus on Austin Matthews, is this, is this as big as Leafs game of, of his Leafs career?

Yeah. I mean, I'm sure they've listened. He's been in a bunch of game seven, so he's had some big games, but yeah, this is, this isn't nothing. There's a lot of attention being put on him deservedly. So, you know, He's done a lot of good things, and that's not being dismissed. But when you're making $13.5, $13-plus million in your 69 goal score in the regular season and generational score,

you're getting paid to score. You're not getting paid to try to score. So we're now up to, to what nine playoff games versus Florida in the last Three years and zero goals. So There's a lot of attention on him. There's a lot of questions about his health And where it's at he's had opportunities and he's come very close But he hasn't he hasn't buried one yet. And the Leafs need him more than ever now. You know, so yeah, there's there's a lot of scrutiny there, guys. There's a lot of pressure

is it his biggest game is the leaf, you know, it's certainly one of them. You know, there's a lot of expectations on this team. And they're in a best of three, they still have home ice so they're saying all the right things. Have they lost the first two games at home and won the games three and four in Florida. Maybe there'd be a whole different feeling, but we saw Florida's best game in game four and Florida's best game is a pretty formidable game.

And Toronto's going to have to show up with their best game tonight or else they're going to find themselves in trouble. What are you seeing when you watch Matthews? How is he, besides the obvious, you know, he's not scoring goals and he used to score goals. What are you seeing from his game? I think there's a few things involved. I think he's been scouted, he's getting a certain level of attention. He's not necessarily getting the puck in the positions he would like to,

and that's not putting it on other people because when you're the guy like McDavid, like Dry Cytl, like the other superstars in the league, you have to fight through all of that. So I think that's part of it. You know, Florida obviously is an incredibly tough matchup. We've seen that what they've been able to do. We saw what they did against Kuturov in the first round held him, I believe, to what, two assists or three assists in that series. So Matthews isn't the first guy to be sort of stifled by this team.

But his shot seems off. He's had some grade eight looks. He's had the opportunity to beat Bobrowski and he's either been stopped or he's missed the net and he's missed the net more than any player in the Stanley Cup playoffs this year. This is a guy who's basically his bread and butter was I am a, you know, I'm a sharpshooter. If I get the puck in a certain spot, just like Leon Dreisaitl, just like Elias Pedersen, you know, when these guys are given the puck in a certain spot,

better than likely chance they're going to score. And that hasn't been the case. So something seems off whether we're going to hear post-playoffs, you know, I was playing through this, I was playing through that. Remember, this is a guy who went out to Germany in the middle of the season to correct some issues that were very clandestine by the least, as far as what they exactly were. A lot of speculation it could have been his back, but maybe it's been a nagging wrist injury. We don't know. And I don't want to speculate because I just have no idea. But my point is there could be an injury element here. There certainly is the Florida Panthers element to it. But often Matthews just hasn't finished the way we're used

to seeing him capable of putting the puck in the net and that could change. You know scores are streaky that could change very quickly that narrative could change tonight just like we talked about Hellebuck trying to change the narrative with his performance. It could change quickly but if he struggles tonight and Florida wins the noise is going to get incredibly incredibly loud surrounding 34. Was it Matthews that blocked that shot in the Ottawa series too, that a lot of people were wondering about? Yes.

Yeah. A lot of people are connecting the dots. And again, I hate trying to play doctor. I hate trying to say this happened and then that happened. You'd be a good doctor. You've got a good bedside manner. Just try it. Try it out.

Me and Jim Montgomery, right? Yeah. Listen, yes. A lot of people are connecting the dots to the block shot, hit the hand, and it seems like he was favoring the hand. And we all know, you know, a hand is very important part of a shooter's ability to release the puck and to, you know, have much velocity and everything else. So yeah, again, who's not playing with an injury or it hurt in some fashion right now?

We just know what the playoffs are all about. And we saw the medical report from Tampa following the Florida series and it literally was, you know, it was like three pages long of brokenness and sprained that. And I'm sure the Leafs are suffering through some of that as well. It was a pretty physical series versus Ottawa and the Leafs do block, you know, they're one of the best shot blocking teams in the NHL. I've said this for a long time, guys, and I stand by it. I'm not a big fan of having Marner and Matthews on the PK for that specific reason.

And I understand all the benefits of having those guys out there on the PK. And I've said this before, when we even have the Sedin's out there, you know, for Vancouver, it was I just don't believe in having your superstar players out on the PK. I just think the risk far outweighs the reward with how hard the guys shoot the puck these days. And maybe that was a byproduct of what happened with Austin Matthews as well. So, so we'll wait and see. But certainly a no shortage of pressure. There's, you know,

there's a certain tenseness in the city in anticipation for tonight's game, because I think people recognize the momentum has completely shifted to Florida and Florida's woken up. And if the Leafs play their best game, they'll certainly have a fighting chance and they're, they've proven themselves to be a very good team, but they're going to need to be really excellent

tonight to take that three two series. Um, so the phrase dump and chase has become a bit of a pejorative here in Vancouver. And that's a word expressing contempt or disapproval, Halford. Look at you. Pejorative. And some people don't seem to realize that the Florida Panthers are the defending Stanley Cup champs and do a lot of dumping and chasing.

But you know who does know that? Chris Tanev, because he is getting hit a lot. It's actually reminiscent of, do you remember this, the, uh, the ducks blackhawk series from a while back where Duncan Keith just get hit and hit and hit and hit. Um, it feels like that for me with Tanev, um, and yet Tanev is surviving this.

Um, people must, people must love this guy in Toronto. Oh my God. I mean, how can you not, right? When you get your kids into sports and you say, look, it doesn't matter if you're the best kid on the team or the worst kid on the team, just give everything you have. That's what Chris Tanev does.

He is, you know, we use that, oh, he's a warrior, he's a warrior. You know, like quite literally Chris Tanev exemplifies that level of Play and passion for the game and you're right He's being targeted so so badly and this must be tough And when you listen to Paul Maurice and you listen to Matthew Kachuck and some of the Panthers talk You know, they say those hits in game one. It's the accumulative effect Will we see the wearing pair now Chris Tanev its game five of this very hard fought series, what's

that going to do to him? And it just knowing the pounding that you're taking. He has left the game a couple of times in the playoffs. We saw last year he left the series against Edmonton for Dallas like this guy does not leave unless there's something really ailing him. He's come back, thankfully, but you have to imagine like we talked about the attrition that maybe Austin Matthews and some of the other players are feeling. I can only imagine what Chris Tanev's body looks like at the end of a game when he just gets in front of so many shots. He eats the pucks. The team loves him. I mean

absolutely they recognize what he's bringing and those are the types of guys who lead you to a Stanley Cup. They recognize what he's bringing and those are the types of guys who lead you to a Stanley Cup championship. And I know he's still waiting to capture that first championship, but it's that style of play and player that's going to bring you success. And he's just completely sacrifices his body like no one else in the league. I remember Kessler said on the Duncan Keith hits, no human can withstand that many hits. And yet it was the Blackhawks that went on to win the Stanley Cup that year.

Um, how has Craig Borubey, um, handled the, I guess you could call it the, the momentum change in the series. I think incredibly well. I, the guy is, he's unflappable. We talked about him last week when I was on your show, he has a very cool, calm demeanor. When he talks, people listen.

The media, I think, obviously still ask the tough questions, but I think they also respect, you know, he's not gonna suffer fools, so you better come with proper questions. You better be ready, because he expects that of everyone, including the media. I think he's calm, I think he's, you know, been able to calm the team down.

He's called great timeouts during the postseason. He's sort of brought a level of comfort to the players. You talk to the players and they say that he has, you know, made them feel more confident. When things start to spin out of control, you know, he kind of pulls things together. He's gonna have to do some of his best coaching, I imagine, over these next two or three games

because this is going to be a really big task for the Leafs because you have a team over there that's won. You have guys who know so well how to agitate and irritate and outplay the other team, quite frankly, and physically impose their will, which is sort of what you were talking about with what they're trying to do with Chris Tanev. They're very comfortable in their identity and their style.

And if the Leafs are wavering at all in who they are and how they play the game, I think Craig Barube is there to sort of say, guys, we won the division. We had a hundred and whatever it was, 10 points or whatever. We had a very solid season, you know, stay the course. We're speaking to David Amber, Hockey Night in Canada, Sportsnet NHL host here on the Halford and Bref show on Sportsnet 650. I know we spent a lot of time talking about the Leafs in this hit here, but I do

want to focus on the Panthers for a moment here because and I know it's a fool's errand to try and predict where series are going momentum wise. Like often it's a case of action and reaction or punch than counter punch. Like there's always a change from game to game. But I do feel like in game for maybe we saw the turning of the screw for the Panthers in that they played Florida Panthers hockey, the best that they have in this series. It came after they kind of got off the mat in game three where they were almost down three, nothing in this series. They trailed by two goals twice in that game three and that was the first one where I thought that in this series Toronto really got one Outplayed by a significant margin

But to stifled offensively because they didn't have a problem scoring goals in the first three games again It could all change tonight when the series shifts back to Toronto and we get it flipped on its head again But I'm curious your thoughts on that that if Florida has maybe started to impose its Florida Panthers will on the Leafs. And that was the best game by far. And that might've been the Leafs second, worst game. And obviously part of that is because Florida was so good. The Leafs, you know, stunk up the joint in game five versus Ottawa, were a no show.

I wouldn't go as far as to say they were a no show in game four versus Florida, but clearly Florida was the better team and by any metric you wanna use and it was a pretty dominant win. So Toronto, yeah, I feel Florida showing Toronto, it's a game and now it's really incumbent on Toronto, as I've been saying, to kind of come back

and show Florida it's a game. And I don't think there's much of a margin here you know I think a lot of people would be in the camp of whoever wins tonight will win the series it's not as simple as that and of course you still have to play the games and it's done on the ice and not on paper but there's a discernible advantage to be not three to two especially if you're the least the idea of going back to Florida guys, having lost three in a row to the defending champs with all the momentum in the world against you, the idea that you're going to roll into Florida and be able to win in Florida and stop, you know,

that stem that tide with a team that's showing incredible killer instinct is asking a lot. So this is a massive game. It's not a must win, but it's one of those games where we keep seeing these swing games that change momentum in specific series. This could be that game that is the swing game for the Maple Leafs to sort of take back control

of a series that five days ago, they were in complete control of, and that narrative has changed entirely. I wanna touch on Winnipeg before we get to Edmonton, which of course, Edmonton in Vegas is the second of the doubleheader tonight. So Winnipeg is down 3-1 in this series. Now it's interesting because in terms of momentum, it kind of looks and maybe feels like Dallas has it all being up 3-1 in the series.

But when we talked about Winnipeg in the opening segment and we pointed out like Winnipeg played a very good game yesterday, especially on the road, especially in the playoffs. And Scott O'Neill said as much, and I was gonna brew up one of my Halford hot takes here. I'm not quite ready to do it here, but because of the way that they've played, and because of the first round where they, no one never say die better than the Winnipeg Jets,

especially in that first round, I actually feel like I think Winnipeg's gonna do this. I think that this is about as close as you can get for them, even closer than they were against the Blues to being eliminated. Like they are down bad in this series. But I think Winnipeg's gonna be able to get this done because of their resiliency

and because of the fact that they haven't been that thoroughly outplayed in this series. When you said get this done, Mike, are you mean win the series? I think Winnipeg's gonna come back and win the series. Whoa, that it's done, Mike, are you meaning you mean when the series? I think Winnipeg is going to come back and win the series. Well, that is a Halford hot. Yeah, that is hot.

That's just hot. And I'm sure, you know, just fans, some of them probably have seen enough good from that team throughout this year that they might buy into that as well. The only the only argument against, because I agree with you, they played

well enough to win yesterday's game and it hasn't been, you know, it maybe hasn't felt like a 3-1 series. The one big kind of asterisk there is Jake Gontgenger has been world class. You know, the stop on Iofalo last night, the stop on Connor on the breakaway, he has looked completely unflappable, he has looked locked in, and now they get haste in back. So they're going to have to earn it. Um, but you know, listen, there's a lot of people who say, look, the Jets have been almost unbeatable at home.

They've been five and one at home, including that incredible game seven come back. Who's to say they can't win the two games they have at home. And then quite frankly, it's just literally on them to keep playing a good road game and, and, and get to Ottinger and get the lead. And then quite frankly, it's just literally on them to keep playing a good road game and get to Autinger and get the lead. One thing I'll say is that's tomorrow night. It is incumbent and you heard Scott O'Neill say that they have to get the lead guy. In the game they won, they led for 56 minutes.

In the other three games, which they've lost, they've led a total of five minutes to chase this team and chase against this goalie is asking way too much. Gary Galley said it last night, it was two to one. And he kept saying, I don't think they can allow another goal. If they allow another goal, they can't come back. And he was right. They, they led the third goal and that was it. It was just too, you know, St.

Louis is a good team, but you know, no lead was really safe there. Um, this is a different animal in the dollar star. So I think if the Jeff can, can get that lead in that leading game five, then that would be huge for them. And you never know if you kind of force it back to a game six, but I love that take. Maybe I'll be joining you a week from now and we'll be celebrating a great hot take by you Mike. We've never celebrated one coming true before.

So I don't really expect us to do it this time. My streak remains intact. Do you think the Oilers take care of Vegas tonight? For me, at least they've been significantly better than Vegas. They've had their Oilers classic defensive breakdowns. And, uh, we all know how their one loss ended. It was not a particularly good moment, but man, what a bounce back performance in game four.

They were excellent. Game four to me, if I'm a coach, I show video of that first 20 minutes. That's how you impose your will on another team. That's how you come out in desperation mode and get back the momentum in a series. That first 20 minutes of that Euler game four win was the best hockey I've seen them play probably this season quite frankly they

were that good that dominant and they took a team that's used to bullying teams and physically you know out manning and outpowering teams and they made them look you know small in many respects like they just were that you know playing with purpose and it was something to see do I think it ends tonight I really don't know. I mean, you never know. I think with Vegas, we could hear the same thing like we heard with Tampa at the end of this series. It's going to be this guy's hurt and that guy's hurt and this guy was injured. I think there's going to be some of that. There's an incredible amount of momentum with Edmonton. And here's what I'll say. It hasn't just been 29 and 97 having to go out there and be the two

best players in the world. They scored, I think, what, 15 goals or something in this series. And it's from 10 different goal scores or something along those lines. I mean, they're getting incredible contributions. They won last game, you know, without McDavid and Dry Settle really factoring in on the score sheet. You know, it's the Canes, the Hyman, the Henriques, the Perrys. It's been really interesting to see them come together because this team, as you guys know, three weeks ago down to whatever it was two weeks ago, down to two, nothing to LA.

You know, it looked like they might be staring down getting scrapped as opposed to sitting here now a win away from the conference final. The scary part about Edmonton is that they've clearly like hit their stride. There's seven and one in their last eight playoff games. And the one loss was because of the most improbable game. I'll call it a game losing goal that any of us have ever seen. The dry side alone goal with that scrambling. If it wasn't for that,

they would have been going to overtime and had a chance to have won eight straight. Cause after losing those first two games in Los Angeles, everything fell into place. And that's with flipping goalies back and forth and everything else that's gone on. They just continue to find ways to win. And I'm with you on Vegas. I do wonder when this series is over,

if we're gonna hear about a lot of guys on the Vegas Golden Knights having played with injuries. Yeah, Mark Stone's gonna be like, I've been injured for the last eight years. Yeah, he's like, I'm just constantly injured. They just put me on, take me off LTIR when I need to, and then I'll go play. But yeah, they don't look right, I would say.

Well, remember, Petra Angelo left this series. Sure. Theodore, of course, was coming back from four nations with a broken hand. Like there's been there's been a number of different guys. They're not a younger team by any stretch of the imagination. And maybe there is some sort of I don't want to say fatigue because, you know, these are professional athletes. But it just feels to me like we haven't seen Vegas generate their a-game in this series and part of that is credit to the Oilers and part of it is I think as you guys both

agree you know like we could see a litany of you know hospital notes coming out of the Vegas locker room when this is done. David this was great man thanks for doing it we appreciate you taking the time enjoy the games tonight should be a lot of fun. Yeah. And pumped up. I'll be doing the oilers game in studio. So yeah. Anyways, I know you're doing the reverse change.

You want all the Canadian teams out and we'll see what happens. Thanks buddy. See you later. See you. David Amher, Hot Canine Canada, Sportsnet NHL host here on the Hellford and Rough Show on Sportsnet 650. Edmonton gets it done tonight.

Vegas is gone tonight. Yes, in Vegas. And yeah, Winnipeg, coming back and winning the series. Let's go. What, you just obviously just all of a sudden giving predictions? Those are the only two. Oh, okay.

Those are the only two. I don't have a prediction for. Do you have a sense? Do you have a feeling? I think that, here's the thing. I think Florida is playing better hockey in that series. And I think that they may, like I use the phrase turn the screw thing They may have like imposed their will and I still I think that Toronto is gonna win that game tonight

For some reason or another and I don't know why I don't know anything other than a gut feel. I hate you I know I don't like it either. I don't like it either feel differently Yeah, the only with you the only reason I would push back on your Jets Is it because they're The Dallas Stars are good. Yeah, they haven't outplayed the Jets in the series though Yeah, but it's they haven't they but but it's but but it's not like the Jets have only lost because of goaltending kinda

Kinda and it's not because hellebix been that bad but Ottinger has been really good Only lost because of goaltending. Kinda, kinda. And it's not because Hellevick's been that bad, but Ottinger has been really good. Yeah, but the Stars are still a very good team. Stars are a very good team. No question about it. You know what's, you know what I was saying. Nico Randin's the ConSmith leader right now. The Stars need to take care of business against

the Jets, get Heiskind in some more rest time, and the Oilers need to take care of business against Vegas in these series in five and then they might get Ekholm back for the next round. Like that's huge. And Pickard, don't forget about Pickard. And Pickard, they get Pickard back just in case. Frank Saravalli is going to join us next.

We'll talk about the Canucks coaching search and maybe ask Frank if Rick Tuckett is close to, you know, making his decision at some point. You're listening to the Halford and Brough show on Sportsnet 650.