Real Kyper & Bourne - Leafs Hour: Can Buds Close in Game 6?

Episode Date: May 1, 2025

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee look ahead to Game 6 between the Leafs and Ottawa Senators as Toronto gets its third straight chance to close out their first-round series. They get into the panicky pulse of Leafs Nation, the importance of starting strong, expectations for Anthony Stolarz after a shaky stretch, pressure on the core four and much more. Then, they break down Craig Berube's decision to promote Max Pacioretty to the second line. Then, former Leafs GM and current analyst Gord Stellick (32:41) outlines the stakes in tonight's contest, why the Leafs have struggled in closeout games, and the focus on Auston Matthews.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

And so it begins game six, the Toronto Maple Leafs game day, the third chance to eliminate the senators as the sheer, as the series shifts back to Canadian tireire Center in Ottawa and And I got a deal with Sammy it's not good we've got to deal with Sammy me Justin Bourne Derek Brandeo and Jake the snake Schultz have 55 minutes to Deal with Sammy we should work through it except I don't know Sam, do you feel like talking about it? I had two very traditional life lessons that were instilled by my great parents in me were to always show up for work, but if you don't have something good to say, don't say it. So these were two really conflicting morals today.

And I always show up, I always come in here, but I gotta tell you boys, the first time in a really long time, I considered just not coming. Did your parents say anything about leaving stuff on the bus? They have really battled with my forgetfulness that my entire life, yeah. They've really tried to instill some of that in me, but.

Can you forget that the Leafs have lost the last two games? I can't it's gonna steal my will to live. I Really I don't know why today in particular feels really really hard and I just I woke up today feeling awful about this and you know, I had moments of positivity before game five Going into that I really did and I want to come in here I want to be positive and I want to say that they won I picked them to win in six and all this stuff I just can't get well we well the focus JB the focus the last yeah 24 36 hours I don't know is over the one in 13. It is okay it is but

can we not draw something out of This Feels different. We've we've had that narrative for pretty much the whole season out of training camp Yeah, the most they've ever lost this season on a few occasions is three games. This lineup isn't the one that's blown other opportunities, although there are key components still attached to it. But can we not take anything out of that this lineup is different? Yes, Kip, we can.

I will say even through all the darkness of the past and the pessimism, McKee is the only person, the only Leafs fan person in my life right now that is really following through on, I don't mean to throw you under the bus, but on the belief that they're not going to pull through. A lot of the people that I talk to that are lifelong Leafs fans are saying the same things. They're dogs, they're frustrated. The core needs to be blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, but, but I still think they're going to win. All of them. Damn it. To a man though, end it with, I think they're going to win. And I think a lot of that is,

Ottawa is not as good. The goalie is better in Toronto. The defense is better than it's been. There's reason to believe that all we've seen all year long is not as good the goalie is better in Toronto. The defense is better than it's been there's reason to believe It's that all we've seen all year long is not wrong if they were to come out and play a nice hockey game tonight You'd be like, yeah, okay. They lost a couple of games. That's about it For two in the series win, right? Were we overreacting game six? What did you predict? I said Leafs in six. I would be so excited to have that conversation I would kill to be called an overreactor. Yeah, there's nothing I want more in my life What then to be called an overreact, what did you predict?

Leafs in seven and seven I did. Yeah, you see seven. I did. We said six you guys said six I went back and look okay yesterday and I said There's not a part of you that wants to stick with that right now. There's nothing in my life I'd like to be more than wrong. Be called an overreactor, be called a big baby. Like, I want to be wrong. I want these, I've never wanted anything more

than to be proven wrong about a group of individuals. Like, you know, there's a lot of people in this industry that will cheer for takes and cheer for they want, they want to be right. They want to be right over the actual team winning. I'm a fan. I can say, I sit here and say so much dumb crap every day. And ultimately, the goal of this for me is for them to win and me to be happy about them

winning. I don't care what I say. So please prove me wrong. Prove my belief that they are going to lose tonight and lose on Saturday. Prove that wrong. And just to validate your feelings, Sam, they they've done you're right. You're logical in this feeling. They have shown you no reason to believe otherwise. I know. In the past. However, I'm looking at the team, not a few guys.

The team this year, and Craig Berube's talked about the team. Okay, and we've got Craig Berube, we got some Travis Green, we got plenty of Kippers Clippers, but this is just the three of us right now. I want to just stay on that focus and I'm gonna ask you if you kind of factor in the different look that they've presented compared to what they've lost with in the past, what needs to happen for you for our predictions to come true today at Leafs and Six? Well, the Ottawa Senators are the second best team in the NHL in terms of winning percentage when they score first. The fourth best team in the NHL in terms of winning percentage when they score first.

The fourth best team in the NHL is the Toronto Maple Leafs. These are two teams that have great success when they score the first goal. So scoring the first goal is a prerequisite for me. Okay. Do you want me to keep going? Yeah, please. Creating high danger scoring chances. So I don't, even if all marks good, last game by time was all said and done.

I think expected goals for the lead for somewhere around two. They didn't create a thing. There weren't moments. I don't even need them to go in. I just want to see them create a bit. And Stolarz to look solid. I'd actually see, like to see Stolarz get a few more shots against. Because they've been pretty good when they float him in from distance and you know, he makes some early saves That's all I got. Oh power play power play could be a little more direct one

One might be enough one power play goal. Sure Okay, I don't know if there's ever been a more important first goal in NHL history than tonight Whoever scores first tonight wins like I just I Think being on the road in this game. It's overtime right away for you if we If we're talking of if I'm going past my actual feelings and just talking about the hockey game I think being on the road is good. I think the energy that happened on What night was that Tuesday? What day is it? The night at Scorsese Bank Arena. I think

rightfully so. It gets pretty toxic down there and I would never fault anyone for the way that it felt but not only did the entire team tighten up on that first goal went in the whole building tightened up. So there's a world where the Leafs don't get the first goal tonight where they can still come back in the game much like in game four where they went down to all that. Still think the first one is really important. Being on the road for me and having the decor, there are reasons where I believe that they should win this hockey game tonight. There's obviously a lot of reasons I believe they won't,

but the road is helpful, Kipper. They're a good road team and I feel like it's gonna be better for them to be there. What do you think? A lot of good points from you. I wanna focus on Stolarz. I do have concerns. You will hear from them my concerns after we hear from Craig Borubey on his number one goalie tonight.

Stolarz. You didn't use Anthony six games in a row all season. What's your sense of how he's handling an increased workload? Well, he's been fine. I think he's played really well. And I don't see any issue with him. So that was Luke Fox I was asking there. I had to boost up the volume on it,

but saying like he hasn't played six games in a row all year. And typical answer from Craig Berube is like, everything's great, no worries at all. And we don't expect anything less from him at this point. But for me, the big guy's tired. Think so? Yes. Yeah, okay.

Okay, that's a concern right now, which would lead to possibly the first goal and what we may see after that if he can come up large here I think the Leafs will close this out but save percentage at 863 I think the last three games is a concern body language movements up and down the glove side a Concern for me. I will say this that This will be his last

Start in this series. Mm-hmm. Okay, I'll go even one step further in this series. Okay, I'll go even one step further. He will not start if they play in the second round, game one. Joseph Wall has to come in and at some point, if he loses tonight, you go to Wall in game seven. Yep. You find a way to get through this series, you start Joseph Wall in game one versus the Philadelphia or the Florida Panthers. But this guy is dying for a little bit of a break here. You're not going to say we need you to give us 26 starts over the next seven weeks type of thing. You're going to say, okay. I brought up Joseph Wall after three, nothing.

Nobody really wanted to have that serious conversation. And I'm like, I'd be a guy on an island right now. Don't don't even go that that in hindsight right now, that would have been the perfect time to recharge this guy's batteries. He has never gone down this path before. What is he feeling right now? Mentally, physically, emotionally, he's never had this even in his years in London. Go back. Everybody I've talked to, he is a good goalie, but he tends to run out of gas sometimes too.

So that's my biggest concern right now moving forward. If Stollers comes back rejuvenated and looks sharp with his movements, man, they've got an excellent chance to close this game out. I wonder if they, you know, could have a quick trigger on him, you know, one they don't like, maybe two they don't like no more. If you do not see the energy out of him that you've been accustomed to seeing all year, you go get Joseph Wall in that. I am with you 100%. I have a very short leash on Stolarz's look tonight. You don't have to pull him at, when you're down three nothing or four one here.

Like it's a gutsy call, but if you feel like he's just a tad slow, call, but if you feel like he's just a tad slow, go to the guy that you maybe thought a long time ago was going to be your number one guy this time of year. Well, and not even that long ago, you know, the thing that stands out for me with wool is like he's come in in relief over the past couple of seasons and playoffs for the Leafs. He's played seven games in the playoffs and is a 933 with a 178 goals against when he's been in so he's gone in game five game six and been comfortable and been fine so he is a very viable option the one thing on Stolarz so his third period safe percentage has been bad him

and Hellebacher bottom two but the other thing is that in terms of long shots he gave up four shots from over 40 feet in the other thing is that in terms of long shots he gave up four shots from over 40 feet in the whole regular season. Three in this series already. You know I'm with you where it's like believe in this guy, think he's gonna be good. Definitely quick to say okay well it's your turn if you give up a couple. I mean he's been bad in one game. And not even bad just like not game four he wasn't great. And I think that's probably one of the big reasons they lost that game.

You can talk about the goaltending and Stollers and being concerned about until you're blue in the face. They, I mean, they're not going to bring Joseph Wallen and have him shoot one in the net. They got shut out in their biggest game of the season where their stars again have no show. The biggest key to this game is seeing their star players who make up however much of the season where their stars again have no showed the biggest key to this game is Seeing their star players who make up however much of the cap look like star players and they have never done it. So instead of Me saying that the goaltender who's been iffy is the biggest concern the stars are the biggest concern

This is our by far the biggest concern They've proven that they can win a little scoring games. They've proven that they can protect a lead. It's not paramount He can still find a way to win this hockey game stole ours Matthews or Marner don't deliver three six points between them. Matthews and Marner Willie's got to be there. Yeah, it's almost It's almost like you have to say if that's not our if those guys aren't there and why should we believe that they will be what's the next way through the house here? What's the next way? Stolars. Right that's your next way is you win 2-1 Lawton shoots one in the net, Knives tips one in on the power play. And shoots a rest that goes off Pinto's skate into the net. that's your that's the next way through if the stars aren't gonna

Do it and to your point. There's no reason to think they will Stolar's looks 200 feet across he sees all mark is all mark trending up Let's hear from his head coach Travis Green No, he's gonna be great tonight, I have no doubt he's been great for us all year You know, he's going to be great tonight. I have no doubt. He's been great for us all year. You know, he's steadily improved as the playoffs have gone on. I've kind of seen this in his game during the season and got a lot of confidence in him and obviously you get toward the end of any series. Goaltending is a big part of it.

Sam, you wouldn't be feeling any better if you're as old-linest in that for your team that you're rooting for. No. No. No. That's one thing that Omar can, he can help them out tonight. I thought, like you got to shut out. It's hard to say he was, he was fine.

Yeah. Like I just, it looked a lot like a lot of the performances where they've made Corpo Sallo look like a stud or made guys that aren't that good look really good That's what it looked like but to your point about guys Petering out and all mark also is not an every other day goalie and loves it Yeah, he he's a lot fresher right now, and he's he's not taxing on himself mentally or physically this guy Look at the first two games. Like you could have caught him off a walk in the park

and you wouldn't have known the difference. Yeah, I think people show how they're feeling with pressure differently though. You know, I can see you guys being like, what do you mean, whatever, it's just a game. You've got to be watching Leafs players do that for a long time. Ah, whatever, we'll get them back to this game.

Chill. It's chill, man. It's all good. What's the problem? Lots of good looks, boys. Lots of good lay at the post. Yeah. They didn't fall. Couldn't get one to drop. We actually have a Borubi on pressure.

That catches my eye a little bit because let's be real, that's kind of the theme of tonight, right? The pressure, because if they don't win tonight, the pressure game is seven. We'll talk about that another time. But let's talk about pressure from Borubi. To me, pressure. You know, when you play the game, the only pressure to me is the guy beside

you in the locker room. You know, your teammates that's, you know, you don't want to let them guys down. You want to do your best. Outside pressure. That's just talk. It's, it's obviously, you know, you guys doing your job and fans and everything else, but you gotta try to block that out the best you can and focus on your game, focus on your teammates. That's what you wanna do.

Okay, that's fair enough. But so, where's the follow-up question? How's that? It's fair in St. Louis. How's that pressure on performing for your teammates in game five? How did that go? What did your team, what did the guy in the stall beside you have to say about game five? You know got another gear for him next time yeah, I mean turn that up

At some point today. Someone's got to say something about like letting each other down to it's okay You say I let my teammates down. Craig Simpson made an excellent point the other day, right? You can be nice if there was a little bit more accountability publicly. But honestly, boys, like I listened to all that audio before, like, because I listened to everything before I, I didn't even cut it

I'm so numb to them saying that that if they had to said something else it would have been remarkable to me Yeah, like it's just I'm not gonna make our listeners I'm not gonna make people just say Have them hear the same things over and over and over like we've had the same conversations a million times about them not taking Accountability all this stuff. It's a tired conversation all these conversations We're so sick of having them you guys are yeah fans are like people are so sick of this that's what it comes down to yeah man it's just you know you can talk like oh it's there's the only pressure you should feel is your teammate yeah that flies in teammate. Yeah, that flies in St. Louis, Craig.

That flies in Philly. There is some external pressure here. It's Toronto. There's millions and millions. It's the biggest fan base in the league. They matter. People care about this. Yesterday I wrote for my Toronto Star article that you could find on my social media, my ex-page.

They need to go in it. tonight needs to be their game seven for me. Yeah. And I know that you said we'll maybe talk about a potential game seven down there. But like, there's some people that are like, I'm done. And this is like after just five games in a series. A lot of people are like, I'm done And this is like after just five five games. I know series a lot of people are like I'm done with this team I've I've been out there. I live in the city. Yeah, they're like they're gone buddy hundred percent

They're done. Yeah, and it's like well, they can close this thing out for two and They're still pissed. Mm-hmm What is losing tonight and coming back to a game seven going to feel like? That's why I'm like boys. Even if even if you got another crack at it Saturday night, man, you don't have another credit. Lose what you have. You can't lose anymore.

You can't lose anymore. These these people that have stuck by you all these years. Yeah, like I'm torn on that, right? Like, you know as well as anyone that their playoff series have their ups and down. You lose a game in overtime. That game five was a clunker beyond belief. And the roots of these feelings are so deep in the ground from previous years that people feel it in their toes, in their path. They feel it in their ancestry. It hurts so much. But in this hockey series, a good night tonight, to your point,

kind of makes it all look a little silly. It can, it can regain some of that, that it's different this year. They can do it tonight. I'm not sure they can do it in game seven. You just saw the Florida Panthers get up three nothing and Almost blow it lose lose lose game seven win game seven. It happens. It doesn't happen a ton Only ten teams in NHL history as you have even got to a game seven after going down three nothing Who would go to game seven? You would have to pay me literally 10 grand

to go to that game. And I would like. Why, what does that mean? Well, you're gonna watch it anyway. Why would you have to be paid to be there? To be there? Yes. Amongst my fellow idiots, like trying to cheer on this.

Isn't that who you should be with? No, but like we have no belief in that you're going into this building where you're like, they are probably gonna lose. Yeah. And it's gonna be the culmination of the most heartbreaking thing ever. I couldn't imagine going.

So we. In 1994, when we were up three one, game five, like the tickets were more expensive, more in demand for game five to clinch a Stanley Cup than they were game seven. Where you could see them lose. Less people turned down going in the event that they get their hearts stomped on.

Wow, that's a fascinating psychology study. You know, like I, that's my, my BA was psychology. That's your point. University. 100%. But this isn't for the Stanley Cup. I think It's the same it's the same Emotional it's the same emotional attachment or the fans for the fans if they if the Toronto Maple Leafs blew a 3-1 series lead

In the Stanley Cup final and they had a chance to win the Stanley Cup and game 7 The few people are gonna go no, no, but he's just saying game five would make more sense to be more valuable And so question where you don't want to risk the I'm not saying we have empty seats in game Yeah, the game five you're doing the edge walk in the CN tower, but you've got the strap. Yeah hold you in Game seven you're just up there Good luck. All right, listen, uh, we got Gord Stella coming after the break, but we still got some meat on the always the baits about lineup changes. Max. He had some real good stretches with those guys before he got

hurt and big guy strong, you know physical good around the net, you know, so that was the decision there. So I think he looks at that one. He almost shoots in and knows that it's a pretty good play by Patioretti. He can put the puck away if he gets a chance. These are going to be hard games where I think the answer for the Toronto Maple Leafs is through, not around. The only way out is through. And Patioretti is a through guy, right? He can get to the net, he can draw people there to create room for Willie and Tavarez. And maybe to me, this is a sign they think he's healthy

and gonna get a good game out of them. And I don't mind it. I just wish he had played more and I wish he was playing better. Yeah. Right? Instead of looking for your game, it's just playing as if you're at the place that you want to be.

He needs to show that he can hit a level again to be effective. And I don't know, maybe it's the first shift, a second shift, a big hit, a drive to the net, a redirect, something to start building up to, I can hit those moments that I had earlier on in the season. But and Craig talked about it, this is best hockey was earlier in the season with with Tavares. How quickly can they rekindle? But my first thought is too slow guys even strength.

That's yeah, that's not unreasonable. That's a little bit of a fear. Where they control the matchup and you get the Stutsel line out there against that line. With the fastest player in the series and the young, fast, strong Brady Kachuk. It's a terrifying matchup. It's just crazy. The McMahon thing's just crazy. Because McMahon is also very strong.

16 games and now without a goal. And he can be another layer of dynamic play for them when he's fast and for checking and he could be physical. And we don't get into the net. He's not. And we're doing the whole chicken and the egg. He's not playing all he doesn't deserve to be there. This seems to be one of the like core tenants of it of Ruby's coaching philosophy is to not promote someone who's not playing well. But I think sometimes you got to put them there and say, find it, find it with these guys for us. And I don't know, that third line is not doing anything anyway.

You might as well give them a chance. With what's at stake tonight, Kipper, about you saying treating this like a game seven or going to something that you haven't seen since New Year's Eve or New Year's Day is surprising. I don't understand. Like, you know that McMahon, Nylander and Tavares can get you a goal. It can get you. It has worked for you.

Not that distance future. And I understand not rewarding McMahon because I think frankly, he's been pretty brutal in this series. Yeah. But when your backs up against the wall, when you're desperate, you're usually revert to something that you've seen work. And I'm just really surprised by this move. I am.

You shouldn't be because the last week of the regular season, go pick any. Sorry, I was in Hawaii, I missed that. Oh, did you? No, I think you may have been part of one or two shows where like, you're leading, if not winning, the Atlantic division. Should we be talking about lines? Buddy, they had Holbrook there.

Do you remember? Yeah, I was here for that. I was here for that. You were there, you were there. I'm like, well, what is going on here? You're one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference and we can't figure out the lines. It's weird.

It's strange. I can't recall a top team ever having not locked lines past three guys at the top. I think part of me does appreciate having these guys who've been, this has been the lineup, this is the 12 forwards now for the third or fourth straight game, same guys, appreciate You know having these guys who've been this has been the lineup This is the 12 forwards now for the third or fourth straight game same guys same D you know, they know what the pace and the feel is like and I'm okay with not putting in cam for a Robertson But you're right in terms of the guys they're playing with the other thing

I do think is if they need a goal I could see McMahon getting or if McMahon has eight good shifts no no three good shifts one I could see them being like okay McMahon's going and I wanted a lineup change I wanted physically somebody to come out yeah I don't know I it's Ruby's the guy that gets paid millions to change just change it up just give me one message that I gave you guys a couple of opportunities to get the job done. You couldn't do it. This guy's coming in. I'm with you.

That's it. Okay, pick whoever you want. I don't care. But that to me is a message that we don't have 20 guys. We got 22, we got 23, whatever you wanna say on your roster. When you talk about wanting to go deep into a Stanley Cup, I've been saying this for like a number of years, 99.

Not seven, not eight, nine. Same thing, 14 forwards. Give me 14 forwards. You're not getting the job done, you're out. Even Lawrence Locked at number four. He is good enough where he could have moved up and down the lineup just to give some energy Okay, and like how you're struggling Just if he would have had a few more looks

I would have even brought him up a little bit to alleviate McMahon is there much difference right now Bobby McMahon to Steve Lawrence? He's been yeah, Lance has been better as you say 18 has been better Much better put up his energy lot has been better and get it like but he never did that He never did that. Yeah, then he's not about to if he is, I don't know, maybe they're down three nothing by that point. But this is like, this is Craig Berube, a lineup decision that's true to the guy you hired.

He got a veteran six to three, 220 guy, you know, throw the body, go to the net. We're going to meet and potatoes this thing across the line because this team hasn't meet and potatoes it at all. Yeah. So, Don, you wanted this coach? This is the dish he serves. You want to hear why he didn't make any changes to his lineup? Very much so.

Love to hear that. Clip two, please. I just didn't feel that we needed that right now. You know, there's a lot to like on our team right now, the way things are going, so I felt like the best to leave it. Okay, listen. I think that's what you're trying to project. Solid 60 minutes, we'll tip our hat to you.

Absolutely. This is the, we're gonna leave Bennington in, in the World, what are, Four Nations? Yeah, the Four Nations. World Nations seasons face off international. World... what are four nations? Yeah, the four nations. The four seasons. The four seasons face off international. But that clip to me just screams everything's...

Everything's great. We're fine, no problem. Everything's great. The dog on fire in the kitchen meme, we're fine. Cue the Will Ferrell voice. We gotta keep our composure! That's right! We can't have anyone freak out out there, okay? fine cue the will ferrell Boys keep our composure right? Can't have anyone freak out out there. Okay?

Keep our composure That's actually Yelling for the last time is that might be the funniest movie see it could be it could be he's just all So he's all for sports fans. It is burnt But he's just all he's all for sports fans. It is burnt No, he's in the mascot so you try to jump through the hoop so hopefully the leads can jump through some hoops So I we got to go cuz we got Coral coming up, but I'm getting tweets I'm getting texts like come on man. Come on show some positivity show some positivity Show some positivity I get it Sam show some positivity. Show some positivity. I get it Sam. Show some positivity.

Do it. I can't. You can't. It's not your folks. We still got about an hour and a half of the show. Let us work on them in the commercial break. I am so I guess it's just me. I don't know if there are two other Lee fans out there feeling

the same way you've talked to people who say they're done. I am so envious of the leaf fan that's just like believer I'm gonna cheer for my boys tonight and hopefully they win and it's just like I love my leafs like I would kill for that dumb and don't care like how do you not care how do you biz does it yeah that's great point but how how the hell doesn't believe it? How in what world if you're trying to make believe family this right now and you can text me, you can tweet me. How are you feeling good? What feels good? They have 108 points this year. Is that any good? I'm here. Some positivity with their goalie of the best saved percentage

in NHL. Is that any good? Thank you, thank you. Here's some positivity. I love you guys. The boys are back! And we love Gord Stalek, who will reaffirm all those positive vibes after the break, all right? Yes, yes. More real kipper and boring

when we return after these words. Dive deep into Toronto sports and the NFL, the JD Bunkus podcast. Subscribe and Boren show, Leaf Hour Edition, our apologies to Sheila Stiles, who we've done nothing for her in the last 30 minutes of our therapy session. Actually, the opposite sounds pretty good. The sounds like we did the opposite. We actually made her worse. Well, perhaps our next guest can help.

What is this music? We're helping Sheila right now. Oh, we're doing therapy. Yes. This is peaceful. Very in through your nose, deep count to four. You know, Sheila, take it to a meadow. Listen to the water rolling off the rocks.

As your Toronto Maple Leafs take an early two-nothing lead. Okay, you should do this. That was quite relaxing. I really feel like Kipper could sell that 10 seconds to some ASMR company. 100%. There's money to be made. From a calming therapy to stellar tricity. Let's bring in our next guest, the voice of reason, a guy that can sum it all up with a few simple words.

Okay, go gourd. What are the simple words? Was that Jim Nance just on the show? That was beautiful. So guys, I've got the reverse playoff beard going, okay? I'm not going to shave until the Leafs win another playoff game. So if they don't, I could look like Abraham Lincoln or worse, like Elliott Freeman did two years ago.

Okay? So I'm putting myself out there. So if they lose twice and then they blow it up and miss playoffs for a bunch of years. I know. I know. I know. Okay. Unabomber. Gord, is there still a world where the Leafs can play well, lose, win Saturday night, and

everything's still great? Or is this it tonight? No, no. Still a world. You've got to get by the series. It's ridiculous if you're a Leaf fan that it goes to seven games. And ultimately that, if they look back and have playoff success, that gets a holding macro, like last year, the Florida Panthers, who would have thought they're going to win that game seven? I mean, again, we're getting ahead of ourselves, but

Kipper keep the one perspective is they got to win one of the next two games. If they lose the next two, I, then then my next, my next segment is dirty laundry. We'll do it from the laundry room. I'll put my laundry here and we'll do all that. So let's keep perspective. Want to win tonight? If not, you still have Saturday. Leaf fans will say, I cannot believe you're putting me through this, but yes, still have Saturday. So there you go. Can I have a thought on the Leafs that isn't about the core four? Like what a give me something tonight and we've done stole ours pretty well too. I think so if you got any other players that we could ask more of or expect to see something of tonight. Maybe Morgan Riley. Okay.

Just about as far as leaders go. You know, I know he's kind of the core four core five. What may be, you know know the tough part is Justin was a tough part like the first game when I joined you I mentioned they checked all the boxes they haven't done the last couple years which is great and they've done a lot of positive since then but really Ottawa has matched them you know Ted attack you know that piece by piece and doing it so they've had a lot more depth you know maybe if you're the rents don't make the extra deep on the breakaway, you know, whatever that's getting picky, whatever, but

you've had depth scoring, you've had defenseman scoring and that. And no, you know, it really like that one and that one and 13 remark record in your last 14 games. And I believe Tavares is one in 12, not much better, but that defies logic. I don't even know what to say about that stat. And I'm not meaning it as an indictment, like personally, but it is kind of an indictment about really the last 14 times you've been able to close out a series really, so you haven't so you got to put that behind you. And that's what you do. You win the game and that's the first step, put it behind you. And it's got to be the big guns, Justin. Yeah,

it's got the big guns of the story it's It's just really it's like it It's a double-edged sword here like you're sitting there going. This is just playoff hockey win No problem, but the people that are cynical right now are tying it all together And it it's the basis of the one in 13. It's the core for there So which one is it? Do they have a legitimate reason why they're jumping off the bandwagon right now or do they not Gord? Well, I mean, if you're a real fan, you don't jump off the

bandwagon. You lie in the fetal position. You feel banks, you know, whatever. Like Sammy. All those, yeah, like Sammy. And then you're loyal and when you win the World Series like the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs did it's it's all the sweeter but okay Kipy you're the guy that played NHL playoff games I didn't okay and Justin didn't Justin played at a very high

level of course as well and what you really see is what I admire and it's better you know I'm biased than any other playoffs these guys give it all 16 teams. These players give it playoff. Hockey is different than the other 82 regular season games. We all know that it's actually really different because you can't play a maybe up to 28 games like this over 82 games. So what is it? Historically, the Leafs have not been able to play that style nearly as successfully as the regular season games. You can distance that by moving further this year and get on with it. Otherwise it rears its ugly head. Worst-case scenario once again. Yeah no doubt about that. One thing on Morgan Reilly who you mentioned since

the 2017 playoffs in the opening round of playoffs he's first in games goals points and minutes played he's he's been on the ice a lot and done done a lot of good things for the Leafs in the postseason how do you feel about the change for Max Patchouretti moving up I know I've had a lot of conversations with people who are like how do you not do the McMahon thing how do you not do the McMahon thing? How do you not bring someone else? Are you okay with keeping it simple? Nick Robertson. Nick Robertson say.

Okay, so first of all, I do like Morgan Riley. And I remember he's got some big goals. You're just saying like, I just meet someone that can be a difference maker beyond those guys. So I want to be clear about that. But he wears the one in 13 too. Okay, he wears the one in 13. I would have Nick Robertson back in the lineup.

Now, if winning the playoffs comes down to Nick Robertson being in or out, well, then you should be out. Okay, whatever. But yeah, so they went the opposite way and decided that Max, they still have two bullets in the chamber that Max Patcherelli elevate him, his experience, his Stanley Cup ring, and see what gives. So I was a little bit surprised by it. I'm glad there is some kind of tweak because they need some kind of tweak. And actually the one of the big four, Willie Nylander, man, come on. Come on. He's the one that's gotta get going. And this is vintage Willie.

He's probably been the consistent best forward, the last number of playoffs, but you're talking the best forward on a team that's lacked playoffs success overall. But you know, he is an individual to me. Come on Willie, I know you're streaky. Let's get the streak going the other way. But hey, the patch already move.

Like I said, when Baruvi was with St. Louis, he seemed really had a good feel about moving guys in and out in that respect. Not sure, Gord, if you caught our Craig Simpson the other day on our show talking about the post-game comments on, hey, we're up. If you would have told me that we were up three two in the series and you know We knew it was gonna a lot of same lip service But didn't Craig felt like he didn't really get the I need to be better kind of comment

Craig Barube has been clear that he's not gonna focus on the core forward team. It's spread out No more or less responsibility on certain guys than the whole team in general after tonight either Craig's gonna be Craig Barube is gonna be right in and not not focusing on one or two guys or We're gonna be sitting there going, maybe you should focus on one or two guys. Where do you see them handling the two losses so far going into tonight publicly anyways?

I did see Craig Simpson. I never watched the show unless I'm on, because Matlock coincides. I like watching the reruns. You and Doug McClane. Yeah, so I don't like missing out on. No, I did catch Craig Simpson. I got a kick out of Barube's line and because it's, you know, and this is where in Barube we trust or something about the kind of demeanor and whatever, because he's, he's gone, got them to the promised land, another NHL team and just said, Hey, before the series, if you said we're going

to be three, two after, after five games, we take it. Well, yes, but that's not the context. Okay. That's not the context right now about how you're going into game number six. So so so again, he's got two bullets about whatever concept team wise trying to deflect the natural pressure towards the big guns. A lot will become the bench coach ability to see the game and how you deploy and maybe make changes or don't make changes and then you have one more bullet for game number seven. It's still to me, it's

the big guns. It's the big guns. It's the big guns. It's the big guns. That's what Carolina, you know, Sebastian Ajo is doing for Carolina, what they never got in the past. They never got a player in the playoffs coming up big for them. That's why they went after ranting in a big way. And I'll ho did that in the first round against New Jersey. And you know, at least players capable of doing it. Guys like Marner have had good playoffs at other times. They really have, but it's just never been a complete body of work to get you the next round.

I, you know, I'm fine that he deflects it, but that there has been more completeness of a team, but it comes down solely, number one, or not solely, but number one on the big guns. They've had the goaltending, hopefully they don't lose the goaltending. If Linus Alomarck starts to kick an ass in our end, the Leaf gets ordinary, whoa, aye, aye, aye.

To say it a second time, that could be problematic. So the one thing that I feel like is unusual about how we're all talking about this series is, in the past, you're playing Boston, Florida, Tampa Bay. You're going, how do you shut down X? How do you stop them from doing this thing they're doing? What are we going to do about why? There's almost no talk about the senators.

Like nothing about that they're doing has been overly imposing on the Leafs. And so it seems almost like an internal thing for the Leafs to just like, how do we figure ourselves out? Is there something with Ottawa? Someone, something that the Leafs need to target and say we need to at least take that away from them to give us the best chance to win. You know, by the way, Pierre-Luc Dubois was a difference maker for Columbus, too. So it wasn't always, you know, like the elite players on those other teams. And in Montreal's case, let's face it,

Kerry Price was on fire. So it hasn't always been those teams. I think though, Justin, you know, I'm big on not poking the bear and letting Brady Kachuck be the X factor. And I don't believe Brady Kachuck's fully healthy and, you know, wants to be the X factor physically because that would rile up the crowd.

I don't, you know, so I just, like I said, it comes down to, we're looking at the way Carolina closed out the game last night. Look at the way Washington closed out the game. That's exactly what I'm saying. Okay, Ovi with the big goal, Wilson with the big hit, just the completeness of a better team, like the Leafs are a better team

against the Ottawa Centers. The completeness of a better team giving a better team playoff effort. I'll tell you the guy that they got a target tonight. I know who it is. Jake Sanderson. That's the one. Okay. What do you mean by target?

You heard me. You heard me. I don't mean it means whatever it means. Okay, no, but you know what, Kipi? Sorry, 100%. I wouldn't say it. Okay. No, but you know what, Kipi? Sorry. A hundred percent. First of all, the elite players are tough to catch with the new rules, but I get it. And one thing I noticed when I was with the Rangers and you would win a Stanley Cup with

them later, but back then we got eliminated by the Washington Capitals and they hit Brian Leach every time, every time behind the net started with Dale Hunter, anybody else. So to your point, Kipi, you can still do that. Look what St. Louis is doing with Winnipeg making that a real physical series so that point about yes in the regular season no point extra hits because it's 82 games and you're flying somewhere the next day but yes he's been the best defenseman of the series so you get a chance to finish your hit on him if you can catch him don't let him 100 percent. Most hits taken in the playoffs no one has been hit more than Chris Tanev 34 times Jake

Sanderson second 31 hits he's taken through five games so he's taken a licking and kept on taking pretty good Gordo. Well it's not it's just another little piece because you're not gonna you know you're kidding if you think you're gonna neutralize the guy totally but yeah all these little factors come into play and make a difference what a what a wonderful player he is I mean I I'm really I'm really glad Ottawa I'm glad nobody got swept in four I can't stand a season ending somebody getting swept in four and Ottawa certainly deserved a game but they've had enough go home stay at home

get lost we'll see you next year. Gordon Gordon, let me ask you about the heat or the focus on Austin Matthews going into this game six compared to other disappointing playoff years. Where does it compare? It just seems like there's a lot more talk about him now, even more so than Marner. Well, is he truly been 100%?'t know we've talked about it before. He has a couple of games you look and you say he's he is and then you wonder what are

the differences they made then and I commend them for it because you could have got John Tavarez his nose on a joint but made Austin Matthews captain kind of like Edmonton say hey it's like Connor McDavid with Edmonton you're that guy now. Now is it incrementally gonna make a difference? Is that gonna come in in game six or seven? So, you know, Kipney, it's on all of them. It starts with him. He's their best player and captain.

And you know, and you're wearing, are you kidding? One and 14 or one and 15 if they lose the next game or the next two games? Ouch, ouch, I don't even, I can't even fathom it right now. Can't, but yeah, but Hey, it's on them. It's on him. And let's hope tomorrow we're talking about, you know, the next series. Great therapy session with Gord Stella. I feel better. I feel healed. I'm listening.

I'm listening. Remember Fraser crane? Yes. I think that's your back actually. Enjoy the game tonight, my friend. Thanks for doing this. Take care gentlemen Have a good night Gordo. Thank you. That is a former Toronto Maple Leaf general manager Gord Stelick sports at 590 the fan Does a great job great job There's no secrets power play goaltending big guys. Okay Tons of people texting in, supporting me. I want... Supporting you.

So thank you for people that tell me I'm not crazy. I want you at puck drop, you know, for the first five, seven minutes, just blank out. I'm going dark, boys. I'm going to throw my phone in the river. No communication? No communication. Just don't have any... just watch the game. Just watch it. Just be me in my falafel old shawarma

So will your wife be around? No, she's not home tonight. Okay, it's gonna be me the couch and some darts and a dart and you're gonna Leave your belt and shoelaces at work or what you can't Get smoke in the house. No I'll go to the front step for that Smoke in the house. No I'll go to the front step for that I'll go to the front step So if you're ripping down a certain street in Toronto around 945 well

I guess gonna do least talk around 1030 tonight. You might see a tall guy with glasses in his underwear ripping a dart It's just the Walter White or he's for jogging. Yeah naked Is that the same Will Ferrell movie or different? Here's what I'll say if they they do win, if the stars align and the hockey gods, oh precious hockey gods, allow something like this to happen tonight, they win. I might go out for a cold beverage after. I might go out and have a cold one. See what the streets are looking like. Please win. Does it feel like it's just been five games in an opening round?

Yeah, does it feel like we've been through the ringer? Oh, how if they go by like I could never do a run to the fight Like how did the oilers people do it two months? I hate Sammy Two months of Sammy. I can't take two I wanted to see Bobby McMahon's stats so far in playoffs They pulled it on him up and I was like They only have it for five games like I better that sites not updated into it. That's it. It's only been five games It felt like an eternity and a lot of takes over five games. Yeah So they went tonight and then he's starting the show going we're never gonna be Florida. I know

Some people though, they just live their life Just never happy. I don't care I know I know I know some people though. They just live their life Never happy I don't care Losing five to Florida do not care Just you cannot stick with you next you cannot get reverse swept by the Ottawa senators That is something that Lee fans cannot live with it's funny cuz we promised we wouldn't have this conversation Okay, just focus on the first five minutes. I don't know if you... it's out there. There were a couple times where in the regular season,

the Sens got close to the Leafs, like in the standings, and then the Leafs just kind of straightened things out. Maybe this is just another one of those. What's the score tonight, Kipper? Three, two Leafs. Two, two, lease two, one leafs. Ooh, I got it. We got to stick with game six prediction. I hate, I don't think people should do playoff predictions.

I think they need to stick to their preseason preseason predictions. Oh, I didn't get asked to do that. So I'll change. Leaves went tonight. Four to one. Wow. Wow. I don to do that. So I'll change. Leafs went tonight. Four to one. Wow. Wow. I don't believe that at all. Is that a reverse? Do you use reverse or reverse? I think. All right. Leaf nation. Enjoy your game six tonight. They won't coming up at the top of the hour, David Amber in studio.

Don't go away. Not in studio. No, where is he? Where is he?