Real Kyper & Bourne - Leafs Hour: Team Tweaks + Pressure on the Core

Episode Date: May 13, 2025

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee kick off with a look at the Leafs' skate where there were no changes to the lineup and debate whether David Kämpf or Nick Robertson should be in for Game 5 against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday. Then, they discuss the pressure on Auston Matthews, whether the Panthers will look for retribution on Max Domi and Anthony Stolarz's return to the ice. Later, former Leafs GM Gord Stellick (35:50) shares reasons to feel optimistic that the team can come through in the back half of the series and weighs in on the criticism on the core, Florida's greasy style and the importance of a strong start at home in Game 5.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.

Right back at it on the Real Kipper and Bourne show, Nick Kiprio, Justin Bourne, Sammy McKee, Derek Brandeo and Jake the Snake. Shultz with you for two solid hours, two of the fastest hours professional sports. Wow. This keeps getting faster. Really fast. The way we talk about it. We're live on Sportsnet 590 the fans sports at 360 and sports net plus

Another off day It's a huge off day Is it when it comes to at least the toronto maple leafs in our coverage? Yeah, it is. I think it's worth mentioning that the leafs I mean we're gonna into, they're in a pretty good spot overall generally, but they're pretty healthy right now. And so having an extra day with a relatively healthy team to sort of build up and power up for another kick at the can here, it's a good thing.

I'm not sure how healthy, like, Chris Tanoff. No one's in doubt though. No, no one's in doubt, but Chris Tanoff's been like a piñata. He's been in the dressing room every game at some point. It felt like. I think I saw a stat that it was, I'm not mistaken.

I think Rasmus Sandin's taken the second most hits in the playoffs at 43 and Chris Tanoff's at 71. I think that's the number I saw. It could be off by one or two, but yeah. He's just crazy. The guy is taking an absolute beating. Get out of the way. And think about who it is doing it. It's Bennett. It's more shand It's could shock its guys. You don't want like it Yeah, every time he goes into the boards like I hear the sound of an accordion

Well, the one where he got hit the one where we thought he was genuine injured his shoulder was low when he got hit Like I don't know you there's a lot of things you can shake off You can't shake off shoulder stuff out of joint out of socket Whatever is that what he missed when he missed like five or six games in the regular season, right? It was older stuff. Yeah, I mean when you're getting pasted in the end glass ten times a game You know probably career We're talking about like a dozen shoulder injuries I'm sure that he's left with and we were sitting there with

BX of the other day and we played golf with him last week Which is pretty fun after I was talking about how often he works out He said if I don't keep working out I feel all my playing injuries and he's like, you know He's like, I gotta keep at her I feel my broken ankle or my broken leg or my broken wrist my broken he's just going through this list I'm like what good Lord what is Chris Tanev gonna be feeling like when he's 50 creaky creaky man let me do the quick hits taken thing second most hits taken is now Morgan Riley just ahead of San by one with 46

Sandean is 45 and 10 of his 81. Okay, so I was Shortchanged him by 35 more than the next most and those 10 hit one of those 10 hits would send any normal human to the ER to dust ER It's crazy. That is crazy. Wow. What a stat. So if you just assume everybody's as healthy as possible there, then would you have ever

considered tweaking the lineup? I mean, you guys, I think not on D, certainly not on D, but I definitely wanted to see Kampf come in. I think you don't love Holmberg, so, or sorry, or Jarnkroch so much you can't get David Kampff in who's been an impactful player for them at times over the years.

Particularly if you're like, yeah, Jarnkroch kills penalties. Kampff has been top pair with Marner at times for years. So I don't know, I'm surprised he's not in. And it looks like no changes, which is why I'm saying he's not in. Am I correct in saying that, Sammy? Let's listen to the coach.

Equip three Borube on any possible lineup changes. Yeah, I'm thinking. I'm always thinking about it. Is there any moves you might make? Yeah, there's possible moves. You know, you got to look at what's... What are you taking out? What are you putting in? What's the benefit taking these two? One guy, two guys out, putting two new guys in.

What are they providing? What are we losing? You know, it's always a compliment. You know, you're not, you know, but at the same time, you know, sometimes the change is good. You know, when you're considering a lineup change, you got to think about who's coming out and who's going in. One of the key parts.

I never really thought about it that way. There's also a part of it where you gotta think about what the guy coming into the lineup brings, what guy taking out, you're gonna lose. Those are the things you really have to think about. You just explained a decision. Yeah. Wow.

Yeah. I don't know you put it that way. Okay, yeah. All right. All right, so I had thought, cause put it that way. Okay, yeah. All right. All right, so I had thought, because the lines that they had practiced with today didn't have any changes. I now hearing the lack of commitment,

I'm gonna say they do yarn, crock out, cam thin. That'll be the change they make. That's my prediction. Any quibbles, anyone? Anyone want Robertson? I just Yeah, based on what the physicalities I'd be real nervous to put Robertson in me too. So you're down to camp

Pretty much it and yarn croc has given you absolutely nothing offensively So you're not worried about that part with camp and I don't think the Lorenz Lawton yarn croc line has been so good that now you're like Oh, we can't break that up. They had like they were really good through the Ottawa series, but we're now Ten games into the playoffs were none of them of score to goal. Yeah, I think I think they're eligible to be to be switched up I think you probably go Holmberg on the right wing on that line So you're looking at Lorenz Lawton Holmberg and then camp with D with Domi and McMahon. Camp McMahon Domi. I don't mind that. Can I just I'm not ever the guy to make a case for Nick Robertson. I'm actually the opposite of that. I'm talking about can I present just the devil's advocate? I think we were you yesterday Kipper. We just talked to so many different people about this about

just a new energy. Yes. And a different vibe.'ve and it's just like what's I mean, what's Bobby McMahon giving you in? Ten games here. He's big. I understand it. He can lay the body you scored He's scored like 20 something. Yeah, it's like it's really not he's been a passenger for most of this And I like the guy and he's been good and he's been giving them value But like you wouldn't take him out. I mean yarn crocker over no you take like I guy and he's been good and he's been giving them value, but like. You wouldn't take him out over Yarncrocker, or over Holmberg. No, you take, like I guess I guess I understand that, but it's just a different look, a different energy.

Like I understand it's not a physical series, but here I am making a case for Nick Robertson. Maybe it's just cause it's an off day and I'm overthinking it. It is a physical series. Yeah, I think you meant to say that, right? It is a physical series. Yeah, that's what I mean.

Okay, yeah. I just, I understand it is. You cannot give up size, I know. 40 pounds. I mean, okay. Yeah, I just I understand it cannot give up Size I already pounds. I know like you're you you need all the pounds you can get okay? It's Florida only I did my best I have on that though is the energy. I'm with you on the energy part I don't love the energy part, and I don't love the idea of letting fear of them dictate your decisions where you say No Teams change they make

changes they make adjustments we're not I think JB we're past fear and we're just managing we're just managing a long stretch of this guy may need a reset this guy may need some rest I've got this guy chomp in here. I want to put him in I got it just get a little bit of a different feel Even seeing a different face in the dressing room. We've gotten dressed right where you know, yeah Music's off your life and it's like yeah looking Nikki's back clicks for Nikki and you know, I got it. He's for Nick I got the first goal and you know, it's just a it's just a little bit of a different feel Two losses now do that for him. I

Would for sure think three losses would do it for sure. Yeah, right now he's here. You hear him him in and Han Yeah, he doesn't know what to do right now on his lineup The only other case for Robertson is that let's face it Ruby likes them Yeah, Ruby used them. I think he dressed 60 times this year or something like that You know, this is not a guy that he was a regular leaf. So the only thing That kind of bothers me a little bit in this whole thing 70 games for Robertson. There you go. Yep, the part that may end up bothering more and we'll see how this thing plays out. But like you we had conversations in early on Nick Robertson where it was too small.

Can't play needs to go to a different team, needs to do this, needs to do that. No plans moving forward. And then plans changed. And he found himself in there a little bit. And he got significant ice time. He got chances. 70 games, you just said. He didn't grow.

He didn't grow. He didn't get heavier over that course of time. So the point I'm trying to make now is you knew at some point you were going to go up against a Tampa or Florida. If you kept them and you didn't trade them and you knew you were going to go into the playoffs with them and he was going to be one of many guys, then you know what? Play them. Do you know what I'm saying?

I do. You've decided to bet on this horse. You did not trade them. You didn't put them on waivers. You didn't move him. You kept them so if the teams maybe screaming for a little bit of a tweak or change you need to seriously consider him going in and I don't think they are right now and I'm like okay then what

was the point of keeping them all season why didn't you trade them for a bigger guy that you're gonna use in playoffs then if you're thinking well I got a couple of theories on that one is that you typically think that after 10 playoff games Someone needs to come out or get suspended or whatever and that you're going to need this guy who's a legit legitimate NHL er So it's almost like an insurance policy The other thing is I think of Brian Burke who we've had on this show and he says He talks about my dad's Islanders team when I've had the conversation with him and he says at some point

You're gonna play a big team. You're gonna play a fast team. Yeah gonna play a smart team You're gonna play a skilled team You know you're gonna need different horses for different courses and at some point Nikki is so better fit for a different course than the Panthers So so Nick, why don't you line in next round? Maybe he plays all that's what I'm saying games You know is is that it now that you know you can't play against Florida, but we think you can play against Carolina Yeah, maybe maybe maybe that's's it you know golfers put different clubs in their bag for different courses yeah I don't know guys I'm throwing stuff at the wall too I haven't talked to anyone there's there doesn't seem to be

a ton of options for this club right now no you're right it's at some point right if you're gonna make a change he's got to come in and One thing I do think is he's not afraid no, you know, he's never no. No, he's not afraid. He'll go get a puck He'll I actually don't hunt this down He'll be less afraid than some of their players who play he'll bounce off of people who end up on his ass He'll get back up. You should be more afraid Three years of his career but on the camp thing which to me is much more of a logical guy to bring in at this point, you mentioned the penalty killing thing. Part of it for me is just to maybe take a touch of burden off Matthews on the penalty

kill. Actually, that's fair too. Like he's out there for the first minute every time and he's already like playing so defensively minded and everybody's talking about how good, like, could you free up a minute per game of penalty kill with camp as opposed to Matthews Florida goes to Barkov and Reinhardt on their second unit Who they right? Yeah, Lindell Lindell. I see a lot of our shant Lindell Marchand Maybe maybe but daily face-off is the first unit Maybe maybe but daily face-off is the first unit Barkov Reinhardt for Hagee Jones and the other one is Bennett Lundell Marchand Rodriguez. That's a power that's daily

Pelico, sorry guys. The penalty kill is Lundell and Lusterainen and then Barkov and Reinhardt second. Yeah, and then he's got the option of March and in there, too I'm so with you. So yeah, like this is your number one go-to guy now on the offense. And I don't know, I mean, all these years are long. I'm not saying take him off of it totally, but just give him a little bit of a blow here on it. I don't know. Yeah, no, him and Marner constantly on the penalty kill, constantly on the power play, and then they're five on five.

I think it's stressful. Can I tell you something that I don't know that I've had this discussion, and I haven't done the research on it, but when I... Matthews in these big games, and you talk about pressure and stuff like that. So do you remember the game, I think it was game seven against Boston when he was young and at the end of the game Marlowe had played more than Matthews and fans were irate at Babcock because Patrick Marlowe got more ice time than Austin Matthews 16 17 minutes ready the Freddy the goat was close to him to a nice time Maybe play more back. Yes, and I talked to someone within the organization at that time

He said look at the shifts he got we kept putting them out there He got as much as is anyone and he just he was taking like 35 second shifts It was almost like he didn't want to make the big mistake he was afraid to make the big defensive air so he was changing early and he just kept coming off the ice and There are times Where I feel like that happens now Where he might be a guy who's just at his absolute best at 19.30 per game. You know, Mitch Marner can play 24 minutes,

and he's so positional and thoughtful, and the way he plays is a little bit more, you know, it's not the whole ice, he's F3 a lot, and he's not going low in the D-zone as much. He's able to do it. I wonder if he's a guy who just needs less ice time Matthews and I listen that's not about this playoff series There's no excuse. He has normal minutes, but I just wonder if he's a guy who needs less ice time You better be really really happy with the depth that you have underneath you're what's supposed to be your number one centerman to. I don't know how many top centermen need protection on their minutes. Yeah.

And I agree. You're talking about a seven to 19, seven to 21. If we're having a conversation on protecting minutes of your number one guy from 22 to 24 to 24 to 26. I have that conversation, but that's not Matthews right now. You're talking about bringing him down to 17 or 18 minutes. No, no, if he played 19, 20 minutes would be good. Right now he's averaging 21 and a half, but that's with overtime. And penalty kill. Yeah. That's another spot where you just. Well, there's just stressful seconds there too, right?

He is 12th amongst eligible skaters for centers in the any K is that you PK'd stops and starts and like it's just it's exhausting Mentally physically for them to know they didn't want me out there. Oh, yeah. Yeah Yes, I know it is exhausted. Did you kill a lot? I did in Hartford. Yeah. Did a little bit in New York a tad and Washington too, but the minutes that I had in Hartford, it was like, it's exhausting.

Yeah, it's not. It's straight lines. It's the worst job. And it stop and starts. It's the worst job Like I actively would not want my coach to think I'm a good penalty shorties in your career. No No zero one power play goal Let me ask you about the last day and a half two days on On what people are talking about I went on Gunner's show today out in Calgary. Oh, Russick. Russick and

Russick and Rose. Yeah, Matt. And they're like you know what's wrong with Martin or Matthews it was all Matthews this time right and where have you found the noise on on him publicly? Yeah, I had the milk cartons those a lot of milk carton pictures right now I had someone pull their car over when I was walking my dog. I gave up Matthews today. Yeah You know, I would say the the noise is loud, you know people Louder than ever louder than ever for sure. We, yeah, he's the captain now. Yeah. Well, and also he's just...

Is that the difference? No, to me, he's a 70-goal guy who has not scored in the second round. Is it because he's the captain or because he's won the Rocket Richard three out of five years? I don't know what it is. He's a massive goal scorer who's not scoring goals. I don't think this is... Yeah, you're sure.

You're berubing this. You're correct. That's it. Best goal scorer, not scoring. I think a lot of people are doing the Izzy Hurt thing. You know, that's the most common thing I hear. Something's up, is he okay? Is it his wrist?

Is it his back? Is it, that's what I hear the most of. And, which I'm saying to people, I don't think so, but. Of the 80% of, of the 100% of Leafs texts I get, let's say 75% of them are Matthews related. What's going on with Matthews? What's up with Matthews? Matthews Matthews Matthews? He just needs one to bounce in off of him in game five here tips and like he's the one year he scored seven

69 he had 20 tip ins or deflections like I haven't seen him anywhere. I'm just looking for a real presence out of him. That's all and I think presence out of him that's all and I think especially this year they've proven that they can win without him actually scoring goals and it's to be determined if he gets one or not but they've shown that they can win when he's not scoring goals but he needs to have a presence in the hockey game as as a top players it the league's best player.

It tests the limits of your thing that, I don't need him to score, I don't need him to score this man, I need him to score, score 30, score 40, you know? Just like play D and pass the puck and do it. You know, we'll see how people are with that sort of thing if he doesn't shoot it in the net and he just plays D and passes the puck.

The one thing that I've liked at it in the net and he just plays D and passes the puck. The one thing that I've liked at least in the last 24 hours is there's no question, at least in my opinion, but I'll get yours as well. Like when they lost the two in a row in Ottawa, we heard and they spoke of the outside noise. And I'm like, don't, don't bring it up. Then do you think, do you think the outside noise is noisier now, or when they lost two games to Ottawa? I actually think it was team-wide noisier after Ottawa,

because it felt like they were going to pee down their leg and lose a winnable series to a lesser team because they folded. Here it's like, I will say, Sam put out a poll before our show, and he asked people, like how you feeling about the leaf chances of moving on a great chance or no chance And Sammy do you have where that poll is at right now? I can just give you the going into the show was it seventy three percent great chance. It's very Positive like great chance which I'm surprised by but maybe that just says about more about the people I have in my life than

My the direct reports I have is opposed is the noise is not so much about the team people feel okay about the team How do you compare the noise from the first on the second round? I think what Borny kind of laid out there, but the potential that game five at home Where they were the ghosts look like they had reappeared, at home, first round, division, like you're one of your biggest rivals, historic rivals who you've played a bunch of times in the playoffs and won.

There's just all these mitigating factors with the Ottawa Senators. Nightmare scenario. Nightmare, nightmare, nightmare, nightmare scenario. But I think people generally, I mean we talked about this yesterday Kipper I laid it out off the top of the show before we got into the dirt a little bit into the mud. I They're in a great spot at the mud boys. There we go you if You laid this out. Like I said yesterday if you laid this out before the season started that In the second round of the playoffs you were gonna be in a best of three

scenario with the defending Stanley Cup champions, with home ice advantage. What Leaf fan would not have signed up for that? This is what happens in the playoffs. You play great teams, they win a couple in a row, you don't look great in a couple of them. I understand all that, but I really do think that people need to kinda, and it seems like

maybe they are, just a bit of a zoom out and try to not Put the history on top of this current team. Hey, they lose game five. I'm right down there in the muck with everybody I totally understand but right now it's not the time to me I saw a Stuart Skinner after the Oilers game yesterday But they said he gets a shout out and they go how do you you know, how do you handle all the noise? And it was the most sincere, he goes, what noise? And then everyone kind of laughs and he was like, I don't, what noise?

He goes, I don't know what's going on and I don't want to know. Like, he seemed like someone who genuinely had like detached from the outside world. And I was like, that's awesome. I would think for sure Willie would be that guy on Toronto. Where do you think Matthews is on that? You think he hears it or he doesn't hear it? Oh, he hears it, buddy. Bieber's texting him.

I'm not even joking when I say that. Like, he's, it's not coming. Do you think Bieber listens to our show? I think there's a good chance. Hi, Biebs. Hey, what's up, man? I think I'm, he's writing music, man. He's making a gazillion dollars.

This guy loves the Lee Harleys fan. No shot at listening to us. He skipped the Met Gala to watch the leaf skin this guy loves the leaves I think he could be a listener shut up beefs if you're listening But you know so it doesn't have to come through he doesn't have to check Twitter or Instagram to be aware that people are like The milk carton would really bother me What are you talking about? No, no, yeah, if he's sensitive to it, but did something happen with the milk carton? Is he? No, I'm just there's I

See him on the internet. There's just a lot of pictures of him on the milk carton. I mean, I've seen like yeah I've seen missing missing missing. Yeah, that's all. Yeah, then like you said Yeah, well, that's stupid. The team's not here. They're not to two without him. So that's stupid. I just needs to score. That's all. Yeah. Then like you said. Yeah, well, that's stupid. The team's not here. They're not two two without him. So that's stupid. I just needs to score. That's all. I don't really care if he scores. I care if they win. Wow.

I really know. Yeah, good. If they win, if they win game four, four, two, and he has zero points. Guess what? I will be happy about the victory. I want the wins and they need him to score. They need if they want to win the Cup and beat Florida, maybe they need him to score they need if they want to win the cup and beat Florida maybe they need him to score maybe they don't he hasn't been scoring at his level and they're 2-2 in the series of the defending Stanley Cup champions so I don't know maybe points maybe Florida maybe he's red-hot against the next team maybe they lose maybe the

Leafs lose to a row and we're all sad again I don't know but I just want to be positive at this very moment you guys want to get a thought on possibly Matthews and Marner breaking up before or after we hear from head coach Craig Berube Let's listen to the coach. Yeah Good to you. Well again, it's not all about scoring for me and for them I mean it's about the game playing 200 feet doing all the little things that are needed to be done, you know, and yeah, I've gone away from them for a bit. And, you know, I don't, it's fine, but it's not exactly what I want to see. So I put them back together.

They've been a great pair for a long time. God. So simple, eh? Just need them to be a great pair. Next game. Yeah. Just do your job. What game was it that Marner made the great pass to Matthews and he tucked against Ottawa was a game When they lost an OT, wasn't it? I remember I think it was game four but like outside of that play I can't remember them connecting on a play No, no of relevance. What's that game? Oh my God. Yeah.

Would you get the bingo bangle balls out and shuffle? I don't think I would. Nope. I don't think I would. I like the idea of dance of the one who brought you here. After the first period, if you don't like what you see. Yeah, definitely. I'm-

10 minutes. 12 minutes. I'm totally into the idea that if it ain't working, we got to do something different, but I do think you give them the benefit of the doubt they've at least earned that yeah, there's a bit of talk about the Domi hit and What would they would be doing didn't response? Can I tell you what I want to happen? Nothing want Florida to care about this. Here's why I want them to chase him around That is the exact leaf you would like them to chase around you can handle it

Do you want to hear what the coach had to say about that very topic? You can take any one of them with him. Sure. On clip four on guys targeting Max. Well, I don't know what are they going to do? Yeah. Go after them. But Max has been around.

Yeah, I get it. Like some motions you're getting your emotions get high and things happen. That's part of the game and we all know that You know he's gonna be fine just go and play his game and do his thing and You can't worry about what somebody's if there's gonna be a reaction, you know, you just got to go and play I don't you know, I don't know. I don't think there'll be a reaction, but I don't really have a whole lot to say on it. I love it.

I never crossed my mind. Well and it's like, oh, what Max, sorry, Kachuk's gonna chase around Domi? Okay. Or the internet made a big deal out of Kachuk on Nylander I'm gonna get you or at the end it's like oh my god this stuff's been around for a hundred years it's just talk. Did you see the sneaky throat slash from Kachuk on on McMahon? I heard about it. I heard Bunk talk about it. I heard bunk talk about it. He did it. He did it. Yeah, he did I Listen, you know, okay

I'm actually not allowed to speak about the Florida Panthers anymore because the amount of you big baby DMs I got yesterday. Oh me and JB. Oh boy Big baby beating yesterday boys. I'm done. I'm done. I'm done. I'm done with the talking about the Panthers. I don't want anybody pissed off with the Panthers and the refs. I can tell you that. Um, the Kachak thing. You want to hear the clip from Baruba? He got asked about it. Sure. Uh, Jack versus Nylander. I seem like he was trying to get into the head of William. For you to talk previously in the series, how you just leave him alone. Yeah.

You're pretty confident that he can take that kind of mental game. Who, ADA? Yeah. He probably didn't hear him. He doesn't hear me. Everyone's so like. It's Willie.

Yeah, that's exactly it. We've said that you've hated that at times. Everyone's so like... It's Willie. Yeah, that's exactly it. We've said that you've hated that at times. You're like, everyone gives Willie a pass. I knew you would hate that. I just, you're like, oh yeah. You just wish your beloved boy Marner got the same. Just got the same.

Don't want the season to end on Willie just waiting for, you know, getting rested up for another breakaway attempt to standing in his own zone while they filled in that. That's all. Just leave him alone. They would have scored one goal in every game if it wasn't for him. So I'm going to give him a bit of a leeway. Give him a pass. We'll see. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I don't know. He is Willie. I thought, let's say, so Maurice was more engaged today, boys. He was definitely more

willing to talk. Did he sleep? Yeah, he was a good meal. I kind of tie I don't know if I said this on there yesterday yesterday He was cross rachety didn't want to be there was giving up nothing, but today he was way better I listen he probably heard you crying. It gave him life Let's play game Palmaris clip 3 on game 5. It's great clip. I think this is true of both teams It's 82 games as a grinder for you and then in each series as you hit the game 5 mark It's clearly well, not always but a 2 out of the 3 or an elimination game in game 5

so I think the intensity amps up not just because of the urgency of the moment the understanding is that there's for one of two really really good teams there's only two or three games left in your season. It ends in game six or it ends in game seven. So that kind of there's nothing to save it for idea. You see the energy amp up. Love that. I it's scary, right? Like, you know, within you when you've four or five days, you put it that way. Yeah, I agree with him. There's a there's a like a cut line between four and five where I can do something stupid and there's still time to kind of make up for it.

And not anymore. That's interesting. Not anymore. And it goes to like, Panthers don't have time to go get revenge on Max Domi. No, they gotta choose a puck. There's not a chance that they're gonna do anything stupid to him or try for retribution

because you are now past that line where what you do now from five to seven can end your season. So I think it'll settle down. I think the attention to detail will even be greater from both clubs. And it's going to be a tight one here. Sammy, in game time today, we're gonna need numbers on unders, like under two and a half for the Leafs.

Goal totals? Yeah. So both of you guys are feeling a low one. I just don't think there's gonna be any room out there. And we'll see on Bobrowski, the tendency early was for him to give up goals on early shots Didn't happen last game wall settled in to I think I think there's a real chance that we could see some Some low-scoring games here. I gotta tell you watching the Oilers fall all over and into Aden Hill last night

Yeah, I was like that's that's what pretty pretty good playoff style Talk about it a bit in the national hour, but people been like, oh Cain was pushed. Yeah, but then he also like Give me a break. He was put he was pushed a bit But that's you feel the then you're like, oh here we go. You know who you're talking to Right Exactly. You feel the push and you're like, oh, here we go. You know who you're talking to? Yeah, I do. Oh, yeah. Right? Green light. Yeah.

I can't push a guy near a goalie. Quickly, before we go to break. First thing, Stolar's mini update here. Just a quick question off the back of it. Number one, clip one, please. Yeah, he's progressing. You know, he's on the ice a little bit, so he's doing much better. Do you have a sense of a best case scenario for when he might be able to play again?

No not right now, I don't know. So I imagine he had the, there is a protocol on concussions, and I think he fell under it for I think seven days. At this point point and I'm Adamant on this if he was ready to play tonight You wouldn't play him until wall gave you gave you reason to correct. I totally disagree Oh, yeah, if he was ready to go you plan. Yeah, he was your starter I don't know maybe not only 35 or 37 and look great last game. This guy had a head injury You don't know what he's gonna come back and look like

I'll tell you what no one's talking about right now when it comes to Joseph wall is that Florida I know is putting pucks in Places where they know that Joseph wall cannot handle the puck. Yeah, okay and if it's one thing that I'd still be nervous about is that Joseph does not handle the puck anywhere near the way Stolarz has,

and it's really affected their ability to get out of their zone. Yeah, I don't know if we played the clip yesterday. I read the clip anyway, I read the quote from Berube who said they're putting the the puck a lot of places not on the ground He said that you know, they're putting it in the air against glass. He's trying to get out and play it But it's been hard. He's not good at it. No, he looks like he looks like a rhyme or playing the button everybody everybody Especially Florida knows it and it's it's had a negative effect on how clean the leafs are getting out. Totally.

I think it's a case of like one of those. So I don't think he's great at it either, but I don't think he's bad at it. He had the one that was terrible and that really brought it to people's attention. Oh, he almost, I mean, the one that he got. He had a couple of hiccups last game too. He did. He started the third period. He goes, in game three, he goes behind the net and deflects it right out in front of

the net to the flex it right out in front of the net to Lindell and he missed the problem is it you lose confidence in it and It affects it affects the way you go back. Yeah, I'm with you so I Don't know how You know what what can change you just get him to stay in his net a little bit more I don't know what the case is all year long as he year long, and he says go do better, have a better game at it. So just to wrap up on that, yeah, Joseph Wall, you hope that he doesn't have to give them

a hard decision to make in game six. Quickly before we go to break, boys, a reminder to golf fans. Oh, hey, did you guys? We gotta go. Okay, hold on, did you see my drive on the weekend? No, is that the ninth that Rosedale the short night on Rosedale? One of the pros asked if he could tape my swing and I put it on

The internet and Gibby my neighbor did the play-by-play on it. Yeah, we have it. Oh my god Here we go. Oh, did you hear the sound of that? Listen to Gibby. On the flag. Get over the bunker and land right in the hole. Oh, hit the flag, hit the top of the flag. Hit the actual flag.

Wow. Boom. That's, that's nuts right there. I can't believe we played that. What just happened? That was awesome. Hold on. That's the highlight of the show.

Right into your golf kit. Nice swing. That's your natural of the show. Right into your goal, kid. That's nice swing. That's your natural shape. Baby fade is his natural. Okay. A reminder to golf fans out there, Sportsnet and Muskoka Bay Resort have come together with an amazing contest. Text the word Muskoka to 59590 for your chance to golf at one of Canada's top 10 ranked courses

with a night in an incredible three- three bedroom villa for you and three friends. Just text the word Muskoka to 59590 for your chance to win. Visit sportsnet.ca slash 590 contests for more details, standard message and data rates may apply. That shape might work nice at Muskoka Bay. It's an off day. There's plenty of time for golf and hockey. All right. We're going to

we're making Gordo wait here. Gord Stelick, Stelic tricity. When we return real kipper and board. Diving deep into leaps, Raptors, Jays and NFL. The JD Bunkets podcast. Subscribe and download the show on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts Welcome back to the program Nick Kibrel, Justin Bourne, Sammy McKee. All right. Let's go to Gord Stalek who just minutes ago missed my president George Bush moment where I call an end to terrorism.

Now watch this drive. I call an end to terrorism. Now watch this drive. We played one of his golf shots on the show. Gord here. Oh my God. Here we go. Gord. Oh my God. I'm calling an end to the Leafs losing streak. Now watch this drive. How are you pal? I'm great. I'm great. Now I'm here in Ryan Reynolds,, the Tim Horton's. In your day, did you have riders in your class, Kip? You were big stuff there. You have your own dressing room. Did you have no red M&Ms or something like that? Do you have those kind of things?

Yeah, right here in this studio now. It's called JB's Chocolate Drawer. Yeah, I'm here to provide what he needs in form of chocolate. So what's the scoop on the golf shot? Like the golf shot, what was it? Like a beautiful drive it looked like. So what was it, a 300 yard drive? I think 260, drivable par four.

And I hit the flag. What Sam? Wow. You okay? There's a drop of some guys like, enough with the golf, Sammy. enough with the golf Kipper, enough with game five of the second round, enough with the golf. Gordo, it's an off day.

Like we need filler here, you know? And you're here to do the same thing for us. So give us your thoughts on the last two games And I assume you're as optimistic as our Sammy here that it's a best of three and you've got one at home here, two out of three at home, still feeling good, correct? Well, first of all, I can't believe how honored I am to join you on filler day. So thank you very much for that.

I did on 680 News C that Doug Ford has made all mental health counselors go back to work the next 2 days he's canceled all vacations and any kind of sick days to help with the general populace can't be you did it in 1994 some people say stop going back that no it hasn't changed. It hasn't changed what you guys accomplish there in 2025 twenty five. So the talking's got to be done on the ice. It's the best two out of

three. And they have home ice advantage. And it's up to the players. But there's a weird vibe. That you're tied to two. And the Sammy McKees of the world feel like you're down three two. It's just a weird vibe. And they've you know

because it's like that play same time next year same time this year whatever the hell it was. We've had enough of it we don't want to see because it's like that play same time next year, same time this year, whatever the hell it was, we've had enough that we don't want to see that didn't even like it the first time. So the talking has to be done on the ice. So I am remaining optimistic because things do appear a little bit different this year, when

they're up, you know, up three, two to Ottawa, people started feeling that way. They won game six. So I feel that they're up to this particular challenge I I asked the guys before the show here I said, you know, what percentage chance do you give the Leafs of winning this series? Yeah 49% you know because the Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup is it 51 because the Leafs have home ice Is it something wildly different from that or are you just 50-50 on the things at this point, Gord? Okay, so Justin, first of all, that stat that said when they won two that Florida had a 13.7% chance, I believe

that's if you go down 0-2. I said no, no, that stats out the window. 2025 for the Florida Panthers. I'm not surprised. Hey, they squandered a chance to put a bit of a dagger in there. Where I'm at, Justin, and I don't know, Kippy seems to be ahead of the queue for me in Toronto star columns. Like, you know, a couple of weeks ago, Kippy's doing this, Rosie's doing this, Damien's doing this. You know, maybe you, maybe you could cover high school hockey or something. You'll throw me a bone or something.

So I believe, and it got spiked by Dave, our guy, Kippy, the editor. I respect him. I, but I more and more, I look at that Roger. We've talked about it. The Roger Federer, Dartmouth commencement speech that he won over 80% of his matches, which we knew, but he won 54% of his points, which stunned everybody. So 54 to 46 made that difference. That made the difference in game seven overtime.

Last year, David passed to next season the opportunity. So I'm not giving you an odds answer. I'll say 50-50, Justin, to be fair. Okay? They're the defending Stanley Cup champions. Got to treat them with respect. But to me, the key is it'll come down to it again. Like, really?

You know, it's this close. So when we're talking after game six or game seven, like that team, it'll be to me, an incremental edge about doing things right and not doing things wrong, which has not been the least MO the last number of playoffs and hopefully can change this playoff. Yeah. You got something there, Kip? Sorry. Okay. We were talking about line of changes before change this playoff. You got something there, Kip? Sorry. No, I got nothing. Okay, we were talking about line-up changes before you came on, Gordon. We were looking at Nick Robertson and David Camp on the outside looking in.

I will say, at commercial break, Sammy made a passionate plea for McMahon to come out and Robertson to come in. Where are you and these two guys sitting in the press box that they used with real consistency for most of the season? Well, Sammy makes a passionate plea when he's ordering McDonald's. He's all passion. Yeah, like he is passion which we love about him. Like again, you know Justin and Kipy, by the way Kipy, everything good? Did your pacemaker go off or something? Is everything okay? Yeah, I'm good. I'm just trying to get a hold of the guys

That's Toronto Star. Maybe I can get you as a food critic You know, maybe we'll start with Deontay's Fiesta Last night you look what Noglaq did like who expected that, you know, the number one goal scored the NHL You know puts with Pogolson 10th 10th overall pick, right? The guy, man, anyway, playing a different role, and capping it. Go up against Eichel's line. No, he played other shifts too, okay, but give you two fourth-line wingers who are trying something different. What Borubi did with Pacioretty stunned me, and it worked out great, putting him in the

top two lines. And that's, again, we go back to what he did in St. Louis. I remain a Nick Robertson advocate. You know, I'm not a Pontus Holmberg fan. I don't belong to his fan club. So again, if you're going to make some tweaks, yes, I'd be fine with it. Be fine with it. It's a little thing. It's going to be the big guns that still are going to matter if you're going to win it all. But that where we think Borubi. It's not a magic touch. It's an educated touch from being there So I'm open to whatever he's looking at and he's got to be looking at stuff You're watching and listening to Gord Stelick former general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs

analyst for sports net 590 the fan so Gord we've It's almost a given either Marner or Matthews or Neela like someone's taking heat this time of year when they Don't put the puck at them in the net at the rate that Lee fans are are wanting or accustomed to and yet We know the game changes here and it gets tougher to put the puck in the net here Is it warranted is it not warranted? The criticism these guys get is as simple as, hey, you make 13 million bucks, it comes with the territory.

So as you know, the money doesn't matter when it comes to it. It does come with the territory, whatever, about winning a hockey game. And if you're one of the top scorers and getting all kinds of ice time. I look at the special teams, we started that game against Ottawa, just what, three goals in 19 seconds, and all of a ice time. And, you know, I look at the special teams. We started that game against Ottawa,

just, what, three goals in 19 seconds, and all of a sudden, like, Sunday, the Florida, like, again, the four penalties were a killer. It was a different kind of loss, but you never got going. Your power play never got going. Their P.K. was better. So, yeah, the best two scorers have been Tavares and Matthew Nyes, and everybody else has to get going.

Whether it's the 54%, I'm not going to always bring that number in. But yeah, and it's different than last year when they only got more than two goals once in seven games against Boston and stretched that out to seven. They've actually scored more, and they just need more from those guys, and they need the odd like Joe Wall kept them in the game Sunday and he gave you a chance like if your goaltender could steal a game in a playoff series that's a bonus

and he gave him that and they squandered that Friday was a different kind of loss they squandered a two nothing lead and there's all kinds of little little breakdowns you can analyze there but you know they were they were screwed on Sunday

and he kept them in the game. Now Florida is not easy to beat. Don't get me wrong it wasn't a cake walk but you never got going. You never got going like you said, wow, this guy has kept us in the game, we're only down by one. It's like you look, oh my God, Florida Panthers, when they lead after one period, they never lose. When they lead after two periods, they never lose. We're screwed. No. Playoffs are different. You got to think different. Yep. They had a chance there so if you talk to a lot of Lee fans, you know of the themes of the

The series a lot of people are upset that Florida takes cheap shots, you know this sort of like Music are you talking about me? That is a theme. Oh, yeah, do you think this matters? Do you think it's impactful? Do you think this is just a sort of a subplot that that people are reading too much into is being impactful? Yeah subplot just like you know before he got up dress Wayne Simmons or Ryan Reeves, you know, it's a subplot Yeah, it's a subplot hasn't come to that and you know, Craig Barube. I think states this case Well, I don't know if it scores you points But just a hey that elbow elbow and Mitch Marner was way worse. We'll never really know. I mean, the Leafs are pissed because they feel stole ours. You know, whether it was a Sam Reinhardt shot, but they're going

to blame it on the Bennett hit. They're going to blame the cheap shot on Tavares. So they kind of look at it as three nothing. And that's where I'm like, I'm glad Barkov didn't get hurt. I don't like anyone to get hurt to be clear. But I didn't like Max told me that's exactly a little bit at an end of a game. Just kind of we're pissed off. Whatever. Keep in mind, whatever. Oh, I like like that. I like the OEL hit on Rodriguez who ran Tavares head into the glass. Everyone agrees. Yeah, right. Come on. Ex teammates, ex teammates. So but K Kippy, as you know, we don't talk about your championship about a fight or something like that.

It's best two out of three. Now, if it becomes a distraction, then you're screwed. Okay. But it's kind of like Florida plays that game and the Leafs have shown both Ottawa and Florida is a bit different this year. They've got more of that in them and that's great. But you need the big guns scoring goals. Cause at the end you get the most family minutes that doesn't decide whether you win the game

or not. Good start will help a at home. Well, yeah, yeah, yeah. No. And you know what? This one thing they have made home ice, like they had a ridiculous home playoff record negative. So there's a lot of positives that they have corrected,

you know, this season. And, you know, again, but it would be crushing. It wouldn't be crushing to have lost this series would have been disappointing. But to have a two nothing lead and a two nothing lead in game three, you're sort of bringing those demons up back again. So yes, a strong start, which they've done in many of the playoff games. They've done this. So yes, yes, the time is now. The time is now. Do it. Yeah. Let me know what other hobbies you have so I can suggest to the Toronto Star you can write an article. Like, do you like cars, mechanical stuff? Maybe you could write about where to get a good oil change in the city. You know, kippee, I think bowling's a very underrated sport.

So I think, you know, like Nelson Burton Jr. and people like that. So I think maybe in how the lanes were oiled in the Akron, Ohio, the Firestone thing every Saturday with Chris Schenkel, I gotta find something. Because, you know, it's just, it's like finding a date to the prom.

I got nobody. The prom's next week. I got turned down 20 times. Oh, listen, you know, I'll find you a cousin. Don't worry. I want Justin to check it out first. Okay. That's all. Okay. Yes. With Justin's blessing. WC Heinz over here, right? The death of a racehorse in Toronto Star every week. That is. Thanks,. And he scored electricity. Thanks. Kippy's going to ruin my like one in one thing. I'm on the filler show. He's going to get me a bowling column. He's going to get a second custom twice removed to go to the prom. Like

what a 15 minutes. I am What a drop attaboy gourd enjoy the game tomorrow night my friend Oh Will do oh my god, that was too funny. I love that guy He really he puts up with you. So he does. Oh, I'm talking about the bowling guy. I Used to he's on during college a lot. Like during the day when I'd skip class, my college years, it was poker was on every channel. A lot of bowling, a lot of beers and bowling. Yeah. And the day he rolled it out to the right and it came back. I think it was Chris Webber was the stud. Maybe that's actually, I remember that Chris Webber is also a basketball player,

but I think it was Chris Webber was a great boy Anyways in the next hour as we go national Steve Valakette for his Tuesday regularly scheduled Appearance will continue our theme on the goaltenders Pete Webber for those of you for those of you Lee fans Joseph Wall, can you get the job done? Lee fans, Joseph Wall, can you get the job done? Valley's got some interesting insight into Joseph Wall now going into game five. So plenty more when we return to Real Kipper and Bourne.