Real Kyper & Bourne - Rest vs. Rust, Habs vs. Canes with Eddie Olczyk

Episode Date: May 21, 2026

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee look back on the Golden Knights' Game 1 win over the Avalanche to kick off the Western Conference Final, and they discuss the pronounced impact of Cale Makar's absence. Then, former NHLer and current ESPN analyst Eddie Olczyk stops by (9:39 to help tee up Game 1 between the Canadiens and Hurricanes and share his thoughts on the rest vs. rust aspect, and who, between Frederik Andersen and Jakub Dobeš, has the edge in the goalie battle. Then, Nick, Justin and Sam discuss the coverage around Mitch Marner's playoff success, and they listen to both Rod Brind'Amour and Marty St. Louis' availability ahead of Game 1. 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.

All right, here it is. The fastest hour in hockey. That's what I'm going with. Yeah. I think it works. It's the real Kipper and Bourne show. We are live on Sports Net 590. The fan 960 in Calgary,

650 in Vancouver, Sportsnet 360. We got a lot of places. A lot of platforms. A lot of platforms. YouTube and wherever you get your pod, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, where we love. Love a thumbs up.

This hour of Real Kippre and Bourne brought to you by Bet365s. I'm Nick Kiprio's Justin Bourne. Sammy McKee, Jake the Snake Shultz, and Derek Brandeo. All right, who had game one to Vegas on their bingo card? I think both of you, didn't you? I literally said four two. Yeah. You did.

I did. I did. Nice call, Sammy. You picked him too. I did pick them too. I did pick them too. I gave, I just thought they could jump all over. No kale, but car.

And I thought that's exactly what happened. I thought the first period in particular, it was noticeable. The lack of the man who controls the whole game for Colorado. They look big. They looked like they protected Carter Hart pretty well. And when they didn't, he was good. Yeah. He's been really good for them, right?

He's had a great postseason run here. Torts has had his back. And, you know, a lot of guys thrive with a certain leader behind him. In a few minutes, we'll welcome in. Eddie Olchuk, former national hockey leaguer, TNT hockey analyst. He gets, he's getting set tonight, Carolina and the Habs. In the meantime, how worried should Colorado be or their fans anyway, Sammy? I got to tell you, I thought that this was going to be an evenly match series.

Everybody was saying that it wasn't going to be, you know, that it was going to be kind of a five-game, four-game type of scenario. Those look like two really evenly matched teams to me. I think that the forward depth for Vegas looked better than I expected it to. I wouldn't say that Colorado looked one-liney, but there was moments where you're like, okay, is it McKinnon time yet? Like, it just, I thought that that was a surprising look. Yeah, I like Darry O'Connor line.

He's pretty decent for them. He flew in a lot. Yeah. He flies in a lot. But I just, you know, it felt like it was kind of going to be McKinnon or nothing last night. He was hot after the game, too. I mean, he's a competitive guy. But how about his setup to Mindus Cog?

Oh my God. It looked like a video game. That was, it was legitimately funny because you know that, who is the defenseman that he cooked? McNabb? Yes. Nab. I tweeted the time, like, that's a story McNabb tells 10, 20 years from now where he's like. The jock strap.

He's facing prime McKinnon. My jock strap is in the upper deck. When Braden McHab is doing real Braden and born, he's like, one time I tried to defend. this guy. And I mean, that's Pavlatsuco. And was a couture

back in the day? That was unbelievable. I've come to the conclusion last night after the game. As great as McKinnon is, video game like, if I had to pick one guy to lose in a game, I'll lose McKinnon over McCar.

McCar more important. More important. I think given the makeup of their team, that's a totally fair case to be made. I mean, they have lots of forwards up front. And on the back end, Jack Ashian is not Kail McCar. I don't know. I just wanted to say 30 minutes.

30 minutes. Okay. J.M. Liles helped us out. He can play 30 minutes. Forewards don't play 30 minutes. He's all situations as important defensively as he is offensively. I just pace of play, controlling the game. That position.

It's less about picking Macar over McKinnon than me picking the best defenseman against the best forward. Yeah. Yeah, legitimately, it's like that guy's one of the best in the world's at forward, 22 minutes. He's the best in D, 28 minutes. But it's the position that can dictate more of the game. And that was so lacking last night for Colorado. So there's two clips on it. Let's listen to the first one.

Jared Bettner and clip one on the overview of the game, and you'll notice something that he says in there that we can talk about. So clip one. I thought it was good at times and not good enough at others. Like the start of the game, good energy, good pace. I thought we faded away for 20 minutes in there. And not from lack of effort. I think it was, like, I didn't love our puck play tonight,

like our execution coming out of our zone through the neutral zone a little bit even ozone play you know like there was we gave them a handful of odd man rushes that came off our turnovers and missed execution even if we were doing the right thing and yeah like the third period I thought we had a lot of juice and energy in the third period to try and fight our way back into it but you're going to have to play a full 60 better than we did tonight, especially with the puck.

So four of the things he said there, Kail McCarra related. But I do think this point about Oddman Rush's really stood out to me that it became one of those games where Colorado was all hands on deck pushing for that offense, whatever, and then Vegas would be back and get a better chance going the other way, kind of on the counter punch, if you will. So, yeah, that became sort of a theme of the game for them,

just not being able to get it in the net and give heart some credit there and all of a sudden it's going back your way. Let's play the second clip on Keel McCard missing from the game. Clip two from Bednar, Derek. I mean, he's an important player, right? And he plays a lot. And some of the areas that we struggled with tonight, like those are his strengths, right?

So, yeah, I mean, it affects. He's out there a lot with the McKinnon line. There's definitely, you know, a trickle-down effect to that. But he's not playing. So you have to find a way. I think the guys that we had playing tonight, not just the D, but like we're capable more and capable of better. And it just wasn't there for us tonight. And we're going to make sure it is for game two.

So does he play game two? More and better, like, isn't that reassuring. It might have been better for Ab fans to hear we can still win. Yeah. I didn't hear that. Do you think it's a... It's a game. It's a series changer.

It's a wake-up call. Like a big-time wake-up call for Colorado. I don't know if it's a wake-up call or it's just reality that your team's just built too much around him. And I don't expect him to play next game. I could be totally wrong. And if he does, you're getting 50%, 40%, are you getting a guy that disappears three times to go into the dressing room and get retaped or frozen up?

I don't know. But whatever was bothering him, not enough or enough to not play in game one, I would say there's a very high chance that it's still bothering him going into tomorrow night. And this is in every other night series. But I do, you know, I said there. on the show yesterday, you know, when do you think he'll be back? For me, was it depends how the series goes. Now, they did lose game one, but they controlled a lot of that hockey game.

Like, they didn't lack for chances. An opportunity's Carter Hart was very good. I think if you rerun that game, there's a lot of little tips and action around the net that just stays out. I think you can play that same game, get a different result if you're Colorado. So, Kip, you thought maybe after two games kind of revisit McCar. Yeah. You know, I think that's pretty reasonable here to see if you... If like separated shoulder, dislocated shoulder, a tear somewhere,

you can revisit all you want. But I get the sense that maybe even his playoffs might be in jeopardy. Yeah, that's the type of thing that can change. Again, that's just a gut feel for me. Can we just play the Nate McKinnon clip I put in there, Derek, just on him after the game. Clip, Nathan McKinnon, please. Anything to really take from how that game did?

I've just said execution like five times. I think that's what hers. He doesn't want to talk about anything but execution. He thinks they just didn't get her done. He's just straight to the pool. Get the flippers on today. Doggy paddle. Is there anything to everybody just being around

on eggshells around him all the time? Like if that's what he's acting like, all the time. I think it's demanding, but I don't think winners are demanding. I get that. And he has one. So they've won the cup. So I'm not going to say that he's not a winner, obviously.

I just like... You know who we're going to ask that question too? We have Edso. The great... Edsel. Eddie O'Chuck, former National Higeliger, TNT analyst, taken in Carolina and the HABs starting tonight.

And most importantly, the guy who just says, give me a chance! Give me a chance. Edzo. What's going on, boys? How are you, buddy? We're doing good.

Yeah, big game here tonight in Carolina. Watch that game last night, which was really interesting. Obviously, with no kale McCar. So we got ourselves a series out there, and we'll see if Montre... Oh, Frozen Eddie. How's Carolina going to react after this long time off as well? So good to be with you guys. Are Sammy McKee just asked an interesting question

on how tough is it to be around a high intense guy like Nate McKinnon, Leon Drysadles, another guy that I think if you ask Edmonton Oiler fans with some truth serum would say, you know, everything's fine with Leon as long as you get him the puck. What are your thoughts on the intense? of Nate and obviously it's one of my cup in the past but how difficult it is sometimes to to I don't know please these guys as a teammate well oh yeah as a teammate um I mean I think we've all

played with with with guys that are uh the expectation is is so high sometimes it does put you in a spot where you feel like you got to try to uh force it at the most exact time or to get it to him maybe when he's not wanting it or expecting it. And those guys just think and play at a different level where they just feel like sometimes guys should know how to do that and be on that same level. And the majority of the league and the majority of guys that this has happened to, it doesn't. just not the reality of it. So I'm sure teammates that we've all played with, and I just watching and talking to Nathan McKinnon, Kipper,

because you asked me about him specifically, you know, I think you understand how some guys have had a difficult time of playing with him or understanding on, you know, the certain spots on the area of the ice to make sure that your head is on a swivel and to be able to get it to them. But the expectation from those guys, they only see it from one way.

And I don't think that a lot of these guys that do have this reputation that they don't ever change. And sometimes guys do understand. And you just got to, when you play with them, you got to know to be ready and you got to just, you know, you got to be comfortable and let's not make it where you got to know

how important a guy like Gabe Landisog is because it seems like he plays with him a lot. And obviously he missed a lot of time because of all the injuries and everything that he had for that long stretch of three plus years. But I think it certainly helps when you do have a guy like that that goes out there with him and sits next to him

and does have that ability to be able to you know, reel a guy in when needs be. But again, he's one of the best players in the world, and he puts a lot of pressure on himself, and he expects other guys to rise to that level. And just unfortunately, the majority of the league, and like I said, in certain situations, you know, we play with guys where you just, it's never going to be perfect

and it's never going to be right. So you just got to learn to be able to play the hand that's been dealt. Edzo, I know we don't have you for too long, so I want to make sure we get this. this Montreal, Carolina series previewed, and wanted to get your thoughts on one crucial aspect that everyone's kind of talking about, which is this rest versus rust aspect,

two sweeps, two game sevens on the other side. Where do you sit on how that should affect game one and the greater series? Yeah, Borny, I think it is the going in anyways. It is the big question. And I guess I think we'll get a pretty good idea, probably, I mean, I've kind of said five to seven minutes. of the first period of where Carolina is.

So I think it's got a chance to go, I think, in a couple of different directions. One is they come out like gangbusters and then they just ride it off, you know, they ride off maybe not playing as at that high intensity early, but they're able to sustain it and find a way to play a pretty darn good game.

Two is the obvious one where you think they're just going to be out of sync and passes are out of line and out of sync and they're icing the puck a lot and they're just, they're fumbling their way, out of their zone and you know and and you just will attest to that all to the you know the rust versus rest as you as you had mentioned and you know I think that there also is a scenario where they come out like gangbusters and all of a sudden they don't have anything left for a period or two

periods and maybe Montreal is able to take advantage so it'll be really interesting to see how this all plays out but I think we I think we would all agree we would rather be coming off of a nice long break than having come off a back-to-back seven game series. And yeah, I know the Canadians got the, you know, they got the extra day off, which is, I don't think you should underestimate it. It's like last night, going into that game last night, everybody talked or everybody was talking, okay, I'm a carri's out. Okay, it's only one game.

Well, last time I checked, it's one of four games when you don't have the best defense arguably in the world. He doesn't play a game. That's a big advantage for Vegas, and they took advantage of it. It's no different here. seven games, you know, they come off a seven game series, that being the HABs. They took advantage of, you know,

let's see if they can take advantage of the extra day off where they didn't have to play, you know, 48 hours later. So I don't know Borny how this thing goes, but I know the Canadians were not around the ring today, so we didn't get a chance to really see anybody. Today, we're going to get a chance to visit with Marty St. Louis

before the game. But Carolina seemed pretty relieved that it was game day. They were pretty jacked up about, you know, how they had been playing. You know, yeah, a couple of things that they want to tweak. But I believe in this series, and the one area that I'm going to really concentrate on, and I'm sure you guys will get to it. And as the series goes on, is with how aggressive the defense are for Carolina,

and I'm just going to say, I don't want to say north, meaning north of the red line into the offensive zone, but I'm going to maybe more concentrate on the blue line. is they're so aggressive where they want to pinch in, press down, there's all kinds of verbiage, and they want to play in the offensive zone. So the wingers for Montreal, I mean, they got to do a good job in not only tonight's game, but in this series. If they want to have an extended series,

they're going to have to really be good along the walls. But can Montreal be able to bypass that pinching defenseman? Can they get it by with the physicality? Can they chip it by them? Or, and they do have a couple of guys, in my opinion, especially Lane Hudson, and the other one being Noah Dobson, is can you make plays as a D-Man

and make some plays in the middle of the ice? Now, that becomes, it becomes risky, but if you have guys you trust, and they do have some veteran centermen there with, you know, and Suzuki, and, you know, they have guys like that that, you know, know how to patrol on their own zone, that's one way to keep the puck off the wall

and not feed into the, the pressure and the guys pinching down. So to me, I think that's the most important area of the ice in this series for both teams, because that's where Carolina wants to play. So just look at the rink and empty rink and just say the left and right side,

10 feet from the blue line down all the way to the top of the circle or just above that. That's where Montreal is going to want to, or excuse me, that's where Carolina is going to want to pinch and offensively press down. For Montreal, can they win those battles or are they going to try

to make those plays through the middle of the ice and then all of a sudden one errant pass or one play some guys can do it Hudson I know can do it Dobson can do it Matheson at times can do it but he has the ability to maybe not read it so great that to me is the area of ice

I'm going to watch really closely in the series you're watching and listening to Eddie Old Chuck TNT hockey analyst as he gets set for Carolina and the Habs tonight I know we only got here for a couple more minutes here but and I know Dobish has played six more games than Anderson, but how impressive are both of these guys? And who's, who's going

to bend or break first here? Yeah, that's a good question. I mean, we talked about that on our right back, Kipper and Borny, Kenny Albert and Brian Boucher, who I'm working a game with, along with Jackie Redmond, you know, could there be a scenario where all of a sudden, and Freddie has played, said obviously he's been very banged up in a lot of his career, and he always seems to play really well after being well rested. Well, You can't get any more well-rested in this when he consider the guys 8-0, and he's at all this time off. And then for Dobish, I mean, has he come out of nowhere here?

I mean, I guess to a certain extent. But Marty and seeing we did game seven in the Tampa series and talking to Marty St. Louis before the game. Like it was just like they just kind of felt like, yeah, this is the way that we were going to go. And he just took the opportunity. and it's done it. Now, do both guys, if both guys shown that maybe they could go sideways here? Yeah.

Well, you know, Freddie is obviously the veteran of the two, but, you know, Dolbisch has had a couple of, you know, of some tough runs. And, you know, maybe there's been a couple of games in these playoffs where, you know, I thought maybe Marty could have pulled him a little bit earlier in that, was that game six? Yeah, in the second round, all these games become a blur. I'm sorry.

the second game, I'm sorry, game six in Montreal when they, you know, when they got seven or eight on them or whatever, the number ended up being. And then, you know, eventually, you know, he got him out of there. So, but he's been very good. And yeah, do both guys have the chance to, you know, maybe go sideways? And all of a sudden it's five, four, after two. Yeah, yeah, maybe we can. And, you know, maybe we see somebody else at some point in the series. But I think the way that it's gone so far, these are the guys.

And we're expect them both to be ready to go here tonight. Have fun tonight. Edzo, thanks for doing this, pal. All right, Kipper, see you, Borny. Say hi to Sammy. Be well. Thank you for soon. Thanks, your time, pal. That is Eddie Olcuck.

One of the best in the business. So, I'm treading lightly here, okay? I want to go back to the Vegas series, and I want to talk about Mitch Marner. Sammy, don't do this to yourself. No, we got to, I'm being journalistic here, okay? All right. Thought he was fabulous last.

night. Thought until the last 10 minutes of the game, he was the best player on the ice. I really did. I thought the pass the Dora Faya of picking pockets just look like a great martyr game. We've seen them have great games with the Leafs. You know what it looks like. I just, I can't get over how everybody just has to bring up Toronto every single time anything happens. They do it on the broadcast, on social media, on Twitter, on your friends, everyone. It's like, why? It's just because we're so big and they know that it pisses us off. Like, it's just they can't help but bring up the Leafs every time he does something good.

I know, but it's crazy. If you get just past this Toronto thing. Yes. It's very seldom teams let great players in their prime just walk out the door and forget. And forget. That's a fair point. Forget. I get that.

Just forget that. just forget that they managed to get a late first round pick, okay? Or that they've got the first pick overall because he get, forget all that. Yeah. It just doesn't happen. Yeah. It's just, it was just a bad, one of the most mismanaged asset situations that we've recently seen in NHL history.

Can I, okay, that's fair. Okay. But let's just say, for example, uh, the team. team that he was playing for before, I don't know. Well, we just saw this, Kachukh and Calgary. Cichuk will left and. Yeah, like, he was, like, was everybody just like, how did Calgary let him go? Or how did this?

Like, it's just, I can't believe how much everybody makes it about Toronto. Because there's more people around this story, Sam. That's all. And it's a worse decision, right? Like, at least Calgary tried to recoup assets. And I just, for Cuch. Like, all the same people. that were dunking on Mitch Marner while he was here being like,

this guy can't get it done, this guy does this, this guy does that, you know, Toronto, ha, ha, ha. Now they're like, well, what the hell was Toronto doing? They're talking to both sides of their mouth. All the same people that are going on and doing this is just, it's infuriated. They're just, they lack knowledge of just all of the things around it too. Yeah, I mean, they weren't in the day to day of it. I get that. There was no Brett Howden for Mitch Marner,

back then to score big goals. There was no unsung heroes to step up. Mitch made a lot of good plays in the playoffs. Totally. I get it. And a lot of plays didn't get finished. For sure. But a lot of plays, he didn't finish either.

So it goes both ways. It was a group effort. We'll say that. I'm not going to yell. We're not going to yell. No, we're not going to yell. You're asking why the story is so big. I'm just blown away by how much it's about Toronto.

The guy can't even have his time without everybody bringing up Toronto. I didn't even go through his thing. Like even towards, oh, it's Toronto. Oh, it's Toronto. Like, just enjoy it. Enjoy it. But, okay, go ahead, Justin. I don't want to take you out of this.

Sports fandom isn't a master's level course. Some people just want to dip their toe in and have fun. And that's, it's a fun topic. It's like how ridiculous that a team let someone this good go is kind of a funny thing to make a joke about and then go back to work. Sure. Okay. That's fair.

I just, here's the last one. I guess it's just nice to be. I've mentioned this many times that there is still a jealousy above all when a large portion of the league looks at the Toronto Maple Leafs and go, you guys have done squat for 60 years. And yet you guys control all of, you know, the majority of the major media push comes out of Toronto. You think you're the center of the universe.

You make all this money, right? People still go, you still stink, and yet people go and spend two, three, four hundred dollars on a ticket. And there's just the jealousy factor. So when there's a chance to get a shot in on Toronto, they take advantage of it because they know it gets to a guy like you. Oh, it gets to me. Oh, I know. Oh, my. They're all, they're in my.

They ain't. They're in my kitchen slam of my cupboards, boys. Like, they are. They're in there. But they're getting gross. beef sandwiches out of your kitchen. They're in my fridge. They're going in there. They're taking a beer out of there. They're putting their feet up.

Yeah. It's infuriating. And it's not going to go away anytime soon. I got to tell you. I watched that game last night and I think I saw maybe Steve Danglson a tweet about this. And I'm going to just reiterate it. Your nightmare. Toronto, if you're listening for this, if you're a Toronto fan, okay?

you have two to three weeks to prepare yourself for this. For the cons might. But they're going to win the cop and he's going to win the cons smith. Just buckle in. Just this is my nightmare. Enjoy your next three weeks. The weather's supposed to be getting nicer, watch some baseball, enjoy some rounds of golf.

But I'm telling you, it's common. It's common. He looked awesome. He was unbelievable in that game. McKinnon took over. He was the best player for the last half of the third period. But up until then, anyways, Do you want to hear torts on him?

Yeah. It was on his line. Torts clip one, please. You know, when Bill came back, we tried it. And, yeah, I don't know. Coaches just tried different things. And if something sticks, it's usually two guys that usually can play well with one another. That one kind of had some glue to it right away.

It's an important line for me because I can use them not just an offensive situations, but on both circles in our end, it's a very important line, especially with Stoney being out. Forget who we had on. Was it you who said the Carlson's straw that stirs the drink for Vegas? He's been so good,

and he's been good at the moment they picked him up in the expansion draft. Who'd they get him from? Columbus. Columbus, yep. Columbus. He scored 40 for their first year, right? So he, and that Howden,

it's a fantastic trade by the Knights. They got him for a, for Nils, Dezamone, Desimone. D. Simone. Dismone. And a round four pick. Noah Leba. He scored 23 goals this year.

No. Kills penalties. How many goals? He scored 12 goals. Oh, last year, last full season, he scored 23. This year he scored 12 and 58, but he has 9 goals. But he's had a 23 goal season. The guy makes 2.5 million for four more years, if I'm not mistaken.

Oh, my God. Two and a half million dollars. He's going full Fernando Pasanti. Like this guy, if this guy was in a situation like Bobby McMahon, he'd be looking at $4 million. Oh, okay, four? No. Oh, yeah, I said a much higher number.

I don't know, five. Well, McMahon's going to get five. Yeah. What if Alex Tuck's going to get 10, like, I mean, he might be heading up into the sixes. Yeah. I don't know. But that's what a guy like Mitch Marner has now, a few of these guys that can step up.

And he's getting goal tending, too. Well, and they're not playing it. They're not playing them with the others. Like, it's just they're mixing it up. Anyway, it's just tough time for Leaf Fan. Now, would that have been an option here? No, not allowed. When you signed your contract as the coach of the Toronto Police,

Marner and Matthews must play together. Willie and Tavares must play together. No, even look at anything else. If you consider putting them on four separate lines, you're fired. Fairly. Ah, God. I hate hockey. All right.

I'm going to help you prepare for this. consmithe. Don't worry. We're going to build it. We're going to build together. Thank you, Kipper. I need to help, brother. It's game time.

Presented by Bet365, an official partner of the NHL, must be 19 plus, Ontario only. Please play responsibly. What do we got going on tonight? The Montreal Canadians are in Carolina

for game one of the Eastern Conference finals. I got to tell you, I love this number for the Canadians. Okay. Plus 165 tonight for that. Wow. minus 200 for the Carolina Hurricanes.

We all know about that stat that we've been saying every single day about the sweeps and the game seven, blah, blah, blah. If you've listened to this, you know. I just think plus 165 is a wonderful number. For the, for the Montreal Canadians. Listen, they could lose, obviously. But like that value for a team coming in hot.

The other side of it, Marty, we can play some clips in the second half. Marty talked about that sort of emotional letdown. So there's that side of it as well. But the HABs there at minus, I'm sorry, at plus 165 is a very nice number. Looking over at the major leagues of baseball, the Toronto Blue Jays finish up a four-game set at Yankee Stadium, grinded one out last night, had trustry. Yeah.

Didn't even turn it on. I was watching hockey, watching basketball. No, I just didn't need it a night off. They are underdog today at Yankee Stadium, plus 125. It's a bullpen day. Have they never had a good bullpen day at a Yankee Stadium? I remember one. Braden Fisher starts for the Blue Jays.

Carlos Rodon for the Yankees, minus 150. the money line for the New York Yankees. And that was game time presented by Bet365. An official partner of the NHL must be 19 plus Ontario only. Please play responsibly. And a reminder, this hour of Real Kipper and Born is brought to you by Bet365. Okay, let's take a quick break. And we want to return more sound out of Carolina.

Also some Sidney Crosby talk about his future. Can we do some world championship talk? You got some for us? I think it's a good conversation. I do. And there's the Hamilton H.L team has a name. Oh, all right. You heard the man.

That more when we return to Real Kipper and Bourne. Hey, it's Matt Markeesie. And I'm Mike Futa. We're discussing the top stories of the day across the NHL and the hockey world. Weekdays at noon. It's the fan hockey show on Sportsnet 590, The Fan, and wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome back in studio, Nick Kippreos, Justin Bourne, and our very own, Sammy Meeky.

Time now for the Accura Performance Matchup, the 2026 Accura MDX precisely premium. So looking at tonight, Montreal, Canadians in Carolina, uh, take on the canes. Game starts at 8 o'clock, pre-game 730 on Sportsnet and CBC. I'm genuinely excited.

Uh, I just really hope that Seth Jarvis's buddies get on the broadcast, haven't seen enough of them recently. So really hope. on that. Hoping, Kyle, if you're listening, let's get Seth Jarvis's buddies in there. Let's make it about them.

I love you guys. Don't listen to them. Well, we've had our fill of Elliot with saber tooth. Seriously. You're done. And that was burying our friends on sports. Not burying them.

Taylor Hall, Logan, Stancoven, and Jackson Blake have been the driving force offensively for Carolina, combining for 31 points during the 8-0 run for the Carolina Hurricane. 31 points. Meanwhile, Aho or Aho Jarvis and Stang, who else is on that line with those guys? Svescnikov.

Yeah. They have like four or five even strength points total. So that's insane. The Canes have allowed two goals or fewer in all eight games. Freddie Anderson, 950 say percentage and a one. 1-1-2 goals against average. Is that good?

Is that good? Stud. Two clubs have met twice in the postseason since the Cain's relocated to Raleigh. Carolina won both of those best of seven series in 2002 and 2006 on route to the Stanley Cup final in each prospective playoff run, ultimately winning the cup in 2002. I did look into that while I was talking and that line has four five-on-five points.

So they need their, Carolina needs their top line to get in gear. Well, Matt, of your second line. line has 31 points in a game. Yeah, not of Taylor Hall is a Kahn Smyke. Favorite. Yeah, I just I don't know. This is a foot soldier playoffs, man. It's going to be the Howdens.

It's going to be the Taylor Hulls. And I know he's a former MVP, but new hooks. New hooks. It's all like secondary guys, who steps up, who becomes the new hero. Sam will love to hear me say this. It's the anti-leafs playoff runs of your

It's great stuff. That's just compelling and rich. Really thrilling. That was the Accura Performance Matchup. The 2026 Accura MDX, precisely premium. Okay. Two most familiar, famous faces aren't on the ice tonight. They're behind the bench.

Rod Brinner Moore and Marty St. Louis. Yeah. Hall of Famers, Stanley Cup champions. Want to know something funny? It's the new. This is. the ultimate new coach right now. But this is the funniest thing.

They are the third and fourth longest tenured coaches in the NHL. Marty St. Louis is the fourth longest. Is that true? It's Cooper. Then it's Bednar. Then it's Brindamore. It's Marty St. Louis who was hired in 2022. They're just putting the rest of them through the meat grinder.

Hey, see ya. So three of the four most long tenured coaches are in the conference finals? And Cooper's in the playoffs too. Yeah. Interesting. You find a good one, you should hang on. Brindamore's won a playoff round

every year's coached. Every single year, won a playoff round. Yeah. But you know, it's made a lot of money. But if I'm not mistaken, I know they've gone to the conference final.

Three out of four, I think. But they haven't won a game there yet. I think they got swept both times. Florida sweep them both times. He didn't get one. Isn't it three out of four? What's that? Conference finals for Carolina?

I don't know. I thought they've only been to two. All these years blend together of them just getting beat by like a drum by the it's a different matchup this time they're not winning zero games this series no I agree I mean seems unlikely uh

did you want to hear from Marty I do want to hear from Marty what were the clips I put in Rusty versus rest yeah let's let's play clip one please Derek Marty hey coach obviously you guys have played a large volume of games recently is there a way or maybe you've gotten experience as a player that you can kind of get a jump on a team that's coming in

off a big break take advantage of maybe what people might be calling potential rest? I mean, I'd like to believe that, you know, but I'm pretty sure Rod has his team pretty dialed into, right? I know they got time off, but I know it's a hardworking team. I'm sure they put the time and they've tried to replicate the energy, the physicality, whatever it is, the intensity of a game. I'd be very shocked that they show rust.

there you go all right then well this is going to be fascinating because this whole hardworking carolina team the idea in past years has been that they've just been worn down that they just outwork teams and they find their way through and then they kind of don't have gas in the tank when they get up against florida no excuse this year they're also a team that just they'll throw anything to the net yeah they do they it's it's all volume they give the goal tend of the chance to get Hot. Valley on our show has said that Carolina Hurricanes can make your goal it look like a star. Which

I think kind of plays into Dobish a little bit here because he he looks like he's now a guy that doesn't get overwhelmed right? He likes the workload.

He can handle the workload. He says he can play 40 of these. He's got the mental time to prove it. That's a big thing to put out there. Coming off seven games and you're going up against a team that shoots 100 pucks a night, you better be able to play for you. That's a great point. I think he's passed a couple of tests already.

And of course, he's just halfway through to a Stanley Cup. The first half of the marathon is easiest to run. I think he's passed a few tests already for me that he can bounce back. He's a little resilient, right? Yeah, yeah. And like a golfer, these goalies have to have short memories. And I think he's positioned now. He could have that type of game that, to Valley's point, can start making Carolina thinking...

What do we have to do? About overpassing, because that's the tendency, right? When you run into a goalie that just you can't beat. Yeah, and I don't want my comments there to sound like skepticism about Dobish the goalie, who I think is awesome. I think he's going to be great. I just think he said very confidently he can do that many of them. And I think it is going to get harder against a team that shoots a lot and just goes to the net. And it's going to be a heavy workload for him.

And, you know, towards the end of that series, Doebush had question marks. Great in game seven, obviously. But it will see, right? It's going to be a goaltender duel. I'm really interested in Freddie. Yeah, I am too. Because he's rested. No excuse, healthy.

And, you know, coming off the long break, I wouldn't say that, I mean, I guess everyone said that that, sweep of with the senators that feels like six years ago was kind of close and they had some chances or whatever but it wasn't like they got really tested in the second round by the flyers I mean they have got some shooters like they're they're going to be they're going to be it's going to be a different series for freddie totally and do you think there's a chance that we see bussy in the series if you had to predict now game if i'm going to say over half a game played for random bussey in this game what will you take yeah i'll take over Montreal, like that's

Slavkovsky is yet to have his day. Well, I know game one playoff. Kipper? Think he plays or no? Just might be one of those years where it kind of goes okay for Freddie. Okay. I'm not saying he's going to win this series, but I think he could,

I get a feeling that they won't go away from. I don't know. He could be totally wrong on this, but I don't see him faltering like typically he has in the past. I think there's a hump there that he may have gotten over. Everyone sees the way Carolina plays as this like sort of a referendum on analytics and this style or whatever.

But I actually think how Freddie plays and Bussie plays in the series will be a bit of a referendum on their decision making too because they have for years basically said we think that if you just have, there's no telling which goalie can get hot at any given time. We're not going to spend through the nose to have a superstar our goalie in here. Yeah.

They roll the dice. They're keepers. I think just one more point for Anderson. I think there's a real comfort level with Slaven. Keandre Miller was horrific with the New York Rangers. He's really settled in nicely on this roster. Chatfield. Walker was signed over as a free agent.

Chatfield's your boy. You've been talking about Chatfield. Really a big Chatfield fan. And I just think that they're in sync right now. Maybe 11 days will prove me wrong. I got a DM from a egg on Twitter. So this is dangerous from Rob and Strasroy says that Carolina is 1 in 16 and 17 Eastern Conference final games.

So I don't know. I guess that's under Rod. They've had a tough time that Eastern Conference. So if that's wrong, blame Robin Strathroy, but that feels right. That's right. That's how thoroughly we vet the data we spout. Yes. Twitter egg?

You're good. Mid-show DM from that egg. This is going on the air. Yeah, I think it's right, though. That's why I said it. Sid Crosby, Sammy. Yeah. So he did a sit-down with Josh Yo?

Yo? Is that right? Yep. Says he has no plans on hanging up soon. Well, next year will not be his final one, not at all. Peers be considering playing another five years? That seems crazy. I mean, I like it, but he said, so doing year-to-year contracts, right? And I'm saying to Sam before the show, like it's just so crazy how much money he's left on the table.

If he were money hungry or had an agent who really pushed him, he's 38. He'd be like, give me a four-year deal. Give me the Tanev. Give me the Marchand. Give me the one that takes, you know, I'll sail off into the sunset. But he's like, I don't know if it's not working for you. It's not working for me. I don't want it to happen at all.

Let's just decide every year. What a healthy way to exist. Pretty admirable. I'm a huge fan, so whatever he decides, it's good by me. Yeah. Because he's Sid. He'll probably play for 8.7 every year until. Stay in pit.

Go somewhere else. Have another experience. Do whatever you want to do. You're Sid. I'm pointing out the jersey. There's a lot of guys I don't like. There's a lot of guys where I'm like, just hang it up already. But he's not.

He's different. He's different. I'm really at the point where I just don't think I could see him in any other jersey. I don't think. One year in the blue-blancel Rouge for his dad? You know, one year for the islanders, the Leafs, I don't want to see it. I wouldn't mind the least. You do the Leafs.

I'd take him in Montreal. Me too. I hate to admit. I think it would be so good for hockey. Agree. One year. Montreal does feel right. Yeah, Montreal would feel right to me.

Can you imagine him coming out where I can't actually know. I can't imagine it. You're right. I just like tried to picture in my mind. Only because you can see in Team Canada colors and reds been on them before. Yeah, that's fair. That's fair.

Go ahead. The World Championships were something that came up pre-show a little bit as well. Okay, can we just go back to Sid one more time? Yeah, please. Okay. Do the whole show? The whole captaincy thing. I told you.

He would not take it. It was his call. And he said, absolutely not. Yeah, because they already stupidly gave it to the kid. Maybe. maybe so but Sid's that cool I know that he is

and I know that he would always do the right thing and I know that the team wasn't going to vote to take it off the kid and who's the who's the coach over there it's the guy that's like a pretty highly touted guy forget the guy's name but he's kind of up and comer Miska Donzkov I don't know if I'm saying that right

it's correct it's in that realm yeah and in the dressing room Sid goes up and is like congratulations on like we know who the captain is it's Sid he just doesn't happen to have the sea on his jersey. Yeah. He's going and talking about this again.

Anyways. World Championship. But yes, the World Championships, other stuff. Last night or yesterday or day, whatever the hours are today. Canada wins 6'5 in overtime. And the goal is a sick Evan Bouchard backdoor

pass to Mark Schifley. Tick, tacto. Could have used that one. You know, any thoughts of like looking back at our Olympic choices and being like, God, another game breaker, another player. I do believe on record just maybe a week or two before totally changed my mind on Evan Bushyard.

He should have been there. I said it three months prior to the Olympics and Chris Pronger buried me on Twitter for it. I forgot about that. I had every defenseman knower in the league telling me. I just, my take always has been like. They were plenty good enough to win. They filled them in. They pumped them.

But, like, maybe they would have shot three in in regulation if they had to have Bouchard and Shifley and others. Like, it's just... I think if you could go back, if you could time machine it, you'd have Matthew Schaefer and Bouchard. Instead of... Take your pick. Yeah.

Boys, they lost in a three-on-three competition skill, goofy little shinny game. And listen. Okay, they lost the gold medal. in a three-on-three. Like I said. Not real hockey. What a shame.

You both have seen the ratings. We did our part. We grew the game. We had to let them have that one. I'm glad you reminded me of that. For some reason, I talked to myself into OTP in 5-on-5, but that was the Four Nation. Three-on-three has been a part of our life for 15.

What lives? Our regular season lives? Yes. It's not like it's torn. But not in the real stuff, Sammy. We lost. We lost because we had to grow the game in America. It wasn't real.

Yes, it was. It was real and it sucked. It's not real. It's real. It's real. It's real. It's real. It's real.

It's, might as well be on your knees and a holiday inn. Yeah. We might as well be between two ferns for nets. That's how I see three on three hockey. Put down a couple of boots and shoot it through the net. Yeah. So I'm glad we got a little bit of time to talk about.

Bornies Islanders, their H. It's affiliate is now in Hamilton. and the name unveiled today in Hamilton, the hammers. Give them what they want. Oh, give the people what they want. How's your hammer? We're going blue. I can't even follow up with on that appropriately.

I was surprised. I was surprised with the blowback to this. There's blowback? People hated it. Get them with a hammer. It's the hammers. Go ham. You live.

And hammer. What do you say? Go hams go? Let's go hammers. It's great name. Great colors. You know, not much of an AI guy, but don't mind some of the generated fisherman hammer-style logos. They give away real hammers and a giveaway.

Here come the hammers. Just carry it around on the ice. I don't want to cheer against a hammer fan. Get a hammer over the head. I think it's a odd. It's so much. Yes. With that handle.

Yes. That's a unique. I love it. Hammers. Populist choice. Go hammers. Lilligran. Two years, 6.5 million.

Lily pad. Good for him. Good for him. Yeah. Great contract in only two years. I thought he was like a healthy scratch for the worst team in the league for a few. A little bit there. Give me a score tonight, boys.

Does Montreal take a little advantage here of the rust? I still think Carolina. Is Carolina, give me a nice safe choice, low scoring, 2-1. I think it's a Carolina beat down tonight and then halves win game two. Okay. So I'll say four or five-one Carolina. I got to take four to Montreal then. I think if Montreal wins a game in Carolina, it's tonight.

Okay. All right. But I don't think, I don't know. I have Carolina in five. The clip we didn't play from Marty. He was like, it'll be hard to get the energy going. like kind of changing series and getting it back up to that level.

So we'll see. All righty. Our thanks to Eddie Old Chuck. It's the Eastern Conference final game one set tonight in Carolina, the Montreal Canadians. 8 p.m. Eastern, 7.30 pregame. Perfect.

Go hammers. On Sportsnet. If you got a chance, give us a rating and review. We'd love to hear from you and a thumbs up on YouTube. We always appreciate the support. Have a great night, everybody,

and we're back here. Tomorrow. Correct.