Real Kyper & Bourne - Trusting the Habs' Process with PJ Stock

Episode Date: March 13, 2025

Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne are joined by PJ Stock (8:10) – former NHLer to share his thoughts on the trade deadline, the importance of playing meaningful games for the young players on the Montreal Canadiens, Lane Hutson's potential, whether Juraj Slafkovský can become a true power forward, and the mental fortitude of being an NHL player. Then, Nick, Justin and Sam McKee discuss Dougie Hamilton's injury, Alex Ovechkin potentially breaking the goal record on an empty netter, and Western Conference contenders.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.

Welcome back into the real Kipper and born show. We are live on sports at six 50 in Vancouver and sports at nine 60 in Calgary. This hour of real Kipper and born brought to you by Bet365. And Kipper is Justin Born's Sammy McKee. In a few minutes we'll welcome in PJ Stock. Been a while, but every time we call him he's like, I'm conditioning my hair, sorting out my sock drawer.

Busy. Yeah, he's busy. I'll predict what he'll say though. He'll be like, why haven't you called me in so long? I don't know. What's going to happen? Before we get to him, great job on the telecast last night. We certainly talked about how big of a game it was between the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary

Flames. It ended up being a 4-3 win in Vancouver, which is absolutely huge for them. Sorry, I thought you were kind of finishing off. They went to play hockey last night with a few of the boys out of Tobacco Canlan after the rank. We were watching the game, having a beer or two, some nachos after. I gotta tell you, the CGI got the boys talking.

Oh yeah. Would you guys sit in the bleachers there before the pregame? With the Lego boots? Oh yeah, it really had everybody talking. Yeah, you guys don't like each other. Like you're like you can't sit together in the crowd feet all apart. You know, it is, though, when you do that green screen stuff,

like the spacing is weird. Like I'm often like when we do our stand ups, I'm like shoulder to shoulder with the. Yeah. But on screen, it looks normal. You know what? It's weird. They don't check on you. Like maybe I don't want to be in a shot like that. Like you don't even know. Like they could put you anywhere doing anything and you don't know about it. Yeah, is that right? Yeah, listen, I'm not the CGI guy

So but I got the tour of over there a little while ago and I was blown away by all the stuff they can it's incredible Technology, it looked really cool. So anyway, they can put you in the middle of a pasture with cows. Yeah, they could do whatever they want, buddy the checks keep clearing, man. I don't know. Suspension last night, hit to the head, right? Connor, Zary, or Zary. And I'm scared because we didn't get it right. We had an off air fight about how to pronounce it.

Zary. Connor Zary. Connor Zary feels way more natural. It sounds American to me. Connor Zary. Connor Zary, you It's like go up Regardless anyway suspended for two games. Yeah, I watched last night you were like Does anybody did anybody see that? Yeah, it was greasy and everybody's like nah

I'm fine with it. It's nothing. It's a nothing burger It's like some of these times you can be like, well at the last second this happened. It was unintentional. It was whatever. It's like no, he like greased a dude with his elbow in the back of the head like clearly on purpose. Bad hit. So yeah, you get games for that. A bad point lost for Calgary and now you lose this guy for a couple of games window Little open cracked. Yeah, the most disappointing part from a flames perspective is they Controlled a lot of the game Kajri Hubert or Coronado were very good

It you know It felt like it was their night and then it was like they went in intermission up three two and they're like just hang on Mm-hmm. It was like one one thing you know about these sort of games you gotta keep playing. Like you can't back into playoffs. You need to keep playing. And Vancouver shot them 16-3 in the third period or at least down the stretch. And you know with all the talent they have in Vancouver, someone's gonna shoot one in at some point you play like that. Two big takeaways from that game. Number one, Quinn Hughes helps. What a freak.

Quite good. Helpful. Very reassuring seeing him, first of all, out there, but then half the game, right? Like 30 minutes. And did you find at times he was protecting himself a little bit or free and clear for you, just say whatever he was dealing with, hopefully is well past him. It was funny because he, the bursts are there where he can do all the stuff that makes him Quinn Hughes.

I had tons of great touches and made tons of great plays. You're like, okay, he's still Quinn Hughes. He's still controlling the play, but there's definitely moments where, okay, it's a little labored a little protecting and like Lombard took a penalty on him and it's a little cross check That's kind of at the oblique at the side and that you know bothered him a little bit But again Lombard took the shot at Hughes Zari took the shot at Pettersson Lombard took a shot at Ronek. He pushed someone into the goalie like Calgary took it to Vancouver physically in Vancouver.

Yes, they ended up with the win. It did feel like they were kind of like, I don't, we can't do anything about that unless Joshua does something. We're just going to kind of go, but I didn't change your mind too much on Calgary being a team that should finish ahead at Vancouver at this point. I do think so like I they play structured they play hard their The vibes are good Vancouver still the D zone is really a mess to me You know, they just they're the Quinn Hughes team this year. He is going to drag them into playoffs

Connor Garland to is yeah good player he like that When he scored there on the shootout and the celly he did and he's looking into the crowd He's the type of guy you want to jump off the bench and cross check in the face. He is a Hatable guy. That's good. But if you're great, it's great about your team not caring not trying not he is all I think the emotion that we saw even with PD's goal, right where it's like We know where we've been the last little while and it's been really ugly You know can they use that as a transition as a jumping off point of like come back against a direct opponent We get the two points on the road three games in four nights like you can see the Canucks saying hey

We we still have a shot here. We can do this against the world That's the mentality that I think Vancouver needs now moving forward. I would say it's crazy. Brock Besser didn't know he played last night, like actively looking for him. Pederson pulls it together late, but pretty quiet otherwise. Yeah, it's just a weird year for the Canucks. But yes, it's not too late to find. I wonder, like the emotional roller coaster,

maybe Brock might have been on in the last week and a half, two weeks, and if it's affected him. And I know people are sitting there going, hey, play. And you're making a lot of money. And put the puck in the net like you're supposed to. And I get all that. But there's still that human element of a guy that maybe is going, how am I still here?

Yeah. He didn't think he'd still be there. You know, I'm telling you, it's a still over my career watching guys and the way they act around trade deadline. Scott Lawton puts out a picture, right? Of the last supper, like guys, it's all guys talked about the last two weeks. Yeah, I Mean it is that human element is very real and that's why often at home when you'd like to see a team improve 5% just get a little bit better Sometimes I think teams are like is it worth upsetting the you know, the the dressing room to get a few percent better and

two things again here I to get a few percent better. And two things again here. I got a fine for not only leaving the Leafs jersey out for the national hour, but also talking about the Leafs because the Leafs PR has said that Chris Tanav has been activated off the IR. He's in. He's probably playing tonight. Alright. There you go.

I think we're trending towards PJ too. So we're going to get Peej, the Montreal Canadiens down to nothing with a triumphant comeback, only to end up losing it in heartbreaking fashion but they are now one point out of a playoff spot with 17 games to go looks really good being just one point out if I'm not mistaken they're staring at 17 games left to go they're really they're really in a spot where they thought that they wanted to be. Right? Yeah. So it's all good. Let's find out. Let's find out how good with PJ stock former NHL are including your Montreal Canadians. Buddy, where you been? Where have you been?

Obviously, you guys are a little bit struggling right now. Obviously, no more trades to talk about now and only talk about hockey. So your ratings dipped a little. And you guys went into your bag of tricks, and you're like, OK, what do we do? They put Ryan Reeves on waivers and you guys are done about, about that. What else? Huge story. Yeah. Well we talked about that while ago and you guys were

all against me about that. And then what could we do? So I waited, I knew the tech team, then I knew what was going to come. And in the meantime, how about the haves being that close right now? Well, success, right? It's, you know, in or out of the players won't matter. It's a success. So actually I don't actually have it in front of me right now. Cause I got a, I call my hair for you guys. So I don't, I didn't, I was upstairs putting some VO five in my hair and I missed, I didn't actually look at the It's a good angle. You're looking good looking good. It's feathery today, right? Yeah, what's the difference between the Habs? Sorry in the leaves right now and that's alright. I looked at it before I

There are not many points are out of everything. I'm only look at the bottom I haven't been looking about the top of like how high they how far they are from the top. 12 points. And it's 12. Thank you. When you think of these two teams and we just do it because obviously I know you guys are in Tio and I'm like kicking you guys in the shin every now and then and you think who they have and then think of the the the picks that they just want, you know They just want to rant and then I like what they do at the deadline, but wishing that a little bit more The names they have and you think of the Montreal Canadians That's almost one win per month

separating these two teams so the Canadians as much as they've been in our heads and in mind, a basement dweller, and this is what they are, and they're part of the process, and it's, you know, they're gonna be bad again this year. They're one month, sorry, one win a month away from being the Toronto Maple Leafs. So they deserve

a ton of respect I think for where they are For what plate people they have in place And where they are on the trajectory of this, I don't want to call it rebuilding retooling whatever term we use now so in Montreal now, people are super excited and they've been playing some great hockey and coming out of the break, they're one of the hottest teams in the league.

They don't have a Matthews, don't have a Marner, don't have a Nylander, don't have a Tavares, Suzuki can be a Tavares, but it's fun hockey Montreal right now. So thanks guys for struggling and needing to get your ratings back up, but I'm here for you. Well, it's been really nice. Go ahead, Kip.

I was just gonna say, so they are streaky though. They can go and win three or four, five in a row. And now, you know, your one win a month story is looking at three out of four losses, albeit a couple in overtime. But so how critical are Florida, Ottawa, and the Islanders coming up here? Is this still make or break time here? Well, first off, I love the best you guys have both won. I don't want it to look like you're going with today, it's it actually it's a shock. I haven't talked about it

Yeah, you guys are a couple of canoers Mines a one piece. This is not actually I know they're both one piece. They do I know his isn't Yeah, you look good. You always look good. You know that but yeah, you guys cute the way you guys are dressing. It's You always look good, you know that but yeah, you guys cute the way you guys are dressing. It's really Catalog right now. I got my Sam Roberts. Yes, you do and it's Sammy's of the best so Sorry, I just very well the schedule the schedule So the schedule problem the worst thing the Montreal Canaan's right now is around this west coast swing and they're playing all these west coast teams. So like last night they lose to Seattle, whatever the score was, 5-4 at the end of the game I

think. It's a three point game, but it doesn't matter because they lost, it's a west coast team. They have to have those three point games, they have to be involved in games in the east. So it really sucks because Columbus is playing you know, Columbus is playing tonight. Ottawa's playing tonight and they're playing teams in their conference where, you know, they can get three point games and a two, one, or both teams can get points and gradually move up the standings together. And that's where it kind of, it's,

it's a little harder on the Canadians right now playing out West. Um, again, the, harder on the Canadians right now playing out west. Again, I love what Kent Hughes didn't do at the trade deadline. I actually thought he'd sell all of his pieces because of, sorry guys, the sun's coming in off my beautiful Quebec right now. We have some sun coming through my blinds here. So, you know, what he didn't do,

because on their plan or their trajectory of where they're going They have to start playing some games that are meaningful and as both you guys know how important this is the development of young players They I know they made that cup run in you know and a craziness of times and there's no people in step in the Stands and I count those games games but I kind of don't. This is important for a lot of the development for a lot of these young guys. So I don't know the games coming up, how much they mean standing wise, whether they make

the playoffs, but the process that they're going through right now is the most important thing because they're not going anywhere this year we all agree Leafs are better, Sporos better, Tampa better, Carolina better, everyone's better but all these games that have meaning for them is really important them losing last night and being upset about it is great and that's what's cool about following the Canadiens right now because it's part of this process which is important I think next year's the year where they have to be in the hunt. And in the process of turning this whole ship around to being a Stanley Cup contender, you want the young guys and games that matter.

These games matter. So Lane Hudson. Lane Hudson, Lane Hudson is getting real opportunity. Is he the Calder kick trophy favorite? Is he the next Quinn Hughes before you go to the man? Could he have stepped in front of Brandon Montour? Just the three on three goal that became the fastest one in history, right? But both teams are dumb. Like both teams are dumb. Both teams couldn't done the exact same thing. I I don't understand why you have

Suzuki up You're both up against his Chandler Stevens in the pushed it up towards my torch it It was a football Montor right and and Hudson's on him I'll come back to the rookie races in a second, but and Hudson's on him. I'll come back to the rookie race in a second, but why are you three guys up against three guys? Like that is, have one guy just back a couple of feet, just in case your crazy plan doesn't work.

It's so important for the Canadians, as we talk about getting to these games, to not lose points. You wanna get them, but you don't want to lose it. And last night, that ridiculousness and overtime, they lost an important point. They could have lost that base off and still regain the puck or delayed the process and trying wanted in the second or third or fourth, whatever. I don't know who to blame on

that play I watched this Hudson's guy I know I watched him I watched it four times I would have gone to my death arguing that monitor jumped it and it should have been blown down outside I agree he jumped it I agree jumped it but but kipper you and I if you're not what do you think I'm doing? I'm pushing it You're telling your way to jump. I'm pushing it forward. I'm tying up my guy. You're tying up your guy I'm pushing it to you worst-case scenario. We're swiveling this way, right? We're coming back. So At the end of the day, it's a huge loss point. I'm chopping them like a Cherry tree before he blows by me like that

Like but so back to Hudson big picture He's not Queen Hughes until he gets a partner and James Trubel For a lot of people that don't know I'm Jayden Shribble's kid coming out of college University Stepped in last year had some great moments, having another good year. But he's a kind of a depth guy and he's been asked to play with Lion Hudson and he's been amazing. Like, you know why?

Because we don't talk about him. He doesn't make the mistake. Every year he wins almost every physical test that the Montreal Canadiens have. He's a hard worker, just a great kid, but nothing flashy about him. And he's been asked, he sat out like the first half of the season, and they throw him in to play with this guy who's a gunslinger, like a Queen U. The Hudson's all over the ice. And he was able to do that at Boston University because he had the best center in the world,

the best center in the world, as his best goalie, the best, he was so surrounded by so many great players that you're able to cheat a lot more because you can already make up for the mistakes that you might make with your cheating. I think he's learning all that during this process. I still think what he can do offensively, he can push that,

and I think he's just gonna learn so much more defensively and to Jaden and I'm not saying it's gonna be Jaden, but Once he gets a partner that can learn to play with him I think he's gonna take that next step went to jump when not to jump went to cheat went to Physically, he's not a big guy. So I had a guy in a corner and he knows so much of that already. But as you guys both know, the more reps you have, the more experience you get, and you're just going to be that much better. But, you know, when it comes to the rookie of the year, you know, celebrating

has been amazing as an 18 year old, when he's joined in San Jose with really nothing around him. Um, I think you have to give it to Wolf if they sneak into the playoffs. And that's kind of my thought, but I know a lot of our words in our league are really, you know, if you don't get into the playoffs, it doesn't really matter. But I, I get to watch Hudson on a, on a every night and he is a guy that is I didn't think he'd start off with this team and he is Suzuki's having an amazing year and a lot of people will say Suzuki's the MVP a lot of people, you know, he wins the

three-star Wilson Cup every month pretty much but No, you got Caulfield on his wing and some cost he's really hot lately No, he got Caulfield on his wing and Sapkowski is really hot lately. But Hudson has changed the confidence of this team. And I think that is something that it's hard that people don't look and understand it. Don't watch them enough. This team has a swagger. And when he's on the ice, everyone's excited. I know Hughes last night played almost 330 of overtime because he can do things that other people can't do. Maybe Hudson will get to that, would be not be able to stay out that long, but Hudson right now what he

can do with the limited time being in the league has been uber impressive. You mentioned Slavkovsky who's got seven points I think in his last five games a really good Stretch of production here that always hasn't been the case We saw a power type of goal against Seattle for him if this guy ends up with 20 goals and 45 50 points is that enough to convince everybody's he's still on his trajectory to be a true power forward It doesn't because everyone expects more because we're in Montreal here in Toronto and you know how it is So me Lander's first years are to Paris's first years at watch of ours views is coming from the islanders, but Matthew

We just just these cities. We just expect more. We just mean the first over in the world. You just have 900 goals by now What's going on the kids 20 and they put it up on the screen last night? He's breaking every rookie record to play for the Montreal Canadiens Like it's it's amazing. Like he's the first system one of the fastest to get like you just pass hiring Richard I'm a shark. What is 11 Stanley Cups? He's saying he's passing all these people at the speed at which to getting to these goals, let's say 20 goals, 100 points, whatever. Last night was 100 points. You know, he's, don't forget, he missed half a season with a bad leg. He's coming

from Europe. There's all these things that are different, but he's been, I don't think he's anywhere near his potential. I have the opportunity to meet a couple of the guys and speak to some of them. And the one thing I will say about him, and he'd probably like to hear me say this, but not like to hear me say this, but he's just too nice. Like he is a, he's just too nice like he is a he's a good kid and I say he's kid because he's 20 you forget he's 20 years old I can't speak in front of like I'm mumbling on the radio right now and I we do this for a living you put a mic in his face every night he's not from this country he's not with his family and they ask him about every play and he just wants to go

have fun and he's a just a kid and here is, just a nice kid. He's happy. He likes hockey. And it's just, once he realizes that it's a job, and that you have something that you can do that can influence every game, every shift, every night with your physicality, sorry, with your body, being physical, and being mean, and doing all things that you really aren't.

But the other people don't know what you're really like, so we can intimidate everybody else and influence how the game and your ships go. I think he's gonna just go like this. Uh, he's not the fastest skater out of the gate, but he saw his goal last night against Seattle. Once he gets moving, you know, he's got the shot. He's got the stick length to separate from an offender. You know, the fenders on me, I can go outside of them and still get a shot off. Um,

he's going to be special once we teach him, or, sorry, once he learns to dominate the game physically, I'm not saying John LeClair, I'm saying a more silky-ish John LeClair. He's so big, he's so strong. But he's so big. He's so strong. But he's so nice. Like Tipper, imagine if you had some of your Pissed and Vinegar, Tipper, from when you played, right? Yours, especially yours. Unfortunately unfortunately he got mine. So we're like if he can just you don't and I'm not saying fighting fighting is like like

the end result of something that happened. But last night he gets into and I forget we got into a last night but gets on a physical altercation and really he could end that in one second by just like, bop, but he's kind of like wrestling this way and doesn't want to fight and doesn't want, and it's just, here's six four, 235, and he's jacked. If he understood how to physically take a guy and just like, bop, don't mess with me,

because I will break you. But in reality He will never do that. We have this conversation with in Toronto with Matthew Nyes They have no idea how big and strong they are Is it crazy clipper? Totally like he's is that drive you nuts? well, like you did with it, it just goes like, like, we wish we were like that. That's what I mean. Like I'm saying like, what are you 510?

I don't even know. Like, you know, like, does it see you see someone like that? You went toe to toe with the toughest guys and you're like, it would be so easy for you. Well, it's different. Like it's, it's, they don't because they're young too. I also think like I would have had a guy like Nick that I would have played with and Nick would have been like hey do this do this you know maybe do this you know you know or lean lean on this guy's stick or go to the front of that and put your arm up or we don't have that in the game anymore. So I think that's one of the

things we miss those I had Rick Tauke I had Kevin Stevens, like I had, um, I had Craig Borubi. I played with so many guys that were so like, we go to lunch and the guys in Toronto don't understand that. Craig Borubi is, you know, it might not be the flashiest thing with the power. When you get the playoff time and you got, as you know, Kipper knows this guy is going to have these guys go through walls. I just hope we can go through walls. Not all these guys understand the sacrifice

that have to be made, but some of these bigger guys, and that's why I said, like, they're nice, they're different. We grew up at a different time. Like, we grew up at a different time where our parents yelled at us a different way. Our teachers yelled at us a different way. We were built differently. And I don't want to say we were tougher because that's not what we are.

But I think mentally we had a little bit more jam to us. And I think some of these guys have it, you just have to unleash it because they haven't had it throughout a lot of the processes of their life. So once he gets it, and nice, and Matthew's so I mean, if he had Kipper, hey, imagine if he had some, I don't want to swear because I always use the term, when I talk about, when I talk about, yes you said it, when you had some, you know, that's mine, I don't care about losing the puck. You can lose it. But that guy's going to know he's not going to take it from me again without me leaving a mark. I'm like, those are the things that they have to learn. I don't know who's around

them enough to, to in your head, in your head, in your head, in your head. So Koski back to slap, drive the net every time when you don't have the puck. It doesn't matter. Stop in front of the net. And you I want to see the fence and try and push you. And when he does push him back, it might sound like nothing. But then the next time that defenseman goes to push you, he's going to think to himself, oh, like, if he decides to push back, he's way bigger, way stronger way. So and that's the same thing with Matthew.

Matthew played with a little mind you, I love Matthew, but if he had some more jam and he does have a lot, let's not say it, just he can intimidate so many ways the other way teams break out of their zone so many ways teams, you know Play against him Play with Joe Thornton for a few years and the older guys Billy Garen Sean O'Donnell Donnie Sweeney the guys would tell him Joe you got to think of a penalty tonight and like Like you got to take yeah

You have to take it You have to take a jam penalty because everyone picked on show because he was you know, 19 20 21 6 foot 3 To 15 but too much of a nice guy So you have to convince Joe like you didn't really have to convince Joe but Joe Ross check Ross check someone tonight like don't be shy. We'll kill the penalty if you get suspended we got you Don't do anything stupid. But everyone in the league has to know, you can't push me that much,

because I'm gonna push you back. And that's what is, I think we're missing a little bit of that in the game. Not a McDavid cross check to the face, but a give me space. And I think one of a lot of these younger guys learn a little bit about that way, how big they are, how strong they are, they can have some amazing careers. I think slap in Matthew are on a track based on the four nations tournament. It could be turning a little bit back towards that peach, but we'll have to wait and see. Hey, great

job today. Is the sun still in your eyes job today. Is the sun still in your eyes? Every day is great. Is the sun still in your eyes? Because I was gonna say, The sun's always in my eyes. I was gonna say this is the brightest you've ever looked on our show. Well, you know what?

I just wish I had a vest down here. Do you often have a vest within arms reach? No, no. Obviously not. Whoa. Whoa. Oh my gosh. Put us in any Eaton's catalog you want.

Good gear. Thanks for doing this, pal. Thanks, buddy. Awesome, guys. Cheers, guys. BJ BJ stock don't ever change He's yeah, he's a top few guests for us so Montreal has a real chance two nices never want to hear that withering hockey criticism. What are they gonna do?

With this team cuz like they're they've pushed up to the playoffs You know, they got guys like older guys of art and Matheson and Gallagher and Anderson What's next to get them the next is that kid in the cage? The next is the pressure of that city to say moving forward We're not missing the playoffs again for a very long time And that will be that will mean a much different trade deadline for the Montreal Canadiens next season.

You know, Montreal- This is the last year. This is the last year they get to play the, hey, we're still learning card. You know, Brendan Gallagher has two more years at 6.5, Anderson has two more years at 5.5. I wonder if they would ever consider moving some money out to spend a little bit more.

They would have moved Gallagher's money out by now if they could have for sure. But they have two firsts, two seconds, three thirds this year and two fourths. I think he's, forget the trade deadline, he's going to go to the draft and he's going to make moves. See this is where you should use all these picks for bodies, live bodies. Yep. And you know you look at that that Demidov. Yeah oh he's lighting it up. He's 19 and he's got 49 points in 62 games in the KHL. That's like Ovi's stats. No, Ovi in you know he was in his last year He had 27 points in 37 games like he's on that similar right? You don't score a ton in the cage

I don't really understand the KHL like they American League ever scored 20 in the HL. It's like that's actually really good Yeah But like for him to have almost 20 goals as a 19 year old in the KHL is pretty impressive plug your ears for a second You don't think my child. Oh my you don't think my child you don't think Montreal will take a run at Sam Bennett or Mitch Marner yeah I mean all day long everyone with money yeah so everyone has 7.5 million in newfound cat money this year all those got everyone suddenly wants to get those guys it's the best year to be a ufa ever not not fun for you to Toronto Montreal seeing Marner in a Canadian jersey.

I'm sure there has been a chance to be thrilled about the guy that comes from Toronto that's had zero success in the playoffs and they've all crapped on and made fun of for 10 years. I'm sure they love that. It's game time presented by Bet365. Jump with a gun. It's game time presented by Bet365. Visit the app, PlayDustOdds, and find out why it's ever ordinary at Bet365. Must be 19+,, Ontario only. Please play responsibly. So a few Canadian teams in action tonight.

Big one in Toronto, like I said earlier, Chris Tanev has been activated off the IR. So playing tonight likely. We'll see how that goes. You can go to the SportsNet 590 fans' ex account and look at what we thought about that decision mirrored minutes ago. So we'll see how it goes tonight but the the Toronto Maple Leafs a rare underdog for them tonight they are plus 115 underdogs on home ice

against the Florida Panthers they're usually there it's usually pretty close to even money or a big favorite for the Leafs on home ice so if you like the Leafs tonight it's a rare chance to get them as an underdog Florida is minus 115 minus 135 on the money line. What I'll say, I don't know about the about the about the number, but for an any time goal at some point here, it's got to start entering the net for Austin Matthews. Yeah, I think in time he usually like when he's in his hot streaks, he's minus money to score.

And you look at the you look at an Austin Matthews anytime goal tonight pays plus 120. So that's a good number for Austin Matthews. And the other one that I was looking at for player stuff, Carter Verhaggie loves playing in Toronto. He loves to shoot in the net. Give me a Carter Verhaggie anytime goal at plus 160 as well. If Matthews is plus 120, if you bet him back to back games

and he scores in one of those games you come out ahead I know if you do that most of the time you'll be okay And the other Canadian teams in action Ottawa hosting the Bruins tonight minus 200 favorites at the Canadian Tire Center a lot of more a lot of momentum for them is to over the Bruins Yes, sir. And then the Edmonton Oilers are in New Jersey to take on. We'll talk about this a little bit news and nose, but the injury decimated New Jersey devils. They are minus one 35 favorites in New Jersey, New Jersey's plus one 15 on the money line. And I just want to make sure

I'm not disrespecting our jets. They do not play tonight. So I'm not disrespecting our jets. And that was game time. No jets talk. No, that was game time. Is it about three, six, five, visit the app, play the songs and find out why it's ever ordinary why it's Ever ordinary at bet 365 must be 19 plus on terror only please play responsibly Okay, we'll take a quick break in as Sammy just mentioned in our news and notes a key cog out of the New Jersey Devil lineup will get into that plus Ovechkin Ovechkin's March continues in Los Angeles, California tonight, a lot of talk about so many empty netters

and would you want to see an empty net goal tie or break a record here? I'll get your thoughts after the break. You're watching and listening to Real Kipper and Baird. Diving deep into leaps, raors, Jays, and NFL. The JD bunk is podcast. Subscribe and download the show on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. The Kipper is Justin born Sammy McKee nine games on tap tonight.

And, and what am I missing? Nothing. What's happening? Oh, I'm not sure. Sammy McKee nine games on tap tonight And Missing nothing's happening. Oh, why are you looking at me? Like I got like An eye on my forehead. I don't I just was I thought you were gonna do your usual thing coming out of a break where you say that and then you say this hour of as A reminder this hour of real kipper and born As a reminder this hour of real kipper and born brought to you by bet 365 as we get into NHL News and notes and there's always thank you. I can't say it at any point Really whenever Austin buzz in your ear and says hey you forgot to say that yeah, he's in a full panic Oh, yeah, they're always in a full pack. They pay yeah bet 365 pays. Don't worry. Okay, the checks in the mail. Yeah

I might say it's the only reason we're doing this show So again, thank you. We appreciate I do use a bit of a bit of housekeeping All right forgot. Okay, so this is another leaf spine here in the national hour mentioned 10 I've got the least Jersey up still if that's yeah, and here comes the third fine day But I've forgotten the lease hour we do the Leafs line every Friday in our first hour Yeah, so if you're still if you're a leaf fan who's still watching at this point a reminder that tomorrow we do them So get them in early because we've had a million over the past few days a few weeks And we haven't got to him as much because it was four nations trade deadline all that stuff very busy So we're really want to lean into it tomorrow. We won't have a good one tomorrow

so call in and if hey if you're from outside of Colossus We'd absolutely love that and slander Barney slander me slander kipper. We love that. There's so much of it on social media Why oh man, I mean it's it's just you're just feeding the beast. Yeah, listen, I Need to be fed It's a little messy. Okay, that's fine boys. We can take it. Anyways, so that's that's all I had to say, okay Is there anybody in the league that has worse luck than Dougie Hamilton? Yeah, and I didn't say the number As Jake just said to me, it's four one six four one1 416 413 4141 Karen is my car for the rest

You're not allowed to talk the rest of the show. Yeah. Okay. Is there a corner we can send them to her? But I get to subway home. No, no, no, no, you're fine. You're fine. Just sit there quietly Okay, what's up? Dougie Hamilton. If he didn't have bad luck, he'd have none at all. I know. It is a real tragedy because the New Jersey Devils, what did they finish last year? 86 points or something like that. They weren't even close to playoffs.

This year, new coach, they get healthy. Here they go. We've had Tom Fitzgerald on a couple times. Not an Elon, ignore that. Sorry. Trajectory. Yes. We've had Tom Fitzgerald on a couple times. Oh, I'm not an Elon. Ignore that. Sorry. Right. Trajectory. Yes. We've had Tom Fitzgerald on a couple times. I really like how aggressive he's been the last little while to get New Jersey to another level.

It's kind of... I'm disappointed for him. For sure. You look at that roster, it is, like I said, it's a shame because you think Carolina is a fairly flawed team like that way through the Metro is not the end of the world. It's still you know, Timo Meyer, Heesheer, Nason, Halla, Bratt, Palat and they have good players there that decor. So fun thing about New Jersey, they played one run of hockey this year with six healthy D with their top six DL healthy. They said an NHL record seven straight games with sub 20 shots allowed. And they just don't get to have that team. So frustrating year for the devils, but I guess you just kind of got to wait for next year.

That's just the way it is. Oh, you're completely raining them off. Well, in terms of Stanley cup aspirations, I think that's fair, but they could still make some noise. No, well, sure. I mean, you, you beat Carolina, but they could still make some noise. No well sure I mean you beat Carolina a couple teams get hurt themselves on the way you never know what can happen So no I won't write them off yet, but they're in trouble All right, Oh vetchkin

He's gonna break the record. Yeah, what's going on there well? Heard a couple different opinions on Ovechkin and how they want to see the record. Some people maybe not wanting to see it on another empty net goal. Does that matter to you? I'm like, he's got a gazillion goals and if the last three happen to break the record because they're empty netters would anybody really care? 15 but it's not Do you want it? Do you want to see it on a real goal against a real goalie?

Yeah, that's what people are saying of course that it would actually would and and they're actually Some opinions are that Ovechkin would want it And they're actually, some opinions are that Ovechkin would want it against a real goalie on a real call. I actually think that's gonna happen. I could see him not shooting at the empty net or not them not putting him in those spots or something. Not a snowball's chance. That guy cares if there's a goalie in there or not. Would you care? No, I would not care. You gotta get across the line. You got it.

If you want the record, you gotta get it. Also, you're like, some people want to tell me that he's gonna purposely not shoot it in an empty net. No. And then, nothing's guaranteed. You can blow up an ACL the next day. Go head first in the boards. And now it's like, no, I should have put it in the empty nut. Yeah. No, you're right. Like not, not a chance. This game's crazy. It's unpredictable here

today hurt tomorrow. Yeah. Not a chance. He would care if it comes on an empty net goal or not. So nine games or nine goals to go if I'm not mistaken. And I believe the capitals have 18 games left that's the goal every other game oh sorry 17 games left is it happening this year can you you're in can you tell Sammy that I was just kind of you know being me a little bit to get invited back you are just watching the players you are invited back would do you love a Jaguigegas, leader of the minus six. Would it matter to you? Would it matter to you, empty net or not empty net?

Ah, me, like present day me, I take a goal anywhere I can get it. Like I suck at hockey now, so yes, I would take an empty netter, but I think the, the feeling of, you know, shooting it in past a goalie and having it be a moment is way more appealing than just being like a little soft wrist or into a net with your only thing the empty netters Your team is also about to win a game. The fires are good You know, you're you don't down five one you blow one past the goalie, you know

part of me thinks you want to have a chill hold on for a second. Hold on. There is a ton of pressure on a Team that is playing the Washington Capitals, it would have to be an empty net to tie the score if it's an empty net, when they've already put in an empty net goal, or if it's if it's six, four, you still pull the goalie and you give them that goal. I think people will be sitting there going, that's a gift. You actually purposely

gave him a goal. Do you ever see the documentary or whatever about the sack record and how someone took a knee on the final play to let someone pass out? Mark Gastineau. Yes, and then Favre laid down for Strahan, I think, to set the record and take Gastineau's record. And that's what you don't want if you're the opponent of the Washington Capitals, that you laid down, I don't know what you wanted.

I mean, these are not equal things. No, but it's kind of in the ballpark that you gave them a tap in, you gave them a gimme. I think to avoid being the team on record who gives it up to him You may not pull your goal in that game You may say we're just gonna play five on five to try this game up. We're not I don't want to be that team I don't want to be in every highlight reel. I mean if you're an established goalie You don't want to be the guy that it gets scored on but if you're oh, yeah, if you're up for like one game But if you're a fringe goalie, oh my god You might want to take that

30 seconds of fame and you could probably sell all your gear down the road You're part of a big moment. That may be the only moment anybody will ever remember you by going to card expos for like Decade you know be yeah, you know it is a guy's like Like you always think those guys are gonna be remembered for like a decade because of that. You and Ovi. Yeah. The guys. The guys. Like you always think those guys are going to be remembered, but like I don't remember who gave up the, you know, the Barry Bonds or McGuire or any of the big home runs. Good point.

I know the goalie's name who gave up 10 points to Daryl Sittler. Who? Dave Reese. Okay. I didn't know that. You think we'd be, I'd utter his name now from 1976. I remember the goalie that watched Connor McDavid shoot it in the top corner against USA was Connor Hellbuck.

Oh you do? Yeah, I remember that one, yeah. He missed it big time, wasn't even close. Wow, you can remember, hey. You can also remember him with the Con Smythe. Yeah, we'll see. Seen Nathan McKinnon. That's Jetstock.

Oh yeah, sorry, yeah, sure, Con Smythe. He could win the Con Smythe this year. Yes, yeah, sorry. Yeah, sure conspire could win the cons way this yes, definitely of course They're very good. We did last night on hot topic on the broadcast which team from the West Do you think will be in the Stanley Cup final and I picked the Jets? The two other gentlemen Gaz and Kazi took no Oilers Oilers No, Dallas stars, No Colorado Avalanche. No Vegas. How tough is the West?

Vegas is my pick. Really? Yeah. And you? I think I had Vegas, Florida first down like a final. Sportsnet stream. Sportsnet stream. Oh man.

Yeah, that's not ideal. That's what I think I had when... You did those predictions for Sportsnet.ca didn't you? Yeah. They don't remember? No one ever falls up on that. They don't ask me. But I just think of Vegas' path because they're going to get the first round matchup against whoever one of the wild card teams is and they won't be very good.

And then I mean this is... We the West and assuming they keep their lead in that division then we're gonna have the bottom the jets are better than any team right now or I mean Vegas the jet the vets they're better than Edmonton from top to bottom the jets have allowed the fewest goals against in the NHL they have the best goaltender in the NHL, third best in goals four, best power play in the NHL. Like they go through the numbers, they are kind of tippity topping everything. If they were a sexier market, everybody would be absolutely all over them.

Oh yeah. But imagine they were in Toronto. It's 94 points. You know, they're not in the way. They are a Canadian team, but like, they don't drive numbers and they don't people want at Oilers. They want McDavid That's why two guys on your panel picked the Oilers It's also harder that they don't have the sexy names because it's like, you know, yeah, they're playing great Why are they so good? And it's like well, they they play really hard good system hockey tight well coached

Shafely. Yeah. Oh, and what's he a 85-point guy? I don't have no idea where he's here, but I can figure that out like Yeah, like everyone basically says great players great players like Connor and Leon will pull through an average team You know versus the team game remains to be seen Yeah you know, versus the team game remains to be seen. Yeah. I just, you think of that path for Vegas to get to the conference finals and it's against, they're against the wild right now if the playoffs were to start. Maybe a potential waste of eight days situation there

for the wild and then going up against one of the Kings or the Oilers and to me, they're much better than both those teams this season. So true. And then you go and then you're in the conference finals and you're playing against somebody good. Conference finals you'd expect that. But to me the path is much easier than the Jets path. Where it's like they get a you know bit of a cupcake in the first round with maybe the Flames or the whoever it is at the bottom. But then it is Dallas or Colorado.

So tough for a second round to me. A lot of pressure on Hellebuck when it comes to those series. Hey, I got a take. I saw another thing today about Ranton and talking about a list of who, can everybody just stop talking about this? Like, I think we've gone to the point now where you play for Dallas, you signed a 12 year contract.

I think we need to stop throwing stones. Everybody knows everybody, like, there's a bunch of he's, she's, he's said, everybody just shut up. It's just gotten beaten up It's like anything really happened He's like denying who was on the list that he would have potentially like who's there getting messages from be done with the oilers You have any idea what the oilers were gonna offer and it's like, oh my gosh, it's over But hold on, you know

It's like, but hold on. Do you know? I thought it was over but I would like to know if you have an answer on that. I don't and even if I did, I'm not saying it because To Sammy's point, let it go. Let it go. It is it at the best time of the NHL season everyone has their team set We are a month to playoffs the playoff races are the best they've been that I can remember Going back. I don't know at least five years. So Every game has some stakes tonight, Florida, Toronto 7 p.m Going to be the first of uh, you know, I know we're first round series

I know we're on in calgary. I know we're on in vancouver, but I am rooting for our new golf buddy Ryan smith for his Utah's Invitational golf out there with him is enough for me to cheer for you Get an invite to play golf in Calgary if we're looking for it. Go you are Okay, let the record show. All right All right Thanks to Ed jobanowski in our first hour on our leaf program and then PJ stock always bring in the heat

On the real kipper and born show nine games on tap find yours And we're back tomorrow off the rails Friday with you know who to drive it right into the ditch. Mr. Doug McClain Have a great night everybody