The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz - Postgame Show: The Cats Are Up 3-0

Episode Date: April 26, 2024

Roy and David Dwork of The Hockey News are back for another edition of The Hockey Show! The Panthers are up 3-0 on the rival Lightning and the boys discuss what has led to their success so far in this... series. Then, Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period joins the show to discuss how each playoff series has gone down so far, and which teams they believe will emerge from the first round. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Starting point is 00:01:27 Please drink responsibly. Hello everybody. Welcome to The Hockey Show. My name is Roy Bellamy. That's David Drucker, The Hockey News. We have Dennis Bernstein from the fourth period and Sirius XM NHL Radio coming up in the next segment to talk about the NHL playoffs. But first, we talk about the Florida Panthers.
Starting point is 00:01:45 They are leading 3-0 against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round. Yeah, I had them in five. I did not expect this to happen. Them potentially sweeping, I thought that Andrei Vaskolesky was still one, but doesn't seem like that's gonna happen. No, he still might, but man, I thought this series
Starting point is 00:02:04 was going at least six, maybe seven. These teams hate each other. They're pretty evenly matched. As we've seen in the first three games, I think it just kind of comes down to Panthers are deeper, Panthers are more skilled. The goaltending has been equal. The special teams has been, it was equal heading into game three. Now it's a little bit more Panthers leaning, which is big.
Starting point is 00:02:23 And yeah, the Panthers, they might sweep Tampa Bay, which would be very poetic, I think, for a lot of people in South Florida. The other big thing is, Tampa has been trying to go the Panthers into these post-war scrums. The Panthers are not having any of that. The only time you ever see them actually start something is when Sergey Prokofievsky has been accosted. Yes. That's it.
Starting point is 00:02:42 And I love that, by the way. I love that there's no letting that happen. Every time he gets poked, every time someone charges the net a little bit too late, they're all over it. I feel like that's something that, not necessarily with this specific Panthers team, but Panthers teams in years past,
Starting point is 00:02:55 I have not liked that they don't get the goal. And obviously I'm a little biased as a goal center, but I love that they're doing that. And I love that they're not getting goaded into anything else. And they're just very business as usual, like we're here for a job, we're gonna do it. I think that's really what you could,
Starting point is 00:03:09 what you're gonna ask for from your Panthers team in the playoffs right now. All right, so as far as discipline, the Panthers have been excelling in that. Game three, put aside there, but yeah. They've been staying out of the penalty box and Tampa really hasn't come through all that much in their power play. So that's good. Let's start with game one. The Panthers won 3-2. And Alexander Barkov
Starting point is 00:03:32 was excellent in that game. He provided two assists, including a highlight assist of Carter Verhege for his goal. So yeah, that ended up being a good game. They were stout defensively and they ended up winning. That play to Carter Verhege was so nice because Verhege started at the blue line. He got it to Barkov on the boards. Barkov watched Verhege as he just shot down the other side of the ice and waited for him. The lane opened up. It was gorgeous. Barkov is definitely on point right now. Yeah, it was just a nice play there. That's what happened. I mean, that's a play they obviously practiced.
Starting point is 00:04:02 Yeah, well you could tell. These are guys that have been playing on the same line together for a while like they know each other they know where they're gonna go that's something that they've been working on. It's beautiful to see. Yeah it was beautiful to see the entire game. Matthew Kachuck's empty net goal was the game winner because again I I mean Paul Murray said that he was fine with that cross check. You weren't. But I wasn't. You were not. That was just a wasted penalty that shouldn't have been called. Well, it went against the grain
Starting point is 00:04:28 of how they had been calling that entire game one. Like, okay, they called it a little tighter in the first period, fine. They opened it up in the second, they let everything go in the third. And then all of a sudden you're gonna call that when it's already a two goal game, it's over. And it wasn't even like a hard,
Starting point is 00:04:41 one of those obvious penalties that you have to call. So I'm with you on that. It almost seemed like they were playing up to the casinos in that one, right? I'm not gonna comment on that, but I will say that, you know, it wasn't kind of nice and very expected for Paul Maurice, you know, to be so diplomatic about it. He's gotten so good at that.
Starting point is 00:04:58 Yeah, well, he just doesn't wanna get fined. I wouldn't either. They probably had like a Paul Maurice role after what happened the season before. There's definitely like a swear jar with Paul Maurice's face on it somewhere. Yeah, that's going towards the team dinner. Game two, the Panthers won an overtime 3-2
Starting point is 00:05:14 and that one was pretty exciting. I can tell you, right, like this based on all three games, the Panthers have basically won the first five minutes and subsequently won the entire period in all three of these games. Yeah, well the starts have been big. The starts have been really big for the Panthers and that's kind of what was the key to game three, I think, because they got off to a really good start. They were able to once again get the lead.
Starting point is 00:05:38 They've gotten the lead every game in the series. But yeah, game two is interesting because Tampa really put their foot down in terms of in the defensive zone, literally putting their foot down, keeping the exit strong, getting their entries, getting their flow. And that was why they were able to generate a bit more offensive opportunities than they did in game one. But ultimately, once again, you saw the goaltenders stepping up and the Panthers coming through again in overtime.
Starting point is 00:06:00 The first period we saw Sam Bennett get hit with a slap shot in the hand by I believe it was Brandon Montour's slap shot there. Yeah. And he did not return. He ended up missing game three. In the second period, the Timber Bay Lightning ended up making adjustments and they ended up scoring. And possibly the best save I've seen out of all Panthers time, one of the best saves I've seen out of all Panthers time one of the best saves I've ever seen a goaltender make was Sergey Bobrowski save on Matt Dunbar on Yeah, I can like I'm quickly scanning my memory banks for Panthers saves over the years like I'm Luongo Statue Liberty glove saves are flashing through Van Beesbrook. I think I'd Valerie Kamensky in game four overtime in the final through Van Beesbroek I think on Valerie Komensky in game four overtime in the final no it was on Ozalynch I can hear Gary Thorne in my head Ozalynch for the Cubs save anyway but yeah that was probably the probably the best save in
Starting point is 00:06:53 Panthers history I think unreal we made the rounds on social media Paul Maurice was talking everybody was talking about after the game game saving too because Tampa would have taken a lead there yeah and in the third the third period is back and forth, and then they went in the overtime and called it a Verhage. Mr. Clutch. Yeah, his fifth overtime goal of his playoff career. In 14 overtime games though. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:07:16 Like that's insane. Yeah, 47 total playoff games. Yeah. He's tied for third most now with Glenn Anderson. That's an 80s name that you gotta pick off the floor right there. That's a playoff guy right there. Yep, Patrick Kane and Corey Perry.
Starting point is 00:07:28 So only two are in front of him. Joe Sackick and Maurice Richard. So he's clutch. Unbelievable. Mr. Overtime. Speaking of overtime, 11 straight overtime playoff wins for the Panthers dating back, I think three playoffs now to Ryan Lombard scoring in Tampa the overtime winner in I think there was 2022 series
Starting point is 00:07:50 but whatever it was that's the one that went six they haven't lost the playoff game since Troshek was tripped in 2016 that was the last playoff game that overtime playoff game that they lost they've won 11 in a row since three off the record set by Montreal in the mid 90s I that's that's insane it is insane and that game shouldn't not have gone to overtime, by the way, because, again, if it's a trail track, it was tripped. But, yo, that's neither here nor there.
Starting point is 00:08:12 That's in past history that I will never forget. I will always bring it up whenever that happens. Game three that happened the night before, the Panthers won five to three in Tampa, which puts us in this situation where they can end up sweeping on Saturday. Now, they had a reconfigured lineup because of Bennett not being in there. Stephen Lawrence took over Kevin Steenland's spot on the fourth line.
Starting point is 00:08:35 Kevin Steenland went up to the third line, and Anton Bennett took over Sam Bennett's spot. Proved dividends in the first period. I think Anton Lindell has been really the story, the quiet story for the planter so far in the playoffs. Even before Sam Bennett went out, Landell was playing great on that third line. He was looking good on the second power play.
Starting point is 00:08:53 And with Bennett out, you talked about not just Landell moving up to the second line and not skipping a beat between Verheide and Kachuk, but Kevin Stenland moving up to the third line. And that line maintaining its ability to maintain his own possession in his own time. And the third line and that line maintaining its ability to maintain Zone possession in his own time and the fourth line Stephen Loren stepping into the middle He barely played I think he played four games from late December to late March
Starting point is 00:09:18 and now he comes in looks like he's been playing all season fits in perfectly with what they've been doing and Yeah, that that fourth line last night Kyle Ocposo his first playoff game since game since that 2016 year, they were on the Islanders team that beat the Panthers, but just unreal, and this is what we've talked about. We've talked about it a lot, Roy, is the depth on this team and how big of a strength it is for the Panthers, and now it's showing. You lose Sam Bennett, I would have told you, heading into the playoffs, there are two guys on the team
Starting point is 00:09:39 who I think are crucial that you cannot lose, and that's Barkov and that's Bennett, because they center two big lines, you take them out, it really messes with the depth of the forwards and it's also special teams. But as we saw yesterday in Tampa, when you could expect Tampa's best shot, they did not wanna go down 0-3, which they did.
Starting point is 00:09:54 Florida took Tampa's best shot, they got up off the mat and then they took them out, very impressive. You take Bennett out of lineup, you lose a lot of your forechecking, especially on that second line, which is a lot of grit. And it seemed like the Panthers really got through it, especially with that wave that the Lightning ended up pushing in the second period.
Starting point is 00:10:13 Yeah. Yeah, that was a good job by them. That first goal for Matt DeGauchuk, they failed to clear. And there were a couple of times where the Lightning failed to clear and they paid dearly for it. And it led to a very good play, short little four check, nice behind the net play from Anton Lundell and he found a man to Kachuk. It was cool.
Starting point is 00:10:35 I was watching back the goals last night and what I noticed on that goal and on Reinhardt's goal was the primary assist. Kachuk was from Lundell, Reinhardt was from Teresenko. Both of those passes, they were looking the other way. Both of the guys that passed it were looking this way, they passed it that way. I think that's so, just the little things that nobody talks about, but that's what opens up the passing lanes. That's what helps get these things going. A little misdirection.
Starting point is 00:10:58 Oh, it's just gorgeous. And to see it happening on different levels, on different lines with guys who have not played together a whole lot, whether it's Teresenko on that line or whether it's Lundell on the second line. I don't know, I just feel like I'm running out of superlatives right now for the Panthers. I want to get back to the start of that second period, in fact the start of the game actually because the Panthers did get into a bit of penalty trouble. The Gustav Forsling penalty was not a penalty, I don't care what anybody says, that was not interference.
Starting point is 00:11:23 Not at all. But the start of the second period, that was all lightning. It felt like the entire crowd, it felt like all 18 of the guys on the bench, and it felt like the refs and the linesmen were all against the Panthers, all screening Sergei Bobrasky in front of the goal.
Starting point is 00:11:38 All of them, everybody. All 19,000 people were on the ice. That's what it takes, right? Yeah, that's what it takes. But I thought that was really the beginning of what I was expecting to be Tampa's comeback in the series. They're gonna make it a series,
Starting point is 00:11:50 they're gonna make a life out of it. They sweat two goals in like two minutes, 12 seconds or whatever it was to take their first lead of the series. We've been there before. We've been in that building before. That felt very familiar. And for the Panthers to really weather that storm,
Starting point is 00:12:04 that goal by Sam Reinhart that Laser of a snipe of a shot another Nice screen in front. Yeah that changed the momentum in a way that the Panthers have not been able to do traditionally Over the years in big moments and now we've seen we saw it a lot last year in the playoffs and we're seeing them Pick up right where they left off last year man, it's unprecedented. And to think that the Panthers could sweep Tampa Bay in their own building, how poetic, how just cathartic would that be for a fan base that has been suffering as long as the
Starting point is 00:12:36 Panthers have, and to watch their neighbors to the north win three Stanley Cups. So yeah, big game on Saturday coming up. Three on the answer goes by the Panthers in that little stretch there. And the Panthers shut down that vaunted Lightning power play. All four of those power plays done. And Kevin Stirling, by himself in one power play, with his own stick, ended up knocking the puck out of his own, one of which led to a short-handed chance.
Starting point is 00:13:05 So Kevin Stenland on the penalty kill has been excellent. Is that maybe the signing of the offseason for the Panthers? We didn't really talk a lot about it at the time. They brought in O'Leal, they got Mikola. Kevin Stenland, they brought him in specifically to fix the PK. This Fortis penalty kill was not average maybe, but struggled during the playoffs. It was certainly an area. You remember that Boston series,
Starting point is 00:13:28 it felt like every time that Boston was coming back, they got a power play goal. Stenland has really fortified that unit and turned it into one of the best in the league. They finished, I think, sixth in the NHL, but they're flexing their muscles this season. They gave up the one goal to Stamkos in game one in the final minute.
Starting point is 00:13:44 We almost don't even want to count that as well. You don't want to give them that as a power play goal. Stamkos scored the one power play goal and came two and that's it. So I think they're what, two for 12 now? That's really good. For the number one power play in the league, Florida's winning the special teams battle in this series and that's why they're up three to nothing. So we are in our situation right now. The Panthers became the first Stanley Cup finalists from the previous season to start the next postseason with three straight wins since the 84 Oilers. Wow.
Starting point is 00:14:12 And the 94. That 84 Oilers team, I'm pretty sure that it ended pretty well for them too. Yeah, and the 94 on the road over the past two Stanley Cup playoffs, so good for them. They've done excellent so far. They were one of the best road teams in the league during the regular season, so good for them. They've done excellent so far. They were one of the best road teams in the league during the regular season, so it's not surprising
Starting point is 00:14:29 to see that continue in the playoffs. And also, dating back to last year, the Panthers where I have dominated, dominated the Eastern Conference in the playoffs, because last year where they go 12 and four in the three rounds, so now they're three and oh, so 15 and four over the last two seasons against the Eastern Conference. That's pretty, pretty good.
Starting point is 00:14:48 All right, we got Dennis Bernstein from the fourth period and SiriusXMNHL. Love Dennis. Yeah, we're gonna talk about the entire NHL playoffs. That's coming up next. Right, joining us right now is Dennis Bernstein from the fourth period. You can catch him on SiriusXMNHL radio. We're gonna get us right now is Dennis Bernstein from the fourth period you can catch him on series XM NHL radio
Starting point is 00:15:06 We're gonna get started right now on the entire playoff landscape. Let's start with the Bruins and Maple Leafs William Nylander now, we don't know what's going on with him. There's a lot of rumors and everything right now He might be hurt. He might be in the doghouse. I really don't know. What do you know, Dennis? I think it's an injury and I think it's a head injury. And if I say it's a head injury belly, then you can figure out what the type of head injury it is. I think it's a legitimate injury of keeping him off the ice.
Starting point is 00:15:34 And that's why he can go out and skate on the ice and goes out, and if he has, they check the recovery after he gets off the ice for a couple hours, and he can't go. So I think that that's a situation with this. I don't think it's anything nefarious I don't think he did anything wrong or he's being punished or anything like that I think it's a legitimate injury and and that's and if that's the type of injury it is, you know Billy and D'Awky, then you don't know you know how long he's gonna be back
Starting point is 00:15:58 They certainly need him because every time you think this team climbs over the hill against the Bruins They fall like the other night and what's it? What's it? Because every time you think this team climbs over the hill against the Bruins, they fall like the other night. And what's the date? They haven't scored more than three goals in 10 playoff games or something like that. So when you're suffering offensively and 100 point players out of the line up, the result is they're down 2-1 and they have an issue scoring. The other rumor is they got hurt during the game versus the Panthers.
Starting point is 00:16:21 If the team knew they got hurt versus the Panthers, why did he play game 82? That's a good question that's probably only Paul Maurice and Bill Zito and the training staff can play maybe it was maybe it wasn't diagnosed but you know, but sometimes what happens you get hitting the head and it you know, the Their effects of it don't come out for a couple of days something like that. Like I'm all for resting You know, but look guys, there's no such thing as load management in the NHL and there should be. There should be because you know why? Players want to play. They don't want to sit out. If they're healthy, they don't want to play. So yeah, you can question, there's some questionable reasons why guys down the stretch should have never played. Like Aiden Hill, I think played late in the series, in
Starting point is 00:17:00 the season when it didn't mean anything. So why do you do that? So I can't question them because I don't know the timing of it, but if it is, let's say it is a concussion. Sometimes those things don't come to light for a couple days and sometimes players try to play through without telling the training staff or the team. Dennis, I want to talk to you about the series that I know you're covering very closely
Starting point is 00:17:18 and that's the Kings and the Oilers. Super fun so far. Obviously game two was awesome, particularly if you're a Kings fan. Adrian Kempe, some really pretty goals But your take on the series because this is year three that we're getting Kings Oilers Is Los Angeles finally gonna get over the hump this year does it look like in game two that they can absolutely do that Well Dworkie one of the most intriguing things was it's it was warmer in Edmonton than Los Angeles when I was there
Starting point is 00:17:43 It was it was 65 degrees, but Alberta being Alberta, it was 30 mile an hour wins. So it wasn't really 65. Yeah, Dworkie, they got a puncher's chance, and here's why. I'll say this, big picture. The Allers are not winning a Stanley Cup with Stuart Skinner. They're just not. He's not good enough.
Starting point is 00:18:00 I think his save percentage against the King, going back to last season and this in the playoffs is like 870 He's just not good. It's just not good enough like the fourth goal that That Fiala scored against the boards. I He just threw the puck of that went in. I know there's a little bit of a screen I'm just not convinced that the way the Kings can win their path of victories through the goal through Stuart Skinner I because I don't know guys, but they can't figure out how to stop that power play and they're i think 50 going back to last playoff and look they don't do that against any other team but this team they just crush it so it's
Starting point is 00:18:35 going to be a long contentious series to work you just like the other ones i i picked you allers in six would have shocked me the kings won't know because when i watched skinner playing net you can't be confident and what they did in Game two was they would they showed the oilers too much respect in game one like they backed off They never set up that one three one They were more aggressive on their on their for checking so even on the first goal Evan Bouchard turns off the turns over the puck It's in the back of that and Kate Kate Bay's an oil killer He does great against them the first goal is a really nice shot. That second one was beautiful
Starting point is 00:19:05 What a nice deflection. Yeah, but we've been here before Dorky Like we're here like every time game three in LA the last two series was 1-1 So although the oilers have great offense and their encounters amazing in the first game, you know, Zack Hyman's having a wonderful year There's not much to separate teams. There's just their styles are so different. That's why when you look at an offensive team, you think, okay, especially after game one, they're going to walk through. But the Kings check for their chances and get some station camp out. But like he did on Leon Dryshad in the late second period, they got a puncher's chance to win the series, but rightfully so the Edmonton All-Stars should still be favors.
Starting point is 00:19:41 And the Stars go to night series right now. The go to nights are up two, the stars go to night series right now Do you go to nights up to nothing and they are majority? Healthy right now. I mean they basically got everybody back. I you mentioned a didn't hill He might be a little bit nicked up, but that's about it, but all the dollar stars in full-fledged trouble right now Yeah, because look belly I picked him to go to the cup final love the team Jim knows done an amazing job building that roster an amazing job Like white johnson 33 goals. He's their third line center. It's the only team in the league. It's like that. I love him Except for one thing I was I was worried about one thing
Starting point is 00:20:15 Jake ottinger again goal tending like jake wasn't jake was sub 900 in the playoffs Sub 900 this season and now that those four goals in game one I'm sorry, it's just not good enough and that's the issue That's the problem and you're right at my point when people ask you about Vegas I'm like, well which team is going on the ice what actual players are gonna hit the ice for game one and It was funny. I was in the press box at Edmonton. I'm like walking around pregame It's the late starting game and I go up to pick him and I go, you never guessed who would have scored the first goal for Dallas, for Vegas in Dallas.
Starting point is 00:20:48 One minute, one minute, 23 seconds into the game. Some guys knew, other guys didn't. And I said, Mark Stone. And everybody starts laughing as soon as I say that. I go, of course he did. You know, it's funny, Bailey, how this team has gone from like darlings when they first came in.
Starting point is 00:21:02 Now that without question, they're the most hated team Dallas is in big trouble they really are they can't beat this team they didn't beat them last year in the conference final i like them i picked them they were a healthier team but vegas you know what that's the one team that didn't care where they finished guys like eight seven win the division who cares get us in the tournament let's go so they look a lot i'll tell you on paper when you look at the lineup it's better than the one I won a championship because they have hurdle they have hannifin It's it's a very dangerous team. And yes Dallas is a big trouble. This has to be their game seven the game three They have to win that game or the Vegas Golden Knights are going on. So every game has to be game seven for them Yeah, well the next one does like if they go down three zip, it's
Starting point is 00:21:45 done. It's over two one, maybe a shot, but yeah, it's a little bit of edge, but mentally, right? You know, you were the favorite. You're going in, you had home ice, you blew those two games. This has to, this has to be a desperate Dallas stars team. And I'm not sure that like they're desperate. That that's the whole thing. Cause their mentality was we were the number one seed and we
Starting point is 00:22:03 should not walk through Vegas. Nobody was going to walk through Vegas, but they didn't do enough. So yeah, there's just not enough desperation in Dallas right now to win those games and now they're going to go to Vegas and that crowd is going to be nuts. It's going to be a major test for them to get back in the series now, despite how good they are. I really think they are. Yeah, I think Dallas' main shot is the only really question mark Vegas has is their goaltending. Aiden Hill was unbelievable last year, he went on that ridiculous run,
Starting point is 00:22:26 but really that was out of nowhere. Logan Thompson is a bit unproven as well. So I think that might be the Kings, or excuse me, the stars main solids there, Dennis. But I wanna switch gears and talk about the Eastern Conference now. Wanna talk a little bit about the Panthers and the Lightning.
Starting point is 00:22:40 For a 3-0 series, Dennis, it's been a great, great three games. Tight hockey, amazing goaltending. What have your thoughts been on it so far? Dorky, I wonder who's recording all the hits in the NHL this year. Like in the playoffs. Like those numbers are like really, like game one for the Kings, it was 65 hits. I'm like, I don't think they hit them well as 65 times.
Starting point is 00:22:59 Look, here's the thing. I thought it still could be, I thought that this series was a blood series. Like it was going to go seven. It was going to, and the team that came out of it was going to be really all banged up and you know the next the next round would have been really a tough struggle and you're right the games have been close they've been tenches they've been entertaining they've been dramatic but the Panthers are going to win game four they're going to have three games where they wouldn't have the big going up against their you know in interstate cousins so that's a huge advantage for them because when you think about series interstate cousins. So that's a huge advantage for them. Because
Starting point is 00:23:25 when you think about series matchups, you think, well, that's going to be really tough. You know, you guys know, the teams really hate each other. So for them to get out of three nothing lead, I'm not sure I know one guy that's not going to quit. John Cooper. He is fantastic. The way his attitude is bench interviews. And the question is, how many guys on Tampa going to show up for four? Because they're not wearing in the series now.
Starting point is 00:23:46 Like how are they gonna go out? Are they gonna go out meekly? You know, Stammer's got a contract to worry about so it's gonna be really, really interesting. But if the Panthers, let's say they even give Lightning game four. If they can get out in five and not have to play more stressful games, it really is gonna help them
Starting point is 00:24:01 in the second round and possibly behind. The two playoff series coming out of Metro seem to be over, right, DB? Yeah, they were done before they started though. Yeah. I thought, Caps, I maybe gave them one game, Roy, because maybe Charlie Lund has a great game in DC or Ovi gets a hat trick or something like that,
Starting point is 00:24:20 but they were overmatched. And the Islanders, I picked the Carolinas to win the cup. And what's going on with the goaltending, with Patrick Wile, you got an eight million dollar Hattrick or something like that, but they were overmatched and the islanders I picked the Carolina to win the cup and What's going on with the goaltending with Patrick? Why you got an eight million dollar goaltender? I know he hasn't been great, right? I know varlan's a better but now there's gonna be certainly, you know So maybe some concern about who's really the guy there. So yeah, the islanders gonna win maybe one two games They're a pesky team. They were playing great down the stretch, but let's be real the Rangers in the Carolina Hurricanes were the class of Metro So I'm not shocked that were that they're short series because they were far better teams Powerful pound as far as the Rangers capital series
Starting point is 00:24:53 Is it is this it for Obi is? Alexander Overskin does he have enough gas in a tank to at least go one more season and try to break rain Greske's good record Billy he saw that that contract. I think is a three-year extension. He saw him to break Wayne Greske's goal record. Billy, he signed that contract, I think it's a three year extension. He signed it to break the record. The owner, Ted Leontius, loves him. He's not going anywhere. He'll keep playing. And the good thing about it is,
Starting point is 00:25:13 because when you watch that, look at that team on paper, Billy, start the season, it's like, how long is it gonna take for Alex to get that record? Because the team isn't any good around him. Backstrom got hurt, basically retired. You know, you have guys like McMichael and Strunk and they really facilitate goals.
Starting point is 00:25:25 And then he got really hot at the end of the season. So Belli, he will play until he breaks the record. I don't think it'll be next season, probably early, probably like maybe Christmas of, you know, 2026 or something like that. But Belli, he's playing until he breaks the record. And I think the way he finished the season tells you it's probably gonna be sooner than a little bit later.
Starting point is 00:25:45 So Dennis out west, is Vancouver done? That your Demco's hurt? We don't know exactly what's happening with him. I thought Nashville was going to give them a hard time heading into the series when they were healthy. But now I'm thinking Nashville, they've almost got kind of a path laid out for them to round two. Is Vancouver seriously in trouble here? They are. And you know, now there's a huge advantage in that for Nashville. Right. And I watched Vancouver down the stretch and they were like a 500 team, primarily because Casey DeSmith was in that and that's your Demko. And I picked Vancouver to win the series because of that's your Demko.
Starting point is 00:26:16 And now he's out. He won't play till round two. They get there. Yeah, they're in a lot of trouble. That's a big physical team that national has. But they're not the most talented But you know something you guys know this When's Bruno gonna get some credit for being a great coach did it in Florida? He did it with this team They play very very well. They're tight and look at that Lana working They had Colton Sissons as a second line center. Yeah, and you know and Trent You know, it's when you look at a Luke Evangelista that guys that like you don't even know, you know, who's number 40 who's Stastny?
Starting point is 00:26:47 No, is it Peter Stastny son? Like it's it's a great coaching job. And yeah, I I expect and here's the wild thing Here's why we love the playoffs the two wall cards are moving on in the West Yes, that that's that's that. That's how great this sport is. That's how much parodiers So we talk about seeding and all this other thing and wild card and getting to the third and the division, it doesn't matter. It's so great. Last match up here, the Jetson Avalanche, that seems to be going 70, do you think? Yeah.
Starting point is 00:27:17 I'm still waiting for a save in that series. Yes, right? What happened to Carter Hellbuck? And here's the thing about, yeah, if you're Colorado after the first signal saying, we just beat Halibuck six times and didn't win the game, right? And this was supposed to be the matchup, guys, of the best goaltender in the playoffs against the worst. And now it's kind of like the two bad goaltenders. I don't know what's going on. Yeah, this looks like seven because Colorado's got so much offense and now you can't really rely on Halibuck to win you a game. You figure maybe one two games
Starting point is 00:27:50 He still and I like them coming in because they were a hotter team and and Colorado was so bad defensively They were really really defensively down the stretch, but yeah, Roy. This is going seven It's gonna be really it's me really entertaining to see a game seven in Winnipeg. That crowd's gonna be off the chain All right, that's the playoffs folks. We just covered it Serious XM NHL radio and the four period then spurned Steve. We just covered it. That is great from serious xm nhl radio and the four period denis bernstein We appreciate you joining us Oh, so always a pleasure boys, and i'll uh, maybe i'll see you at the cup final. I think you will love you dv See you guys. See you. Thank you. Thank you very much. That's great Oh anytime man anytime anytime you want me to just ask. Oh, yeah, you'll be back by the time this thing's okay
Starting point is 00:28:22 So yeah, be good dv. Take care. Okay guys. Take care boys. See you

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