The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz - The Hockey Show: Ovechkin Breaks Ned's Record

Episode Date: April 11, 2025

Rose is back and the show kicks off celebrating Alexander Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal scoring record with his 895th goal last Sunday against the New York Islanders. Roy, David and ...Ethan discuss how much Ovechkin has left in the tank and where he ranks among the all-time greats after breaking the record. Plus, the boys give their wins and fails of the week including a shocking comeback from the Vancouver Canucks, David's kid playing on the ice at a Panthers game, and a whole lot of laughing at the New York Islanders. Then, LA Kings color commentator, Jim Fox, joins the show to discuss yet another Kings/Oilers matchup in the Playoffs, whether or not the Playoff format should be changed, and his illustrious acting career. Finally, the guys discuss the week that was for the Panthers including two massive wins over the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings and David has an update on Matthew Tkachuk's recovery status. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Starting point is 00:01:27 We have ourselves a new goal scorer king in the National Hockey League. Welcome to the hockey show. My name is Roy Bellamy. David Drock is right there. In the shipping container is Rose and Ethan, welcome back, Rosie. Full house. We got everybody back. It's a great thing.
Starting point is 00:01:43 Family's back together. All right. So let's just start off by saying how great this guy is who just broke this record, right, Alexander Oveskin. The great eight. Now, the guy right now has the body of David Wells. He's plump. Just straight up.
Starting point is 00:01:58 I thought you were just going to say David. David Wells is making me smile, Roy. Thank you for pulling that out this way. You're absolutely welcome. The man did throw a no-hitter hungover. Yeah, he did and I'm sure I'm sure risk and just broke the record hungover David Wells threw a perfect game Yes, it's Ned's record. Yeah, Ned Ned has fallen down Rosie. I'm very sorry for your Ned's record. No! Ned has fallen down, Rosie.
Starting point is 00:02:23 I'm very sorry for your buddy. Ned still has the most points. What? But he doesn't have the most goals. Yeah. By the way, Rosie, crazy stat. Ned Gretzky, if he never scored a goal, would still have the most points in NHL history.
Starting point is 00:02:36 Why? Because of the assists. Because of his assists. He has more assists than any other player has points. Oh! Yeah, Ned Gretzky was really good. David Wells threw a perfect game, by the way. Yeah, yes, we know.
Starting point is 00:02:46 Oh yeah, I said no hitter. We don't talk about baseball, we talk about hockey. 895 goals now for Alexander O'Ress. You're the one that brought up David Wells. I brought it up, I didn't know you were gonna continue with the point. You bring up David Wells. You know how the attention deficit thing works
Starting point is 00:02:59 with the show, right? You bring up David Wells, we get excited. You send Rose and I on a tangent, we're gone. My gosh, I mean, look at pitchers. I mean, in his 20-year career, he has an 82 game average of 49 goals per season. That's crazy. That's crazy He has league records in power play goals for 325 game-winning goals 136 shots on goal 6852 seven million. Yeah, seven million seven million shots on goal call the trophy winner three-time heart winner three times at lindsey award winner uh... that's uh... in the people players there uh... voted by the players uh...
Starting point is 00:03:30 cost my trophy one when the capitals won the sailing cup in twenty eighteen he's led the league and goes nine times let the league in points in two thousand eight and will be a first ballot hall of famers as he hangs up his skates he's got forty five goals against the Florida Panthers in his career. He is better than Sidney Crosby. I still remember back like, I guess when he was like a rookie, back when I was on the ice crew for the Panthers and you have to get there super early.
Starting point is 00:03:55 And he would come out into the ice with his yellow lace skates and his tinted visor and just pop, pop, pop, pop, pop in the boards. Nobody's out there, the arena's still dark. Yeah, yeah. And there's this young kid, pop, pop, pop just pop pop pop pop in the boards. Nobody's out there. The arena is still dark Yeah, yeah, and there's this young kid pop pop pop pop just working his hands. It's crazy, man It's also crazy that the Panthers could have drafted them. They did draft him I think they tried they drafted a try to they never actually did but they tried to yeah They NHL tried to draft him. Are you paying attention to the show Rosie?
Starting point is 00:04:23 Yeah, so you have to be a certain age to qualify for the NHL draft, right? So the Panthers tried to claim leap years. Yes. Made Ovechkin older. He was two days shy of the cutoff. So because of the leap years, they tried to claim that he was actually four days older than the cutoff. You know what? The Panthers find a lot of loopholes I think it was brilliant honestly like I love brilliant it was a brilliant place but they found loopholes but they're legal so you're talking about long-term
Starting point is 00:04:55 IR now Rose is okay with cap circumvention that's the translation that I just got from that. Yeah. Congratulations, Rose. You are now now one of the bad guys, I guess. These season by season goal, goal totals for Ovechkin are absolutely insane. He's only had one season where he's had under 30 goals. Yeah. And, and you know, he had a kind of a dip from 2010 to 2013 where he went a dip quote unquote, where he went 32, 38, 32. And then he responded with 51 53 50 he scored 52 in his rookie year he scored 65 in his third year in the league he's got a 56 a 50 uh 51 in here some 48 some 49s and at the age of 39 he's got 42 in 62 games it's absolutely absurd the year he scored 24 goals by by the way,
Starting point is 00:05:45 was the lockout year where they only played 45 games. No, that's the COVID year. Oh, the COVID year, yeah. Then he also has a lockout year where they only played a certain amount of games. 48 games in 2012, 13. Yeah, and he scored, it looks like, yeah. So he scored 20, oh, 32, sorry.
Starting point is 00:06:00 So he could have done this a long time ago if it weren't for COVID and the lockout. He probably could have done this a long time ago, if it weren't for COVID and the lockout. He probably could have done this three or four years ago, which is insane to think, but it kind of was fitting because he ended up scoring, tying Gretzky in one less game than Gretzky broke the record or set the record in, right? Yeah. How much gas is left in his tank?
Starting point is 00:06:22 You think that's it? No, I think he's probably got another couple of years left. A couple of years. Yeah, why not? The guy, what, he break his leg this year and he still scored 40 goals? Yeah. Like, he's okay.
Starting point is 00:06:33 He might have David Wells' body, but underneath that dad bod exterior is a champion, a heart of a lion. Like, I don't want him to retire anytime soon. And I don't think he should. All right, so he's got another year or two left in him according to David. Keep pumping those Bud Lights, dude.
Starting point is 00:06:51 Let's go. Let's go to the... Miller Lights, actually. Yeah, whatever it is. Miller Lights because they are... Oh yeah, keep pumping the light beer. Keep pumping the cold, cold, cold. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:07:00 I keep pumping that Jagermeister. Jagermeister, there you go. Do you feel the same way, Ethan? Yeah, I think he's Jake Yeager my sir. Do you feel do you feel the same way? Yeah? I think he's got at least another year I think he's gonna go for 900 and I don't know that he'll get to a thousand But he's certainly gonna you know see how many he can get before he feels like I think lot next year is the last year Of his contract, so we'll see how he feels after next year, but he's at least got one more in them for sure all right He's at least got one more in him for sure all right Do the show can I do the show as I was about to adjust to what you were doing tell me
Starting point is 00:07:32 Tell me I love you guys This is we're back. This is fun. Yes, go right now We don't have much I don't feel like it now. I feel like doing something else um Wins and fails of the week sponsored by Jager Meister. Serve it cold or don't serve it at all. Jägermeister, damn, that's cold for more. Visit jägermeister.com, drink responsibly. That's the only way we drink. Hey, man, I drink it cold, right? No, responsibly.
Starting point is 00:07:54 Yeah, well, yes. It's the only way, because if we don't, then we're in big trouble if we don't. Let's go to win. Yes, that's what I'm about to do. Thank you. David? Yes, my win of the'm about to do. Thank you. David? Yes, my win of the week.
Starting point is 00:08:07 My win of the week. So on the hockey show, we've celebrated growing the game of hockey, both big picture and in our own families. Princess Claire has started her journey to becoming the next PWHL player. My son has been playing in the Panthers development league for the first time this year.
Starting point is 00:08:24 And last night, he got to play on the Panthers ice during one of the intermissions and To say it was maybe the proudest of proud Papa moments. I've had up until now is a bit of an understatement It was really cool. I was actually on the ice with him. I got to stand there as he came onto the ice We're seeing pictures of it right now. He had this huge smile on his face It was just an awesome awesome moment, and I'm happy that I can share it with you guys. Just very cool, man. As, that's fantastic. I mean, that's the moment that you're not gonna forget there
Starting point is 00:08:51 for your child to play on actual National League ice. Yeah. Is, that's very special. So good for you. That kind of makes me proud, even though that's not even my kid. I've known him he was born. I mean yeah. That's awesome. My winner of the week goes to the celebration of Alexander of Branchkin this time. He went home. This is from the first home practice as he's
Starting point is 00:09:19 walking out. It was an open practice. was there they were chanting Ovi's name Ovi Ovi there's actually sound to it but yeah it was pretty cool seeing everybody celebrating him as he went home that's exactly what happened there and Ovi actually did a belly he did the celebration that he did when he broke the record I read I don't know if this was accurate, but I read that they had exactly 895 fans for that practice. Wow. They had maximum tickets for it.
Starting point is 00:09:53 For the goals, right? Yeah. So I don't know if that was accurate. I guess I probably should have looked it up before bringing it up, but either way, just very cool. Also, it was a good week for him. It was also a good week for Project Pat and Juicy J, because as you know, Oveskin likes to sing bands
Starting point is 00:10:10 to make a dance before they go out into the ice. The Capitals gifted both Project Pat and Juicy J, who made that song, late 90s, early thousands, eras, eras, jerseys. That's a good touch. That's very nice. And Juicy J posted on his Twitter account, and yeah, those look good. Those look real good.
Starting point is 00:10:28 So good for them. Ethan. Roy, you know who else it was a good week for? Who's that Ethan? Me. It was a very good week for me. Why? And I'm going to tell you why.
Starting point is 00:10:36 Because the Florida Gators won the National Championship in basketball. And that is my win of the week, boys. No, no, no, no. Our show did a terrible job celebrating properly the Florida Gators. Because we don't talk about college basketball. That is my job, Ethan. Rose can talk about Ariana Grande and Wicked.
Starting point is 00:10:54 I can talk about my Florida Gators. They went into San Antonio. They beat Auburn in the semifinal. They beat Houston in an incredible game in the National Championship. It was an unbelievable moment. Look at the scenes here inside the O-Dome with 11,000 students watching the game
Starting point is 00:11:09 in a watch party inside the O-Dome. It was absolutely incredible. Look at the scene here on University Avenue. Oh my goodness, the things I would have given to be in Gainesville and for this to happen while I was in school there. I am so happy that my Florida Gators won the national championship.
Starting point is 00:11:26 That is my win of the week. Okay, I'm going to go to my win of the week now. What the fuck is the matter with you? What is the matter with you? That is my job and we have to bleep that. But my win of the week is I'm back ladies and gentlemen for now. There's a lot of me's going on on that side of the line. Sounds like a fail for me.
Starting point is 00:11:43 A lot of me, me, me. I'm happy to have Rosie back. Sounds like a fail for me. A lot of me, me, me. I'm happy to have Rosie back. I miss Rosie. Jesus Christ, I don't know. I was until the start of this show. You have a better mood now? No, fails, David.
Starting point is 00:11:54 My fail of the week, the Dallas Stars, became the first team in NHL history to lose a game that they were winning by three goals with a minute to go. Oh no. One minute left. Three goals ahead and they lost in overtime. To the Vancouver Canucks, the Canucks were still playing for their playoff lives at this point but what the hell?
Starting point is 00:12:16 I don't really know what to say about this. They're pumping goals in, like they're pumping gas. Oh man. Boom, boom, boom. Casey DeSmith I think was a no goal because I don't think Jake Ottinger would ever let that happen in a million, bajillion years. But, holy shit dude. That was a disastrous end to that game. Major fail.
Starting point is 00:12:34 Yeah, that's not good. No, you know, you won't want to go towards the playoffs with that little thing in the back of your mind. Oh yeah, we just gave up a three goal lead. Yeah, well they're going to have to fix that before the regular season ends. I mean, that's terrible. My, fill of the week, for the third season in a row, the Pittsburgh Penguins were eliminated from playoff contention.
Starting point is 00:12:57 Ha ha ha. Penguins Islanders in the NIT. They are now officially in a playoff drought. Ha ha, hee hee, ha ha ha, ha ha, ho ho, ha. Speaking of ha ha hee hee, I have another fail of the week continuing my streak of talking shit about the New York Islanders because they like to play racists.
Starting point is 00:13:16 Your fails make you really happy. Yes, I love people failing. They played the Rangers last night and as they were giving up six goals, they pulled Marcus Hogberg to put in Tristan Lennox to give him some a little bit of playing time and after first NHL action yeah and after one goal on two shots they pulled Lennox and put Hogberg back in the Rangers won 9-2. That I don't like at all like you're letting like, like okay, we're getting pummeled, we're going to put our young goalie
Starting point is 00:13:46 in, let him have some NHL experience, let him get his feet wet in a meaningless game, and they pull him after he gives up a goal in his first shot and they're like, no, that's enough kid, come on off. Like what are they doing to that kid's confidence? When I read about this, I was very upset. Yeah, well the Islanders' playoff hopes are effectively over. They have eight points to make up with four games to go. I don't think they're going to win out.
Starting point is 00:14:08 And I'm very happy that that's not going to happen, because I've seen enough. I'm done with them. Could not happen to a more deserving team, in my opinion. Ethan. For a team that's really not good, we spend way too much time talking about the New York Islanders.
Starting point is 00:14:23 Yes, I love pointing out that they're not good I'm gonna talk hockey team though You can play the sport. Yeah, but they're bad and they're irrelevant and nobody cares about them. But they do play hockey. They're not a college basketball team. You know what I'm gonna do is I'm gonna talk about the New York Islanders some more So my fill of the week comes from their AHL squad. A player here Is gonna shove a ref right into the boards. My fill of weak isn't necessarily the shove into the boards It's this guy who then goes over and pretends like he didn't mean to shove the ref into the boards when he clearly Extends his arms here if you're gonna do this watch he pushes him and then he goes over like oh, sorry
Starting point is 00:14:56 I didn't mean to no buddy. Come on own it up Suck it up. You pushed him into the boards Live with it. It's not a great look Like you can see he was looking the other way and then all of a sudden he turns his head the refs there And it was a quick thing so I'm not Convicting him of the crime per se he definitely it's a bad look Ref flu he flew backwards about 20 feet It was it was bad. You know what else happened to the Islanders this week? What's that, Ethan?
Starting point is 00:15:27 They gave up the 895th goal. Yes. Ha ha. He, he ha ha ha. Ho ho ho. Ha ha. He ha. But they did have a great, one of the great tweets of all time. This reminded me Roy of your incredible Sam Reinhart, two one Florida tweet. We have a picture in here. If we can put this up of just a Moment that has a very funny tweet attached to it, which is the New York Islanders
Starting point is 00:15:49 This is the 895th goal the record-breaking goal WSH goal 2-1 hashtag aisles. I have a feeling Lou Lamarello went to whatever 24 year old social media admin was firing off this tweet and said do not put any extra emotion on this make sure this is the most bland tweet of all time I don't like I think it's perfectly for Lulamerello credit for a very smart social I'm not giving him you're saying that he told the social no okay for now four-year-old social person was smart enough to realize that what great move great play no for sure I why are you gonna give lu credit i mean my my treat was more on the positive side uh... joyous uh...
Starting point is 00:16:28 if you didn't situation i bring up that we'd all the time i'm sure that issue do i saw that you know i i like that shirt uh... rosie uh... my fill the week is i don't have any more time so now i'm i'm joking i don't have a filled the week but i think you very much for throwing at me you're welcome as uh... very much a failure on your point on your point. I appreciate you not having a fail How's that a fail well cuz he didn't make the playoffs that's not a fail but but he's very handsome My one of the week is another one of the week is Rosie forgetting a shout out on the what chaos podcast
Starting point is 00:17:00 Yes exciting the biggest star of our shows has big, Rosie has fans out there. I'm telling you, they crack the code. They crack the code of how this works. All right, for you guys watching on DraftKings network, you can watch our next interview with Jim Foxx from the Los Angeles Kings. He is the color commentator. And we're going to talk to him about what's going on with the Kings and the potential playoff matchup and the fact that Wayne Greske's record has been broken and You can also listen to us talk about the Panthers in the third segment. So that's coming up next We got Jim Fox and the Panthers recap and preview for the rest of the season. You can watch that on YouTube Jim Fox coming up next Folks, it's Mike Ryan and you know that Miller Lite has basically been a partner of this show for almost 20 years Jim Foxx coming up next. Miller Lite's been existing, they've been with our show. And I'm so grateful for it because we truly believe this. If you listen to us back in our radio days
Starting point is 00:18:08 throughout our times in national radio, to the pirate face, to now, you know that Miller Lite has been a huge supporter of ours. And I've always been a huge supporter of Miller Lite. Why? Because it's got taste you know you can depend on. A great beer trusted by beer lovers for 50 years. Miller Lite.
Starting point is 00:18:25 Great taste. 96 calories. Go to MillerLite.com slash Dan to find delivery options near you, or you can pick up Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. It's Miller time. Celebrate responsibly Miller Brewing Company Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces. We're joined by Jim Fox, who is the Los Angeles Kings color commentator and right now is looking like the Kings and Oilers for the playoffs if... Oh my god. Again. Kings and Oilers?
Starting point is 00:18:56 No way. Yeah. We'll get to that in a second but I want to start off with this goal by Clinton Byfield which she ended up scoring with one hand. He gathered the puck with one hand. This was sick. And somehow scored with one hand, even though technically the play should have been blown down because he was holding the stick.
Starting point is 00:19:13 Technically. Now Quinton Byfield was drafted fourth overall, and I don't think that he's reached the ceiling yet. I think he's going to be in this league for years to come. Jim, thank you for joining us. Why don't you give your description on Quentin Byfield? Yeah, Quentin Byfield is very unique because for his size, you're talking about a kid that's 6'5", he's 2'30", right now,
Starting point is 00:19:38 he might get a little bit bigger. But his foot speed and his hand speed are just tremendous. So to put that type of speed into a body that size, you don't see that too often. I think with Quentin, when he first came to the league, he was going a million miles an hour and not much was happening. Now he's going a million miles an hour and a lot is happening. And that has to do with just the understanding. I think, you know, up here, you know, inside your head, things start to slow down, even
Starting point is 00:20:10 though you're still playing at the same pace. And that's where Quinton is right now. He's not, well, he can be dominating, but I think he still has another level to get through. Jim, I don't think enough people are talking about the season that Darcy Kemper has been having for the Kings. We hear a lot about, I mean, obviously, Connor Hellebuck. You hear about Dustin Wolfe and Calgary. But Darcy Kemper has been lights out all season for the Kings.
Starting point is 00:20:33 So like, we know that he had that big year for Colorado a few years back, then he went to Washington. And maybe some people kind of forgot that this is actually a very good, good goaltender. Just from your perspective, has he gotten enough credit? Because it feels like he could be the team MVP this year? He will get the credit. I think his numbers are just too good right now.
Starting point is 00:20:55 At this time of the year, that's when everyone's certainly in my position because you don't see everyone. We only see the East twice a year, and then it might be a full calendar year before you see a team. We only see the East twice a year and then it might be a full calendar year before you see a team. So I think it's fine to be in that position where you're kind of under the radar. No problem with that. But I think now at this time of the year, when everyone starts to look through the numbers
Starting point is 00:21:16 and look through the stats, I think that will be there. It's kind of a dummelwammy, positively for the Kings because, you know, there were it was uncertain. It was, you know, I credit the Rob Blake for going out and getting Darcy. But you know, there was the question marks there. Now he's not only turned that question mark around, he has completely eliminated that right now because of his consistency. Man, I can't I'm going to jinx him.
Starting point is 00:21:43 I can't remember the last time he allowed a bad goal. You know, you're allowed one every once in a while. He just not done it. He's been just phenomenal. Anzei Kopitar is currently in his 19th season. 19 years for Anzei Kopitar. And eventually he's going to have his jersey hung up right next to Dustin Brown and Luca Robitaille
Starting point is 00:22:03 and the guy who just had his record broken for a gold scorer at all time. Oh yeah, him. Yeah, that dude. How much gas do you think is left in Copa Taur's tank? Well, I think they're starting to manage him a little bit more. I think they're starting to make sure that he's put in situations where, because I mean, he's carried the team.
Starting point is 00:22:24 He's carried the team for 19 years. I mean, you could argue he's three points right now away from Adrian Kempe again, for leading the team and scoring. So, you know, what more can you ask for? And I think it's, it's one of those where they are starting to know because byfield has emerged, because you already have Phil to know you're in situations where you don't necessarily need on J to be the guy. And I'm speaking more emerged because you already have Phil DeNau. You're in situations where you don't necessarily need Anjay to be the guy. And I'm speaking more shut down defensively. Now you can spread
Starting point is 00:22:52 that around. And I think that's hugely important because then it saves him a little bit more energy when he has the puck. And maybe he can start producing a little bit more what she's doing now since the trade deadline. I mean, he had his line of in producing more so than ever before. So it's impressive to get to understand him to to be around him for so many years. If there is a player that exudes that even keel, it's on Jay. I mean, he's he's the type of guy that you would never be able to tell whether it's good or it's bad. And then you think, you know, sometimes you think, oh, I need to see a little bit more energy from Andre.
Starting point is 00:23:30 No, he knows. He knows it's 82 games. He knows it's a playoff. He knows all that. And he's just trying to set the tone that way to make sure everyone can thrive because you're not getting too high or too low. As we mentioned earlier, the Kings and Orlers are looking to have the fourth straight year of a first round playoff matchup. Four straight years. And that's what it's looking like after looking at the Pacific Division standings right now. Tell us how things are going to be different because the Kings are 0-3 so far. Yeah, I can tell you how the Kings will be different. We already talked about it. Quinton Bifield is a different player.
Starting point is 00:24:06 And as a center, that's a very important position. So now he's in that area where he can be a difference maker. I think that Darcy Kemper coming aboard with the consistency that he's shown in goal is different than the Kings have had in the past. I think that Kevin Fiala, who is just filling the net now, has taken strides in his game where he is now a solid teammate. And I'm not saying before he was selfish,
Starting point is 00:24:33 but he was taking bad penalties. He was a risky player at times. The reward didn't necessarily outweigh the risk. And he was tough to play with because, you know, you can never guess what's what's going to do next. What's happening and dynamic but not necessarily reliable. Kevin Fiala has turned that around completely. And if there's one underlying factor, I think that's the difference right there with Kevin Fiala the way he's approached the game and the way he now plays the game for his teammates.
Starting point is 00:25:05 I think that's huge. So there's those things going on. There's one more year, of course, under the, you know, Jim Hiller comes aboard as the head coach. And, you know, from my perspective, too, now again, based on expectations coming into the season and where many people have the Kings, you know, he should start his name should be out there for coach of the year. So, but I think he's had one full season, right? He came in as an interim last year. This year, he has a training camp. It does seem like the Kings, man, they commit to defense. They expend a lot of energy in non-offensive situations and that's usually an indicator of,
Starting point is 00:25:44 you know, success in the playoffs. And then you take it one more step. This year, the Kings record, I think it's a third best in the league versus teams that are in the playoffs. So they played very well against the top teams. And when you get to the playoffs, that's all you play are the top teams. So after four straight years of the same playoff series, what's your take on the league maybe considering going back to the 1-8 situation instead of what we've had now? I know that it feels like it's a pretty polarizing topic. Some people are really for it.
Starting point is 00:26:15 Some people are really against it. But when I see this situation, my first thought is, man, why not just go back to 1-8, 2-7, 3-6? Yeah. I mean, the way I look at it is what were the reasons you went to the current and it was because at the time they were trying to build rivalries. And there's no question they built rivalries. Um, but to your point, there's a lot of two, three matchups right now throughout
Starting point is 00:26:41 the entire league that are going to get into a situation where, you know, Dallas, Colorado, Tampa Bay, Florida, you know, Kingshead, one of those teams is going to be out in the first round. And that's, I think, what, if people are leaning to change it to one eight, then that's probably what you're looking for. I know there's been a lot of years during that where it really would not have changed what was going on that much. But I'm the type of person that says, I only worry about what I can control and just whatever happens, it happens. I do understand though, the point that when you lose top teams in the first round, it might hurt to, as you know, just that competitive balance issue. You work so hard to get into the playoffs and it's very difficult to do so. Then you get a, you know, Dallas, Colorado matchup in the first round and you go on,
Starting point is 00:27:36 real good teams going to be out. Yeah, but the league used to have divisional playoff matchups before they switched to the 1-8 style back in what 1994 or somewhere like that. Yeah, like the Smythe division and the Campbell conference and all that stuff. Yeah and there are less teams in the league so you got more teams in the league now it just doesn't make any sense for me for them to keep this format. Yeah it's if you're are you talking about expanding the number of teams? No I'm not expanding the playoffs but just the fact that this playoff format is now we're complaining about we We got the same teams all over again, but
Starting point is 00:28:08 there are 32 teams in this league. We could actually, yeah, we can actually expand the playoffs if we actually think about it. Yeah, a lot of people have talked about that, you know, play in or something. I'm for the more traditional, let's keep it the way it is right now. Only half the teams make it. And that means you have to put a high priority on the more traditional, let's keep it the way it is right now. Only half the teams make it. That means you have to put a high priority on the regular season, which means the paying customer comes to games during the regular season and they're getting top quality product because every game means something when you get to that. But I understand the one eight issue. All I know is this, if we go to one eight next year,
Starting point is 00:28:48 seven years from there, they'll be saying, let's go back to the rivalries set up because it just keeps, it goes in cycles and it keeps changing. And there are reasons why they do make the changes at the time they do. And then maybe those become obsolete and maybe you have to just look to change every five years. So Jim, I want to ask you about something that I've been very excited to ask you about. I was a little surprised that my cohorts on this show are not familiar with the movie Mystery Alaska because it's one of the best hockey movies. One of the you know, could be top five to be it's really it's really good hockey movies
Starting point is 00:29:20 made in 1999. Mike Myers was in it. He was in it. Hank Azaria is amazing in it. Mike Myers was in it. Hank Azaria is amazing in it. Russell Crowe. Yes, he convincingly played a hockey player. But someone else who was in it was Jim Fox. Jim Fox was in it. He had an awesome scene with Mike Myers, one of the best scenes in the movie. I just wanted to ask you, like, what do you remember about doing this? Now it's like 25 years ago. I just wanted to ask you like what do you remember about doing this? Now it's been like 25 years ago. I think it's one of the iconic hockey movies of this generation. Just what's your take of it? How much fun was it working with Mike Myers?
Starting point is 00:29:52 It was crazy. I mean it was Mike did not have any lines. Mike completely improvised everything that happened in that scene. So the big bag of knuckles. I do remember this. The setup of the state, you know, okay, you get there. And they have cameras, obviously, shooting you. But, you know, when I work, I'm supposed to look into the camera. In a movie, you're not supposed to look into the camera. So I just asked the director, I said, Can you set up a fake camera that I can look into, so I'm not looking at the real cameras because the first five times I broke up, I just started laughing and we had to do another take. They could cut it a little bit around that,
Starting point is 00:30:40 but that was it. I mean, the first one was I just started man about three seconds into his answer I just started because I had I had scripted questions, but his answers were and every take was different He just did something different every time and that was that was the fun. That was fun. That was it I remember going for the you know, the costumes and things of that sort and You know you go there and you get ready to go out and they have stand-ins there for you, a guy the same size. So they're measuring all the tapes and what's going on, lighting and making sure it's perfect.
Starting point is 00:31:16 And the other thing I remember is this. There is no question that the best place on Earth to get food is on a movie site. Ah, catering. Oh, man. Oh, man. That's all they do is eat and it is there 24 hours a day. It's set up completely.
Starting point is 00:31:34 It's fresh. They're moving. There's more people moving on working on the catering than there are on the movie. Priorities. I have a question because I want to be that in the in the in the future How do you make it to be part of the movie like I know I'm not that good but I can go to improvs or Do something so how do you get that part?
Starting point is 00:31:54 Well, it's a I think it's a funny question. It is a funny question. He's not an actor In NHL analysts Rosie I played, Rosie. I played myself, though. I played Jim Foxx, so I wasn't really acting. I'm going to have to be an analyst, but I don't know anything about hockey, so I think I'm very far. That's great, Rosie. Thank you for that. You know what?
Starting point is 00:32:17 The producer on the show called me up and said, hey, we've got an under 40 old timers tournament. I want you to play hockey. David E. Kelly. Ah, David E. Kelly from Yeah, a call at home. I get a call home. David Kell waiting for you know, okay, yeah, sure. I played in some celebrity events with him before. It's good hockey player, really good hockey player. So he gets on. Yeah, I like you playing this 40. And I
Starting point is 00:32:42 said, David, I'm not under 40. So I think he was stuck. I think he wanted me to play in the tournament. And at the same time, once he made the call, he was stuck with me. So that's how I got the part. You mentioned that you were, I can't call it an old timers game.
Starting point is 00:33:02 That's just rude of me. But I would say that it's a celebrity game. It was a benefit for the firefighters who fought the right. Yeah. Who fought the fires that ravaged Southern California. Why don't you describe that game? Yeah, that was, you know what? Even for Hollywood in L.A., it was big.
Starting point is 00:33:23 I mean, that was big. Danny DeVito and, I can go through the list, but you know, to be honest, Hollywood stars that we don't necessarily see around Kings games, and they showed up in droves. It was great because the people in attendance were
Starting point is 00:33:45 firefighters, their families or people displaced by the fires. So they were the people that had a chance to be entertained. And I'm sure they needed a little bit of break. At that time. Will Ferrell was there as one of the I mean, every it was just and, you know, it was, it was great to see everyone come together. But to me, I went up in the stands, and I sat down a couple times just to talk to people. And it was great to see the firefighters and their families or people that, you know, we're looking
Starting point is 00:34:17 for a new home or trying to, you know, interim period where they really didn't have anywhere to live that that was that was the best part for me. It was so good to at least see them, maybe take a deep breath, maybe smile, maybe laugh, whatever. That was the best part of the day. Jim, yesterday was a fairly significant anniversary in LA Kings lore. It was the 43-year of the miracle on Manchester. For those of you who don't know,
Starting point is 00:34:47 the Kings were down five to nothing in a playoff game, going into the third period against Wayne Dretzky, Mark Messier, Yari Curry, Grant Fehr, yada yada yada, and those ridiculous Edmonton Oilers. And then the Kings came back and won the game six to five. They won the series, which was, it was just all very amazing. So I just want to take you back 43 years if I can, Jim. What do you remember about that game? Like what's tugs at the heartstrings
Starting point is 00:35:10 when you think about it? Yeah, it's wow. You can't plan it. You can't predict it. You can't write it, but you can live it. And we certainly did. You know, five nothing down after two, cliches up the yin yang. You go, okay, let's just go out and win a period. You know, five nothing down after two cliches of the yin-yang. Okay, let's just go out and win a period. You know, let's try to get back on track, those types of things. And it was, you know, until it was five-three, then, you know, you're probably still not. And then if I'm not mistaken, when it was five five four, I think Mark Massey basically had almost a break away.
Starting point is 00:35:46 There was a chase for loose puck. Mario Lassard, our goaltender came out. He missed it. And Massey was in behind basically and he missed, which would have probably put the game out of reach. So just so many things that were going on. Then Darrell Evans scores the goal. But like you mentioned, we ended up going on to win the series too,
Starting point is 00:36:05 which that was only game two. So that was something that was built and built and built. Going into the series, it was the highest margin of difference between and still is of the underdog beating the favorite as far as points in the regular season. Then of course, as far as deficit comebacks, you know, down five after two, that's the largest ever. So, you know, till I die, that'll be something that's etched in my memory. There's no question.
Starting point is 00:36:35 Finally, your last season with the Los Angeles Kings, you got to play with Wayne Koreski. And I mean, it was a very short time, but when you see Alexander Ovechkin break what was perceived to be one of three unbreakable records that this league has, what was going through your mind? Well what's going through my mind was you know what most every woman was saying four or five years ago there's no chance he's going to break the record. No chance.
Starting point is 00:37:06 And then he ends up doing it in a year where he gets, you know, breaks his leg, misses games, comes back, scores at the same level at 39 years old that he scored at when he was younger. So that's the one thing that, that's what caught my attention right away. And it's brought up all the time, but at 39 and you're still scoring at, you know, half a goal a game pace, 40 goal, 50 goal pace. That's something special.
Starting point is 00:37:31 And then just try to figure out, you know, and you know, when you play them and he scores from the left dot one time, or you go, why don't you guard them? And then he ends up breaking the record basically from the same spot that he scored a million goals from. So, uh, incredible athlete. That's, you know, anyone that's played the game before knows that to go through. The type of game hockey can be with the physicality and the injuries and things of that sort, but then to still be at the level he is right now at that age. That's a study right there. That is some people in the lab coats got to get him and figure out what he's done
Starting point is 00:38:09 because she's done it very well. He'll be covering the Kings all this first round series again, Los Angeles Kings color analyst, Jim Fox, Jim, thank you for joining us. My pleasure. Thanks guys for having me. Appreciate it. Thank you. Guys, tech is not really my thing.
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Starting point is 00:40:54 Alright, it's time to recap the week that was for the Florida Panthers and to preview next week, which will end the regular season. But before we do that, we're going to throw it to Ethan because he said before the segment started that something funny happened so go ahead and do something funny. That was a great interview that we just did with LA Kings broadcaster Jim Foxx but my favorite part was in the middle of it. I'm sitting back here listening and I can't remember who said something about Wayne Gretzky and Rose to my right just goes, oh Wayne Gretzky. She actually called him Ned Gretzky to Jim Foxx. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:41:27 Not one of your finest moments. I love it. To me, I think he's got to be Ned. I feel like I'm going to make a mistake and call him Ned when I don't mean to. Yeah, in front of like Elliot Friedman or something, you're going to be talking. You're going to be like there, most, yeah.
Starting point is 00:41:41 That's unbelievable. All right, let's talk about the end of whatever that road trip was that the Panthers had. They ended up losing to Ottawa 3-0 and they lost to Detroit 2-1 before going back home to play Toronto. Now granted, the Panthers had eight players out for Detroit, but nah. I hadn't seen a list of healthy stretches that long with this team in a long time. It was bad. There was a lot.
Starting point is 00:42:07 It was bad. But. He played what, with no Forsling, Reinhardt, Bennett, Barkov. No Barkov? Yeah, he was hurt. He's back now. He's back now. He scored last night.
Starting point is 00:42:16 You're okay. Yeah, we'll get to that in a second. Your other B-boy, Barzell, he'll be done soon, but Barkov, he'll be playing. The Panthers clinched a playoff spot in their loss to Ottawa. That was inevitable, so whatever. But I mean, think about this now. This is what, six straight years now? Yeah.
Starting point is 00:42:31 Going to the playoffs? I include the bubble qualification round as postseason. So this is the sixth straight year they've been qualified for the postseason because by definition, the postseason is after the regular season ends and they played after the regular season ends. So yes, six six straight years we're starting to take it for granted no no no no no no absolutely not maybe not you guys but there are fans out there that are starting to take it for granted well they're getting really angry about fans that weren't around yeah but dark ages but people are
Starting point is 00:42:58 very unhappy with the way the Panthers have been playing recently and I mean look the Panthers haven't even been playing poorly recently. They just haven't really been getting results. I think that's been the frustrating thing and that's why fans are so fed up. But there's been a lot of frustration out there about the way they finished the season, but this is still an incredible team and incredible year considering where they were not too long ago, six straight postseason appearances, two straight appearances in the Stanley Cup final, a Stanley Cup final win of course, and now this year
Starting point is 00:43:27 they're looking again like a threat to win the Stanley Cup as long as they're healthy, so can't take it for granted. If you're saying that the roster, half of the roster is... Just for that one game against Detroit though. No, they're working, they're holding players out to get them healthy for the playoffs, it's all planned Kachuck is hurt though. Kachuck is hurt in healing, but Yeah, I'm Hearing some new news regarding that Matthew Kachuck. New is in very recent and up until now had been hearing that he was tracking toward returning early in the first round was the hope and now
Starting point is 00:44:02 Maybe maybe not so much. So we'll see. We've got about less than two weeks until the playoffs start, but maybe a little bit longer of a timetable for Matthew Tichuk as it stands. All right, so we're looking at both Tichuk and Ekbwa not playing for the first two games of this series. Yeah, I can't wait to be back for the game. Potentially. It's very fluid and with injury talk, you never know. But from what I'm hearing, maybe prepare for a little bit longer without Kichuck, maybe. Okay.
Starting point is 00:44:37 The good news is the Panthers have the depth to cover it off right now. Because you're talking about, we were talking about this before the show. They've got like seven players that could be on the fourth line right now. They have too many good players like we were talking last night I was running through what the playoff lines would look like because I thought last night against the Detroit Red Wings the first line of Mackie samuskevich Alexander Barkov and Sam Reinhardt that looked like that should be the first line in the playoffs in my opinion and then you look you talk
Starting point is 00:45:02 about for Hagee down with Bennett and Hopefully could Chuck you start going through the lines and all of a sudden you get down to the fourth line and you're picking between Gajdwicz Sturm nosik Boquist Erad Greer and And Puyarvy if they hang yeah Puyarvy if they hang or if they keep on Poojaervi onto the playoff roster so I just think that they have the depth of cover off possibly losing Chucky right because
Starting point is 00:45:33 Worst case scenario Brad Marsh and bumps up to the second line Erod bumps up to the third line Boquist bumps up to the fourth line There are too many players on the team when Chucky is in the lineup, you're gonna have to be picking probably between Greer and Jesper Boquist, who have both been awesome for the Panthers this year. Now to your point about losing close games and playing well and finally getting results, I asked Paul Maurice about that last night.
Starting point is 00:46:01 And his answer to me was, he brought up Matthew Tichuck and he said Matthew Tichuck is like a point-per-game guy so you remove a point per game guy and then we're losing a bunch of close games maybe those games go our way and that leads me into okay well then what happens when the playoffs start when every game is close so it's gonna be interesting to see how things play out over for the Panthers over the next few weeks as we get into the playoffs the Panthers are currently in the middle of a four game home stand. They beat Toronto 3-1.
Starting point is 00:46:28 What the hell was that? That was a confirmation sound. Why did we give Rose the buttons? Because she's back in her seat now. That sounded like Street Fighter. What was that? Confirming. It's supposed to be like a Hulk smash kind of sound.
Starting point is 00:46:40 Yeah. I don't know what that was. A new kid. Play it again, Rose. Oh, okay. Alexander Bach, all right. kind of sound yeah I knew can play it play it again rose okay Alexander Barkov Tomas Nocek and Sam Reinhardt were both of all in the lineup against Toronto and Carter Verhege finally busted out of his 13 game schoolless drought finally good God rough year for Carter because he's
Starting point is 00:47:04 putting up tons of shots he's getting plenty of chances like all those numbers are up to par with his career in Florida but the goals not so much we mentioned that Aaron Echlad is gonna return game three in the first round most likely against Tampa yep he was cleared for team activities outside of traveling and playing. So that's good. He had a chance to practice with the team before the game against Detroit. We saw him working out. Yeah, we saw him. He rented ice time for that one. That came out of pocket. To stay in shape. I mean, that's what these guys need to do. They get their ice time,
Starting point is 00:47:39 they work on their own. He wants to hit the ground running for game three. Yeah, and Brad Marshawn got his first goal as a Panther in the win versus Detroit. Nice goal, too. Yeah. Nice little flip of the wrist. Nice pass from Uwe Spolinskas. On the subject of Verhege, he had a maintenance night against Detroit, which I think was really good.
Starting point is 00:47:57 You get him a goal finally. Let him stew on that goal. Yeah, let him kind of sit down, kind of collect himself. Because he's had a tough year, and it hasn't necessarily been, like you mentioned, David, because of his play. He's still generating a ton of chances. It's just the puck refuses to go in the net for him.
Starting point is 00:48:14 He's got the yips. And when you look at his shooting percentage, his career average is, his career average, he's got the yips. Okay, he had the yips. Before this year. I'm sorry. Don't say the yips Roy sorry don't say that word sorry what's going on here Rose respect so
Starting point is 00:48:34 anyway for Hagee, for Hagee, last year his shooting percentage was 13.8, the year before 15.3, 14.4, 17, 14. This year his shooting percentage is 7.6. If he was shooting like his usual self, somewhere in the 13 to 15 range, he's probably a 30 goal scorer this year. So I think Carter Verhage is going to be fine. You know he's going to score some big goals in the playoffs, because that's what he does. He scores clutch
Starting point is 00:49:08 goals and I think he'll be okay come playoff time. As long as he gets one to go in, it just feels like the floodgates will open eventually for him. Final week of the regular season next week. They've got Buffalo and the Rangers at home on Saturday and Monday respectively. And the Rangers is the first half of a back-to-back before they go to What would be their first round opponent most likely in the Tampa Bay Lightning on? Tuesday so that's what we're looking at. Four times in five years. Yeah, I mean we were talking about this with Jim Foxx like it's a lot of the same matchups every year because the bottom echelon of each division has not
Starting point is 00:49:44 the bottom echelon of each division has not, felt like they haven't gotten any better. The playoff teams have pretty much stayed the same. Yeah, so that's why we should probably look into, you know, going back to one. Well, look it, we got Canadians in the playoffs though, this year. For what it's worth. Montreal Canadians and Ottawa,
Starting point is 00:49:57 but I'm saying Canadian teams, which is kinda nice. For what it's worth, if it were one through eight, the Lightning would be playing the Panthers. Yeah, that's also true. So you can't escape. Before we go, I remember Roy is gonna be learning how to play hockey. He doesn't wanna give me equipment,
Starting point is 00:50:13 so if I die it's because Roy. What are you talking about? You need to talk to the guy. You don't wanna buy you equipment? It's not free, Roy. No, I know it is not free, but we need to find equipment for me because I'm gonna be there.
Starting point is 00:50:24 But do not miss it because Roy's gonna learn how to play hockey and that's going to be coming. You're saying that like you invited them to the Baptist Iceplex. No, I'm not inviting you. Don't go there. You'll see the videos. I'll send them to you. For David Dwork, Ethan Podolsky, Rose Arias, and Mike Malley, and Jason Rosato. for david drawer uh... eaton but that's the rules areas and mike mallee and jason rizado was it was a lesson jason now group not all that even closer to the house i thought i was close and who else is back there's like the idea
Starting point is 00:50:58 uh... gave and and was that the other day i don't know and i don't know i i did see both denny's And was that the other Danny? I don't know. I don't know. I did see both Danny's. They're putting a new camera in the back, Rosie. How about that? Oh, Ethan. Ethan, you can go there next time. Oh, wow. That's cold. That's cold. Wow. I see how it is.
Starting point is 00:51:17 We will talk to you next week and it will be playoff time. So enjoy everybody. Last week of the regular season. Thank you very much. See ya Folks listen up They're here and they're hot get ready because Jimmy John's is turning up the heat after years of perfecting the cold sandwich Toasted sandwiches are finally here. Try one of their three all-new toasted creations the toasted chicken bacon ranch All-natural chicken creamy homestyle ranch applewood smoked smoked bacon, melted provolone, fresh veggies,
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