1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:01,840 Speaker 1: Well, there's only one guy that we want to talk 2 00:00:01,880 --> 00:00:04,240 Speaker 1: to here heading into the only matchup of the season 3 00:00:04,320 --> 00:00:07,920 Speaker 1: at the Carolina Hurricanes, because the hockey world is a 4 00:00:07,960 --> 00:00:10,760 Speaker 1: small world. But we are thrilled to say he is 5 00:00:10,920 --> 00:00:13,520 Speaker 1: our fifth year man behind the TV Mike play by 6 00:00:13,560 --> 00:00:16,720 Speaker 1: play wise, the great John Foresland, joining us once again 7 00:00:16,760 --> 00:00:20,360 Speaker 1: on Cracking This Morning, of course, also via Amazon Prime 8 00:00:20,400 --> 00:00:24,080 Speaker 1: in the NHL on TNT, Hi, Johnny, I think it's 9 00:00:24,079 --> 00:00:27,360 Speaker 1: been a while. Happy New Year to the man who's 10 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:29,960 Speaker 1: got the key to Tobacco Road. I want to ask him. 11 00:00:30,480 --> 00:00:33,400 Speaker 1: We love where we live, but if there's something from 12 00:00:33,440 --> 00:00:37,240 Speaker 1: the Carolina as you wish Seattlees could experience, what would 13 00:00:37,280 --> 00:00:37,479 Speaker 1: it be. 14 00:00:37,640 --> 00:00:43,559 Speaker 2: Oh, that's a great question. Maybe it's the barbecue. I 15 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:46,159 Speaker 2: don't know people around here. People around here will tell 16 00:00:46,200 --> 00:00:49,839 Speaker 2: you that I'm not a big fan of it either way, 17 00:00:49,880 --> 00:00:52,280 Speaker 2: and there's two different styles of it North Carolina, and 18 00:00:52,320 --> 00:00:54,480 Speaker 2: there's a huge debate over which one is the better. 19 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:58,800 Speaker 2: I don't know. It's just a nice area and it 20 00:00:58,920 --> 00:01:00,720 Speaker 2: was a great place for us at the time. It 21 00:01:00,840 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 2: was a great place to embark upon a new frontier 22 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:08,720 Speaker 2: for us after moving from Hartford and bring the NHL 23 00:01:08,880 --> 00:01:13,959 Speaker 2: to this market, but that's long gone and we're happy 24 00:01:13,959 --> 00:01:16,960 Speaker 2: where we're at right now. And you know, I would 25 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:20,119 Speaker 2: say that's probably probably it, you know, in terms of 26 00:01:20,120 --> 00:01:23,600 Speaker 2: in terms of that even the sole Southern hospitality, I 27 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:25,760 Speaker 2: think Mike is a little overrated if he. 28 00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:30,000 Speaker 1: Asked me, because not to compare to the PNW, you 29 00:01:30,040 --> 00:01:32,240 Speaker 1: know what, you've lived it here for yeah, the last 30 00:01:32,319 --> 00:01:34,600 Speaker 1: five years here. But I think, by the way, though, 31 00:01:34,680 --> 00:01:36,200 Speaker 1: if I do say, if I get out there, at 32 00:01:36,200 --> 00:01:38,000 Speaker 1: some point, I will be taking the golf clubs. I 33 00:01:38,080 --> 00:01:40,160 Speaker 1: have to hit a Pinehurst, Yeah. 34 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:42,520 Speaker 2: And there's a lot of courses around the Pinehurst area 35 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:47,000 Speaker 2: that are equal and even better. And there's plenty of 36 00:01:47,040 --> 00:01:49,920 Speaker 2: golf here. It's beautiful, and they've got a nice seashore 37 00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:53,000 Speaker 2: and the beautiful mountains, and it's a huge state that 38 00:01:53,120 --> 00:01:57,120 Speaker 2: spands about eight hours drive coast to coast. So it's 39 00:01:56,680 --> 00:01:59,120 Speaker 2: it's a nice place. There's no doubt about that. 40 00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:01,200 Speaker 1: I'll get the family I'm in there here, so it's 41 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:03,639 Speaker 1: always a treat. And I move on to the hockey 42 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:05,960 Speaker 1: side of this, with this team now eight ho to 43 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:09,160 Speaker 1: two in the last ten games, and what a turnaround 44 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:12,079 Speaker 1: versus the kind of conversation we were having I think 45 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:15,400 Speaker 1: last time, which was I believe in the road trip 46 00:02:15,520 --> 00:02:19,440 Speaker 1: at Utah. Chandler Stephenson told me the other day about 47 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:22,840 Speaker 1: how much this team is handling games late with a 48 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:26,400 Speaker 1: greater sense of maturity. Then there is a goaltending part 49 00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:29,239 Speaker 1: of this. Then there's a power play part of this. 50 00:02:29,919 --> 00:02:32,799 Speaker 1: At one point, though, did this turn from just a 51 00:02:32,880 --> 00:02:37,880 Speaker 1: modest streak into something real now where they're contending for 52 00:02:37,960 --> 00:02:39,919 Speaker 1: first place heading into game forty three. 53 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:43,240 Speaker 2: Well, I think the biggest component is that if you 54 00:02:43,280 --> 00:02:47,360 Speaker 2: can rely on goaltending consistently, you know, to carry you 55 00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:49,680 Speaker 2: through a schedule like this, and have two guys play 56 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:54,280 Speaker 2: like they have, and especially Philip Rubamber, that's the first thing. 57 00:02:54,560 --> 00:02:57,800 Speaker 2: I mean. If you have that, you can withstand you know, 58 00:02:57,919 --> 00:03:01,040 Speaker 2: lulls in your team game, you can stand some holes 59 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:04,760 Speaker 2: in your special teams. You can withstand knights where your 60 00:03:04,880 --> 00:03:08,280 Speaker 2: energy is not the best you know, or injuries and 61 00:03:08,440 --> 00:03:11,680 Speaker 2: all of that is part of what's going on here. 62 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:15,600 Speaker 2: And the backbone has been the goaltending of both of 63 00:03:15,639 --> 00:03:19,040 Speaker 2: these guys. So with that in place, the team gets 64 00:03:19,080 --> 00:03:22,760 Speaker 2: more confidence and is able to play, you know, an 65 00:03:22,840 --> 00:03:26,120 Speaker 2: exceptional team game, which I think by and large, if 66 00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:28,880 Speaker 2: we're fair about this. They've been able to execute that 67 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:32,040 Speaker 2: from day one, and even in the times where it 68 00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:34,760 Speaker 2: was hard to find a win, I don't think they 69 00:03:34,920 --> 00:03:37,760 Speaker 2: varied much in terms of how they're trying to play, 70 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:40,800 Speaker 2: and because of that trust factor, I think they didn't 71 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:42,880 Speaker 2: come apart at the scenes. I think a lot of 72 00:03:42,920 --> 00:03:45,560 Speaker 2: teams would have blown up, you know, the way they 73 00:03:45,600 --> 00:03:48,480 Speaker 2: were playing, you know, maybe two or three weeks before 74 00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:51,560 Speaker 2: the holiday break, and then just before the holidays they 75 00:03:51,640 --> 00:03:54,480 Speaker 2: kind of reined it in, and then since the holidays, 76 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:58,200 Speaker 2: it's been unbelievable. So these are times you take but 77 00:03:58,280 --> 00:04:01,720 Speaker 2: it's a new beginning now tonight, you know, starting in 78 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:05,600 Speaker 2: North Carolina with this game against the Hurricanes. This is 79 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:08,960 Speaker 2: a very important road trip because they're going to have 80 00:04:09,080 --> 00:04:11,160 Speaker 2: some interesting things they're going to have to deal with 81 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:14,160 Speaker 2: here right off the hop. Jordan Beverley's injury is number one. 82 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:18,040 Speaker 2: Chandler Stevenson will be a question mark for the game tonight. 83 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:20,239 Speaker 2: I don't believe he's going to be able to play 84 00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:23,680 Speaker 2: in a personal situation, So you know, these are things 85 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:26,599 Speaker 2: that they're going to have to get through, and you know, 86 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:29,680 Speaker 2: interesting goaltending choice tonight. Whether he starts the trip with 87 00:04:29,720 --> 00:04:32,360 Speaker 2: Philip Grubauer or goes back to Joey in the rotation. 88 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:36,000 Speaker 2: I think it's likely to be Decord and you know, 89 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:38,520 Speaker 2: it's a nine easy team to play against the start. 90 00:04:38,720 --> 00:04:42,680 Speaker 2: So it's great to have this kind of footing and 91 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:46,119 Speaker 2: confidence going into this road trip. But if you don't 92 00:04:46,440 --> 00:04:49,680 Speaker 2: gain more traction, then you're right back to where you were. 93 00:04:49,680 --> 00:04:51,960 Speaker 2: And that's kind of how the league is for every team. 94 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:54,600 Speaker 2: So you got to ride the roller coaster, take the 95 00:04:54,680 --> 00:04:56,359 Speaker 2: good with the bad, and see where it takes you. 96 00:04:56,720 --> 00:04:59,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, it certainly seems like it's no surprise 97 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:01,400 Speaker 1: based on the injury anymore. I mean the Cracking went 98 00:05:01,440 --> 00:05:04,160 Speaker 1: through this on a greater degree with Jaden schwartz Ou 99 00:05:04,279 --> 00:05:07,560 Speaker 1: plus Jared McCann plus Ben's done plus Brandon Montor to 100 00:05:07,839 --> 00:05:10,520 Speaker 1: a four have not yet return here from this, and 101 00:05:10,560 --> 00:05:13,240 Speaker 1: we saw Oscar fiscoal moulguard called back up here for 102 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:17,640 Speaker 1: road trip insurance should he get in there. I mean, man, Johnny, 103 00:05:17,720 --> 00:05:20,520 Speaker 1: for the first few games, I was just impressed by 104 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:23,320 Speaker 1: just how much he handled the pace and handle the speed. 105 00:05:23,360 --> 00:05:25,320 Speaker 1: I mean, what do you really appreciate about his game 106 00:05:25,360 --> 00:05:25,680 Speaker 1: so far? 107 00:05:25,920 --> 00:05:28,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think he's got an excellent chance of playing tonight. 108 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:31,000 Speaker 2: And what I like about his game is it's a 109 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:34,080 Speaker 2: heady game. It's it's a game based on a really 110 00:05:34,120 --> 00:05:38,920 Speaker 2: good hockey sense and IQ and you know, high marks 111 00:05:38,920 --> 00:05:41,960 Speaker 2: for him, you know, making his Olympic team, and that's 112 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:45,040 Speaker 2: going to be great for a player of his experience 113 00:05:45,080 --> 00:05:48,120 Speaker 2: and age. But the crack are going to need him, 114 00:05:48,120 --> 00:05:51,400 Speaker 2: and by all accounts, he's had an excellent season the 115 00:05:51,440 --> 00:05:54,800 Speaker 2: American Hockey League for first year guy. But that's how 116 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:56,400 Speaker 2: he's going to do it. You know, he's going to 117 00:05:56,440 --> 00:05:59,159 Speaker 2: do it based on the soundness of his game, the 118 00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:02,760 Speaker 2: completeness of his game. That's what earns the trust of 119 00:06:02,760 --> 00:06:06,359 Speaker 2: a coaching staff, especially if you're a player like he is. 120 00:06:06,440 --> 00:06:09,080 Speaker 2: It's not like you're calling up another Ben Myers or 121 00:06:09,360 --> 00:06:12,000 Speaker 2: a John Hayden or someone who's going to come in 122 00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:15,440 Speaker 2: with pro experience. You're calling up a player with very 123 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:19,159 Speaker 2: little pro experience. And Lane's going to have to trust 124 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:21,400 Speaker 2: his game. And I think that built in trust has 125 00:06:21,440 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 2: been established. I think it was established in training camp. 126 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:27,040 Speaker 2: I think it was there when it with his first 127 00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:29,720 Speaker 2: call up, and now that he gets the second opportunity 128 00:06:30,080 --> 00:06:32,320 Speaker 2: here it is again and he's going to be thrust 129 00:06:32,360 --> 00:06:34,640 Speaker 2: into a situation where it's going to be on the road, 130 00:06:35,160 --> 00:06:37,640 Speaker 2: and again it's going to be against some quality teams 131 00:06:37,680 --> 00:06:41,200 Speaker 2: on this trip, starting with Carolina, you know, and then 132 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:44,479 Speaker 2: going from there, So that'll be interesting to watch. 133 00:06:44,760 --> 00:06:47,440 Speaker 1: You know. One of the favorite questions I have since 134 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:50,400 Speaker 1: I took this job in a place where hockey is 135 00:06:50,400 --> 00:06:53,279 Speaker 1: a course prevalent, but the NHL is still new. Is 136 00:06:53,640 --> 00:06:55,880 Speaker 1: kind of addressing this here from both the sense of 137 00:06:55,960 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 1: how advanced hockey fans see this and new hockey fan 138 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:03,320 Speaker 1: can see this. For the advanced hockey fans side, is 139 00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:06,640 Speaker 1: there somebody that Jacob Alanson reminds you of from the 140 00:07:06,680 --> 00:07:09,960 Speaker 1: passing games you've called? And for new hockey fans, how 141 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:12,200 Speaker 1: can they learn a little more about this game by 142 00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:14,360 Speaker 1: watching that fourth line do work well? 143 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:18,440 Speaker 2: I think if you if you concentrate on how they play, 144 00:07:18,480 --> 00:07:20,440 Speaker 2: and they think if you're at the game, it's easier 145 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:24,080 Speaker 2: than say, if you're watching on television, certainly listening on 146 00:07:24,120 --> 00:07:26,040 Speaker 2: the radio, but if you're at the game, you can 147 00:07:26,080 --> 00:07:29,080 Speaker 2: watch how whoever makes up the fourth line, how they 148 00:07:29,120 --> 00:07:32,080 Speaker 2: play without the puck. And I think there was a 149 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:36,080 Speaker 2: sequence which led to Jacob's first goal in Calgary. The 150 00:07:36,120 --> 00:07:40,200 Speaker 2: players talk about reloads, and I think the fourth line 151 00:07:40,280 --> 00:07:42,920 Speaker 2: is exceptional at doing that, and I think at times 152 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:46,480 Speaker 2: they're better than other lines at reloading. What I mean 153 00:07:46,520 --> 00:07:48,800 Speaker 2: by this is that you know, they get in on 154 00:07:48,840 --> 00:07:51,960 Speaker 2: a Ford check where they put pressure deep in the 155 00:07:52,440 --> 00:07:55,120 Speaker 2: in the opponent's zone and try and force a turnover. 156 00:07:55,640 --> 00:07:57,520 Speaker 2: And if the other team gets the puck and they 157 00:07:57,560 --> 00:08:00,000 Speaker 2: work it up the ice, you got to really hustle 158 00:08:00,280 --> 00:08:04,200 Speaker 2: or be in find position to get back to break 159 00:08:04,240 --> 00:08:06,320 Speaker 2: the play, kill the play before it gets out of 160 00:08:06,320 --> 00:08:09,120 Speaker 2: the zone, and then counter and then come back in 161 00:08:09,200 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 2: and score. And in Calgary Monday night, that's what they 162 00:08:12,480 --> 00:08:15,520 Speaker 2: were able to do on Jacob Bronson's first NHL goal. 163 00:08:15,600 --> 00:08:18,640 Speaker 2: It was a reload of all three guys Myers, Winterton 164 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:21,440 Speaker 2: and he, you know, doing just that. They do that 165 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:24,720 Speaker 2: exceptionally well. And the other thing they do very well too, 166 00:08:24,960 --> 00:08:28,640 Speaker 2: And it's pretty easy to see and define its first 167 00:08:28,640 --> 00:08:32,400 Speaker 2: man pressure. You know, when the puck is available and 168 00:08:32,440 --> 00:08:35,520 Speaker 2: there's not total control, you know they have to read 169 00:08:35,559 --> 00:08:37,960 Speaker 2: that play first and if the puck is is a 170 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:40,800 Speaker 2: fifty to fifty or in a situation where you might 171 00:08:40,840 --> 00:08:43,000 Speaker 2: be able to kill the play deeper in the zone, 172 00:08:43,040 --> 00:08:45,080 Speaker 2: saying back of the goal, they get in there and 173 00:08:45,080 --> 00:08:47,800 Speaker 2: make a hit, they make body contact, you know, and 174 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:51,800 Speaker 2: really that's part of their DNA is fourth line players. 175 00:08:51,840 --> 00:08:54,319 Speaker 2: You see it with every team. The fourth line is 176 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:56,360 Speaker 2: usually an energy group and they go out there and 177 00:08:56,360 --> 00:08:58,600 Speaker 2: they try and be physical, but it has to be 178 00:08:58,720 --> 00:09:02,360 Speaker 2: with a purpose. And I think that's how Malonson plays 179 00:09:02,400 --> 00:09:05,080 Speaker 2: the game, at least in the small sample size. He 180 00:09:05,280 --> 00:09:09,480 Speaker 2: is physical. He's purposeful though, you know, it's not like 181 00:09:09,559 --> 00:09:11,240 Speaker 2: you go out there and you run around and you're 182 00:09:11,280 --> 00:09:13,280 Speaker 2: trying to stir it up and get momentum on your 183 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:16,960 Speaker 2: side and maybe start a fight. It's not necessarily that. 184 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:19,240 Speaker 2: It's more or less, you know, playing the game in 185 00:09:19,280 --> 00:09:22,640 Speaker 2: a sense where you're going to get territorial edge that 186 00:09:22,679 --> 00:09:26,120 Speaker 2: will feed into the next line and then that's the key, 187 00:09:26,440 --> 00:09:28,680 Speaker 2: you know, that's the key in any game is you know, 188 00:09:28,760 --> 00:09:31,360 Speaker 2: the follow up shift. A good shift is a good 189 00:09:31,360 --> 00:09:33,480 Speaker 2: one only if it's followed up by a better one. 190 00:09:33,720 --> 00:09:35,680 Speaker 2: And when a better shift comes out, and if you 191 00:09:35,679 --> 00:09:39,280 Speaker 2: can put a third shift after that, then you're onto something. 192 00:09:39,360 --> 00:09:42,800 Speaker 2: Now you're you're dominating play, which is kind of how 193 00:09:42,840 --> 00:09:46,079 Speaker 2: the crack And played on Thursday night. They were able 194 00:09:46,120 --> 00:09:49,080 Speaker 2: and in the third period to finally do that against Minnesota. 195 00:09:49,520 --> 00:09:52,640 Speaker 2: Back to back shifts of quality kind of turn the 196 00:09:52,679 --> 00:09:55,480 Speaker 2: game around, force Minnesota to take a couple of penalties. 197 00:09:56,080 --> 00:09:58,000 Speaker 2: The Cracking we're able to cash in with a power 198 00:09:58,040 --> 00:10:00,559 Speaker 2: play goal, you know, and at least and a point 199 00:10:00,559 --> 00:10:02,400 Speaker 2: out of that game, where it was not a good 200 00:10:02,480 --> 00:10:04,360 Speaker 2: It wasn't a great game for the Crack and by 201 00:10:04,360 --> 00:10:07,520 Speaker 2: any stretch, was a poor start. There's some holes in 202 00:10:07,559 --> 00:10:10,440 Speaker 2: their game. It wasn't as efficient as we've seen, but 203 00:10:10,520 --> 00:10:12,800 Speaker 2: they were able to navigate through the game and at 204 00:10:12,880 --> 00:10:13,640 Speaker 2: least get a point. 205 00:10:13,760 --> 00:10:16,199 Speaker 1: So who's the first player from the past that may 206 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:18,080 Speaker 1: come to mind that Malanson remind you of. 207 00:10:19,840 --> 00:10:22,080 Speaker 2: I'm going to think about this because I don't know 208 00:10:22,480 --> 00:10:25,839 Speaker 2: exactly what he's going to turn into if he becomes 209 00:10:25,880 --> 00:10:28,120 Speaker 2: an NHL player, you know, is he going to become 210 00:10:28,160 --> 00:10:31,240 Speaker 2: a player that's going to be able to put points 211 00:10:31,280 --> 00:10:34,280 Speaker 2: on the board? You know? For instance. I'm not going 212 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:37,439 Speaker 2: to make this comparison by any stretch, because Brad Marsham 213 00:10:37,559 --> 00:10:39,319 Speaker 2: is going to be in the Hall of Fame someday, okay, 214 00:10:39,360 --> 00:10:41,959 Speaker 2: But when he was a rookie, he was a fourth 215 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:46,600 Speaker 2: line player, okay, and he was antagonistic, and he came 216 00:10:46,679 --> 00:10:48,559 Speaker 2: up and he broke into the league, and that's how 217 00:10:48,559 --> 00:10:50,880 Speaker 2: he did it. And I don't think when he broke 218 00:10:50,920 --> 00:10:55,599 Speaker 2: in anybody expected what we have seen now over the 219 00:10:55,720 --> 00:10:57,640 Speaker 2: last you know, fifteen years. 220 00:10:57,960 --> 00:11:00,960 Speaker 1: So funny enough, what numbers do do they also wear? 221 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:04,760 Speaker 2: It's the same number, and it's the same area upbringing. 222 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:08,080 Speaker 2: You know, it's Halifax. He's from amhers, Nova Scotia, but 223 00:11:08,120 --> 00:11:12,080 Speaker 2: he's listed Jacob's listed as a Halifax birthplace. So is Marsham. 224 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:16,920 Speaker 2: So they're Maritimers and it's a hard edge in the Maritimes. 225 00:11:17,880 --> 00:11:19,920 Speaker 2: They learn how to play the right way there. They 226 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:23,800 Speaker 2: learn how to play with passion and emotion. And that's 227 00:11:23,880 --> 00:11:26,360 Speaker 2: kind of why I look at his game and say, well, 228 00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:29,120 Speaker 2: maybe there's a little bit of that in there. And 229 00:11:29,160 --> 00:11:32,079 Speaker 2: I don't want to sell him short, because anything's possible 230 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:35,640 Speaker 2: for a player who kind of earns his key first 231 00:11:36,160 --> 00:11:39,560 Speaker 2: instead of the other way around. And then in each 232 00:11:39,600 --> 00:11:42,240 Speaker 2: off season if he becomes an NFL or, he refines 233 00:11:42,280 --> 00:11:44,320 Speaker 2: his game and then he gets more ice time and 234 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:47,400 Speaker 2: lo and behold, he's playing with better players. He's going 235 00:11:47,440 --> 00:11:49,680 Speaker 2: to the net and they're easily putting it on his 236 00:11:49,760 --> 00:11:53,960 Speaker 2: tape and he's scoring so I don't know. I think 237 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:58,199 Speaker 2: there's some potential there for him to play that way, 238 00:11:58,760 --> 00:12:02,000 Speaker 2: but I also believe that, you know, as of right now, 239 00:12:02,280 --> 00:12:05,080 Speaker 2: he's a he's a player that's making a difference by 240 00:12:05,320 --> 00:12:08,680 Speaker 2: doing things correctly but also getting underneath the opponent's skin. 241 00:12:09,440 --> 00:12:12,360 Speaker 2: Case in point would be Thursday night when Marcus Felino 242 00:12:12,440 --> 00:12:15,360 Speaker 2: wanted to rip his head off. You know, something happened 243 00:12:15,400 --> 00:12:18,280 Speaker 2: within that game. No penalty was called on the exchange. 244 00:12:18,520 --> 00:12:21,280 Speaker 2: Melanson went in, made a great hit on their d 245 00:12:21,920 --> 00:12:24,559 Speaker 2: it was late in the game, they went to the benches, 246 00:12:24,720 --> 00:12:27,360 Speaker 2: a couple of words were exchanged. Felino put him at 247 00:12:27,360 --> 00:12:30,600 Speaker 2: the headlock and dropped them. Should have been penalized, but 248 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:33,720 Speaker 2: was not, probably because because it was a rookie and 249 00:12:33,760 --> 00:12:36,400 Speaker 2: a veteran in the time of game, so the officials 250 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:39,680 Speaker 2: looked the other way. That's hockey. But to me, those 251 00:12:39,720 --> 00:12:43,160 Speaker 2: are the things that he does without taking foolish penalties, 252 00:12:44,280 --> 00:12:46,520 Speaker 2: at least till now, and he doesn't put his team 253 00:12:46,520 --> 00:12:49,040 Speaker 2: in a bad spot. So he plays an honest game 254 00:12:49,080 --> 00:12:52,160 Speaker 2: that's hard and it has a ton of energy attached 255 00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:54,880 Speaker 2: to it. And I'm cheering for him. He's a great story. 256 00:12:54,920 --> 00:12:55,720 Speaker 2: He really is. 257 00:12:55,800 --> 00:12:58,000 Speaker 1: He's so fun to watch and even more fun to 258 00:12:58,040 --> 00:12:59,960 Speaker 1: talk with as well, and one of the most warm 259 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:05,240 Speaker 1: personalities already that you'll certainly approach in that dressing room here. Finally, Johnny, 260 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:07,280 Speaker 1: we had a chance to watch Little Carolina. You and 261 00:13:07,280 --> 00:13:09,280 Speaker 1: I I remember back in the booth a couple of 262 00:13:09,320 --> 00:13:12,000 Speaker 1: games ago before we got underway. I mean, man, it 263 00:13:12,160 --> 00:13:15,080 Speaker 1: feels like again, same team, different year under Rod Brendam Moore, 264 00:13:15,120 --> 00:13:17,680 Speaker 1: and they're still doing their thing, moldoring all the way 265 00:13:17,720 --> 00:13:20,400 Speaker 1: to first place in the Metro at twenty seven to 266 00:13:20,480 --> 00:13:23,400 Speaker 1: fourteen and three. They've won three in a row, but 267 00:13:23,640 --> 00:13:26,120 Speaker 1: was going to find the challenge coming out of two 268 00:13:26,200 --> 00:13:29,240 Speaker 1: nights ago heading into the only matchup at Lenovo Center. 269 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:33,480 Speaker 2: The ability to play with energy against this team will 270 00:13:33,480 --> 00:13:36,200 Speaker 2: be hard for the first game out east, given the 271 00:13:36,240 --> 00:13:40,520 Speaker 2: fact that the krack and traveled out here today or yesterday, 272 00:13:40,559 --> 00:13:43,840 Speaker 2: I should say, and have to play tonight and get 273 00:13:43,880 --> 00:13:45,680 Speaker 2: into a situation where they're going to have to find 274 00:13:45,720 --> 00:13:49,920 Speaker 2: their legs early. Because the Hurricanes have always been like 275 00:13:49,960 --> 00:13:54,200 Speaker 2: this under Rod, they worked exceptionally hard. Their game is 276 00:13:54,240 --> 00:13:57,600 Speaker 2: based on pop possession. They win a ton of face 277 00:13:57,600 --> 00:13:59,400 Speaker 2: stots and the crack and are not very good at that, 278 00:13:59,440 --> 00:14:02,360 Speaker 2: So they're going to have the puck a lot. They 279 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:05,200 Speaker 2: put a ton of pressure on the puck, they force 280 00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:09,120 Speaker 2: you to turn it over and then they skate exceptionally 281 00:14:09,160 --> 00:14:11,800 Speaker 2: well as a group, and so if they have their 282 00:14:11,840 --> 00:14:15,040 Speaker 2: boots on they being the Hurricanes, it's going to be 283 00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:17,680 Speaker 2: tough to chase them around the rink, especially the first 284 00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:21,520 Speaker 2: game out east. So to me, establishing the game on 285 00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:25,640 Speaker 2: the Kraken terms will be important. Goaltending will be vitally 286 00:14:25,680 --> 00:14:29,520 Speaker 2: important in the game. And somehow, if you can get 287 00:14:29,520 --> 00:14:33,600 Speaker 2: the lead on this team, you're halfway home. The Hurricanes 288 00:14:33,640 --> 00:14:36,640 Speaker 2: may be the best team in hockey with the lead. 289 00:14:37,160 --> 00:14:39,440 Speaker 2: I'm not sure what the numbers are, but I know 290 00:14:39,560 --> 00:14:42,920 Speaker 2: over the years when they score first, when they have 291 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:46,080 Speaker 2: a lead, and if it happens at home, they're hard 292 00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:48,400 Speaker 2: to be But when you force them out of their 293 00:14:48,440 --> 00:14:52,080 Speaker 2: comfort zone, when you force them to be uncomfortable, whether 294 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:55,200 Speaker 2: it be through physical play or you're putting pressure on 295 00:14:55,320 --> 00:14:57,480 Speaker 2: them and making it hard for them to come out 296 00:14:57,480 --> 00:15:01,560 Speaker 2: of the zone, pulled up a little bit. And that's 297 00:15:01,600 --> 00:15:04,280 Speaker 2: why they've, in my opinion, they've had a hard time 298 00:15:04,880 --> 00:15:09,240 Speaker 2: advancing all the way because they are capable of running 299 00:15:09,280 --> 00:15:13,120 Speaker 2: a playoff series against inferior opponents. That's been proven. But 300 00:15:13,240 --> 00:15:16,520 Speaker 2: when they face a test, a big test, a team 301 00:15:16,560 --> 00:15:19,160 Speaker 2: that's just as good skill wise, maybe has a little 302 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:22,000 Speaker 2: bit more grit attached to their game, and then you 303 00:15:22,040 --> 00:15:26,240 Speaker 2: play that same team for two weeks, they can get 304 00:15:26,560 --> 00:15:29,520 Speaker 2: that team that has the upper hand. That way can 305 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:32,840 Speaker 2: get the upper hand on the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes in 306 00:15:32,880 --> 00:15:35,240 Speaker 2: the regular season, though, what they do is and this 307 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:38,520 Speaker 2: is set up perfectly for them tonight. They're rested, they've 308 00:15:38,520 --> 00:15:41,240 Speaker 2: won three in a row. They're getting Jacob slaven back tonight. 309 00:15:41,320 --> 00:15:44,320 Speaker 2: He's only played five games. Their best defenseman it will 310 00:15:44,360 --> 00:15:46,960 Speaker 2: be in the Olympic team, and arguably one of the 311 00:15:46,960 --> 00:15:50,280 Speaker 2: best defensemen in the entire league. They'll get them back tonight. 312 00:15:51,440 --> 00:15:54,400 Speaker 2: You know, it's in their wheelhouse. So the Kraken have 313 00:15:54,480 --> 00:15:57,800 Speaker 2: to get them out of that comfort zone somehow tonight. 314 00:15:57,880 --> 00:16:00,800 Speaker 2: It won't be easy. This will be the toughest game 315 00:16:00,840 --> 00:16:03,680 Speaker 2: of the road trip. I believe that. But based on 316 00:16:03,720 --> 00:16:05,720 Speaker 2: the way that Krackon have been playing as a team 317 00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:10,000 Speaker 2: and starting from the goal out, whether it's Decord or 318 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:13,600 Speaker 2: Grubauer tonight, that to me is the biggest key win 319 00:16:13,640 --> 00:16:19,000 Speaker 2: the net try to score first try to make sure 320 00:16:19,080 --> 00:16:21,400 Speaker 2: that you're making it hard for them to get free ice, 321 00:16:21,560 --> 00:16:24,400 Speaker 2: especially through the middle of the rink. Then you might 322 00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:26,840 Speaker 2: be on the something. But you know it's not going 323 00:16:26,920 --> 00:16:28,840 Speaker 2: to be easy. There's no question about it. It's a 324 00:16:28,920 --> 00:16:30,960 Speaker 2: very good team, very good team, one of the best 325 00:16:30,960 --> 00:16:33,720 Speaker 2: in the East in a wide open Eastern Conference. But 326 00:16:33,800 --> 00:16:35,080 Speaker 2: it'll be a great test tonight. 327 00:16:35,320 --> 00:16:38,160 Speaker 1: Crack and are aiming for back to back wins in 328 00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:40,760 Speaker 1: the all time series here against Carolina for the first 329 00:16:40,760 --> 00:16:43,560 Speaker 1: time in franchise history. They won four to two last 330 00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:46,160 Speaker 1: time they went to Carolina. Bet that was back on 331 00:16:46,280 --> 00:16:49,600 Speaker 1: December third, to twenty twenty four. Johnny, You're the best. 332 00:16:49,720 --> 00:16:52,320 Speaker 1: Enjoy family time out there. I'll miss you on the 333 00:16:52,920 --> 00:16:55,240 Speaker 1: New York, New Jersey part of the triple. Look forward 334 00:16:55,240 --> 00:16:57,640 Speaker 1: to catching up with you back on the Boston side. 335 00:16:57,640 --> 00:17:00,960 Speaker 1: But to have a good call. Appreciate you my friend, Okay, Mike. 336 00:17:00,840 --> 00:17:02,240 Speaker 2: Thanks all. Look forward to it.