The Check In - 03.31.26 - Jets at Blackhawks

The Jets hope to build off an impressive win in Denver when they visit the Blackhawks in Chicago. Sara and Jamie discuss Winnipeg's improving playoff situation and welcome former NHL coach Bruce Boudreau and TSN analyst Martin Biron to the show.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 2:27

Let's have some fun these next few days and keep it simple.

SPEAKER_05 2:33

And fun they did.

SPEAKER_06 2:35

I was impressed.

SPEAKER_05 2:36

A couple of days off in Chicago, and it looks like there is some FOMO going on. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_06 2:41

I would have loved to been at Ripley Park.

SPEAKER_05 2:44

No surprise at all.

SPEAKER_06 2:46

I'd love to be there.

SPEAKER_05 2:47

I am Sarah Lesky, he is Jamie Thomas. You are watching Check, and it's great to see so many of you in the chat already as we get you set for today's game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Winnipeg Jets. As the Jets continue this road trip, they started off with a bang, a huge two points in Colorado, and they will look to continue it on now in Chicago tonight before closing things out in Dallas and Columbus.

SPEAKER_06 3:08

Isn't it funny how we said before they left on this trip like this is the trip that will decide?

SPEAKER_05 3:14

By the end of this weekend, we're gonna know exactly we will have a better idea.

SPEAKER_06 3:18

So what 10.8% on money puck? Hold on. 10.5%.

SPEAKER_05 3:23

Hey, so much has changed since we saw you last Saturday because of the Jets win and because of a number of losses, because now it's not just the Pacific division in terms of the top three that are saying, no, you take it, no, you take it. Nobody seems to want to claim the second wild card spot other than the Winnipeg Jets who keep pushing. And I guess same with the St. Louis Blues.

SPEAKER_06 3:43

Right. And Nashville seemed to have it in their lost three in a row now.

SPEAKER_05 3:48

So struggles, but so much has changed since then. I mean, you think about it. So the Jets have won uh across the league. Huge news with the Leafs um releasing their GM, Brad Tree Libing, yeah, for it. Uh, we've seen it.

SPEAKER_06 4:01

Because it's his fault.

SPEAKER_05 4:02

That's right. We've seen a coaching change in Vegas as well. Um, John Tordarella in there now and in places. Eight games left. Yeah.

SPEAKER_06 4:10

Yeah. And playoffs' contract is reported by John Shannon's like the eight games and playoffs.

SPEAKER_05 4:15

Correct.

SPEAKER_06 4:16

And they'll look at it after the offseason. So there's been a lot going on.

SPEAKER_05 4:18

And the Winnipeg Jets still have one game against Vegas as well. So interesting. But the Jets now just three points back. So you're saying there's a 10% chance right now, right? We'll be even higher with the win here tonight.

SPEAKER_06 4:30

Yeah, and just to impress, and this is the one because you think of the games that are coming, Dallas and Columbus, and then you have a huge showdown with Seattle on Monday here at Canada Life Center. This is the game where you are a little bit fearful of because of the one you might look past. But I think Winnipeg's been in Chicago enough times to face a Blackhaw team that is not involved in a playoff chase at all and have not been successful. So I think they'll be tuned into this one for sure.

SPEAKER_05 4:53

Yeah, uh joining us just momentarily will be Bruce Boudreaux, very excited to have him on. He hasn't uh joined us yet this season, but always one of our favorites. And Marty Burano is going to join us as well. So full TSN really TSN heavy show today, which is always fantastic. But let's take a look at where the standings are right now, just before we bring Bruce in. So we have six teams within four points of that second wild card spot, with so many of you in the chat already discussing things today. So, Jets aside, we obviously want the Jets to claim that second wildcard spot. Which of those teams scare you? Because we have seen a lot of movement.

SPEAKER_06 5:29

Of all the teams that are here right now, I was like, I had written San Jose off.

SPEAKER_05 5:34

Yep.

SPEAKER_06 5:35

But after I watched them last night against St. Louis, I'm like, okay, maybe they might be a problem. LA is kind of always that team, they're not very interesting. Timmy Panarin's there. You just I don't know. So the team to answer your question, I'm terrified of both San Jose and Los Angeles.

SPEAKER_05 5:48

Okay, what about those of you in the chat? Who is it that you are keeping your eye on most? We do a ton of scoreboard watching at this time of year. The Jets with the win tonight would have nine wins in the month of March, which would be the most wins that they have had in a month so far this season. So they continue to impress. I know we've said it on numerous occasions, but the way that they have come out from the Olympic break, there were a lot of questions. They were 11 points back. We wondered about what sort of with some of the injuries, some of the trades, new faces being brought in. Yes, what sort of energy would we see from the team? We have seen this team continue to push. So it hasn't been hollow words, yeah, of just saying that of course we want to we believe in ourselves. This team has really um been putting together something.

SPEAKER_06 6:32

Right. And as much as you want to criticize the schedule, the Olympic break did give a lot of people time to heal and be refreshed for this push. And you know, we've seen a lot from Cole Perfetti. Certainly, Adam Lowry, that second line has been incredible for this team, maybe a big key why they're here. So um, as much as they have to play a lot of games a lot of days, the Olympic break was very helpful for this team.

SPEAKER_05 6:51

Yes, absolutely. We will hear from the players momentarily, and morning skate uh has just wrapped up. It was a very long reports out of Chicago and the United Center was that it was a very lengthy skate. The Jets had Sunday off, they had an optional skate on Monday, so a very long morning skate today, but we will update you on all of that shortly. But we want to bring in Bruce Boudreaux because he has so kindly fit us in today in his very busy schedule. So we there we go. Hi, Bruce. How are you doing today?

SPEAKER_08 7:20

I'm good, Sarah. How are you?

SPEAKER_05 7:22

I'm doing great.

SPEAKER_08 7:23

Hi, Jamie. Yeah, hey Bruce.

SPEAKER_05 7:24

Hey, it's so great to see you. Okay, what do you make of uh well, I mean, really just across the league right now, these final eight to ten games and some of the races that we have going on, whether it be in the east or the west.

SPEAKER_08 7:38

Well, you know, it's funny. I mean, when any of those uh teams that are that are trying to get in loses one, lose one game, you think the season's over, we're done. And then you look at the you look at the standings and you go, well, you know, we're still okay, we're right there, right? So I mean, I mean, if you look where Nashville is, and then you take all the games in hand on the teams uh following them, and just say they win them all, the ones that are games in hand. We're going down to the last five games, and uh uh who knows what's gonna happen because it's uh it's if you can win now, if if Winnipeg can win six out of eight, and they've had a fabulous march, and they've they've played uh, I thought so well since everybody has counted them out that it's it and they've got the pedigree of winning. I I think they've got a chance, but if they win six out of eight, I think the I think there's a good chance they can be in.

SPEAKER_06 8:33

Does the the game against uh Denver or sorry, Colorado in Denver the other night, Bruce? Um, the way Winnipeg defended, just should that cause the like if you're the avalanche, would you like to avoid Winnipeg at all costs the way considered they played them the last three times?

SPEAKER_08 8:48

Well, I certainly would because I mean they know how to defend. I mean, uh did they win the Jennings, they win the uh you know, they win the Vesna. So I mean, obviously defending, and I think Hallibuck is sitting in there going, you know what? I'm starting to get ticked off here. I'm not gonna let any more pucks in. And that and when he's playing like that, you can be a little looser, you can be like a uh you can make mistakes, and he covers up for the mistakes. Or at the beginning, the first half of the season, he wasn't covering up the for the mistakes the way he has been in the in previous years. But I mean, uh, you know, they win tonight, and then what are they got 70 uh 79 points after tonight? And they're they're right there when everybody in the world uh counted them out. So I think it's an exciting time to be uh a Winnipeg jet thinking coming down the stretch. And and listen, I've been in the playoffs enough times to know that all you have to do is get in because the eighth place team can come up and sneak, sneak up and beat you. And uh it's happened many times, and and it's happened a lot to the president's trophy winners. So just get in and anything can happen.

SPEAKER_05 10:00

Bruce, did you ever get in in the eighth spot? I mean, you're in the playoffs so many times as a coach. Uh, were you ever in as the eighth seed?

SPEAKER_08 10:09

Um, no, like I unfortunately tell you, and like because I I haven't won the cup, but I've always been in as the first seed. That's that's what bothers me. Like my my game seven record, it's crazy, is one in seven, and every one of those games were at home. So I mean, listen, I go over it in my head all the time, but uh, but I do know like when Montreal beat us in 2010, like they were the eighth seed, we're the president's trophy winners, and and uh sometimes goalies like uh in this in that case, halakh gets so hot, and Halibuck can can do it that you can win. Other teams that are usually the first seed or the higher seed, they're playing at a level that you know they they've the reason they're there is because they played at such a high level all year, but in the playoffs, you got to play at least 10 better than your high level, and sometimes those teams can't get there, if you know what I mean. Like when Boston set the record and won the president's trophy and then lost to Florida because they couldn't play any better, but Florida upped their game. Like, can Colorado play any better than they've played all year? Because you know, when if Winnipeg makes the playoffs, they can play better, and they've got that uh, you know, they got a first line that's as good as anybody, and just heard you guys talking. The set uh second line is starting to pick it up, and now they don't have to worry about having too many defensemen. Um, and they got the the best goalie in the league. So uh I'm a pretty positive guy that good things can happen.

SPEAKER_06 11:46

Bruce, when you I think obviously a lot of credit gets given to Mark Scheife and Kyle Connor because they have carried this team for the majority of the year. But does enough attention been given to Gabe Ballardi? The fact that he's been moved off that first line to spread out the offense has been instrumental into the Jets getting some secondary scoring from their second line.

SPEAKER_08 12:03

Well, as you know, most of the year there they have had no secondary scoring, right? So it to me it's it's not threesomes anymore, it's duos that uh that make your lions go. So, I mean, I think they could have they could afford to uh move Gabe Vellardi down and still stay as strong because Shapley pretty well looks for Kyle every time he's got the puck and and they play together. They just need a guy that can go up and down their wing and chip in every now and again, and then that deepens the roster, and that's what they've done. And that's probably why the second line has gotten a lot better, and which consequently means the third line has a role now to play. They're not worried about scoring, they've got their role, and the fourth line has got their role.

SPEAKER_05 12:50

When you look beyond the Jets, and this could be teams that are already secured one of their spots or look to be well in hand for one of their eight spots in the East or West. What team are you watching, Bruce, that you think will either be in the final or will make that serious push in this postseason?

SPEAKER_08 13:07

Like uh as a as a potential Stanley Cup champion team?

SPEAKER_05 13:11

Who do you expect? Who do you expect to go far in this one? Who are you particularly?

SPEAKER_08 13:15

I've always always liked Dallas because they've been there um at the gate, like I mean, for three years in a row. And I think you know, they've got sort of the same team. At some point, they're gonna get uh they're gonna they're gonna get through that. And Ottinger is gonna is gonna play up to say uh what people think of them. I I think that that's gonna be the case. I think in the east, it's it's uh to me, Carolina's as good as they can get to the fourth place. They can get in the top four, but I just don't think they can go any further there. And uh, but I think Tampa can, because the coach has been there and they've had players that have been there. And so I think it's I think Tampa's gonna be the team in the East, even though everybody says there could be upsets, but I think there could be upsets in the west because uh uh I've seen Colorado play great and they'll come at you in waves, but if they don't score, they uh the they'll start to panic, I think a little bit.

SPEAKER_06 14:15

Bruce, uh hang in there for a second. We're just gonna play this little video and uh we're gonna ask you a very important question. Go ahead, Zach.

SPEAKER_05 14:29

Okay, so Bruce, I guaranteed you did not see that one coming. Um God, okay, you know what? We're here to talk hockey. Thanks so much for having us on, Sarah. And Jamie instead, though, Bruce, we also like to talk about soup. Uh, you have you have coached many games in Winnipeg. You know that Winnipeg can be quite chilly, and somehow soup has become something that we talk about extensively on Facebook.

SPEAKER_07 14:52

A lot a lot.

SPEAKER_05 14:53

So people in the chat are absolutely loving having you on here right now, but they would love to know. We always like to ask people, are you a soup person? And if you are, what sort of soup is your go-to? Well, first of all, I love soup, especially if especially if we thought you couldn't go up any higher in my books. You were already at the top.

SPEAKER_08 15:13

Well, I'll I'll bring myself down in a second here. But I am the most plain guy in the world. Like, I mean, if you put a soup with a whole bunch of uh you know, French words and letter and in there, there's no chance I'm taking it. I only I'm at the age where I only eat what I know what's in it, and so so chicken noodle is a really good go-to, tomato is a really good go-to, beef barley, clam chowder, those are like I mean, pretty basic stuff. I haven't got into the uh I don't even know if I'm saying it right. I hope you don't can't get the show canceled, Pascal Joola and stuff like that. Like, I mean, so uh, but I tell you what, every restaurant I ever go in, I the first thing I do is look at the soup menu because I want soup before anything. You win.

SPEAKER_05 16:07

Yeah, you're the best. Yeah, you know what? You might have the classic answers, Bruce, but they are also the best answers. There's a reason why. Uh, we appreciate you fitting us in today. We know how busy your schedule is, and it is so wonderful to see you, and everyone can look forward to seeing you on SportsCenter later tonight.

SPEAKER_08 16:22

All right, it's great seeing you guys too, and thanks for calling me. I loved it. Yeah, thanks, Bruce.

SPEAKER_05 16:26

Thanks, Bruce.

SPEAKER_06 16:27

Okay, bye bye. What a great answer. Yeah, but people in the chat love it.

SPEAKER_05 16:32

Well, of course. Yeah, for it. The uh it is good soup options that Bruce gave us, and Bruce is one of my absolute favorite that I've ever dealt with. And I I think I may have said in previous years when he was on with us, but I covered him a ton when he was with the Washington Capitals. Obviously, Minnesota Wild did a bunch of series with him with Anaheim Ducks too, and he is just he is exactly with the media how you see him in that interview, too. And he is just one of the most likable people that you will come across in this business. Have you ever so genuine?

SPEAKER_06 17:07

Have you ever seen him get mad at the media? I can't recall. I I mean it's only I only deal with him from a Winnipeg Jet perspective, so I haven't, I haven't have yet to see it.

SPEAKER_05 17:22

Maybe it's you just and he is right. I mean, you look at his anytime when he was coaching it in the postseason. I mean, it always came up that his team would make it at game seven for whatever reason, um, struggled to be able to. That's quite the well, quite the record.

SPEAKER_06 17:39

Like one and seven, and all seven losses at all.

SPEAKER_05 17:41

And you just know that it would just come up, just like uh it would bother me too. Yeah. Uh always being a Bruce fan, minus when the Jets played his team, fair enough. Oh good people having soup today.

SPEAKER_06 17:56

Um, it's not a very nice day out today.

SPEAKER_05 17:59

For it's very slushy out. Um, while we wait for Marty Biron, why don't we take a look? So mention that the Jets are closing in on the standings. They're one of those six teams that are within four points of the second wildcard spot. They have made that push. It is impressive to continue to see. And so yesterday, we'll start with yesterday, Dylan Demelo and Marty Delhi.

SPEAKER_06 18:17

Outside the principal's office.

SPEAKER_05 18:19

Right. We have some questions about this background. We'll get to that afterwards.

SPEAKER_00 18:23

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_05 18:23

Here's uh Dylan DeMello start things off.

SPEAKER_00 18:25

And trying to stay in the fight. I think um, you know, we've had some games where we felt we've played well and deserved better. Um, you know, it's just it's just seems like it's been kind of that year where we're able to shrink some good games and some wins, and then you know, maybe we don't have it one night or a couple nights, and and we're fighting it. So um, you know, we've kind of been up and down all year, but I feel like uh last little bit, you know, obviously our urgency's been really high. We understand the situation, and um guys are digging in and playing hard, and um yeah, we're picking up wins and uh getting points and just trying to stay in the fight here and you know what's gonna go down the wire. So we're just hoping to keep accumulating them and hopefully get in there.

SPEAKER_04 19:01

Playing our game, playing with confidence, playing with uh, you know, the uh the thought that we know we know how to do it, we know how to we know how to we know how to win, we know how to take care of business, and um you know everyone, everyone's demeanor going into games, going into all that, just working their hardest and giving it their all. And um, I think the biggest thing is just confidence in our team, confidence in our group, and um going from there.

SPEAKER_06 19:23

Projected lines. Well, sorry about that. Hi guys.

SPEAKER_05 19:26

It's true.

SPEAKER_06 19:27

So okay, so it did not look like they're outside the principal's office.

SPEAKER_05 19:32

Why are they standing out there like that?

SPEAKER_06 19:34

It looked like they're in a school hallway for sure.

SPEAKER_05 19:36

Yeah, you uh you aren't wrong about that. But the jets making the push. So today, morning skate. If we take a look at what the projected lines are, because it finished just a short while ago. Because you want to remember also that this is 7:30 start tonight. I had forgotten. Me too. So TSN pregame show is begins at 7 p.m., but 7:30 start. I take a look at the projected lines, no surprise that this is what we're seeing.

SPEAKER_06 19:58

Because of how well everybody plays. So Jacob Bryson gets another shot. And I remember uh Scott Arneal saying that he doesn't like people staying out of the lineup for too long, but he played so well that he gets another shot with Leah Salomonson on that third defense pairing. Of course, he had an assist on the game winning goal. Um, Rosane's Jilkin for the young line. Like the looks of that, and also uh don't touch my third line because it's Tay's Lambert and Kepke because no one listens to me ever about the third line.

SPEAKER_05 20:22

So basically, if this third line changes on Thursday, you know why.

SPEAKER_06 20:27

I'm gonna I'm gonna fly right to Dallas and I'm gonna have a word with Scott Arneal on that one. All right. He our next guest is joining us from the car that I sent him uh for all his great work on television. Um, and his National Hockey League career and his mark at beer on joining us.

SPEAKER_03 20:42

Yeah, thanks for sending me the car. I love it.

SPEAKER_06 20:46

You do great work. So I just thought it's time somebody actually appreciated you outside of TSN. I'm like somebody like a random guy in Winnipeg is like, here's the car, Marty.

SPEAKER_03 20:55

Yeah, I love it. Yeah, I um I actually had some stuff to do at the uh the morning skate and our show sabers live, and then uh we're celebrating Don Stevens, who has been the play-by-play uh announcer for the Rochester Americans for the last 40 years. He's retiring. So they wanted a testimonial after, and then there's the more and more, and then I was like on my way back, and I'm like, oh boy, I thought it was uh I had more time, but uh I gotta just uh I pulled in the driveway and I'm like, instead of rushing it in the computer, the car is my office and I love it. And it's I do my best work in the car, so you guys are getting in my best location.

SPEAKER_05 21:34

Marty, as since you're talking to two people that have children that play sports, I mean the vehicle is often where Jamie and I end up doing our work as well. Because I will text him regularly and go, okay, well, I've got the computer. I'm not sure.

SPEAKER_06 21:47

No, while you're driving, of course. Of course not.

SPEAKER_05 21:49

I'm just sitting outside. I'm just sitting outside.

SPEAKER_03 21:52

Can't say I've not done that.

SPEAKER_05 21:53

So I saw someone say the other day about the dangers of texting, obviously, but then. You think about what it was like in the 90s when we all had CD players and the big CD books, yeah. And that you'd be driving without any second thought. You'd have them in your like you could have them up top, or I had the big book, right? That had so many in the flipping CDs in and out of your CD changer.

SPEAKER_03 22:18

Sarah, I don't know. Like I was born in 77. So the middle bump here in the car, right? That's where I sat as a kid. My mom's still to this day. My mom is 72 years old. And when she slams on the brakes, she puts her arm out. Like, because that was my seatbelt was our arm. That's how the car was back in the days.

SPEAKER_06 22:41

Marty, I got a great story on this one. My mom was trying to teach me a lesson. I wasn't wearing my seatbelt in the back of the car, and I was playing with my Hanshole action figure in the back seat. My mom tried to teach me a lesson. She slammed from the brake. I flipped over the front seat and landed on the floor.

SPEAKER_07 22:54

Oh my yes.

SPEAKER_06 22:56

With my action figure in hand, of course. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 22:59

Well, these were the good old days, but they were not the safe old days.

SPEAKER_05 23:03

I just put it that way. We always tell my parents tell a story of driving from Winnipeg out to the West Coast. And that's it. I sat in the middle um on the armrest the entire time. I mean, I was two. Why wouldn't I?

SPEAKER_03 23:17

We were just talking about how Nolan Ryan, when he was traded from uh I think it was either Houston or Texas, all the way to he went to play for the Anaheim Angels. He's like, I had a pickup truck, and we put the furniture in, and the kids were in the bed of the pickup truck driving from Texas to California. They weren't in the car, they were in the bed of the pickup truck with the dog. Something crazy.

unknown 23:44

Yeah.

SPEAKER_06 23:45

Here's a good question uh from comment for the win. Marty, do players run on cortisol and adrenaline in the long stretch run? And what effect does it have on the body the next day down the stretch drive?

SPEAKER_03 23:54

Uh uh, you you won on adrenaline. Yeah, you're you're sore, but you don't feel it. You keep going. And then I remember, and I didn't play play in the playoffs all that often, only two years with the Flyers. Went to the conference finals my first year, and I remember losing in five to Pittsburgh, and like a couple of days after that, and you're still on adrenaline because you have your team dinner, you're kind of saying bye to everybody, and then maybe five days after I woke up one day and I could barely walk. And I was like, what is happening here? Like I was fine two days ago. I would be still playing if we were in game six, seven, first game of the Stanley Cup finals, and I couldn't walk. Like the body seized up, and and that's for goalie, right? I mean, everybody that's playing the physical role and taking hits and giving hits and whatnot, um, you know, they wake up a week later and the body just falls apart because you're on adrenaline, you're on on, you know, just keep going. The the trainers, they take good care of you. Um, you know, the massage and the treatments and all of it, and then you just go four or five days without it, and then the body just falls apart.

SPEAKER_06 25:05

It's amazing.

SPEAKER_05 25:06

Yeah, one of the best stories I think out of the league so far this season, Marty, has been the Buffalo Sabres. I am so happy with how they've been doing and so excited for Sabres fans to be experiencing uh playoff hockey again this year. Can you describe what it's like in that city?

SPEAKER_03 25:24

Well, I mean, you guys have experienced it in Winnipeg now for the last few years. Every time there's playoff hockey in Winnipeg, you see the fans, the white out in the street, right? Um, that was like that 20 years ago in Buffalo. I remember the 0506 season that we had, the 0607 season that won the president's trophy. Um, it was complete chaos. Um, there's a sign on the one highway when you go into Buffalo, it says welcome to Buffalo. And 20 years ago, they used to replace Buffalo with Palmanville because of Jason Palmanville. They would say, Welcome to Palmanville. Well, just last week somebody replaced the Buffalo sign or covered it with a Lindy Ruffalo. Instead of saying welcome to Buffalo, it says welcome to Lindy's Ruffalo or something like that. So, so it is kind of crazy. And and having waited that long, there's a whole generation of like my kids are older, but my youngest just turned 16, and she didn't experience me in the playoffs, she didn't experience the sabers in the playoffs, she she hasn't seen it. And her and her boyfriend are so fired up, and and there's a whole generation of of kids and older teenager and older younger adults that have not experienced it. So I think it's gonna be absolutely madness when it comes to that time.

SPEAKER_06 26:42

How does it not like for you that has covered this team for so long? And I know you play for the organization. How exciting is it for you guys, the broadcasters that have been around this for so long and waiting? I don't care what anybody says, it's way more fun to cover a team that's in the playoffs than somebody that missed the playoffs.

SPEAKER_03 26:56

Well, I'm big on playoff matchup and team matchups, and you know, the tail of the tape, and what does this team do? And but in the regular season, when you go from one team to the other, like you know, the Sabres are playing the New York Islanders tonight. So I watched the Islanders game against Pittsburgh last night, and I'm like, oh, okay, like how can they match up well against them? But when it's a seven-game series and you start before game one and you kind of lay it out there, you say, because I love that the X's and O's. And after game one, there's lineup changes. After game two, there's lineup changes, there's a change of city, change of venues, change of you know, strategy with last change. Like that, I I live for that. I live for those matchups. And I remember even with my time with the Rangers, I was the backup goalie to Henry Clunquist, and um, you know, we would have meetings, and I would be in every meeting, even though I didn't see the ice, I didn't play one second. I wanted to be in the meeting because I wanted to know all that there is to know about the matchup. You know, if I have to talk to, you know, um Dan Girardi on defense about something that we discussed in the meeting, like I was so into it, and I love that's the best part about the game is those type of conversation, those meetings. And and so now I'm like, I'm I'm getting our our broadcast crew together, right? And I I want to talk about it. And they're like, we're not there yet, eight more games, and then we'll get there. So there's definitely like you know, an anticipation, but we we got to get there before we have those conversations.

SPEAKER_05 28:28

Yeah. So when you look in the West, Marty, for the second wildcard spot, we thought for a while it looked like it was gonna be a guaranteed maybe a week and a half ago that it was gonna be Nashville that was getting in. And now you look at the struggles that they've had, and there's six teams within four points of that second wildcard spot. St. Louis has been on a real heater and has one of the best records. When you look, I mean, when you kind of look at the potential teams that are in that mix, do you think Winnipeg, which according to MoneyPuck, has a 10% chance, do you think though that Winnipeg has a has a legitimate shot maybe of of getting in with nine games remaining?

SPEAKER_03 29:06

I think 10% is low. I really believe that 10% is low. I look at number one, you know, you have a stud goalie that can always get hot and all of a sudden win seven of the last nine, and you're like, hey, you know what? That's the 14 points we needed, or or whatever. He can do that. You have the experience, you have a top line that I believe uh can match up against a lot of other top lines in in the remaining games here. So um I think 10% is very low. Look, a month ago, I was given Winnipeg 0% chance. I was like, they're out. Um, you know what, better luck next year. Uh, I was listening to Scott Arneal, and I know Scott Arneal well. He was an assistant coach in Buffalo for a year, um, you know, that 05-06 season before he went back to coach, you know, um in Columbus and then, you know, back in the American League and whatnot. But um I I was listening to Arnie saying, look, this is this is terrible. We're we're not playing well, we're not playing smart. And I'm like, this is a coach that's trying to send a message for next year. Like these are the things we have to correct for next year. And well, you know what? Correct them for this year because you're right there. And I'm not sold on Nashville. Uh, you know, Eustace Annan, their goal, their backup goalie has actually been better than UC Soros. So what do you do? Do you play Soros and hope that he turns it around? Or is it Annan that's gonna be the guy to finish the season? I know they've got Stamcos that's playing better this year and O'Reilly and Yossi and and all of that, but I'm not sold on Nashville. And there's gonna be these games between San Jose and Nashville. I think they've got them twice still. Like there is all these games that are gonna happen. And if you get hot and you're the Jets, well, you can kind of inch closer, right? So um I think they're in the mix. Uh 10 is too low. I I would say I wouldn't give them like 40%, but I think a 25 to 30 percent chance of getting in for me would be uh would be where it's at, and and it would be a healthy 30. I think they can make it happen.

SPEAKER_06 31:11

Okay, so people of course want to know how the X-Wannapek Jets are doing. How are Logan Stanley, Tanner Pearson, and Luke Shen doing in Buffalo?

SPEAKER_03 31:18

So um, you know, we've seen a lot more of Logan Stanley than uh Shannon Pearson, and I think that was the original need as uh, you know, a depth defenseman, a third-pair guy. Um, he's played he's played well. He had some, you know, trying to fit in the style of the game. Um the Sabres years ago, they were doing a lot of switching, left D, right D, surfing across this this last year, pretty much, they've been staying on their side. And I've seen Stanley, his instincts are when the play has come into the ball, the left wing of the other team, but the right side, he likes to come over. And I think it's been an adjustment for him to say, Oh, I'm staying on the left side. I I this is my job. Split the ice in half. Um, so it's been an adjustment. He's been on the penalty kill a lot. Shannon only played it in one game, I believe. Um, which he he's he's a depth defenseman. You know, Connor Timmins has been back in the lineup. It looks like they're gonna have Zach Metza back in the lineup tonight. Michael Kesseling is waiting. There's a lot of bodies. Like the Sabres have their top four of Dallen, Samuelson, Byron, and power. But there's another four defensemen for two spots. So, you know, Stanley is gonna be in there, I believe so. Left shot, left side, big guy. But on the right side, we may have a rotation. And Tanner Pearson, yeah, it's again, it's a numbers game. Like he comes in and he plays, but Jordan Greenway is healthy now. Um, it's a numbers game. So he's gonna be spotted in and out on the fort line whenever there's a need or injuries, but it's it's a numbers game because they have, I think they have 29 players on the roster right now. Uh, that's including three goalies. So there's a lot of bodies.

SPEAKER_06 33:03

Last one, quick one for you. Uh, have you ever considered being a goaltending coach?

SPEAKER_03 33:08

Well, I do a lot of on-ice instruction in the off season with younger goalies, like you know, the 12 to 19-year-old. Um, I used to do it during the year and I was on the ice a ton. Uh, it just became too hard, too hard to fit it all in. My son is playing college hockey, so I go on the ice with him a little bit, um, but I'm not the the head like coach. Like I have a buddy of mine, David Leggio, who played in the American League, played in Europe, uh, played college hockey. He runs the clinic. I'm the good guy. He's the bad cop, I'm the good cop. I go around, I'm like, how is your season? Good to see you. I push the pucks around. I don't have to chase the money, I don't have to chase the parents, book the ice time, get the shooters. I don't have to do any of that. So I love it. Um, but I'll these these coaches work a lot. I mean, I work a lot in doing what I'm doing, but I pick my own schedule, and if I want to do more, I do more. If I want to do less, I do less. Um, I feel like I'd love to be a part of a team, but more as a hockey operation type of person, not as a coach. But goaltending would be obviously what I would fit best because of what I've done.

SPEAKER_06 34:23

Well, I'm glad you're enjoying the car. I got you. Uh, also your free car washes for a year for all your great work as well.

SPEAKER_03 34:28

Yeah, it needs a good cleaning. Um, the dogs have been in it, and it's that time of year where things are muddy, so it needs a good cleaning. I'm on it. We feel you.

SPEAKER_06 34:40

Thanks, Marty.

SPEAKER_03 34:41

Hey, thanks a lot. And yes, I'm cheering GoJets Go. I I want them to get in, and I I want to see Bryson and Roseanne, and those two are great people. I want them to have some impact and do well, and I'm cheering for you guys.

SPEAKER_05 34:54

Well, and there's a lot of people in the chat that are saying uh for the east that Buffalo is their team, that they're hoping to see the Sabres make a long run, a deep run into the postseason. So, Marty.

SPEAKER_03 35:06

Come and visit us. We got wings, we got you know, everything you want. Come visit. Absolutely. Thanks so much, Marty.

SPEAKER_06 35:14

Thank you guys. I saw a question, why from the car? So you can do some great work in your car.

SPEAKER_05 35:21

Yes.

SPEAKER_06 35:22

There's no noise.

SPEAKER_05 35:23

I wasn't I wasn't joking that you and I often message each other when we're waiting for our kids at their various fragments to say, okay, you know, did you did you find someone to come on this show with us? Okay, I think that's a good one. I got this first answer tomorrow, yeah. So we do a lot of work.

SPEAKER_07 35:39

It's the only time we don't yell each other.

SPEAKER_05 35:42

Uh, very quickly before we wrap things up, because we are a little bit over uh Bruce Boudreau and Marty Brown, those two fantastic guests. Uh just a quick listen to um inside the dressing room today.

SPEAKER_01 35:53

Yeah, super skilled team. Um you know, they they play you know good structure as well. They they check hard and um you know, good special teams. I know their PK is really good, so we gotta we gotta be sharp tonight. Um and uh you know, just like any road game, you know, it's you know doing the little things early and you know, not not kind of shooting yourself in the foot off the start of games and and just kind of building it throughout. And you know, we obviously had a great start in Colorado, and you know, no matter who the opponent is, uh we look to you know what spot us in here and playing our game.

SPEAKER_02 36:24

Exact same two points against uh Colorado that it's what it's what we have to get to keep uh going in this race. And if you uh don't respect your opponent, you're gonna end up on the wrong side of it. And that's pretty much a message this morning. That we this we just went through a stretch of 11 games in 19 days. We got our two days off and it's gonna reset for this last nine games to make a run at it. And it's uh we've talked about us having to gain points, and you know, this is an opportunity for us to continue on this road trip of you know, of just doing just that. You know, this young team, they're you know what they're they're playing loose, carefree, and um you know if Blash still hasn't playing a real solid game, and you know, we're gonna have to make sure that uh you know we're at our best.

SPEAKER_06 37:07

One thing about Chicago, I do remember it's very hard to get to front of the net. They have monstrous defensemen back there. So that will be a definite challenge for the Winnipeg Jets. And Phyllis, I agree with you. Marty doesn't look like he has teenage kids. No, Marty looks like he can still play.

SPEAKER_05 37:20

100%. Also, see a lot of uh people in the chat talking about the new KFC commercial starring the one and only Kyle Bleeping Connor. Yeah. Um, if you haven't had the opportunity to check it out, go and find it on social. It is fantastic. Have you seen it? No, oh my goodness, it's so good. The boots alone, Kyle Connor just. You got to keep the wetsuit, yes. It is tremendous, though. You have to go check it out. You know what? Maybe we'll put it on Thursday show as well for people that haven't seen it. But you don't want to push it on Thursday. Go do it now. What have you got to do between now and when this game starts?

SPEAKER_06 37:52

7:30 puck drop.

SPEAKER_05 37:53

7:30 puck drop. Uh, looking forward to it. So great to have so many of you in the chat with us. Hope you enjoyed hearing from Bruce Boudreaux, Marty Buran. Um, and we will get you set on Thursday for another huge game. We will see if the Jets have pulled themselves even closer and they take on the Dallas Stars. Run, don't walk. It's true. Run, don't walk to go watch it. I'm gonna make you before you leave today. I'm gonna make you watch.

SPEAKER_06 38:15

No, I'll do it on my own. Thanks for watching, everybody.

SPEAKER_05 38:19

Thanks so much for checking in.