WEDNESDAY COMMENTARY – THE MUTE BUTTON
Photo: Winnipeg Jets
(Listen daily for the Rod Pedersen Commentary on Cat Country 98 & Rock 98.5 FM)
They say the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is always the best round and I agree, although I’m not exactly sure why and have spent no time examining it.
I’m just strapped in and enjoying every single second. For the most part! Here are some thoughts from the first two nights of the most famous hockey tournament in the world:
#1 – What is it about the Leafs? The hype even had me sucked in but their series opener with Tampa in Toronto was nothing short of a major dud. The Lightning scored 1:18 in – a new franchise record – and romped to a 7-3 victory. On the Leafs radio postgame show they said the team was too nervous going in. I blame that on coaching.
Toronto also gave up goals in the final five seconds of a period TWICE in this game. That also is a sign of team that’s not focused.
#2 – Case in point. The Winnipeg Jets went into the playoffs as the lowest seed yet they walked into Vegas and humiliated the hometown Golden Knights 5-1 in Game 1 on Tuesday! They allowed only 17 shots – another franchise record – and at times appeared to be toying with the Western Conference top guns. They also rendered Vegas star Jack Eichel invisible and that should be a major concern to the Golden Knights.
I could see the Winnipeg Jets winning the Stanley Cup, especially if they keep up play like that.
#3 – In the other two games, which I only watched casually, the Rangers spanked New Jersey 5-1 and Seattle shocked Colorado 3-1. Of all the teams who find themselves down 1-0 in Round 1, I’d guess the Avalanche stand the best chance at coming back to win. Next would be the Oilers host host L.A. in Game 2 tonight.
#4 – I’m glad I missed it. My phone blew up from hockey people who were appalled by analyst P.K. Subban going shirtless on the ESPN intermission panel. Apparently fellow analysts Mark Messier and Chris Chelios were also turned off by it. I’m sorry … again, I missed it. I don’t watch the intermission panels anymore, unless Kelly Hrudey is on. And sometimes not even then.
I’ve begged the hockey and football people to stop complaining to me about what they hear and see from the new era of announcers on radio and TV but they persist. Like I’ve got anything to do with it, or any influence!
It’s why God invented the “Mute” button.
That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary
(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm ET on Game+ TV, WQEE and Streaming)
Morgan Barron took a 75 stitch cut to the face and returned to the game.It’s that type of thing that wins Stanley Cups. Plus he plays in Winnipeg which I said from the beginning is a black and blue town with hard nosed people. This is why hockey is, was, always will be thee game with thee ultimate warriors Contrast with this:. NBA – well since the 1700s they’ve been on those people to put in a full day and actually work. NFL – Guy has a heart attack, doesn’t finish the game, and the entire game/stadium shuts down. MLB… Read more »
Mark Messier and Chris Chelios are the gold standard for NHL Analysis. 3400 combined games and 50 years in the NHL. If anyone watches that panel there were times someone should have told P.K Subban to go wait in the car or step ‘n fetch some coffee. Unfortunately he’s that “to big to fail” type and the more he talks the stupider he sounds. Chelios and Subban both played in Montreal. The topic of salary came up and Subban is bragging about his earnings. Chelios says, “Well Larry Robinson’s last years in the league with L.A he finished at $750,000/year… Read more »
Sorry to all the Loaf babies out there … couldn’t have happened to a better team.
Goal tending will win out .. you are right Samsonov you played like sheet.
Keep up the good work!!
Go Bolts!!
To each, his own. I quit watching NHL broadcasts because of Kelly Hrudey.
When Kelly Hrudey arrived on the scene I set the VCR to record his Behind the Mask segments. He would break the game down and was well ahead of the curve presenting the Xs & Os. It was a coaching clinic. Slowly he’s been neutered and honest to God. He is at that stage of career to realize it’s best to just add input and answer the questions asked of him. Kevin Bieksa there have been times he’s looked across the panel and that Thing from the Women’s National Team, but knows he better just bite his tongue and back… Read more »
P.K.Subban has got to be fired immediately, there’s something not right with that guy’s mindset.
I am against firing him. Let him continue to talk. He looks/acts/sounds so immature and at best like a 2023 Minstrel Show.
What is he going to talk on that panel to Chelios/Messier about winning hockey games? Other than his wardrobe his claim to fame is dating/engaged to Lindsay Vonn.
Now look her up and the type she hangs with. If I were on a panel with P.K Subban never mind a mask mandate. I’d insist he conduct his job in a Hazment Suite.
Gross.
#IstandWithDonaldSterling