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Mar. 22: Show In Review

The Canadian Press

Mike chats with Pierre McGuire, Steve Simmons and Darren Dreger about the Leafs shootout loss last night in Buffalo and Dan Shulman checks in to discuss day one of March Madness and Rickey Romero's struggles.

Video:

Pierre McGuire

Pierre McGuire joins Mike to talk about Martin Brodeur's goal and other action around the NHL. WATCH!

Leafs Breakfast

Darren Dreger and Steve Simmons join Mike to discuss the Leafs shootout loss to the Sabres. WATCH!

"Paul Stanley was made for loving sports"

Paul Stanley live on location from stadium stage makes his March Madness pick. WATCH!

"The Ultimate Madness"

Ultimate Warrior calls Mike to discuss his March Madness picks. WATCH!

Audio:

Hour 1:

Leafs lose to the Sabres in a shootout, Bob Weeks discusses Justin Rose's fast start at Bay Hill, & plenty of March Madness talk! Hour 1 Audio

Hour 2:

Pierre McGuire, Darren Dreger, Steve Simmons discuss the Leafs shootout loss, plus Paul Stanley & The Ultimate Warrior give their March Madness picks. Hour 2 Audio

Hour 3:

Bob Cole Chicks I Like, James Duthie talks NHL, & ESPN's Dan Shulman recaps the first day of March Madness & previews the Blue Jays season. Hour 3 Audio

Recap:

6:30 Bob Weeks – Host "Score Golf"

Although Tiger Woods has won the Bay Hill Tournament seven times in his career the main story after round one has been the strong play of Justin Rose. Rose was buoyed by a strong putting performance & seems poised to do some serious damage this weekend. Brad Fritsch had a solid round of golf & currently sits tied in third place, so he could be worth keeping your eye on. Graham DeLaet really seemed to struggle with another "off the rails" round yesterday which is rather uncharacteristic for him this time of year. Charley Hoffman had a strong performance on the back nine yesterday & finds himself tied with Tiger Woods four strokes back of the lead. Brent Snedeker has been slowed by a nagging rib injury & is still trying to get as healthy as possible in time for Augusta.

7:15 Pierre McGuire – NHL on NBC Analyst

The Martin Brodeur goal last night vs. Carolina was a very bizarre play. Strangely enough the New Jersey Devils were involved in a similar play during the 1980's. The bottom line is that the Devils are a completely different team with Brodeur in the lineup. James Reimer seems to lack confidence during the shootout & finds himself frequently out of position due to his weak glove hand. Once a goalie starts to lose confidence they tend to cheat a little bit & can be exposed rather quickly. The Leafs will need to get as many points as possible during their back to back games vs. the Boston Bruins especially with a surging Devils team nipping at their heels. Fortunately the Rangers lost to the Panthers last night, which is great news for Leaf fans. If the Philadelphia Flyers & New York Rangers don't pick up their socks soon they could find themselves on the outside of the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Joffrey Lupul hit on Victor Hedman was absolutely unacceptable & the two game suspension handed down by Brendan Shanahan was fitting.

7:45 Leafs Breakfast – Darren Dreger & Steve Simmons

There were at least two goals during last night's shootout loss vs. the Buffalo Sabres that goaltender James Reimer would like to have back. The bigger picture for the Leafs is that the bulk of goals scored last night were the by-product of poor defensive coverage. The fact of the matter is that this was a game that shouldn't have even gone to a shootout. On a more positive note, one of the pleasant surprises this year has been the strong play of third year forward Nazem Kadri. His eight points in his last three games have vaulted Kadri into the top ten in scoring thirty one games into this compressed NHL season. Nazem Kadri is starting to look "better than anyone expected" & the only centres with more points than Kadri are elite players such as Sidney Crosby, Steven Stamkos, Ryan Getzlaf, & Eric Staal. As a result Luongo for Kadri seems like a long shot at this stage of the season. This is a huge contract year for Kadri (who should be an easy sign for the Leafs) because teams don't have a problem paying players who have "earned it." Joffrey Lupul's two game suspension was fair but the timing couldn't have been worse. Lupul is the on ice leader for the Leafs & needs to scale back his physical play a little bit because he is far too important to this team.

8:15 James Duthie – Host "NHL on TSN"

Doesn't mind the shootout as much as everyone else but would prefer to see an extended overtime period in its place. The Leafs shootout loss vs. the Buffalo Sabres last night was unfortunate & this area has really started to become a sore spot for Canadian teams in particular. With the NHL trade deadline just under two weeks away, there are virtually no rumblings on the trade front at the moment. This could change in the coming days as teams start to fall further down the standings. Some teams that could potentially be big sellers at the deadline include Calgary, Florida, & Buffalo, although even those teams aren't willing to just "give players away." Most teams are afraid to make the blockbuster transaction because are still technically in playoff contention.

8:30 Dan Shulman – ESPN MLB & March Madness

The best part of March Madness is the "One N Done" structure of the tournament (see New Mexico) The morale of the story is that the longer the underdog hangs around, the more the pressure starts to build on the favourite. Gonzaga narrowly escaped last night with a nail biting victory vs. Southern University. Gonzaga was victorious because they relied on their best player (Kelly Olynyk) & played the high percentage shots. Oregon played very well towards the end of the year & were buoyed by the return of their best player vs. Oklahoma State. The most impressive team this year has been the Indiana Hoosier, but they seem to struggle when they get into a "fist fight." In order for a team to go really deep in this tournament they must be able to win a game "when their shots aren't falling." Ricky Romero is really struggling & his problems appear to be purely mental at this point of the pre-season. The track record of players who lose their ability to throw strikes & then "find it again" is virtually slim to none. J.A. Happ is going to be a very important pitcher for the Blue Jays this year, just because a player doesn't make the opening day roster doesn't mean that he's not going to be a factor. The Blue Jays must consider all alternatives when it comes to Ricky Romero because this is a year where they are expected to do some serious damage in the playoffs.



Mar. 21: Show In Review

The Canadian Press

Mike chats with Pierre McGuire and Darren Dreger about the Leafs win over the Lightning last night and Jack Armstrong and Kevin Harlan check in to discuss everything March Madness.

Video:

Pierre McGuire

Pierre McGuire joins Richards to talk about the Wild's win streak and other NHL action. WATCH!

Leafs Breakfast

Darren Dreger joins Richards for Leafs Breakfast to discuss the Leafs' win over the Lightning. WATCH!

''The Stones Pick 'Em''

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards call in to Mike Richards to make their March Madness picks. WATCH!

Miami Madness

Al Montoya calls Mike Richards to discuss his March Madness picks ahead of the NCAA tournament. WATCH!

Sports Aren't About Gambling

Victor Newman calls Mike Richards to explain the importance of sports outside of gambling. WATCH!

Boardwalk Basketball

Boardwalk Empire's Richard Harrow calls Mike Richards to talk about his picks for March Madness. WATCH!

Audio:

Hour 1:

Leafs double up the Lightning, is it time for the Buffalo Sabres to blow it up? A wild night in Cleveland, & March Madness Picks! Hour 1 Audio

Hour 2:

Pierre McGuire and Darren Dreger recap the Leafs win vs. Tampa Bay, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Al Montoya, Richard Harrow give their March Madness picks and Jack Armstrong previews day one of the tournament. Hour 2 Audio

Hour 3:

Whine of the Week with the fake Jim Rome, & Kevin Harlan checks in to talk a little March Madness. Hour 3 Audio

Recap:

7:15 Pierre McGuire – NHL on NBC Analyst

The Minnesota Wild might have the best defensive tandem right now in the NHL with their #1 pairing of Ryan Suter & Jonas Brodin. Brodin is a hybrid of Teppo Numminen/Nicklas Lidstrom (calm, cool, collected) & just a treat to watch play. Ryan Suter is finally starting to feel at home with his new team which is bad news for the rest of the Western Conference. The Toronto Maple Leafs showed a great sense of urgency during their win last night vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning. However, Toronto is not out of the woods yet, & still needs to get some more depth on defense. The Leafs will need another strong effort tonight vs. the Buffalo Sabres & will have to make sure fatigue doesn't become a factor vs. the Boston Bruins this coming Saturday & Monday. The Anaheim Ducks had a great win last night vs. the Chicago Blackhawks in a battle of Western Conference supremacy. The Ducks seemed to "flip the switch" during the third period & never looked back against what appeared to be a tired Blackhawks team. The coach's challenge still remains somewhat of a stumbling block at the NHL GM meetings mainly due to criteria. Once the criteria has been established as to what classifies as a coach's challenge we could see some progress with regards to this issue. Hybrid icing is a long overdue move that will make the game much safer for the players; therefore this is another step in the right direction for the NHL. Pierre's Final 4 Picks for March Madness: Louisville, Ohio State, Kansas State, Syracuse (you always need at least one sleeper team)

7:30 Jack Armstrong – NBA on TSN

The teams with the best habits/momentum are usually the ones that experience the most success during March Madness. Marquette is a very physical team & will have their hands full today vs. a gritty/determined Davidson squad. UCLA has been wildly inconsistent & Minnesota has had to battle injuries all year which should make for an interesting matchup. The Miami Hurricanes have had a great year & have lots of experienced guys, a sensational coach, great defensive prowess, & are very efficient in the half court, plus how can you bet against point guard Shane Larkin? La Salle should not be underestimated; they are a quick team & have rattled off some great wins over the course of the season, don't be so quick to overlook them vs. Kansas State. Oklahoma State vs. Orgeon could be another interesting matchup worth keeping your eye on.

7:45 Leafs Breakfast: Darren Dreger – NHL Insider

The Leafs should expect to see much better goaltending tonight when they visit the Buffalo Sabres. It was clearly evident that there "wasn't a lot of life" in that Tampa Bay squad however, we should give the Leafs credit for the job they did containing All-Star forward Steven Stamkos. With the Lightning sitting in 11th place in the Eastern Conference one has to wonder how much longer Guy Boucher will be the head coach of Tampa Bay. The Buffalo Sabres "need something good to happen" & must put the whole Ryan Miller vs. Patrick Kaleta debacle behind them. The Sabres dressing room appears to be fragmented but they are still not "out of it" yet & the Leafs cannot afford to underestimate their opponent tonight. Carlyle has done a masterful job with the pairing of Kadri, Lupul, & Kulemin creating a healthy balance of skill/defensive awareness. Joffrey Lupul's hit to the head of Victor Hedman was illegal therefore Lupul should expect some sort of repercussion from Brendan Shanahan & company. Lupul has played very well since returning from injury but needs to be a bit smarter with regards to head shots.

8:30 Kevin Harlan – TV Voice March Madness

The best part of March Madness is the fact that "anything can happen" which is especially true this year where there are 5-10 teams with a legitimate shot at the title. The playing field is more leveled than ever which should make for some interesting drama over the next few weeks. This year hasn't produced one dominant team (unlike last year where Kentucky dominated pretty much from start to finish) Keep your eye on New Mexico & UNLV two very dangerous teams that should not be overlooked. Louisville has fine guard play, size in the middle, a wonderful coach & should be considered a serious threat to be the last team standing. Tom Crean has done an excellent job with the Indiana Hoosiers re-establishing a strong culture & injecting a much needed sense of pride into that team. Lots of interesting side plots this year in March Madness, Creighton vs. Cincinnati should be a gem of a game!


Mar. 20: Show In Review

The Canadian Press

Mike talks Leafs/Lightning with Darren Dreger, James Mirtle and Jonas Siegel who said Toronto needs one of either Ben Scrivens or James Reimer to "grab the ball and run with it."

Video:

Pierre McGuire

Pierre McGuire joins Mike to talk about the Penguins win over the Capitals and other action around the NHL. WATCH!

Leafs Breakfast

Darren Dreger and James Mirtle join Mike for Leafs Breakfast to discuss the Leafs calling up Jake Gardiner. WATCH!

"Manti Te'o's girlfriend loves basketball"

Manti Te'o's girlfriend calls Mike to talk about March Madness. WATCH!

"The dark side is headed to the AHL"

Korbinian Holzer calls Mike to discuss being sent down to the Marlies. WATCH!

Audio:

Hour 1:

Jonas Siegel previews tonight's Lightning vs. Leafs matchup, & Jose Reyes calls in to discuss the huge win for the Dominican Republic at the WBC. Hour 1 Audio

Hour 2:

Pierre McGuire, Darren Dreger, & James Mirtle preview tonight's Lightning vs. Leafs matchup, Korbinian Holzer & Manti Te'o's "girlfriend" call in. Hour 2 Audio

Hour 3:

Darren Rovell talks March Madness, Aaron Ward chats NHL, & Tampa Bay Lightning TV voice Rick Peckham previews tonight's game. Hour 3 Audio

Recap:

6:30 Jonas Siegel – Maple Leafs Reporter

Tonight's Lightning vs. Leafs matchup is the most important game of the year…until the next game rolls around. Either way Toronto desperately needs to find a way to snap their five game losing streak otherwise they will find themselves a paltry three points ahead of Tampa Bay for the 8th & final playoff spot. The Leafs must figure out a way to get as many points as possible before their home at home date with the Boston Bruins next week. Jake Gardiner's return should provide a "calming presence" on the blue line however; Toronto needs to find a way to tighten up their defense/goaltending in order to make a strong run during the 2nd half of the season. One of either Scrivens or Reimer needs to "grab the ball & run with it" who will answer the call? If one of these goalies can manage to get hot expect management to ride out this player for the remainder of the season.

7:15 Pierre McGuire – NHL on NBC Analyst

The Washington Capitals season hangs in the balance after a tough loss to the powerhouse Pittsburgh Penguins last night. The Capitals will find themselves in tough tomorrow night against a hungry Winnipeg Jets squad that has adopted a "never say die" mentality. This shortened season has produced its share of overachievers/underachievers with the Capitals falling into the latter category. The New York Rangers are struggling right due to their extremely inconsistent offense. Most of the Rangers defenseman look tired & the team severely lacks depth at the center ice position. Perhaps a move or two will be in store at the trade deadline? The Ottawa Senators seem to just keep winning with a "goal scoring by committee" type of approach. Let's give a big hand to head Coach Paul MacLean & the veteran leadership in the Ottawa dressing room for constantly refusing to throw in the towel. Tonight's Leafs vs. Lightning matchup is desperate game for both clubs. Tampa Bay will have to improve their woeful road record (3 games below .500) & Toronto has to bounce back from a five game losing streak, or could find themselves quickly tumbling down the Eastern Conference standings. Steven Stamkos is from the Toronto area & always has a habit of performing very well against the Leafs. Stamkos is one of the most well rounded players away from the puck & has matured into a premier threat; expect him to have a major role with Team Canada in Sochi 2014. The Chicago Blackhawks head into Anaheim tonight in what can be best described as a "monster matchup." It should be interesting to see how Anaheim's younger players respond to the pressure of facing an elite Blackhawks team that has now won three games in a row.

7:45 Leafs Breakfast – Darren Dreger & James Mirtle

Toronto Maple Leaf fans have always been tough on their prospects (Nazem Kadri, Jake Gardiner, etc…) While Jake Gardiner does have some defensive deficiencies in his game the positives clearly outweigh the negatives. The only reason that Jake Gardiner was sent down earlier in the year was because of the effects he experienced after the concussion he sustained in the AHL. Jake Gardiner is now 100% healthy & should be able to make an immediate impact in the lineup after routinely being one of the best players in the AHL. If Gardiner plays three more NHL game he would have to clear waivers in order to return to the minors, so Leafs management wants to make sure that they are indeed making the right decision. Jake Gardiner should not be viewed as a "savior" as he is still a young player with lots of raw talent. It is possible that GM Dave Nonis trades Korbinian Holzer if the other teams around the NHL continue to show interest. Mikhail Grabovski has really struggled & poorly miscast during this year (11 points in 29 games predominately in a defensive role) However, Grabovski is starting to be paired with more offensive players (like Clarke MacArthur) but it might be unfair to expect him to be the 50-60 point player we have seen in previous seasons. The Leafs need to take as many points as possible vs. Tampa Bay/Buffalo in the coming days before Saturday where they face 9 out of 11 teams that are currently in playoff contention.

8:15 Darren Rovell – ESPN Sports Business Reporter

Robert Morris was the first person to use the "$" sign in the United States. Mr. Morris was also one of five people to sign the Declaration of Independence & Constitution. A successful football program generates 70,000 people & occurs 6/7 games a year vs. a successful basketball program which generates 15,000 people 18 times a year.

8:30 Aaron Ward – NHL on TSN

The Maple Leafs host a hungry Tampa Bay team that is borderline desperate at this stage of the season. The good news for the Leafs is that Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier is out with a broken foot…. the bad new is that superstar Steven Stamkos will get even more ice time! Even though the Lightning are struggling they play in a poor South East division that is still "up for grabs" therefore they should not be taken lightly. Buffalo's overtime win vs. Montreal last night shouldn't come as that much of a surprise seeing as the Sabres have had the Canadiens number (9-1-1 vs. Montreal) Tempers seemed to have boiled over the other night with regards to the Ryan Miller vs. Patrick Kaleta soap opera. However with the way this year has gone for the Sabres frustrations are bound to creep up from time to time. The New York Rangers are in trouble right now. Marian Gaborik seems disinterested, Rick Nash has been hit & miss, & the defense appears to be tired/worn out. Head coach John Tortorella is at his wits end & something will have to change at the trade deadline if this team wants to make a serious push for the playoffs.

8:45 Rick Peckham – Tampa Bay Lightning TV Voice

The Tampa Bay Lightning currently find themselves 7 points back of Winnipeg for 1st place in the South East division. Tampa Bay finds themselves facing three playoff teams this week (Leafs, Senators, Jets) so to call this a monumental week for the Lightning would be an understatement. Steven Stamkos has been "the guy" for Tampa Bay & will have to step up tonight in the absence of Captain Vincent Lecavalier. Stamkos, St.Louis, Purcell have combined to form an effective trio & the Leafs will have to be mindful of these players otherwise it could be a long night for Leafs nation.


Mar. 21: Show In Review

The Canadian Press

Mike chats with Pierre McGuire and Darren Dreger about the Leafs win over the Lightning last night and Jack Armstrong and Kevin Harlan check in to discuss everything March Madness.

Video:

Pierre McGuire

Pierre McGuire joins Richards to talk about the Wild's win streak and other NHL action. WATCH!

Leafs Breakfast

Darren Dreger joins Richards for Leafs Breakfast to discuss the Leafs' win over the Lightning. WATCH!

''The Stones Pick 'Em''

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards call in to Mike Richards to make their March Madness picks. WATCH!

Miami Madness

Al Montoya calls Mike Richards to discuss his March Madness picks ahead of the NCAA tournament. WATCH!

Sports Aren't About Gambling

Victor Newman calls Mike Richards to explain the importance of sports outside of gambling. WATCH!

Boardwalk Basketball

Boardwalk Empire's Richard Harrow calls Mike Richards to talk about his picks for March Madness. WATCH!

Audio:

Hour 1:

Leafs double up the Lightning, is it time for the Buffalo Sabres to blow it up? A wild night in Cleveland, & March Madness Picks! Hour 1 Audio

Hour 2:

Pierre McGuire and Darren Dreger recap the Leafs win vs. Tampa Bay, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Al Montoya, Richard Harrow give their March Madness picks and Jack Armstrong previews day one of the tournament. Hour 2 Audio

Hour 3:

Whine of the Week with the fake Jim Rome, & Kevin Harlan checks in to talk a little March Madness. Hour 3 Audio

Recap:

7:15 Pierre McGuire – NHL on NBC Analyst

The Minnesota Wild might have the best defensive tandem right now in the NHL with their #1 pairing of Ryan Suter & Jonas Brodin. Brodin is a hybrid of Teppo Numminen/Nicklas Lidstrom (calm, cool, collected) & just a treat to watch play. Ryan Suter is finally starting to feel at home with his new team which is bad news for the rest of the Western Conference. The Toronto Maple Leafs showed a great sense of urgency during their win last night vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning. However, Toronto is not out of the woods yet, & still needs to get some more depth on defense. The Leafs will need another strong effort tonight vs. the Buffalo Sabres & will have to make sure fatigue doesn't become a factor vs. the Boston Bruins this coming Saturday & Monday. The Anaheim Ducks had a great win last night vs. the Chicago Blackhawks in a battle of Western Conference supremacy. The Ducks seemed to "flip the switch" during the third period & never looked back against what appeared to be a tired Blackhawks team. The coach's challenge still remains somewhat of a stumbling block at the NHL GM meetings mainly due to criteria. Once the criteria has been established as to what classifies as a coach's challenge we could see some progress with regards to this issue. Hybrid icing is a long overdue move that will make the game much safer for the players; therefore this is another step in the right direction for the NHL. Pierre's Final 4 Picks for March Madness: Louisville, Ohio State, Kansas State, Syracuse (you always need at least one sleeper team)

7:30 Jack Armstrong – NBA on TSN

The teams with the best habits/momentum are usually the ones that experience the most success during March Madness. Marquette is a very physical team & will have their hands full today vs. a gritty/determined Davidson squad. UCLA has been wildly inconsistent & Minnesota has had to battle injuries all year which should make for an interesting matchup. The Miami Hurricanes have had a great year & have lots of experienced guys, a sensational coach, great defensive prowess, & are very efficient in the half court, plus how can you bet against point guard Shane Larkin? La Salle should not be underestimated; they are a quick team & have rattled off some great wins over the course of the season, don't be so quick to overlook them vs. Kansas State. Oklahoma State vs. Orgeon could be another interesting matchup worth keeping your eye on.

7:45 Leafs Breakfast: Darren Dreger – NHL Insider

The Leafs should expect to see much better goaltending tonight when they visit the Buffalo Sabres. It was clearly evident that there "wasn't a lot of life" in that Tampa Bay squad however, we should give the Leafs credit for the job they did containing All-Star forward Steven Stamkos. With the Lightning sitting in 11th place in the Eastern Conference one has to wonder how much longer Guy Boucher will be the head coach of Tampa Bay. The Buffalo Sabres "need something good to happen" & must put the whole Ryan Miller vs. Patrick Kaleta debacle behind them. The Sabres dressing room appears to be fragmented but they are still not "out of it" yet & the Leafs cannot afford to underestimate their opponent tonight. Carlyle has done a masterful job with the pairing of Kadri, Lupul, & Kulemin creating a healthy balance of skill/defensive awareness. Joffrey Lupul's hit to the head of Victor Hedman was illegal therefore Lupul should expect some sort of repercussion from Brendan Shanahan & company. Lupul has played very well since returning from injury but needs to be a bit smarter with regards to head shots.

8:30 Kevin Harlan – TV Voice March Madness

The best part of March Madness is the fact that "anything can happen" which is especially true this year where there are 5-10 teams with a legitimate shot at the title. The playing field is more leveled than ever which should make for some interesting drama over the next few weeks. This year hasn't produced one dominant team (unlike last year where Kentucky dominated pretty much from start to finish) Keep your eye on New Mexico & UNLV two very dangerous teams that should not be overlooked. Louisville has fine guard play, size in the middle, a wonderful coach & should be considered a serious threat to be the last team standing. Tom Crean has done an excellent job with the Indiana Hoosiers re-establishing a strong culture & injecting a much needed sense of pride into that team. Lots of interesting side plots this year in March Madness, Creighton vs. Cincinnati should be a gem of a game!


Mar. 20: Show In Review

The Canadian Press

Mike talks Leafs/Lightning with Darren Dreger, James Mirtle and Jonas Siegel who said Toronto needs one of either Ben Scrivens or James Reimer to "grab the ball and run with it."

Video:

Pierre McGuire

Pierre McGuire joins Mike to talk about the Penguins win over the Capitals and other action around the NHL. WATCH!

Leafs Breakfast

Darren Dreger and James Mirtle join Mike for Leafs Breakfast to discuss the Leafs calling up Jake Gardiner. WATCH!

"Manti Te'o's girlfriend loves basketball"

Manti Te'o's girlfriend calls Mike to talk about March Madness. WATCH!

"The dark side is headed to the AHL"

Korbinian Holzer calls Mike to discuss being sent down to the Marlies. WATCH!

Audio:

Hour 1:

Jonas Siegel previews tonight's Lightning vs. Leafs matchup, & Jose Reyes calls in to discuss the huge win for the Dominican Republic at the WBC. Hour 1 Audio

Hour 2:

Pierre McGuire, Darren Dreger, & James Mirtle preview tonight's Lightning vs. Leafs matchup, Korbinian Holzer & Manti Te'o's "girlfriend" call in. Hour 2 Audio

Hour 3:

Darren Rovell talks March Madness, Aaron Ward chats NHL, & Tampa Bay Lightning TV voice Rick Peckham previews tonight's game. Hour 3 Audio

Recap:

6:30 Jonas Siegel – Maple Leafs Reporter

Tonight's Lightning vs. Leafs matchup is the most important game of the year…until the next game rolls around. Either way Toronto desperately needs to find a way to snap their five game losing streak otherwise they will find themselves a paltry three points ahead of Tampa Bay for the 8th & final playoff spot. The Leafs must figure out a way to get as many points as possible before their home at home date with the Boston Bruins next week. Jake Gardiner's return should provide a "calming presence" on the blue line however; Toronto needs to find a way to tighten up their defense/goaltending in order to make a strong run during the 2nd half of the season. One of either Scrivens or Reimer needs to "grab the ball & run with it" who will answer the call? If one of these goalies can manage to get hot expect management to ride out this player for the remainder of the season.

7:15 Pierre McGuire – NHL on NBC Analyst

The Washington Capitals season hangs in the balance after a tough loss to the powerhouse Pittsburgh Penguins last night. The Capitals will find themselves in tough tomorrow night against a hungry Winnipeg Jets squad that has adopted a "never say die" mentality. This shortened season has produced its share of overachievers/underachievers with the Capitals falling into the latter category. The New York Rangers are struggling right due to their extremely inconsistent offense. Most of the Rangers defenseman look tired & the team severely lacks depth at the center ice position. Perhaps a move or two will be in store at the trade deadline? The Ottawa Senators seem to just keep winning with a "goal scoring by committee" type of approach. Let's give a big hand to head Coach Paul MacLean & the veteran leadership in the Ottawa dressing room for constantly refusing to throw in the towel. Tonight's Leafs vs. Lightning matchup is desperate game for both clubs. Tampa Bay will have to improve their woeful road record (3 games below .500) & Toronto has to bounce back from a five game losing streak, or could find themselves quickly tumbling down the Eastern Conference standings. Steven Stamkos is from the Toronto area & always has a habit of performing very well against the Leafs. Stamkos is one of the most well rounded players away from the puck & has matured into a premier threat; expect him to have a major role with Team Canada in Sochi 2014. The Chicago Blackhawks head into Anaheim tonight in what can be best described as a "monster matchup." It should be interesting to see how Anaheim's younger players respond to the pressure of facing an elite Blackhawks team that has now won three games in a row.

7:45 Leafs Breakfast – Darren Dreger & James Mirtle

Toronto Maple Leaf fans have always been tough on their prospects (Nazem Kadri, Jake Gardiner, etc…) While Jake Gardiner does have some defensive deficiencies in his game the positives clearly outweigh the negatives. The only reason that Jake Gardiner was sent down earlier in the year was because of the effects he experienced after the concussion he sustained in the AHL. Jake Gardiner is now 100% healthy & should be able to make an immediate impact in the lineup after routinely being one of the best players in the AHL. If Gardiner plays three more NHL game he would have to clear waivers in order to return to the minors, so Leafs management wants to make sure that they are indeed making the right decision. Jake Gardiner should not be viewed as a "savior" as he is still a young player with lots of raw talent. It is possible that GM Dave Nonis trades Korbinian Holzer if the other teams around the NHL continue to show interest. Mikhail Grabovski has really struggled & poorly miscast during this year (11 points in 29 games predominately in a defensive role) However, Grabovski is starting to be paired with more offensive players (like Clarke MacArthur) but it might be unfair to expect him to be the 50-60 point player we have seen in previous seasons. The Leafs need to take as many points as possible vs. Tampa Bay/Buffalo in the coming days before Saturday where they face 9 out of 11 teams that are currently in playoff contention.

8:15 Darren Rovell – ESPN Sports Business Reporter

Robert Morris was the first person to use the "$" sign in the United States. Mr. Morris was also one of five people to sign the Declaration of Independence & Constitution. A successful football program generates 70,000 people & occurs 6/7 games a year vs. a successful basketball program which generates 15,000 people 18 times a year.

8:30 Aaron Ward – NHL on TSN

The Maple Leafs host a hungry Tampa Bay team that is borderline desperate at this stage of the season. The good news for the Leafs is that Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier is out with a broken foot…. the bad new is that superstar Steven Stamkos will get even more ice time! Even though the Lightning are struggling they play in a poor South East division that is still "up for grabs" therefore they should not be taken lightly. Buffalo's overtime win vs. Montreal last night shouldn't come as that much of a surprise seeing as the Sabres have had the Canadiens number (9-1-1 vs. Montreal) Tempers seemed to have boiled over the other night with regards to the Ryan Miller vs. Patrick Kaleta soap opera. However with the way this year has gone for the Sabres frustrations are bound to creep up from time to time. The New York Rangers are in trouble right now. Marian Gaborik seems disinterested, Rick Nash has been hit & miss, & the defense appears to be tired/worn out. Head coach John Tortorella is at his wits end & something will have to change at the trade deadline if this team wants to make a serious push for the playoffs.

8:45 Rick Peckham – Tampa Bay Lightning TV Voice

The Tampa Bay Lightning currently find themselves 7 points back of Winnipeg for 1st place in the South East division. Tampa Bay finds themselves facing three playoff teams this week (Leafs, Senators, Jets) so to call this a monumental week for the Lightning would be an understatement. Steven Stamkos has been "the guy" for Tampa Bay & will have to step up tonight in the absence of Captain Vincent Lecavalier. Stamkos, St.Louis, Purcell have combined to form an effective trio & the Leafs will have to be mindful of these players otherwise it could be a long night for Leafs nation.


Mar. 19: Show In Review

The Canadian Press

Mike is joined by Darren Dreger and Steve Simmons to discuss the Corey Perry signing and the Jake Gardiner situation and Jack Armstrong checks in to talk March Madness.

Video:

Pierre McGuire

Pierre McGuire joins Mike to talk about the Lightning trying to find their direction and other action around the NHL. WATCH!

Leafs Breakfast

Darren Dreger and Steve Simmons join Mike to discuss Corey Perry's signing and the Leafs upcoming schedule. WATCH!

"Dick Vitale's most wonderful time of the year"

Dick Vitale calls Mike to make his picks for March Madness. WATCH!

Audio:

Hour 1:

The Miami Heat stretch their win streak to 23, Corey Perry resigns with the Anaheim Ducks, & the World Baseball Classic finals matchup is all set! Hour 1 Audio

Hour 2:

Pierre McGuire, Darren Dreger, Steve Simmons react to the Corey Perry signing, & Dick Vitale calls in with his March Madness picks. Hour 2 Audio

Hour 3:

NBA on TSN Analyst Jack Armstrong joins Mike in-studio to talk "Bracketology 101" on the eve of March Madness. Hour 3 Audio

Recap:

7:15 Pierre McGuire – NHL on NBC Analyst

The Tampa Bay Lightning are still very much considered to be a "work in progress" which is evident by their current roster that contains a healthy mix of young/old & drafted/undrafted players. Let's give head coach Guy Boucher some credit for putting Stamkos in a position to score his 200th goal (making sure he was on the ice during the final minutes when the oppositions net was empty) The good news for Tampa Bay & the other eastern teams is that, aside from Montreal/Boston the Eastern Conference is pretty much wide open (with the exception of cellar dwellers such as Florida/Buffalo). The biggest reason why the Vancouver Canucks seem to be struggling is because of a weak power play & their lack of ability to generate "any sort of traction." The Canucks also had the unpleasant misfortune of running into a very determined Minnesota Wild squad last night. Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin appears to be "the real deal" & could be the NHL's best kept secret right now. Today's Washington @ Pittsburgh matchup is huge for the Capitals whose season is hanging in the balance. The Penguins will be in tough without the services of All-Star players such as Kristopher Letang & Evgeni Malkin however, the Penguins have been buoyed by the stellar play of their number one line (Dupuis, Crosby, Kunitz)

7:45 Leafs Breakfast: Darren Dreger & Steve Simmons

The Corey Perry signing makes sense for the Anaheim Ducks who have always been more of a budget conscience team. GM Bob Murray obviously made it a priority to make sure the Ryan Getzlaf & Corey Perry were locked up in a Ducks uniform for the long haul & worked off both players relationship with each other to get the best deal possible for management (both players left plenty of money on the table) The Ducks shouldn't be viewed as an underrated franchise & have now put themselves in a position where they can build around their two best players. Corey Perry & Ryan Getzlaf could be the most dynamic duo in the NHL outside Sidney Crosby & Evgeni Malkin. The Leafs will be in tough tomorrow night against a desperate Tampa Bay team, & a Buffalo team that is pretty much playing for a "level of pride" at this stage in the game. This won't be an easy week for the Leafs who are finally facing their first stretch of adversity, just how will Carlyle's troops respond to the pressure? The Tampa Bay & Buffalo games are huge for the Leafs especially with a home @ home series with the Boston Bruins looming on the horizon. The fact that Jake Gardiner is not with the Maple Leafs is primarily due to the stubbornness of head coach Randy Carlyle. However GM Dave Nonis has been feverishly working the phones perhaps with the intention of creating a roster spot/giving Jake Gardiner an opportunity. Stay tuned to see how the Jake Gardiner saga plays out….

8:00 Jack Armstrong – NBA on TSN

It's "Bracketology 101" with NBA on TSN analyst Jack Armstrong who offers a comprehensive breakdown of the NCAA March Madness Tournament. When all the dust has finally settled Mr. Armstrong picked the Indiana Hoosiers to win it all.

8:30 Jeffrey Bergen – Director of Mathematics DePaul University

The odds of filling out the entire NCAA March Madness bracket correctly (without randomly guessing) is 1 in 128 billion. The odds of getting a perfect first round is 1 in 17,000. Best of luck….


Mar. 18: Show In Review

The Canadian Press

Mike is joined by Jonas Siegel, Jim Ralph and Darren Dreger to talk about the Leafs recent struggles and Pierre McGuire checks in and says the team desperately needs to add some depth to its defence.

Video:

Pierre McGuire

Pierre McGuire joins Mike to talk about the Penguins win over the Bruins and other action around the NHL. WATCH!

Leafs Breakfast

Darren Dreger and Jim Ralph join Mike to discuss the Leafs shootout loss to Winnipeg. WATCH!

"Jose Reyes goes Dutch"

Jose Reyes calls Mike to discuss his upcoming WBC game. WATCH!

Audio:

Hour 1:

Jonas Siegel recaps the Leafs shootout loss vs. the Jets, tempers flare in Buffalo, & does Gonzaga have what it takes to win it all? Hour 1 Audio

Hour 2:

Pierre McGuire & Darren Dreger discuss the Leafs shootout loss vs. the Jets, Dr. Phil & Jose Reyes call in, & the Miami Heat extend their win streak. Hour 2 Audio

Hour 3:

Scott Ferguson talks Blue Jays & previews tonight's big matchup in the World Baseball Classic, Bob Weeks host of "Score Golf" looks ahead to Augusta. Hour 3 Audio

Recap:

6:30 Jonas Siegel – Maple Leafs Reporter

The Maple Leafs 5-4 shootout loss vs. the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night was the result of once again not playing a full 60 minutes of hockey. There have been numerous occasions this season where the Leafs seem to stop hitting, fore-checking, & winning battles to loose pucks, much to the chagrin of head coach Randy Carlyle. The Leafs cannot afford to have these "speed bumps" creep up throughout the duration of the game. During his post-game press conference Carlyle admitted that he had indeed contemplated making a goalie change/time out during the disastrous 2nd period, but eventually went with his gut & decided against it. With both James Reimer & Ben Scrivens struggling during this juncture of the season, the ongoing goalie controversy seems to have reared its ugly head again. Mikhail Grabovski's absence during the shout was quite peculiar & could be attributed to a lack of confidence by the Leafs coaching staff. Management seems to be confused with the enigma that is Grabovski however; it is becoming painfully obvious that "something is indeed missing." The Maple Leafs should be mindful of the New York Rangers & Philadelphia Flyers as both teams appear to be on the cusp of turning things around. Remember the age old saying "objects in the rear view mirror maybe closer than they appear…."

7:15 Pierre McGuire – NHL on NBC Analyst

The Pittsburgh Penguins are in form right now primarily due to stellar penalty killing & the sublime goaltending tandem of Marc-Andre Fleury & Tomas Vokoun. The only area of concern right now would be the injury sustained by All-Star defenseman Kristopher Letang during last night's game vs. the Boston Bruins. Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is an all word talent that simply "makes the players around him better." Just ask line mates Chris Kunitz & Pascal Dupuis, two undrafted players that are on the verge of establishing career highs thanks to the vision/playmaking abilities of Mr. Crosby. The Toronto Maple Leafs desperately need to add some depth to their defense. It was fun while it lasted but the level of play has dropped off significantly & will have to be addressed by GM Dave Nonis if this squad wants a legitimate shot at making the playoffs. Mikhail Grabovski's absence during the shootout was perplexing however coaches usually determine their shootout lineups based on a "hunch" The Winnipeg Jets were dealt a tough set of cards playing an evening game on Saturday followed by a matinee affair on Sunday. However, they won't get much sympathy from the Detroit Red Wings who found themselves in similar circumstances (vs. Edmonton/Vancouver) & were able to come away victorious on both occasions. The Montreal Canadiens were able to beat the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night thanks to sensational level of play by goaltender Carey Price. Let's give a big hand to first year GM Marc Bergevin for getting rid of the "toxic culture" under the previous regime & making Montreal "a fun place to play again." With just over two weeks left until the trade deadline, we should expect to see a flurry of moves over the next few days stay tuned….

7:45 Leafs Breakfast: Darren Dreger & Jim Ralph

The second period during the Leafs 5-4 shootout loss vs. the Winnipeg Jets can be best described as an all out debacle/collapse. However there were some positives in Saturday night's affair, namely the Leafs "never say die mentality" which enabled them to salvage at least a point in the loss. The Leafs face a key stretch of games this week vs. Tampa Bay/Buffalo & have no excuses due to the fact that they are now essentially 100% healthy. In an ideal world the Leafs would love to acquire a top line center & a 3rd defenseman. GM Dave Nonis has been feverishly working the phones, but with the standings super tight not many teams appear to be willing to deal. Mikhail Grabovski not being selected to participate during the shootout is not a big deal, as coaches make these decisions based on their gut so let's not read too much into it. Give Carlyle credit for making the goaltending switch during the 2nd intermission because it seemed to "reignite the team" & allowed the Leafs to secure a point. The bottom line is that the Leafs will need to improve their goaltending/defense if they want to achieve their goal of making the playoffs. Toronto had a very good start to the season but are now going through a rough stretch and cannot rely on other teams poor play in order to make the playoffs.

Leafs Breakfast - Claude Loiselle - Leafs Assistant GM 7:45AM

Leafs a work in progress, need to develop chemistry and resolve in face of adversity. Preaching patience - look at Kadri's development over a few years. Make sure kids coming up (re Gardiner) have ability and confidence to play not just when things going well, but through adversity. Played well vs Pens for majority of game, but played "not to lose" in most of third period, which bit them. Players have bought into Carlyle's message. He gives no one a pass, which all players respect. Building an identity of being a hard working team, which takes time.

8:00 Scott Ferguson – Blue Jays Analyst

Casey Janssen looked good during his performance vs. the Triple-A batters on Sunday retiring all 4 batters & throwing most of his pitches for strikes. The bigger question is how does Janssen's shoulder feel today? If Janssen can continues his progression/rehabilitation he could pitch in a real game situation sometime this week. The next test would be to prove to Jays management that he is healthy enough to pitch in back to back games, thus solidifying his spot as closer for opening day. Brett Cecil appears to be on the bubble, but will only make the team if the Jays want to go with another left handed pitcher or one of their more powerful right handed pitchers. Once the Jays know more about the health of Janssen/Santos the rest of the pieces will fall into place. Brett Lawrie's rib injury appears to be more nagging at this stage of the game & he could be ready to return sometime during the first week of the season. Jose Reyes has looked great in spring training & could be poised for a big season. If the Jays want to have any success this season they will have to get off to a quick start & capitalize on the Yankees/Red Sox injury woes.

8:30 Bob Weeks – Host "Score Golf"

Kevin Streelman won for the first time at the Tampa Bay Championship on Sunday which is surprising considering he has been around for the past 4-5 years. Boo Weekley had another solid performance (second place finish) as did Graham DeLaet who played very consistent golf & continues to mature/work on his game. Stephen Ames is dealing with a bad back & his desire appears to be waning a bit, but this could be attributed to his goal of getting 100% healthy for next year. Tiger Woods, Phil "Lefty" Mickelson, & Rory McIIroy appear to be the favourites to contend at Augusta next month. Sergio Garcia has had a very good year & could be poised to make some noise in the coming weeks.



Mike Richards in the Morning: Mar. 11-15.

Mike Richards in the Morning: Mar. 4-8.

Mike Richards in the Morning: Feb. 25-Mar. 1.

Mike Richards in the Morning: Feb. 18-22.

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