Overview of Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 645
Episode 645 centers on a lively NHL playoff recap, with the guys breaking down the biggest second-round storylines, praising breakout performances, and debating physicality, goalie decisions, and roster construction. The episode also features two strong guest spots: rising Hurricanes rookie Jackson Blake, who talks about Carolina’s unbeaten playoff run and his development, and Rob Gronkowski, who jumps on to explain his viral TNT jab at Biz, talk Sabres fandom, and riff on Buffalo, media life, and sports culture.
NHL Playoff Recap
Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres
- The crew felt Montreal has clearly outplayed Buffalo, especially in the last two games.
- Biggest themes:
- Montreal’s desperation and pace vs. Buffalo looking flat and hesitant.
- Faceoff dominance and strong five-on-five pressure from the Canadiens.
- Lane Hutson was repeatedly called the best player on the ice, with his skating, read-and-react ability, and offensive creation drawing major praise.
- Alex Newhook was highlighted as a valuable playoff performer who brings championship experience and forechecking energy.
- Cole Caufield got a lot of attention for shaking off an early mistake and coming alive with a huge goal.
- Jakub Dobeš earned a major stick tap for both his play and the Bell Centre’s reaction to him after the game.
- Buffalo concerns:
- The Sabres were criticized for lacking urgency and response after being challenged physically.
- The panel debated whether Josh Greenway should have fought back after being provoked.
- Goaltending was questioned, with discussion about whether Buffalo should switch to a different netminder.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Anaheim Ducks
- Mitch Marner was the big story, with the panel gushing over his playoff production, creativity, and complete-game impact.
- They agreed Marner looks freer in Vegas than he did in Toronto:
- More confident
- More fun
- More engaged in every area of the ice
- Anaheim’s issues:
- Concerns about the heavy ice time load on their top defensemen
- A few costly defensive mistakes
- Questions about whether the Ducks can keep up if their power play doesn’t break through consistently
- Vegas concerns:
- Mark Stone’s injury was discussed as the key variable in the series.
- The group noted the Golden Knights are still likely the better team, but Stone’s health could matter later in the run.
- The Ducks fans got major praise for staying loud and engaged even when their team was getting pushed around.
Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche
- Minnesota got a big bounce-back win led by the stars:
- Kirill Kaprizov
- Brock Faber
- Matt Boldy
- The guys loved the response from Minnesota’s top players, especially in a game where the Wild needed their best to show up.
- Filip Gustavsson / Wallstedt was discussed in terms of goaltending stability and whether Minnesota could keep getting timely saves.
- They also joked about Nathan MacKinnon’s swimming routine, turning it into a running bit about privacy and superstitions.
- Overall, the Wild were praised for forcing a more competitive series.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Philadelphia Flyers
- Carolina’s 8-0 playoff start became a major talking point.
- The Hurricanes were praised for:
- Team speed
- Rod Brind’Amour’s buy-in culture
- Excellent social media/admin presence
- Depth contributions from up and down the lineup
- The Flyers were framed as overachievers in a good way:
- The rebuild looks more legitimate than people expected
- They gained valuable playoff experience
- The organization earned respect despite the sweep
- The panel emphasized that the Flyers’ season should be seen as a step forward, not a failure.
Guest: Jackson Blake
What he talked about
- Blake was upbeat and humble about Carolina’s unbeaten run, saying the team is getting valuable rest and staying focused.
- He gave a strong endorsement of Rod Brind’Amour as a coach who knows exactly how to balance rest, practice, and playoff preparation.
- He described the chemistry on his line as special and said the group plays with a shared identity:
- Fast
- Physical
- Relentless on the forecheck
- He credited his father, Jason Blake, for helping shape his game and mindset.
- He also explained how he developed his edge:
- Playing hard
- Getting under opponents’ skin through work rate rather than chirping
- Making himself hard to send down in camp
- He reminisced about growing up around hockey rinks, watching NHL players closely, and absorbing everything as a kid.
- He praised teammates like Jordan Staal, Frederik Andersen, Jacob Slavin, and Andrei Svechnikov for their leadership and impact.
- He also mentioned his background in Minnesota high school hockey and said it was one of the most fun and meaningful parts of his career.
Guest: Rob Gronkowski
Main points from the interview
- Gronk explained the TNT comment about Biz’s dating app life, saying it came from a friend’s text during the game and he used it as a chirp on air.
- He clarified that he and his family have always been Sabres fans, even if his NFL career made that look complicated.
- He described the playoff atmosphere in Buffalo as the loudest and most electric he’s ever seen there.
- He said he loves his current media life because:
- It’s part-time compared to football
- He still feels connected to sports
- He can keep a flexible schedule
- He also talked about:
- Daily sprint work and how it makes him feel “jacked”
- Not wanting a front-office or coaching job because he values freedom
- How impressive it is that athletes like Michael Strahan can transition into broader media roles
- He was very complimentary of Buffalo fans and joked about joining the local Blade Gang / rollerblading crowd if the Sabres keep winning.
- He ended by leaning into the ongoing joke about Biz and “Ronda from Buffalo,” saying he’d even officiate the wedding.
Notable Bits, Quotes, and Running Jokes
- “Pinkies up” continued as a recurring bit tied to Pink Whitney.
- Biz’s dating-app life got roasted repeatedly, especially in the Gronk segment.
- The crew joked about:
- A future “wedding” to Ronda from Buffalo
- Biz being buried on live TV
- The show being temporarily added to the “Epstein list” by accident due to the wording of the joke
- They also took a few friendly swings at:
- Horny old scouts and arena culture
- New NHL fans who overreact to hits and suspensions
- Online fanbases that take things too far
Key Takeaways
- Montreal, Carolina, Vegas, and Minnesota all got major praise for different reasons, but the biggest theme was how much playoff hockey rewards urgency, depth, and buy-in.
- Mitch Marner and Lane Hutson stood out as two of the biggest individual stars discussed.
- The episode reinforced the idea that a player’s fit matters just as much as talent — especially in a playoff environment.
- Jackson Blake came off as a thoughtful, grounded young player with real upside, while Gronk brought the perfect mix of humor, self-awareness, and chaos.