Tony Marinaro’s heart says Habs will win, but what about his head? | The Corner Booth

The Canadiens begin their quest for a 25th Stanley Cup on Sunday with Game 1 of their first-round NHL playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The entire city will be on edge as the team looks to avenge their loss in the 2021 Cup Final, but perhaps no Montrealer bleeds bleu, blanc et rouge more than The Sick Podcast’s Tony Marinaro, who has built a media empire covering Nos Glorieux.

So after all the hours poured into watching, analyzing and commenting on the team, does Marinaro think the young Habs have a fighting chance against the more battle-tested Bolts?

That’s the question posed to him by hosts Bill Brownstein and Aaron Rand on this week’s episode of The Corner Booth, recorded at Snowdon Deli.

“ I think the Canadiens will win it because A, my heart is saying the Canadiens will win it. B, it would be unbelievable for the city. C, it would be tremendous for my podcast,” Marinaro said.

He also thinks if this year isn’t the Canadiens’ year, based on the trajectory of their rise from the ashes of a last-place finish in 2022 to one of the most exciting franchises in the league, success is inevitable for the current core.

“ It almost seems like Tampa Bay had their time and now it’s the Canadiens’ time. I could be wrong, but I know I’m going to be right about this: If the changing of the guard doesn’t happen this season, it’s going to happen next season. You’re seeing it, the talent is there.”

In addition to providing his own prediction for how the series between the Canadiens and Lightning will pan out, Brownstein and Rand also offer their guesses, with a smoked meat sandwich on the line for the victor.

One of the hosts is more confident in the Habs than the other, but you’ll have to tune in to find out which.

The Corner Booth is also available on The Gazette’s YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts and on Spotify.

The post Tony Marinaro’s heart says Habs will win, but what about his head? | The Corner Booth appeared first on Montreal Gazette.