from Brett Popplewell of Sportsnet,

Cherry takes to his perch behind the desk while his makeup artist, Lianne Cousvis, does some last-minute adjustments to his complexion. “She’s just gilding the lily,” Cherry says.

MacLean, carrying his suit jacket over his arm, isn’t far behind. He speed-walks toward the set. “Stan!” he hollers out as he moves. “Yup?” replies Stan Nieradka, Coach’s Corner’s designated stats guru and on-the-fly research assistant. “I didn’t miss a goal, did I?” asks MacLean. It’s been 40 seconds since he last saw a monitor, and it’s important that he keep himself up to speed on everything that’s going on. “Nothing,” says Nieradka from his seat behind the stage wall next to the set. “Thanks, Stan,” MacLean says, passing by without even looking at him, before putting on his suit jacket and taking his seat next to Cherry.

The buzzer rings inside the Bell Centre in Montreal, and the Habs and Senators head to their dressing rooms. The Capitals and Islanders are off the ice as well, and suddenly the sound of chatter begins echoing down to the set from the other stage as commentators start weighing in on the game in Washington. Their voices are audible but thankfully soft enough that Nieradka doesn’t believe Cherry will notice. “I think we’re going to be OK,” he says, then turns out the desk light next to his computer. “Better safe than sorry,” he says. “You know, in case there’s a shadow or something.”

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