Happy to give him the third degree

The reaction was swift to Friday’s item linking Paul Kariya to Kevin Bacon in five steps. Clearly, there are quicker ways to bring home the Bacon, some as fast as the route Kariya and the Nashville Predators took in exiting the playoffs.

David Daniel of Woodland Hills: “I don’t know why you took such a roundabout way to get from Paul Kariya to Kevin Bacon. Kariya, as you said, was in ‘Mighty Ducks 3’ with Emilio Estevez, and Emilio was just in ‘Bobby’ with Christian Slater, who was in ‘Murder in the First’ with ... Kevin Bacon! (The fewer steps the better in the game.)”

Jack Saltzburg of Sherman Oaks: “Emilio Estevez was in (and directed) ‘Bobby’ with Demi Moore. Demi Moore was in ‘Destination Anywhere’ with ... Kevin Bacon. How could you miss a giant of American cinema like ‘Destination Anywhere?’ ”

Stuart Farber of Manhattan Beach: “A shorter route would be Paul Kariya to Emilio Estevez, who was in ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ with Demi Moore who was in ‘A Few Good Men’ with Kevin Bacon.”

Farber added, “I need to get a life!”

It’s OK, Stu, we caught it in time. Start slow. Go for a walk on the beach.

Meanwhile, Briefing will go rent “Destination Anywhere.”

Double-secret probation for him

The Ducks’ victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday required two key video reviews of goals, and a third seemed to be needed after the game.

Detroit Free Press columnist Drew Sharp, writing about the dominance of the Ducks’ Scott and Rob Niedermayer, said: “Perhaps the insightful future U.S. Senator and Faber College alum John Blutarsky phrased it best, ‘Niedermayer! Dead!’ ”

Oooh, close Drew, close. It is Eric “Otter” Stratton (Tim Matheson) who defiantly proclaims “Dead!” at the end of “Bluto” Blutarsky’s rant.

How about Animal House Quotes for $200?

Two thumbs down?

Meanwhile, from the “Two Cents” category in the Free Press: “Do you miss old-time hockey as much as we do? As in, before video reviews? Maybe the DVD will have alternate endings.”

Sorry fellas, only if Steven Spielberg has the rights.

Trivia time

What do the Miami Heat, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Colorado Avalanche have in common?

Ryan expresses interest?

Nolan Ryan, now 60, admitted to being intrigued by the deal 44-year-old Roger Clemens received to pitch part-time for the New York Yankees, telling the Associated Press, “If I can pitch, I’d be there. And I think my family would encourage me.”

Attention Angels: Maybe you can use Ryan in place of Ervin Santana on the road.

Would it be worth, say, $500,000, the approximate amount Ryan wanted to remain in Anaheim in 1980?

Timing is everything

Friday afternoon news releases are usually reserved for embarrassing news, but the past week offered a twist on such red-faced moments.

4:13 p.m. -- “Time Warner Cable and Versus Offer Thrilling Anaheim Ducks Playoff Hockey In Stunning High Definition.”

4:14 p.m. -- Recall “Time Warner Cable Offers Anaheim Ducks in HD.”

4:15 p.m. -- “Time Warner Cable and Versus Offer Thrilling Anaheim Ducks Playoff Hockey In Stunning High Definition.”

Seems as if Time Warner and Versus need to work on some CD: clear definition.

Trivia answer

Those are the only teams with singular, not plural, nicknames to win championships in any of the four major sports.

Hmmm, how about the Los Angeles Dodger? After almost 20 years since winning a World Series, it’s time to try something besides $15 parking.

And finally

The cause of the Red Wings’ playoff struggles in recent years?

Well no one has pointed out that they have not won a Stanley Cup since the Detroit Lions moved back to the city in the fall of 2002.

Just one more thing that can be blamed on Matt Millen.

chris.foster@latimes.com