Empty The Benches

Empty The Benches

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Empty The Benches episodes

  • Welcome To The Conference Finals (EP. 303)

    Welcome to the Conference Finals! Nick and Mac get you set with all their takes on the final four NHL teams remaining. They break down the goaltending matchup between Andersen and Dobes, the absence of Cale Makar in game 1, and the nearly two weeks off for the Hurricanes. They also list their 3 most hated NHL teams, debate which team should be the most concerned with heir 3rd round matchup, and take a look at the incredibly close Walter Cup Finals. 

     

    Chapters

     

    00:00 Introduction and Current Sports Landscape

    08:53 Montreal's Exciting Playoff Journey

    14:54 Transitioning to the Conference Finals

    20:57 Analyzing the Western Conference Matchup

    23:31 Introduction to the Eastern Conference Playoffs

    24:16 Carolina Hurricanes' Performance and Challenges

    25:43 Montreal Canadiens' Momentum and Strategy

    27:14 Goaltending Matchup: Key to Success

    29:03 Offensive Contributions from Montreal

    30:58 Predictions for the Series

    34:04 Con Smythe Candidates and Team Impressions

    36:37 Concerns for Remaining Teams

    40:39 Trivia and Final Thoughts

     


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    46 min
  • Can Anyone Stop The Avalanche? (EP. 302)

    The boys are back to break down the latest of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Nick and Mac dive into the Canes sweep of the Flyers, the seemingly unstoppable Colorado Avalanche, and the electric series between Vegas and Anaheim.  The boys are also joined by Charlie McCulley of Triple Deke Vintage, who stops by to chat all things vintage hockey gear. Nick and Mac also take a look at the game 5 postponement for the PWHL, Charlie McAvoy's suspension, and wrap up with some game 7 goalscorer trivia.

     

    Chapters

    01:13 Into and farming nonsense

    02:29 Charlie McAvoy suspension

    03:35 Hurricanes sweep Flyers

    06:11 Sabres & Canadiens update

    12:53 Avalanche & Wild update

    22:01 Ducks & Golden Knights update

    27:47 Charlie McCulley of Triple Deke Vintage

    45:22 PWHL postpones pivotal game 5

    46:49 TRIVIA - game 7 goalscorers


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    54 min
  • 1st Round Recap & 2nd Round Preview (EP. 301)

    Join Nick and Mackane as they dissect the first round of the NHL playoffs, share their insights on series outcomes, standout players, and the upcoming second round matchups. Get expert analysis, hot takes, and predictions for the Stanley Cup race.

     

    Chapters

     

    00:00 Beach Time and Friendships

    03:04 Hockey Postseason Overview

    06:02 Hurricanes vs. Senators: A Boring Sweep

    08:08 Buffalo vs. Boston: A Thrilling Rivalry

    11:04 Battle of Pennsylvania: Flyers vs. Penguins

    13:55 Tampa Bay vs. Montreal: A Surprising Series

    17:05 Western Conference Roundup: Avs and Kings

    19:59 Dallas vs. Minnesota: A Historic Clash

    22:51 Vegas vs. Utah: A Series of Missed Opportunities

    30:01 The Ducks' Unexpected Playoff Journey

    35:37 The Wild Series Dynamics

    36:22 Disappointment in the First Round

    37:57 Blind Ranking First Round Matchups

    39:36 Analyzing the Second Round Series

    43:09 The Sabres vs. Canadiens Anticipation

    44:38 Breaking News: Draft Lottery Shock

    46:09 Ducks vs. Golden Knights Preview

    47:43 Avalanche vs. Wild High-Scoring Game

    50:56 Dream Conference Finals Matchups

    52:46 Draft Lottery Results and Reactions

     

     

     


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    57 min
  • Alan May (EP. 300)

    For their 300th Episode Nick and Mac are joined by Alan May. Alan shares his journey to the NHL from growing up just outside the Arctic Circle, to playing in the AHL, and ultimately his NHL career. He also shares insights into his current role with the Caps broadcasting crew and gives some incredible motivation that kept him going through his career. The boys spend the rest of the eppy getting you caught up on the Stanley Cup Playoffs, running through some of their favorite guests, and finishing up with a trivia about playoff hat tricks. 


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    1 hr 35 min
  • Inside Caps Broadcasting with Katie Florio (EP. 299)

    The boys are joined by Washington Capitals radio host and content director Katie Florio! Katie shares her journey from Clemson University, to the AHL, and to her current role with the Caps. She gives some great insight into the day to day of her roles, the prep that goes into running multiple shows, and how to maintain relationships with the team. Nick and Mac also break down the Red Wings falloff, the major milestones for Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, and the legendary career of Jonathan Quick. 


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    57 min
  • Playoff Race with Chuckin' Fists (EP. 298)

    The boys are joined by Leo Calvo of Chuckin' Fists to break down both the east and west playoff races. Leo gives his thoughts on why his Penguins ha a resurgence under Dan Muse, why the Flyers should scare anyone in the east, and what went wrong for the Red Wings in the last couple weeks. Nick and Mac also break down the upcoming Frozen Four matchups, the Washington Capitals calling up Ilya Protas, and the PWHL selling out Madison Square Garden.

     

    Chapters

     

    00:14 Intro and approaching 300 episodes

    01:38 QOTD - memorable playoff series

    05:00 PWHL sells out MSG

    12:36 Playoff race with Leo Calvo of Chuckin' Fists

    43:37 The Weekly ReCap

    49:15 Frozen Four preview


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    55 min
  • Grace Outwater & Danica Maynard (EP. 297)

    In this episode, Nick and Mac are joined by Penn State starts Danica Maynard and Grace Outwater. They share their experiences following an amazing season for the Nittany Lions, their outdoor game at Beaver Stadium, and their paths to choosing college hockey. The boys also discuss the men's and women's NCAA hockey tournaments, the recent ups and downs of the Washington Capitals, and the shock front office moves made by the Leafs and Knights. BONUS: Mac discusses his major career change. 

     

    00:00 Weather Woes and Hockey Life

    03:04 Joining a New Beer League

    05:57 A New Path: Going Back to Dental School

    08:52 Hockey Management Shakeups

    11:57 College Hockey Highlights and Upsets

    14:47 Women’s Hockey Championship and Men’s Frozen Four Preview

    19:51 Interview with Penn State Hockey Players

    21:45 Caps' Playoff Hopes and Recent Games

    26:17 Refereeing Controversies in Hockey

    29:44 Debuts and Expectations for New Players

    31:51 Trivia Time: NHL's Most Productive Wingers

    36:14 Mackane's New Journey in Dental School

     


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    1 hr 11 min
  • Red Wings Round Up with Ryan Lott (EP. 296)

    In this episode, we unravel the latest in NHL playoff races, from the wild card chaos in the East to the strange standings in the West, plus a deep dive into the Detroit Red Wings' push to the postseason. Our guest, Ryan Lott, producer of the Athletes podcast and a die-hard Wings enthusiast, shares insider insights on key players like Dylan Larkin’s injury update, the goaltending evolution with Jon Gibson, and the surprising rise of young prospects such as Edvinson and Cossa. Ryan also breaks down how Detroit can navigate the tricky matchups ahead, and reveals what makes Tampa Bay a constant threat — plus predictions on who’s going all the way.

     

    • We discuss the unpredictability of this year's March Madness and favorite moments (00:02)
    • Analysis of the NHL playoff picture for both Eastern and Western Conferences (3:00)
    • Deep dive into Detroit Red Wings' key players, injuries, and prospects with Ryan Lott (0:19)
    • Ryan shares his thoughts on the future of the Wings, goaltending, and player development (6:35)
    • The hosts debate the declining reputation of Subway and the nostalgia surrounding the chain (11:00)
    • NHL Draft memories and experiences, including trips to the draft floor, with Ryan (20:14)
    • Stanley Cup predictions for Tampa Bay, Dallas, and other contenders (23:25)
    • Outlook on the Edmonton Oilers’ playoff chances and Connor McDavid’s impact (25:27)
    • Closing thoughts, upcoming sports events, and appreciation for the guest (27:40)

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      1 hr 3 min
    • Cole Hutson Signs with the Caps (EP. 295)

      In this episode Nick and Mac break down the USA sled hockey team capping off the Gold Medal sweep, Cole Hutson signing with the Capitals, and the recently announced 2028 World Cup of Hockey. They also dive into what the Caps future core could look like and wrap up with two wild trivia questions. 


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      46 min
    • Eva Erickson & Trade Deadline Recap (EP. 294)

      In this episode, hosts Nick and Mac discuss the latest in sports, including trade deadline reactions, memorable hockey games, and an insightful interview with Eva Erickson, a survivor and hockey player. They analyze team surprises, trade deals, and share personal insights, making it a must-listen for hockey fans. Eva Erickson shares her unique journey from Minnesota high school hockey to Survivor, highlighting how her sports background influenced her gameplay and her efforts to make hockey more inclusive.

       

       

       


      Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

      1 hr 13 min

    About Empty The Benches

    From the publisher's feed

    Grab a seat and crack a cold one with Nick and Mac on Empty the Benches, the hockey podcast that doesn't hold back. Whether you're a diehard fan who's been watching since the '90s or just getting into…

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