Locked On NHL - Daily Podcast On The National Hockey League

In this Thursday edition of Locked on NHL, Nick Zararis (Locked On Oilers) and Hunter Hodies (Locked On Penguins) break down every single first-round series with an authoritative, stats-heavy lens. We start with the Pittsburgh Penguins, who find themselves in a 3-0 hole against a Philadelphia Flyers team playing a suffocating system. Can Crosby find his 100% health, or is this series over? Plus, we dive into the Edmonton Oilers' 1-1 tie with Anaheim, where a visibly "limp" Connor McDavid and an abysmal penalty kill have alarm bells ringing in Alberta.

02:15 Penguins struggle against Philly

04:56 Improving breakout strategies 

08:47 Ottawa's playoff chances discussed 

16:54 Dallas defensive pair performance

 23:52 Discussing Tampa Bay's playoff style 

27:31 Boston's game one defensive struggles 

30:31 Upcoming NHL playoff games discussion
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The Minnesota Wild miss a big opportunity with a double overtime loss to the Dallas Stars. Can Kirill Kaprizov and the Wild rebound after letting special teams struggles haunt them again? Eddie Garcia and Alex Wiederspill break down the Wild going 1-7 on the power play.

Elsewhere, the Anaheim Ducks outgun the Edmonton Oilers 6-4, raising alarms about Connor McDavid’s health and Edmonton’s suddenly dormant power play. Philadelphia Flyers push the Pittsburgh Penguins to the brink with a commanding 3-0 series lead, led by Dan Vladar’s stellar goaltending and Rick Tocchet’s strategic edge. Key topics include pivotal coaching decisions. 

00:00 - Playoff Highlights & Intros

04:17 - Stars vs. Wild Breakdown

13:15 - Ducks/Oilers & Flyers/Penguins

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The Tampa Bay Lightning totally stifled Montreal late in an overtime win to even the series at 1. The Bruins narrowly avoid a repeat of Game 1 and even the series with Buffalo at 1. A historic win for the Mammoth and Logan Cooley as they tie Vegas at 1. Colorado outlasts a pesky Kings team in overtime to take a 2-0 series lead. Plus, a lookahead at the games on 4/22/26. 

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Buffalo Sabres erupt in dramatic playoff comeback, shaking the Boston Bruins and igniting belief in a deep postseason run. Seth Toupal and JD Young break down Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s stellar goaltending, Lindy Ruff’s postgame reaction, and the electric Buffalo crowd that turned the momentum. Are the Sabres more than just a feel-good story, and can their young core challenge even the most seasoned contenders?

The conversation spotlights rising pressure on the Tampa Bay Lightning after a lackluster Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens and questions whether the Los Angeles Kings can survive the offensive power of the Colorado Avalanche. Analysis of teams like the Minnesota Wild, Calgary Flames, and Vegas Golden Knights uncovers key overreactions, defensive standouts, and must-win scenarios. Which squads are in panic mode, and who’s poised to flip the playoff narrative? Don’t miss this high-stakes Stanley Cup playoff roundtable.

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GAME NIGHT: Edmonton Oilers CLIP Anaheim Ducks in Game 1, Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators have DOUBLE OT Chaos, Philadelphia Flyers SHUTOUT Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Dallas Stars TAME the Minnesota Wild.

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Tage Thompson sparks absolute brilliance in the third period leading to a 4-3 comeback win to open their series versus Boston. The Slovakian Slayer takes no prisoners as Juraj Slafkovsky scores a playoff all-power play hat trick to top Tampa 4-3 in overtime in their series opener. Colorado labored in a 2-1 win over Los Angeles in the first game of that series. Utah throws the first punch, but the Knights throw the final punch in a 4-2 game one win.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins struggled offensively and lost Game 1 of their series with the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in Pittsburgh.

Hunter Hodies of Locked On Penguins joins us to discuss what went wrong in Game 1 and some key players that need to step up for the Pens to even the series.

The Los Angeles Kings gave the heavily favored Colorado Avalanche all they could handle in Game 1 of their opening round Stanley Cup Playoff series.

Eddie Garcia of Locked On LA Kings joins us to discuss how the Kings kept Game 1 close, the possible return of Andre Kuzmenko and keys for the Kings to stay in the series and pull off the upset.

The Edmonton Oilers hope to have Leon Draisaitl back for Game 1 of their opening round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks. 

Nick Zararis of Locked On Oilers updates us on Draisaitl's status and what it will take for the Oilers to advance to the second round of the playoffs. 

All this and more on today's episode of the Locked On NHL Podcast with Gil Martin.

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The Stanley Cup Playoffs erupt with fierce intensity as the Carolina Hurricanes shut out the Ottawa Senators 2-0 behind Frederik Andersen’s clutch goaltending. The Minnesota Wild dominate the Dallas Stars 6-1, with Jesper Wallstedt delivering a stellar debut and powerhouse performances from Joel Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy. Over in Pennsylvania, 19-year-old Porter Martone dazzles in his playoff debut, leading the Philadelphia Flyers to a gritty 3-2 road victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Eddie Garcia and Shukri Wrights dissect goalie decisions, defensive breakdowns and the tone-setting fight that defined night one. Can the Stars and Sens bounce back, or will early momentum decide these series? Key highlights include Carolina’s defensive discipline, Dallas’ sluggish start, and Philadelphia’s defensive shutdown of Sidney Crosby. Don’t miss this hard-hitting, instant-reaction breakdown as the chase for Lord Stanley’s Cup officially begins.

00:00 NHL Playoffs Night 1 Recap

09:50 Minnesota Wild Dominate Dallas

20:48 Battle of Pennsylvania

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The Stanley Cup Playoffs start with a can't-miss matchups as the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild—two of the NHL's top regular season teams—clash in a first-round battle loaded with scoring power. Eddie Garcia and Shukri Wrights break down key storylines and dig into the showdown between Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy of the Wild vs Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson of the Stars. Classic NHL rivalries are reignited as the Pittsburgh Penguins face the Philadelphia Flyers. The show covers big questions about young goalies in the spotlight like Brandon Bussy and Jakub Dobes. Will the Buffalo Sabres' playoff return end with Stanley Cup glory? The road to Lord Stanley’s Cup starts here—who will survive Round 1’s gauntlet?

00:00 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview

07:12 Rivalries & Goaltending Spotlight

14:40 Western Conference Breakdowns

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We have eight exciting opening round playoff series opening this weekend in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and hockey fans are excited. This is the most exciting time of the year for NHL fans and we break down all eight series from most to least compelling and discuss why each series is worth watching.

Plus, NHL awards are settled and teams that missed the playoffs like the Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils, make front office moves that will determine the future of their franchises.

All this and more on today's Locked On NHL Podcast with Rachel Donner and Gil Martin.

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