Locked On NHL - Daily Podcast On The National Hockey League

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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The Stanley Cup Playoff matchups are finally set after a wild final night in the NHL regular season. Connor McDavid clinches his sixth Art Ross Trophy for the Edmonton Oilers, while rookie Matt Savoie explodes for a hat trick, propelling Edmonton past the Vancouver Canucks and sealing a first-round clash with the comeback-happy Anaheim Ducks. Is Edmonton’s goaltending ready for playoff pressure?Hosts Eddie Garcia and Shukri Wrights break down pivotal late-season performances, from the Colorado Avalanche’s President’s Trophy run to Macklin Celebrini breaking Joe Thornton’s franchise points record for the San Jose Sharks. Key storylines include Nashville Predators’ looming off-season overhaul, St. Louis Blues’ late push, and whether the “President’s Trophy curse” could haunt powerhouse Colorado. Catch full playoff previews and the storylines every NHL fan needs to watch.

00:00 — NHL Playoff Picture Set

05:23 — Edmonton, Anaheim, Kings Analysis

17:31 — Shark’s Celebrini, Offseason Outlooks

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The Stanley Cup Playoffs are finally here! In this Thursday edition of Locked on NHL, Nick Zararis (Locked On Oilers) and Hunter Hodies (Locked On Penguins) deliver a deep-dive, stats-heavy preview of the first-round matchups. From the health of Miro Heiskanen to the "God Mode" potential of Jake Oettinger, we break down why the Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild series is destined for seven games. We also pivot to the Eastern Conference to give our definitive series picks for the Carolina Hurricanes vs. Ottawa Senators, the high-flying Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins, and the "Cinema" matchup between Tampa Bay and Montreal. 

Plus, we analyze the Pacific Division seeding chaos: Will Edmonton face Anaheim or the Kings?

05:31 Importance of five-on-five play 

09:15 Minnesota team player analysis 

12:18 Quick take on Carolina vs Ottawa 

14:16 Playoff struggles without a superstar 

17:18 Buffalo vs. Boston prediction 

22:43 Stuart Skinner's playoff impact 

23:53 Penguins vs. Flyers series preview 

28:56 Predicting Edmonton vs. Anaheim series outcome 

29:47 Discussing Edmonton vs. Anaheim playoffs 

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GAME NIGHT: The Vegas Golden Knights defeated Seattle to TAKE Pacific crow, Florida Panther's YOUTH Movement Destroys Detroit Red Wings, FUTURE Phenoms Macklin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks Square off with Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks.

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Ross Levitan (Locked On Senators) and Mike DiStefano (Locked On Maple Leafs) break down all 4 Eastern Conference first round playoff series.

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Even without total chaos, Tuesday’s nine-game slate saw playoff matchups finalized, multiple first NHL goals on a night of a youth movement and possibly the last game of Alexander Ovechkin’s career.

Mike Asti and Alex Wiederspiel discuss it all while dropping some hot takes just in time for the playoffs on the latest edition of LockedOn NHL Game Night.

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Detroit Red Wings’ playoff collapse sparks major questions—has Steve Yzerman’s “Yzerplan” finally run its course? After leading their division in January, the Red Wings plummeted out of postseason contention, leaving fans demanding answers about roster construction, goaltending woes with John Gibson, and the inability to rebound from key injuries.

Hosts Seth Topal and JD Young also examine Alex Ovechkin’s potential NHL retirement following a legendary career with the Washington Capitals. The episode breaks down Ovechkin’s legacy, what’s next for Washington, and the mutual respect with Sidney Crosby that defined an NHL era. Key segments highlight which teams, such as the New Jersey Devils, Winnipeg Jets, and St. Louis Blues, are poised for a playoff return or are due for a complete rebuild. Don’t miss this candid assessment of NHL leadership, scoring struggles, and what’s at stake in hockey’s shifting landscape.

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The Philadelphia Flyers are going to the playoffs. The Canes earn the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Sabres win the Atlantic Division. The Lightning can still salvage home ice. The Western Conference playoff race is slightly less murky with Los Angeles clinching the final spot, but only a single matchup is settled. Jonathan Quick's final game is a tank power battle between New York and Florida. Dallas and Toronto are a little drunk. The Blues earn a win. 

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As pivotal matchups further solidify the playoff picture, Mike Asti and TJ Chillot discuss if we saw the final game between Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin, how to evaluate the Islanders’ season after failing to make the playoffs, statement wins by the Canadiens and Bruins and trouble for the Ducks in the West.

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The Los Angeles Kings are in the thick of the fight for one of the final playoff spots in the Western Conference but do they have what it takes to clinch a berth?

Eddie Garcia of Locked On Los Angeles Kings joins us to discuss the reasons for the team's strong finish, the playoff hunt and the final few games of Anze Kopitar's Hall of Fame career. 

Alexander Ovechkin may be playing his final game in the NHL this week with the Washington Capitals who are still fighting for third place in the Metropolitan Division.

Dan Holmi of Locked On Capitals joins us to discuss whether this is the end of Ovi's NHL career and whether the Caps can make the cut with their late season surge. 

The Minnesota Wild are locked in to an opening round playoff series with the Dallas Stars and have nothing to play for in their final few games of the regular season.

Seth Toupal of Locked On Wild joins us to discuss whether this is an advantage or disadvantage for the Wild and what it will take to defeat the Stars and advance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

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

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