Locked On NHL - Daily Podcast On The National Hockey League

Radko Gudas of the Anaheim Ducks delivered a flagrant knee-on-knee hit to Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. The Leafs did not respond on the ice. We break down what the incident says about the Leafs team culture and why they didn't come to the defense of their captain. 

Plus, what does this incident say about the inconsistency of the NHL Department of Player Safety, which already announced that Gudas will not have an in person hearing and therefore will not get more than a five-game suspension for this dirty and dangerous play. 

We also highlight a slate of key weekend games with major playoff implications.

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

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Wild card drama intensifies as the San Jose Sharks beat the Boston Bruins, highlighted by William Ekland’s jaw-dropping goal. The playoff race heats up across the NHL: the Columbus Blue Jackets’ inch closer to a playoff spot. Controversy erupts as Radko Gudas’s knee-on-knee hit sidelines Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews—will Toronto recover after their team’s lack of an immediate response? Locked on Leafs host David Morassutti weighs in. Eddie Garcia and Shukri Wrights recap every key storyline from a 14-game slate, spotlighting Dallas Stars’ dominance. The debate over shootouts ignites thanks to Locked on Wild host Seth Toupal. Locked on Oilers host Nick Zararis talks about the Edmonton's goalie struggles. Which teams will grab a coveted playoff spot as the NHL’s regular season nears the finish line?

00:00 Wildcard Race Updates

10:18 Maple Leafs Injury & Reaction

21:00 Surprising Wins & Playoff Impact

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On this Thursday edition, hosts Nick Zararis and Hunter Hodies break down the hottest teams and biggest contracts in the league. First, we dive into the miraculous run of the Buffalo Sabres. Since their recent GM change, the Sabres have rocketed up the standings to sit 5th in the entire NHL. We discuss the impact of head coach Lindy Ruff, Alex Lyon's stellar goaltending, and why Buffalo looks like an absolute lock for the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Next, we look at the Columbus Blue Jackets' incredible turnaround. Since bringing Rick Bowness out of retirement to replace Dean Evason, the team has surged back into the playoff hunt with elite defensive play and a Norris-caliber season from Zach Werenski.

Finally, we analyze Nick Schmaltz's massive 8-year, $8 million per year extension with the Utah Mammoths. What does this mean for the rising NHL salary cap, upcoming free agents like Alex Tuch, and the summer trade market?

04:59 Sabres Prove They Can Compete

07:40 NHL Standouts: Scoring & Goaltending

10:39 Blue Jackets Bump & Hoops Boost

12:59 "Columbus Playoff Push Analysis"

19:05 Columbus' Playoff Push Analysis

19:47 "Key Games and NHL Updates"

24:52 "Slight Overpay, Smart Bet"

27:03 Vanishing Mid-Tier Athletes Trend

30:20 "March Code: Free First Month"

Are the Buffalo Sabres Playoff Locks? + Blue Jackets Surge & Nick Schmaltz's Huge Extension

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Ross Levitan and Mike DiStefano break down the Eastern Conference playoff race, surprise teams, trade deadline fallout, and their 3 Stars of the Week.

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GAME NIGHT: Jack Quinn nets a hat-trick and registers four points as the Buffalo Sabres beat down on the San Jose Sharks, two TOP teams in the Eastern Conference need overtime/shootout, the Boston Bruins get ANOTER win at home, the Edmonton Oilers and Connor MacDavid VERSUS Colorado Avalanche and Nathan MacKinnon

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St. Louis Blues emerge as surprise winners of the 2026 NHL trade deadline, stockpiling assets while shedding aging blue line contracts—are they poised for a swift return to Stanley Cup contention? Seth Toupal and JD Young debate the Blues' strategic retool, highlight Jordan Kyrou, Robert Thomas, and Jordan Binnington's futures, and question how rivals like the New York Rangers and Vegas Golden Knights fumbled their deadline moves.

The conversation heats up around the chaotic Pacific Division, suspect goaltending for both Edmonton Oilers and Vegas, and the arms race in the Central where the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, and Minnesota Wild fortified their rosters with savvy acquisitions like Nazem Kadri and Michael Bunting. Are the Anaheim Ducks or Utah the dark horse to sneak through the playoff mud? Key issues include cap crunches, trade winners and losers, and playoff survival in the Western Conference meat grinder.

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On a night where only one team currently sitting in a playoff spot was active, we saw some standout performances from Frank Nazar in Chicago, James Reimer in Ottawa, Alexis Lafreniere in New York, Adrian Kempe in Los Angeles and the Capitals young depth pieces. Plus, we talk about who has the best chance of getting back to the playoffs next season among the nine teams who played tonight who currently are sitting outside the playoffs.

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One of the most chaotic games in recent NHL memory headlines this edition of LockedOn NHL Game Night. Mike Asti and Eddie Garcia discuss the Sabres sending a message with a big win over the Lightning, the Penguins flexing their depth, the Red Wings hoping they didn't lose a key player in their win, if Colorado is still the West favorite or if Dallas has a case and which version of the Oilers is their true team.

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The Colorado Avalanche pulled off a big deal late on trade deadline day, re-acquiring Nazem Kadri from the Calgary Flames. Then they went out and beat their two closes competitors in the Central Division over the weekend.

Chris Micieli of Locked On Avalanche discusses the impact of the Kadri deal, where he fits in to the Avs lineup and what can be done about the team's struggles on the power play.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been battling on without the injured Sidney Crosby and the suspended Evgeni Malkin and they scored a dramatic comeback win over the Boston Bruins.

Hunter Hodies of Locked On Penguins joins us to discuss the timetable for Crosby and Malkin to return and why the Pegnuins relative quiet at the trade deadline was OK. 

The San Jose Sharks were relatively quiet at the trade deadline, but did make to important moves concerning their own players. 

J.D. Young of Locked On Sharks joins us to discuss these moves, the brilliance of Macklin Celebrini and what it will take for the Sharks to make the playoffs this season.

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

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