Locked On NHL - Daily Podcast On The National Hockey League

Team USA and Team Finland announced their Olympic rosters today. We review who made the cut and the top snubs. Did these teams find the right balance between the best players and the best teams?

We also look at the state of the NHL at the midpoint of the season. Who are the biggest surprises? Can the Colorado Avalanche continue their elite level of play and who stands out the most in the first half of the year?

And the Winter Classic highlights this weekend's top games as the New York Rangers and Florida Panthers face off. What will the experience be like playing outdoors in Florida? There are several other top matchups to consider as well that will have a huge impact on the standings.

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

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Comeback wins for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning. The Dallas Stars stumble in Chicago and the Seattle Kraken move into a wildcard spot in the West. Detail on that and more on this edition of Locked on NHL Game Night. 

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Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. So before tip-off, check the FanDuel app and see what’s dropping during NBA Happy Hour — every Friday from 6 to 7:30 PM Eastern.A little basketball, a little action, and a whole lot of Friday energy.
 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Buffalo Sabres ignite the Eastern Conference with a 10-game winning streak, thanks to standout performances from Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, and Josh Doan. Is this Cinderella run sustainable—or will the Sabres finally break their playoff drought? Nick Zararis and Hunter Hodies react to Buffalo’s surge, dissect the impact of Jarmo Kekäläinen’s arrival, and debate whether this team’s newfound confidence and stellar goaltending can hold up in a wide-open Atlantic Division. 

Team USA stuns fans by snubbing Adam Fox and Jason Robertson from its Olympic roster. Nick Zararis and Hunter Hodies critique the controversial selections—are defensive “intangibles” overrated in modern hockey? The hosts compare Team USA’s choices to Team Canada’s more balanced approach, spotlighting star power from Macklin Celebrini, Nick Suzuki, and stalwart goaltending decisions. Which national roster is best built for gold, and has the USA cost itself a true shot at international glory?

06:01 Funky Year for Sabres 

09:14 Sports Frustrations and Fan Debate

11:11 Reevaluating Hockey's Traditions 

14:28 Adam Fox's Impact is Undeniable 

16:27 Jason Robertson's Incredible Year

19:33 Impact of Jason Robertson

23:25 Injury Concerns and Replacement Speculation 

27:01 NHL Stars Shine in Olympics 
 

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Tage Thompson gives an Olympic-level performance. Jordan Binnington does not. The Predators and Flames are following the Sabres path. Colorado is doing absurd things. Winnipeg is making the kind of history their fans want to forget.

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Olympic roster battles heat up as Team Canada and Team USA prepare for major announcements. Who gets the nod, and which NHL stars could face shocking snubs? Mike DiStefano and JD Young preview key roster locks like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Macklin Celebrini, Auston Matthews, and the Tkachuk brothers, while dissecting bubble picks including Jason Robertson, Cole Caufield, and Tom Wilson. With international hockey parity rising and World Juniors drama unfolding, Canada’s lineup decisions spark debate, while USA’s deep defense and goaltending create selection headaches.

The hosts break down Olympic storylines, analyzing standout candidates, controversial omissions, and the strategic impact of potential linemates. Plus, they reveal their NHL Three Stars of the Week, highlight World Junior sensations like Gavin McKenna, and debate whether Team Canada or Team USA holds the edge for gold. Hockey fans—are you ready for the roster surprises ahead?

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The Toronto Maple Leafs are out of last place and have a pulse after a 4-0 shutout win for Joseph Woll. The Penguins capitalize on a tired Canes team. Montreal with a stunning comeback over the defending Stanley Cup champs. The Islanders scoring woes can't keep David Rittich down. The Flyers have a 'point night' in Vancouver. 

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Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. So before tip-off, check the FanDuel app and see what’s dropping during NBA Happy Hour — every Friday from 6 to 7:30 PM Eastern.A little basketball, a little action, and a whole lot of Friday energy.
 

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Winnipeg Jets face a potential crisis as Connor Hellebuyck’s early return from injury fails to spark a turnaround. Are the Jets headed for a sharp decline, or is there hope for recovery? Seth Toupal and JD Young break down Hellebuyck’s struggles, analyze Winnipeg’s lack of secondary scoring, and debate whether the team’s refusal to trade draft picks signals a lost season. Insights on Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, and disappointing performances from Cole Perfetti, Gus Nyquist, and Jonathan Toews drive the conversation.

Elsewhere, the Yegor Chinakhov trade shakes up the Pittsburgh Penguins' youth movement, with both hosts exploring the franchise’s strategy and the Columbus Blue Jackets’ troubling pattern of first-round picks requesting trades. Updates on Linus Ullmark’s personal leave from the Ottawa Senators and Pyotr Kochetkov’s season-ending surgery with the Carolina Hurricanes highlight the evolving goalie landscape across the NHL. Can teams weather these setbacks and find new leaders before playoff pushes begin?

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FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. So before tip-off, check the FanDuel app and see what’s dropping during NBA Happy Hour — every Friday from 6 to 7:30 PM Eastern.A little basketball, a little action, and a whole lot of Friday energy.  

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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The shocking collapse in Winnipeg has dropped them to 3-11-4 since Connor Hellebuyck's surgery. Florida and Minnesota continue their surges. Colorado won't lose to your A-game. Canes comeback on Rangers. Preds comeback on Mammoth. Sharks and Ducks explode for nine goals despite Anaheim taking 42 of the 55 shots in that game. 

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. So before tip-off, check the FanDuel app and see what’s dropping during NBA Happy Hour — every Friday from 6 to 7:30 PM Eastern.A little basketball, a little action, and a whole lot of Friday energy.
 

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The Buffalo Sabres have been the hottest team in the NHL since they changed general managers earlier this month. What is the reason for this surge?

Joe DiBiase of Locked On Sabres discusses why the Sabres are playing so well and what it will take to sustain this sudden success, plus what the team may look to do in the second half of the season.

The Tampa Bay Lightning keep finding ways to win hockey games despite some inconsistent play and their star players are like Nikita Kucherov are leading the way.

Nick Morgan of Locked On Lightning joins us to discuss how the Lightning are getting it done and why the team's depth is better than most people think.

The Carolina Hurricanes may have found the goalie that can take them to the next level in Brandon Bussi. The Canes find themselves atop the Metropolitan Division.

Zach Martin of Locked On Carolina Hurricanes joins us to discuss Bussi's impact and why the Canes are playing well as we approach the new year.

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

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. So before tip-off, check the FanDuel app and see what’s dropping during NBA Happy Hour — every Friday from 6 to 7:30 PM Eastern.A little basketball, a little action, and a whole lot of Friday energy.
 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Thrilling comebacks for the Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets but only one of them would get 2 points. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings go OT in Hockeytown while the Pittsburgh Penguins scored a touchdown against the Chicago Blackhawks. Detail on that and more on this edition of Locked on NHL Game Night. 

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. So before tip-off, check the FanDuel app and see what’s dropping during NBA Happy Hour — every Friday from 6 to 7:30 PM Eastern.A little basketball, a little action, and a whole lot of Friday energy.
 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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