The Drive

In hour 3 of The Drive, Zach, Phil, and the guys compete in our weekly trivia competition against the morning show. Will we bounce back from a 1-3 performance from last week and beat the morning show's 2-2 performance from earlier today? We preview tonight's massively important Game 2 of the Western Conference Final for the Avalanche. We react to the news from this morning that Cale Makar will remain out and not play in Game 2. At what point are we expecting to see Makar in this series, if at all? We hear from Ben Dinucci on how the Broncos offense will look different with Davis Webb calling plays and how Bo Nix will have more time at the line of scrimmage with a quicker play call. We revisit Mike Klis' comments on Sean Payton still having a hand in play calling and could call 10-12 plays per game. We react to ESPN's Bobby Marks forecasting what Peyton Watson's contract will look like this offseason, and the guys debate if the Nuggets will be willing to take on that contract or what trades the Nuggets will make to take on an expensive contract. Does Watson want to be in Denver long-term? 

In hour 2 of The Drive, Zach and Phil take a deep dive into the Avalanche as they get set for Game 2 of the Western Conference Final tonight. We react to the news of Cale Makar being ruled out for the game, and we share what our panic level is heading into the game. We hear from Paul Bissonette saying the Avs will not win the series without Makar, and Zach shares history on what a win or loss means for the Avs tonight. Who needs to step up for the Avs the most in Makar's absence? Is there a chance we see MacKenzie Blackwood in Game 3 if tonight doesn't go well for Scott Wedgewood? Today's "Three Count" features the Knicks winning their 9th straight playoff game with Josh Hart exploding offensively, and the Hurricanes getting blown out by the Canadians after the Canes 8-0 start to the playoffs. Our 9News Broncos insider Mike Klis joins the show to discuss how the Broncos will approach preseason football, what the offense will look like with Davis Webb calling plays, and if Sean Payton will still call a handful of plays each game. 

Hour 1 of The Drive kicks off with Zach and Phil live from Schoolyard Beer Garden. The guys reminisce on the last time they did a live show from Schoolyard and begin to preview tonight's massively important Game 2 of the Western Conference Final for the Avalanche. We react to the news from this morning that Cale Makar will remain out and not play in Game 2. At what point are we expecting to see Makar in this series if at all? What version of the Avs will we see tonight? Zach shares the history on what a win or loss means for the Avs tonight. We hear from Ben Dinucci on how the Broncos offense will look different with Davis Webb calling plays, how Webb's history with a spread offense will impact the Broncos offense, and more. We react to ESPN's Bobby Marks forecasting what Peyton Watson's contract will look like this offseason, and the guys debate if the Nuggets will be willing to take on that contract or what trades the Nuggets will make to take on an expensive contract. Does Watson want to be in Denver long-term? 

In hour 4 of The Drive, Zach and Phil take a deep dive into the Avalanche as they fell in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final. Zach shares the numbers on teams that go on to win a series this postseason when they win game 1, and the guys discuss what a Cale Makar would mean for the Avs. Will Scott Wedgewood play better in Game 2 than what we saw in Game 1? Are we in store for a seven-game series now? Who needs to step up the most from the Avalanche going forward? Did the temperature in Ball Arena impact the game and the condition of the ice? We reach out to the text line and the YouTube chat and gauge their feelings about the Avalanche falling behind 0-1 in the series and what their panic level is. We hear from both the Avs and the Knights' head coaches after the game, and where both teams go from here. We wrap up the show with DenverSports.com's Aniello Piro joining the show to discuss the Avs and how they looked after the long rest from the last series to this series. 

In hour 3 of The Drive, Zach and Phil continue to react to Game 1 of the Western Conference Final. What does history say about teams when they fall behind 0-1 in a series? What were the guys' biggest takeaways from the loss? How did the absence of Cale Makar impact the game? We hear from coach Jared Bednar on the team missing Makar in the game and how they struggled in areas that he typically excels in. Zach shares the latest on Makar taking the ice today for the Avs in practice. We react to the breaking news of NASCAR legend Kyle Busch passing away. We hear from the captain, Gabe Landeskog, on learning from Game 1 and moving on to Game 2. Are the Avalanche built to handle adversity? Is Game 2 a "must-win"? What role did the officiating have in the loss? What adjustments will Coach Bednar make going into Game 2? 

In hour 2 of The Drive, Zach and Phil take a deep dive into the Avalanche after they fell in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final. What is the panic level for the guys for the Avs to make the Stanley Cup Final? What are the guys' updated predictions for how the series will end? Will the Knights' goaltender, Carter Hart, be the difference maker in the series? We hear from Jared Bednar on the lack of execution from the Avs and point out all the missed opportunities from the Avalanche to score goals. Today's "Three Count" includes Erik Johnson calling his shot that either Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews will be on the Wild in the near future, the Avs hoisting Bernie to the ceiling of Ball Arena at the Avs game last night, and the litany of injuries suffered in last night's Thunder and Spurs game. We react to Bleacher Report naming Aaron Gordon as the 5th most realistic trade target in the NBA this offseason. 

Hour 1 of The Drive kicks off with Zach and Phil cross-talking with Dover and Cecil. The guys discuss the Avalanche falling behind 0-1 in the Western Conference Final at home, the history when Nathan MacKinnon falls behind 0-1 in a series with home ice advantage, and if Scott Wedgewood will be the goaltender in Game 2. Zach and Phil continue to react to Game 1 of the Western Conference Final. What were their biggest takeaways from the loss? How did the absence of Cale Makar impact the game? Are we getting a new appreciation for Makar with how the team looked without him? We hear from coach Jared Bednar on the team missing Makar in the game and how they struggled in areas that he typically excels in. We pivot to the Broncos and react to Bill Barnwell calling the resigning of JK Dobbins the best move the Broncos made this offseason. 

In hour 4 of The Drive, Zach and Phil take a deep dive into the Avalanche as we start our playoff preview show. How much will health impact this series for both the Avs and Golden Knights? Will the Avs' depth continue to be as successful as we saw in the first two rounds of the playoffs? Will Val Nichushkin and Brock Nelson step up after a slow start to the playoffs? How much will special teams impact who wins tonight and wins the series? DenverSports.com's Will Petersen joins the show to discuss the Golden Knights' dangerous shorthanded offense, the Avalanche's goaltender situation, and much more. How will the Avs neutralize Mitch Marner, the highest point scorer through the first two rounds of the playoffs? Will the Avs look rusty after not playing for a week? We wrap up the show with the guys sharing their bold predictions and x-factors for tonight and in the series. 

In hour 3 of The Drive, Zach and Phil preview tonight's massive Game 1 between the Avalanche and Golden Knights. What will the absence of Cale Makar mean for the Avs? Will Val Nichushkin and Brock Nelson step up after a slow start to the playoffs? We hear from Nathan MacKinnon on going head-to-head against Jack Eichel and his relationship with Marty Necas. We react to Garrett Bolles and his comments on new offensive play-caller Davis Webb. Did Bolles inadvertently take a shot at Sean Payton in his praise for Webb? We react to the Broncos' preseason schedule being announced for the 2026 season. How will the Broncos approach the preseason? Will starters play? Who will the Broncos participate in a joint practice with? What will we learn about Davis Webb as a play-caller in the preseason games? 

In hour 2 of The Drive, Zach and Phil take a deep dive into the Avalanche as they start the Western Conference Final tonight. Will the Avs take advantage of their championship window and win their second Stanley Cup in the last 5 years? Will the Avs' depth continue to be as successful as we saw in the first two rounds of the playoffs? We discuss when we will see Cale Makar in this series, as it was announced earlier today that he will not play in Game 1. Which team will have the edge at goal tender? Should we respect the Golden Knight's average regular season? Today's "Three Count" features Nashville officially being named the host of the Super Bowl in 2030, previewing Game 2 between the Thunder and Spurs tonight, and Aaron Rodgers announcing this will be his final season in the NFL. After seeing all the success from Kroenke-owned sports teams, we debate if ownership needs to be more hands-off.