This week on the Hockey News Podcast with senior writers Matt Larkin, Ken Campbell and Ryan Kennedy:

– The play-in format punishes some contending teams more than others. Which team should we feel the most sorry for?

– Which series will be the most exciting in the play-in round?

– Doomsday scenario: which would be the most catastrophic team to win the draft lottery?

– Are the Red Wings wise to keep Jeff Blashill as their head coach?

– Sidney Crosby joins Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux as the only players to average a point per game or better 15 years in a row to start a career. Where does Crosby sit in the G.O.A.T. rankings?

– Listener mailbag, including: does the 2020 Stanley Cup warrant an asterisk?

And more!
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The Hockey News Podcast: Breaking down the 24-team tournament

This is The Hockey News Podcast. Each week we’ll bring our experts together, along with special guests, to talk about all the important issues in the hockey world.

Sports

On today's episode of The Hockey News Pre-Game Show with Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos:
- As he nears the 70-goal mark, is this the best Auston Matthews has ever been?
- Which of the first-round matchups will be the toughest or most entertaining?
- What does the Coyotes' relocation mean for the future of hockey in the desert?
- All that and more.
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Is This the Best Version of Auston Matthews? Plus Toughest First-Round Matchups, Coyotes and More

On today's episode of The Hockey News Pre-Game Show with Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos:
- Can Sidney Crosby turn back the clock and lead the Penguins to the post-season?  
- What was the deal with the Rangers line brawl with the Devils to open their game Wednesday?
- Why aren't the Blue Jackets' youngsters playing? 
- All that and more.
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Can the Penguins Make the Playoffs? Plus Rangers-Devils Brawl, Blue Jackets and More

On today's episode of The Hockey News Pre-Game Show with Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos:
- Have the Leafs been reduced to first-round fodder? 
- Are Moritz Seider's high volume of minutes in Detroit a cause for concern? 
- Will the Ducks be able to secure a top-three pick in the draft? 
- All that and more.
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Are the Leafs Still a Cup Contender? Plus Moritz Seider's Ice Time, Anaheim and More

On today's episode of The Hockey News Pre-Game Show with Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos:
- Could we see Cinderella-type runs this post-season out of Nashville, Washington, Detroit, Philadelphia and Los Angeles? After all, look at what Florida did last year.
- Zach Hyman and Sam Reinhart are hitting their peak later in their careers. Who could be next to have a breakout season around 30 years old?
- Is there a team that is secure in net? Who appears to have the goaltending edge heading into the playoffs?
- Should the CHL follow March Madness and go to an NCAA single-elimination format for the Memorial Cup? Could this even work?
- What's the level of anxiety for Vancouver Canucks fans right now? How's Elias Lindholm fitting in, and who would the team want to face off against in the first round?
- The hosts blind rank five NHL goalies.
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Who Are the NHL's Next Late Bloomers to Break Out? Plus Goalie Updates, Vancouver's MVP and More

On today's episode of The Hockey News Pre-Game Show with Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos:
- Has John Tortorella gone too far with his recent healthy scratches?
- Will Chicago go big-game hunting this off-season?
- Can the hot hand of Ovechkin get the Capitals into the playoffs?
- All that and more.
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The Hockey News Podcast: Breaking down the 24-team tournament

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