On the latest Hockey News Podcast, senior writers Ryan Kennedy and Matt Larkin and managing editor Edward Fraser break down all four Eastern Conference play-in round series matchups:

– (5) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (12) Montreal Canadiens
– (6) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (11) New York Rangers
– (7) New York Islanders vs. (10) Florida Panthers
– (8) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (9) Columbus Blue Jackets

Series previews include offense, defense, goaltending, intangibles and picking a winner for each matchup.
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The Hockey News Podcast: Previews and Predictions for the Eastern Conference qualifying round

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 the playoffs loom, who will come out on top in the first round?
- How significant is the relocation of the Coyotes to Utah?
- What is the Bruins outlook on the Leafs as they near their first-round series?
- All that and more.

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Pregame Show

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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The Hockey News Podcast: Previews and Predictions for the Eastern Conference qualifying round

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