Why does Gary Bettman love the NHL playoff format?

The Detroit Red Wings freefall from first in the Atlantic to missing the postseason cut for a tenth straight season is almost complete. Max Bultman, Sean McIndoe and Frank Corrado discuss what went wrong in the Motor City, the Anaheim Ducks six-game losing streak, and what went wrong for Tom Fitzgerald and the New Jersey Devils. Plus, former NHL'er Cameron Gaunce joins to discuss the red-hot Flyers, the unstoppable Sens, the perfect Golden Knights since Torts took over and the boys give their picks for the final playoff spot in the West.Host: Max Bultman and Sean McIndoeWith: Frank Corrado and Cameron GaunceExecutive Producer: Chris FlanneryProducer: Jeff DometWatch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshowJoin our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkFSubscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the second time in a week there has been a major change behind the bench of an NHL team, this time with the New York Islanders firing head coach Patrick Roy and replacing him with Pete DeBoer with just four games left on the schedule. Today, the guys break down the Isles’ surprising decision, assess John Tortorella’s first week of work with the Vegas Golden Knights, and check in on Macklin Celebrini’s Hart Trophy potential as the young phenom keeps his San Jose Sharks in playoff contention. Plus, the Buffalo Sabres are playoff-bound for the first time in 14 years, ending the league’s longest drought, while the Detroit Red Wings are in danger of extending their nine-year postseason absence after another end-of-season collapse.Hosts: Max Bultman and Mark LazerusWith: Jesse GrangerExecutive Producer: Chris FlanneryProducer: Chris FlanneryWatch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshowJoin our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkFSubscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest episode of Brady and Matthew Tkachuk's podcast featured a visit from their father Keith. On that show, subtle shots about the toughness of the Sens, Brady's ice time and his free agency in two years were presented by Keith. Neither brother called their pop on those statements. Hailey and Sean debate if this latest distraction in the Senators universe could be detrimental to their already fragile playoff push. After missing out on the playoffs last season, the Bruins on the cusp of another 100 point year are the surprise of the Eastern Conference. Fluto Shinzawa joins to tell us how Don Sweeney's team re-tooled so quickly and we salute Macklin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks who find them back in the playoff race with a week and a half remaining in the NHL season.Host: Hailey Salvian and Sean GentilleWith: Fluto ShinzawaExecutive Producer: Chris FlanneryProducer: Jeff DometWatch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshowJoin our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkFSubscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A lost Linus Ullmark had a night to forget in Tampa Bay, and the Senators playoff push stalled after getting pounded by the Bolts. The guys ask if Edmonton would trade their struggling goalie Tristan Jarry straight up for Ullmark. They discuss the equally bad Red Wings who wrapped up their fourth straight brutal March. The guys dive deep into Keith Pelley's 'strange' press conference in Toronto and the search for a new management team for the Leafs, plus Sean and Sean stick tap another exciting goalie fight and the reigning GM of the year, Jim Nill getting a two year extension with the Dallas Stars.  Host: Sean Gentille and Sean McIndoeWith: Frank CorradoExecutive Producer: Chris FlanneryProducer: Jeff DometWatch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshowJoin our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkFSubscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The cutthroat Vegas Golden Knights fired Stanley Cup Champion Bruce Cassidy with eight games remaining in the regular season, replacing him with John Tortorella in an effort to spark the slumping team. Hall of Fame'r Chris Pronger joins Max Bultman and Sean Gentille to discuss Vegas' gamble, the plethora of capable defensemen in line for a Norris Trophy nomination, the suddenly red hot Philadelphia Flyers and his new book, 'Earned' which comes out on April 14th.Host: Max Bultman and Sean GentilleWith: Chris ProngerExecutive Producer: Chris FlanneryProducer: Jeff DometWatch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshowJoin our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkFSubscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With both the NCAA men’s hockey championship and the CHL playoffs set to begin this week, the guys deep dive into both tournaments and make their Frozen Four and Memorial Cup picks.Hosts: Max Bultman, Corey Pronman, and Scott WheelerWith: FloHockey’s Chris PetersExecutive Producer: Chris FlanneryProducer: Chris FlanneryWatch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshowJoin our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkFSubscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fifteen games in the NHL on a chaotic Tuesday night separated the legitimate playoff believers from the dreamers. Sean, Frankie and Sean dissect a disappointing Red Wings home ice loss in regulation against a red hot Ottawa Senators team, they discuss the playoff bound Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators, why Zach Werenski should be considered a Hart Trophy nominee alongside the favorite, Nikita Kucherov and the goaltending failures in Vegas and Edmonton and Cole Caufield having a shot at being the first Hab to ever win the Maurice 'Rocket' Richard trophy as the leading goal scorer in the NHL.Host: Sean Gentille and Sean McIndoeWith: Frankie CorradoExecutive Producer: Chris FlanneryProducer: Jeff DometWatch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshowJoin our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkFSubscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the wake of Florida Panthers forward AJ Greer’s three-game suspension for boarding Calgary Flames forwards Connor Zary, Max and Laz discuss whether the punishment fit the crime, how the NHL could do more to curb these kinds of dangerous hits, and the major obstacle preventing those changes. Plus, The Athletic’s own Aaron Portzline joins the show to discuss the surging Columbus Blue Jackets, who despite a 1-0 loss the New York Islanders on Sunday night, remain one of the league’s hottest teams. And, to close things out, the guys talk about the teams with a lot at stake down the stretch towards the playoffs.Hosts: Max Bultman and Mark LazerusWith: Aaron PortzlineExecutive Producer: Chris FlanneryProducer: Chris FlanneryWatch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshowJoin our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkFSubscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the guys revisit one of the most interesting, and debated, drafts in recent history, the 2017 NHL Draft, and reflect on how it has panned out nine years later. The class featured some of the best players currently in the league including Cale Makar, Nico Hischier, Nick Suzuki, Miro Heiskanen, and Jason Robertson, as well as some picks that just didn’t pan out like Nolan Patrick and Lias Andersson. Plus, to close things out, the guys break down Scott’s latest NHL Draft rankings.Hosts: Max Bultman, Corey Pronman, and Scott WheelerWith: FloHockey’s Chris PetersExecutive Producer: Chris FlanneryProducer: Chris FlanneryWatch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshowJoin our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkFSubscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The General Manager meetings are in the books. Michael Russo joins Sean Gentille and Dom Luszczyszyn for a full recap on the event, including goalie interference clarification, the player safety department getting a vote of confidence, if the NHL has relaxed there standards on head-shots and why the current NHL playoff format will remain. Plus, Sean and Dom discuss Sidney Crosby's return from injury, the Sens and Avs getting goalied last night and Jack Hughes clarifying his comments on the Hockey Hall of Fame.Host: Sean Gentille With: Dom Luszczyszyn and Michael RussoExecutive Producer: Chris FlanneryProducer: Jeff DometWatch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshowJoin our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkFSubscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.