The Athletic Hockey Show

The Vegas Golden Knights are just one win away from eliminating the powerhouse Colorado Avalanche from the playoffs and advancing to the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in nine years as an NHL franchise. Today, the guys break down how Vegas is putting it all together at the exact right time and how injuries to Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon have derailed the Avs. Plus, thoughts on the Carolina Hurricanes dominating the Montreal Canadiens in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final and one Conn Smythe pick for each of the final four teams left in the playoffs to close things out. Hosts: Max Bultman and Mark Lazerus With: Jesse Granger Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Chris Flannery Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the Toronto Maple Leafs grabbed the No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft, the conversation has mostly been about Gavin McKenna going first overall. Still, another winger named Ivar Stenberg is in the mix at the very top. Today, the guys compare McKenna and Stenberg and discuss if there’s a realistic case for the Leafs to take the Swede over the Canadian with the top pick. Plus, a deep dive into the draft’s center class, headlined by Caleb Malhotra and a quick Men’s World Championship prospect check-in and Memorial Cup picks to close things out. Hosts: Max Bultman, Corey Pronman, and Scott Wheeler With: FloHockey’s Chris Peters Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Chris Flannery Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Eastern Conference Final between the Canadiens and Hurricanes begins tonight in Raleigh. The Sean's welcome Arpon Basu to discuss the Habs desperately needing more from Nick Suzuki and his linemates, and Lane Hutson's surprisingly steady defence in the playoffs. Hailey Salvian joins from Ottawa, the site of the Montreal Victoire's historic Walter Cup championship win over the Charge and Hailey tells us why she picked Marie Philip Poulin as playoff MVP over Ann-Renée Desbiens. Plus, the boys look back on the Golden Knights win over the Avalanche in game one of the Western final. Host: Sean Gentille and Sean McIndoe With: Arpon Basu and Hailey Salvian Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Jeff Domet Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NHL’s Final Four is locked in with the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final and the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche set to begin the Western Conference Final tonight. Today, the guys looks ahead to both series and discuss how the Canes’ long layoff could impact Game 1 against the Habs and how Mark Stone’s absence and Cale Makar’s seemingly-injured shoulder will affect both teams. Plus, thoughts on the NHL upholding (for now) the VGK’s forfeiture of their second-round draft pick, their refusal to let other teams speak to former head coach Bruce Cassidy, and the guys tell us what they’ve learned about Adam Foote and Alex Tuch this week to close things out. Hosts: Sean Gentille and Sean McIndoe With: Frankie Corrado Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Chris Flannery Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Vegas Golden Knights-Colorado Avalanche Western Conference Final matchup is set, but there is still one game left to play in the East, as the guys preview tonight’s Game 7 between the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres. Plus, which goalie left in the playoffs is the most trustworthy in net, thoughts on Mitch Marner’s Conn Smythe case, and his potential goal of the year in Game 6 against the Anaheim Ducks, VGK forfeiting a second-round draft pick after “flagrant violations” of NHL media regulations, and who should fill the coaching vacancies for the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs. Hosts: Max Bultman and Mark Lazerus With: Jesse Granger Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Chris Flannery Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the NHL Draft quickly approaching, the guys break down Corey’s latest ranking and mock and discuss defense as the strength of this year’s draft class, rating the six blueliners projected to go in the top ten. Plus, they answer listener questions in a long-awaited mailbag to close things out. Hosts: Max Bultman, Corey Pronman, and Scott Wheeler With: FloHockey’s Chris Peters Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Chris Flannery Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Edmonton fires Kris Knoblauch after three seasons on the job, Sean and Shayna discuss what went wrong and how roster construction plays a big role in the Oilers disappointing season. Eric Tulsky, the General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes stops by to discuss his team, as they await an opponent in the Eastern Conference Final, Hailey Salvian previews the PWHL final between Ottawa and Montreal, and discusses the league expanding to Vegas and Hamilton and Sean and Shayna praise the work of Nathan MacKinnon and the Avs as they eliminate the Minnesota Wild from the playoffs. Host: Sean Gentille and Shayna Goldman With: Hailey Salvian and Eric Tulsky Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Jeff Domet Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pavel Dorofeyev leads the Golden Knights to a game 5 overtime win over Anaheim. The Sabres beat the Habs in a penalty filled game 4 in Montreal. Sean, Frankie and Sean discuss the goal scoring machine Dorofeyev, the lengthy double coaches challenge in Montreal and the breaking news during the pod, that the Maple Leafs fired Craig Berube and who should replace him behind the Leafs bench? Host: Sean Gentille and Sean McIndoe With: Frankie Corrado Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Jeff Domet Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Carolina Hurricanes are the first team to advance to the third round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, dispatching the Philadelphia Flyers in four games and becoming just the fifth team in NHL history to start a postseason with eight straight wins. Today, the guys discuss if the Canes have become the favorite to win the Stanley Cup, Mitch Marner leading the league in playoff scoring, and if Gavin McKenna’s similarities to Marner should be viewed positively or negatively in Toronto for the Maple Leafs. Plus, thoughts on the Montreal Canadiens as legitimate contenders, now up 2-1 over the Buffalo Sabres, and the Anaheim Ducks tying their series with the Vegas Golden Knights after a 4-3 win last night. Hosts: Max Bultman and Mark Lazerus Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Chris Flannery Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re a couple of days removed from the NHL Draft Lottery, with the Toronto Maple Leafs jumping up to grab the No. 1 pick, and today the guys discuss why the Leafs should and should not take Gavin McKenna first overall. Before that, the crew breaks down Scott’s latest full first round mock draft. Plus, the optimistic and pessimistic cases for top players in this summer’s draft to close things out. Hosts: Max Bultman, Corey Pronman, and Scott Wheeler With: FloHockey’s Chris Peters Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Chris Flannery Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sabres beat the Habs in game one of their second round series led by dominant performances by Josh Doan and Zach Benson. Sean and Shayna discuss the Sabres shutdown of Montreal, they preview the Canes and Flyers game 2 and the PWHL expanding to Detroit, and they welcome Peter Baugh from Denver to take a look at the Wild/Avs series and ask, will the Avalanche ever lose? Host: Sean Gentille and Shayna Goldman With: Peter Baugh Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Jeff Domet Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Toronto Maple Leafs won the NHL Draft Lottery Tuesday night and the hockey world is buzzing. Sean, Frank and Sean share their thoughts on what the organization should do with the pick and if it helps the Leafs keep Auston Matthews longterm. They discuss the Canucks’ bad luck at the draft and the rumour that Pierre Dorion will become the next GM in Vancouver. Plus, they look back on the Avalanche domination of the Wild in Game 2, Minnesota’s goaltending gaffe, and they look ahead to Canadiens vs. Sabres and Ducks vs. Golden Knights tonight as the playoffs roll on. Host: Sean Gentille and Sean McIndoe With: Frank Corrado Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Jeff Domet Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Toronto Maple Leafs entered Tuesday night’s NHL Draft Lottery with the No. 5 pick, and the possibility of losing their first round pick altogether, and ended up with the No. 1 pick and their choice of top-rated prospects Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg, and Chase Reid. The guys discuss the Leafs’ options at first overall, what the San Jose Sharks could do after jumping up to No. 2, the Vancouver Canucks dropping to No. 3, and more. This episode was recorded live at 7:30pm ET on May 5, 2026. Hosts: Max Bultman, Corey Pronman, and Scott Wheeler With: FloHockey’s Chris Peters Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Chris Flannery Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Montreal Canadiens went 27 minutes without a shot on goal in last night’s Game 7, including the entire second period, but they still found a way to score twice to move on to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and send the Tampa Bay Lightning to their fourth consecutive first-round exit. The guys break it all down and discuss the 15-goal Game 1 between the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche, the Carolina Hurricanes blanking the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 1 of their series, and how the Mikko Rantanen trades have aged over time, as well as a lookahead to the Anaheim Ducks-Vegas Golden Knights series. Plus, The Athletic’s own Chris Johnston joins the show to talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs hiring Mats Sundin and John Chayka and the blunt comments from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl from Edmonton Oilers locker cleanout. Hosts: Max Bultman, Mark Lazerus, and Jesse Granger With: Chris Johnston Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Chris Flannery Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the NHL Draft Lottery set for next Tuesday night, the guys talk about some of the most interesting scenarios that could play out when the ping pong balls are revealed. Before that, they break down a chaotic start to U18 worlds in Slovakia with early exits for Canada, Finland, and the US, and discuss some of the standout prospects at the tournament. Hosts: Max Bultman, Corey Pronman, and Scott Wheeler With: FloHockey’s Chris Peters Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Chris Flannery Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did the Penguins have their last dance with Malkin, Letang and Sid? The young gun Flyers eliminated Pittsburgh in overtime and Max and Shayna dissect the future of the Pens and the Flyers. They discuss the Golden Knights huge overtime win over Utah, and the Habs putting the Bolts on the brink in Game 5. Plus, Sean Gentille joins from Anaheim to tell us if McDavid and Draisaitl can force a Game 7 for the Oilers or if the young Ducks will follow the Flyers and help eliminate two of the best players to ever play the game. Host: Max Bultman and Shayna Goldman With: Sean Gentille Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Jeff Domet Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Oilers played their best game of the playoffs to stave off elimination. Sean, Frankie and Sean dissect a pivotal game 5 led by Connor Ingram and Vasily Podkolzin, they discuss the nasty OT winner by David Pasternak to spoil the party in Buffalo, and the Wild's impressive win over the Stars to take a 3-2 series lead, plus they look ahead to the three games tonight in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and pay tribute to John Garrett, one of the NHL’s all time great guys, gone too soon. Host: Sean Gentille and Sean McIndoe With: Frankie Corrado Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Jeff Domet Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Anaheim Ducks pushed the Edmonton Oilers to the brink of elimination on a controversial overtime goal to end Game 4, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead. The guys wonder about Connor McDavid’s future in Edmonton and discuss the poise shown by the Ducks so far. Plus, The Athletic’s own Arpon Basu joins the show to talk about the razor-close Montreal Canadiens-Tampa Bay Lightning series and the guys recap the action from the rest of the Stanley Cup playoffs, including a Colorado Avalanche sweep of the Los Angeles Kings, Brady Tkachuk’s future in Ottawa after a Carolina Hurricanes sweep of the Senators, and more. Hosts: Max Bultman and Jesse Granger With: Arpon Basu Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Chris Flannery Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Senators, Penguins and Kings are trending towards being swept in the first round. Hailey and Max discuss disappointing series for Ottawa, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles. Shayna Goldman stops by to discuss the Sabres dominating game three win over Boston, and she shares her eight too early takes from the first round. Sean Gentille joins us from Disneyland to talk about Connor McDavid still looking for his first point in the Ducks / Oilers series. Host: Hailey Salvian and Max Bultman With: Shayna Goldman and Sean Gentille Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Jeff Domet Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brandon Hagel led the charge for the Lightning with a Gordie Howe hat trick and Nikita Kucherov snapped a 16-game playoff goal drought as the Lightning tied their series with the Habs. Sean and Sean recap night four of the Stanley Cup playoffs, including Morgan Geekie’s center ice goal vs. the Sabres, a historic win for the Mammoth, and a glass-breaking overtime win for the Avs over the Kings. The boys welcome Josh Yohe to discuss the Penguins’ sluggish start in the Battle of Pennsylvania and forecast a huge game for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in game two for the Oilers vs. the Ducks tonight. Host: Sean Gentille and Sean McIndoe With: Josh Yohe Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Jeff Domet Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.