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‘Who will hoist the cup?’ NHL.com proudly asks as it promotes it’s TV service. Well Uncle Gary, I hope for your sake it’s the St. Louis Blues because who really cares about a Sharks-Bruins final? Aside from Sharks and Bruins fans. Obviously. This post-season has been dominated by two talking points. Firstly the officiating, which has been discussed and critiqued ad-nauseum. Secondly, the giant-killing comedy of the Carolina Hurricanes. Embed from Getty Images They took the reigning champions Washington to a game-seven decider then blew away the Islanders in a clean sweep to reach the Eastern Conference final. Alas it wasn’t to be. The StormRead More →

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Inspired by the Stanley Cup playoffs, Nick gives Carl the silent treatment this week. With the 2nd round over, Carl and Nick take a look back and forward in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Columbus Blue Jackets were eliminated by the Boston Bruins. What does next season hold for them? After getting out to a 2-0 lead on the Carolina Hurricanes, are the Bruins primed for a sweep or can the Hurricanes push back? Carl steps into a mini rant shack about offside challenges and a lazy line change. Can Nick reel him in? With the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars both eliminated, is theRead More →

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After all the buildup, installments of varying quality, the characters were set, the action incredible, glory within sight…then just like that, Gary Bettman snapped his fingers and the Stanley Cup playoffs were half over…This year’s post season has seen plot twists and underdog stories even the Avengers couldn’t conjure. With upsets a plenty, overtime thrillers and great hockey all around, there’s rarely been a dull moment. So, with the Conference Finals set, we take a moment to remember the fallen… Embed from Getty Images The First Round Tampa Bay: The Lighting struck quickly and often, holding a three goal lead after the first period ofRead More →

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After a trip to San Jose, is Carl justified in being superstitious about his Colorado Avalanche and can Nick set him straight? Ken Holland has become the general manager of the Edmonton Oilers. Knowing what we do about his time in Detroit, was that the right choice? The Carolina Hurricanes have swept the New York Islanders. Do they have what it takes to make the Conference finals, especially with Curtis McElhinney in net? Spinning through the rest of the series, what can be expected as the 2nd round wraps up? The players of the NWHL and other professional women’s leagues have gone on strike. WhatRead More →

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The dust has barely had time to settle on the appointment of Steve Yzerman, but it looks like he’s already working his magic on Detroit’s former Magic Man: Pavel Datsyuk sparked speculation of his return to the NHL with latest Instagram post. MORE @ https://t.co/kQgZmqmRxM pic.twitter.com/BfAkzbXuO7 — BarDown (@BarDown) May 1, 2019 If anyone can bring Pavel Datsyuk back to the Red Wings, Yzerman can. Right now it’s just speculation based on not very much. But the question shouldn’t be ‘Is he coming back?’, it’s ‘Should he come back?’. What the heart wants 953 games, 314 goals and 604 assists, 2 Stanley Cups, 4 LadyRead More →

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With the 2nd round of the NHL playoffs upon us, it’s time for Carl and Nick to dive into what was and what will be. In Game 7 of the Vegas Golden Knights and the San Jose Sharks a questionable 5 minute major was called. Was that the reason the Knights lost? Looking ahead, with both series tied in the Western Conference, what can be expected? Can the Avalanche continue to keep pace with the star laden Sharks? Why should Nick watch the Stars and the Blues? We are joined by Sam Blazer of 1st Ohio Battery as we discuss the season that has been, and willRead More →

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Steve Yzerman is back in Detroit, this time as the General Manager of his beloved Detroit Red Wings. It causes Nick to break out in song. But what will it bring to the Wings? The Colorado Avalanche have moved onto the 2nd round of the playoffs? What was it that led them to victory over Calgary? The Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins got swept. What do they need to do in the offseason to make up for it? What will Robin Lehner‘s deal look like? What about the Winnipeg Jets? Is Jacob Trouba on the way out? The Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston BruinsRead More →

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With the first round of the NHL playoffs underway, Carl shares his experiences as a man behind enemy lines in Calgary. The Avalanche have a split against the Flames. But how has Mike Smith been good? New York Islanders have made Matt Murray look very human while neutralizing Sidney Crosby. Can the Penguins come back? The Tampa Bay Lightning are surprisingly down to the Blue Jackets, and now without some of their best players. Is the biggest upset in recent memory pending? Nazem Kadri stole the spotlight from the rest of the series with his hit on Jake DeBrusk. How long will he be suspendedRead More →

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As a Detroit Red Wings fan, I came to the crushing realisation that my team would not be in the Stanley Cup playoffs some time ago, well, October. Now that the regular season is over and I’ve no horse in this race, I need something to keep my interest piqued. In the proud tradition of the 4th Line Podcast, I need a bandwagon team. To decide which team gets my support, I’ll look at each contender with the ultimate aim of finding a team I can throw my emotions into, for a few weeks at least. The East Round One Tampa Bay Lightning & ColumbusRead More →

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With the NHL playoffs under way Wednesday, we take a look at who’ll sink or swim in the Atlantic Division. Tampa Bay, Boston and Toronto once again locked up the top three spots, making this the poster child for changing the divisional playoff format, as we’re guaranteed to see two of the top five regular season teams in the league eliminated after just two rounds. I’m sure the NHL will respond decisively…Columbus took a huge gamble, adding in a big way at the trade deadline, while retaining pending UFA’s Sergei Bobrovsky & Artemi Panarin and the one bag they already have packed. The Blue JacketsRead More →