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.
Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos look around the NHL and beyond in The Hockey News Pre-Game Show.
This Saturday night edition kicks off with some talk about the Capitals' Tom Wilson's suspension for a high-stick on Leafs forward Noah Gregor and what it means for Washington's playoff chances. Next, the guys discuss whether Flyers coach John Tortorella has gone too far with his recent healthy scratches of key players, including captain Sean Couturier. Speaking of playing time, Ryan and Michael then go on to discuss the future of goaltender Dustin Wolf in Calgary and how much the team should play him down the stretch given their fleeting playoff hopes.
With the Blackhawks far out of a playoff spot, but with promise in the future with Connor Bedard, Ryan and Michael examine whether the Blackhawks are primed to hunt for some big names in the off-season to fill out their roster. On the other end of the contention front is Tampa Bay, and with their recent hot streak, the guys discuss if they could possibly land a wild-card spot. Then, with the recent Celine Dion controversy with the Bruins and Habs, Ryan and Michael examine the drama and give their picks for celebrities that they would like to see read out a starting lineup.
Toronto team-site editor David Alter then joins the show in the studio to discuss whether the Leafs made the right call with Zach Hyman, whether Auston Matthews can still hit 70 goals this year and more ahead of their game against the Oilers tonight. The show then closes out with a special Hartford Whalers edition of rapid fire where the guys guess whether a player was a Whaler, or not.
Check out the full episode and show description below.
Looking for a specific segment? Stay tuned to THN.com's "Shows" section on the homepage for individual posts during the week.
- Is Tom Wilson's six-game suspension warranted, given the Rangers' Jacob Trouba only had to pay a $5,000 fine for a similar occurrence?
- With Wilson out for a bit, what does that do for the Capitals' playoff chances?
- Flyers coach John Tortorella has delivered healthy scratches to more players, including most recently his team captain Sean Couturier, leading many to think he is on a power trip and has gone too far. Is he?
- Will Dustin Wolf be the Calgary Flames' starting netminder for the future given Markstom's all but guaranteed post-season departure?
- How much should Calgary play Wolf down the stretch with their playoff hopes essentially down the drain?
- With the future looking bright with Connor Bedard in Chicago, will the Blackhawks go big-game hunting in the off-season to fill out their roster, or can they even potentially land Macklin Celebrini in the draft?
- Celine Dion announced the starting lineups in the Bruins' dressing room this past week leaving many Canadiens fans with a feeling of betrayal.
- Which celebrity would you want to see announce the starting lineups for an NHL team?
- Was Zach Hyman the one that got away or did the Leafs make the right call letting him walk for a big contract?
- With time ticking away, can Auston Matthews still reach 70 goals by the end of the season?
- What is the latest on Mitch Marner's health following his high-ankle sprain in early March?
- Ryan and Michael guess which names were actual players on the Hartford Whalers or not.
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