Locked On NHL - Daily Podcast On The National Hockey League

The 2026 Stanley Cup Final is completely deadlocked at 2-2, and Game 5 tonight is bound to be an absolute banger! In this episode of Locked On NHL, hosts Nick Zararis (Locked On Oilers) and Hunter Hodies (Locked On Penguins) break down the razor-thin margins separating the Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes as they battle for hockey supremacy. Hunter and Nick dive deep into the micro...

The Carolina Hurricanes even the series against the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final. Who has the edge heading into Game 5? Who are the Conn Smythe hopefuls? Bussi or Andersen? Mike DiStefano from Locked on Leafs and Gil Martin from Locked on Islanders break down a chaotic Stanley Cup Final after Game 4. They also discuss the latest turn in the Mike Babcock saga with Edmonton, and dis...

Carolina avoids blowing a 3-1 lead in Game 4, capitalizing on a massive Vegas mistake to find the game-winner and even the series at 2-2. Jordan Staal makes his case for the Conn Smythe. Goaltender questions now in both Carolina and Vegas. Rod Brind'Amour suggested Freddie Anderson could return for Game 5. Meanwhile, Carter Hart earns an ignominious honor that hadn't occurred in a century of Stanl...

Edmonton Oilers eye Mike Babcock as head coach—are they risking Connor McDavid’s future with this controversial move? The coaching carousel continues as the Los Angeles Kings quietly secure Peter Laviolette, but will his hiring spark real change for a team needing an offensive jolt? Seth Toupal and JD Young break down the ripple effects of these NHL coaching rumors and questionable decisions, spot...

The Vegas Golden Knights showed resilience by winning Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final in double overtime after seeing a 4-0 lead slip away late.  Chris Gawlik of Locked On VGK joins us to discuss the keys to the win for Vegas, Mitch Marner's natural hat trick and what it will take for them to win another Stanley Cup this season in a hard-fought series with Carolina.  The Carolina Hurricanes forced...

The Vegas Golden Knights edged the Carolina Hurricanes in double overtime thanks in part to Mitch Marner’s historic hat trick. Eddie Garcia and Shukri Wrights break down Game 3’s unforgettable chaos, spotlighting Marner’s record-setting game and Carolina’s jaw-dropping three-goal burst in 39 seconds. From Brayden McNabb’s inspiring return to Shea Theodore’s game-winning goal off a fluky bounce, ev...

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin indicated he wants to be traded. What does this mean for Steve Yzerman and the Red Wings going forward and can they get a fair return for Larkin in a trade? Where could he end up? Plus Brendon Gallagher likely played his last game for the Montreal Canadiens, Darnell Nurse is rumored to be heading out of Edmonton and Anders Lee may soon be leaving the New York...

The Carolina Hurricanes rally from a two-goal deficit to stun the Vegas Golden Knights with Seth Jarvis’s overtime winner, electrifying the Stanley Cup Final. Brett Howden’s red-hot scoring streak looked to seal another Vegas win, but Logan Stankoven and Mark Jankowski ignited Carolina’s comeback, with the Hurricanes’ power play finally breaking through for two crucial goals. Eddie Garcia and Shuk...

The Stanley Cup Final got off to a thrilling start with the Vegas Golden Knights overcoming and early 2-0 deficit to win on the road 5-4. We analyze what happened in that openign game and how Vegas was able to respond to Carolina's forecheck. Plus we break down what each team needs to do in Game 2 to win that game and the series from depth scoring to special teams, we have it all covered. All this...

Ross Levitan and Mike DiStefano break down the Stanley Cup Final, John Cooper’s Jack Adams win, and changes to the 2027 NHL All-Star Game format. Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join you...

Tomas Hertl scored with less than four minutes remaining in regulation to give Vegas the 5-4 victory over Carolina in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.  Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and jo...

Stanley Cup Final showdown: can the defensive juggernaut Carolina Hurricanes halt the star-driven Vegas Golden Knights? Seth Toupal and JD Young break down the high-stakes matchup, spotlighting the contrasting coaching tenures, power play struggles, and the pressure on top stars like Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, and Mark Stone. The Hurricanes’ suffocating team defense faces Vegas’ elite firepower, w...

On this edition of Locked On NHL Game Night, the crew takes a look at critical factors that will impact the Carolina-Vegas Stanley Cup Finals, including the battle at center, team structure, special teams, coaching, superstars and x-factors galore. Plus, we bring you the staff picks of the entire Game Night crew plus the consensus of our Locked On NHL local hosts. NOTE: A few stragglers added thei...

The Carolina Hurricanes are preparing for their first trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in 20 years as they prepare to face the Vegas Golden Knights. Zach Martin of Locked On Hurricanes joins us to discuss the keys to victory for Carolina, the importance of Frederik Andersen to the team and some possible Conn Smythe candidates if Carolina wins the Cup. The Vegas Golden Knights are back in the Stanley...

The Carolina Hurricanes closed out the Eastern Conference Final with a convincing win over the Montreal Canadiens to advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006.  Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. C...

The hockey world mourns the death of four-time Stanley Cup winner Claude Lemieux who passed away earlier this week after taking his own life. We look back at his career and legacy. Plus, the Eastern Conference Final continues as the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens battle to see who will face the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final. We discuss who the Canes have taken a 3-1 ser...

Welcome to this Thursday edition of Locked On NHL with your hosts Nick Zararis and Hunter Hodies! After an exciting start to the playoffs, the Conference Finals have brought some unexpected, dominant performances. In this episode, the two hosts break down exactly how the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights are steamrolling their competition. They also discuss the way Carolina is giving Mo...

The Carolina Hurricanes are just a dreamer... and Frederik Andersen is just a dream. A total dismantling of the Montreal Canadiens has the Canes on the brink of FINALLY breaking through to the Stanley Cup Finals in the Rod Brind'Amour era. Meanwhile, the Habs season is on the brink. Is there ANYTHING they can do to salvage this? Are the Canes the Cup favorites? Plus, some hockey trivia for you! Ev...

Ross Levitan and Mike DiStefano break down Vegas reaching the Stanley Cup Final, Malkin’s new deal, and Canada vs. USA at Worlds. Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s communi...

The Vegas Golden Knights stun Colorado for a fourth consecutive time, sweeping the President's Trophy winning Avalanche. Is Vegas the new favorite? What changes will Colorado make? Plus, a look ahead at Game 4 of the Canes-Habs Eastern Conference Finals. Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to...

Carolina Hurricanes seize a 2-1 Eastern Conference Finals lead, fueled by relentless overtime heroics and suffocating defense. Can the Montreal Canadiens rebound after being bottled up offensively and missing key opportunities? Seth Toupal and JD Young spotlight Lane Hutson’s power-play spark amid Jakob Dobes' goaltending heroics, dissect controversial officiating moments, and question if Montreal...

After Carolina’s peppering of Jakub Dobes worked, Mike Asti and Alex Wiederspiel unpacked everything that went on in a pivotal Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Are the Hurricanes just too much for Montreal? Can the Canadiens keep relying on Dobes to be at such an elite level in net? And following a conversation about the ECF, the guys discuss Vegas’ surprise 3-0 series lead over the Avalan...

The Vegas Golden Knights shock the Colorado Avalanche with epic comeback, seizing a 3-0 Western Conference Final lead. President’s Trophy winners Colorado squander a three-goal advantage while star Nathan MacKinnon suffers an injury putting his status going forward in doubt. Mark Stone’s return helps Vegas push the Avalanche on the brink of elimination. Will the Golden Knights deliver the sweep an...

The Carolina Hurricanes got a clutch overtime goal by Nikolaj Ehlers to even their Eastern Conference Final series with the Montreal Canadiens at 1-1.  Zach Martin of Locked On Hurricanes joins us to discuss the difference between Game 2 and Game 1, some unsung heroes for the Canes in the playoffs so far and what it will take for Carolina to win the series. The Colorado Avalanche saw a 3-0 lead sl...

The Carolina Hurricanes edge the Montreal Canadiens in overtime as Nikolaj Ehlers erupts with two critical goals. Is this the win that flips the momentum in the Eastern Conference Finals? Eddie Garcia and Shukri Wrights break down Carolina’s dramatic 3-2 OT victory that inclues a report from Zach Martin, the host of Locked on Carolina Hurricanes. The discussion tackles Carolina’s long-standing con...