The FAN Pregame

Nick Kypreos, former NHL forward and co-host of Real Kyper and Bourne, joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss the Maple Leafs' improved style of play this post-season, the lingering holes in their lineup, the team's confounding cap situation, if Toronto should run it back, Nick Paul's emergence as a difference-maker for Tampa, Sheldon Keefe's job security, and the pressure facing the Leafs' front o...

JD, Blake and Ailish share their positive takeaways from the Leafs’ first round series, including Jack Campbell’s strong play, Mitch Marner exorcising his past playoff demons, and Jason Spezza’s leadership. Afterwards, the team dives into their negative observations, ranging from the Leafs’ inconsistent depth contributions to John Tavares’ revolving door of linemates (19:29). Later, the crew chats...

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the Maple Leafs’ Game 7 loss against Tampa, whether the Leafs should run it back next season, Sheldon Keefe’s future and the merits of a possible coaching change, and Kyle Dubas’ job security. Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (40:59)! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect...

James Mirtle, NHL scribe for The Athletic, weighs in on John Tavares’ body language after last night’s overtime loss, the potential fallout if the Leafs lose Game 7, Toronto’s tortured history of failing to close out a playoff series, and whether Saturday night’s game will determine the fate of Sheldon Keefe and Kyle Dubas. Afterwards, JD, Blake and Ailish head to the text line to gauge the temper...

Anthony Stewart, former NHL forward and current Sportsnet analyst, joins the show to discuss Alex Kerfoot coming under siege after his shaky performance in Game 6, why the Leafs should be optimistic about their chances in Game 7, Jack Campbell’s strong body of work in this series, and Jason Spezza adopting a key leadership role on this team. Later, JD and Blake set the betting lines for Ailish’s p...

Frank Seravalli, NHL Insider and President of Hockey Content for DailyFaceoff.com, joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss how the Leafs' performance in this series has changed peoples' perception about the team's core group, what a potential Game 7 loss would mean for Toronto's off-season, and Auston Matthews being a finalist for the Hart Trophy. Later, Jackie Redmond, studio host for NHL Network a...

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the Maple Leafs’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Lightning in Game 6, the Leafs’ strong response after falling behind 2-0, Toronto’s psyche heading into Game 7, the emotional roller-coaster that comes with being a Leafs fan, and the officiating in last night’s game. Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List, including Joel Embiid’s criticism of James Harden follo...

Craig Simpson, former NHL forward, two-time Stanley Cup champion, and current Sportsnet analyst, shares his thoughts on whether the Leafs can finally get over the hump, how killer instinct actually manifests itself in a playoff game, William Nylander’s turnaround in this series, and how Tampa’s championship pedigree might impact Game 6. Later, Dan Shulman, voice of the Blue Jays, stops by to chat...

Former Maple Leafs forward Steve Thomas joins the show to discuss Toronto's depth contributions against Tampa, John Tavares getting off the schneid in Game 5, Jason Spezza’s leadership, and why Game 6 might be the Leafs’ best opportunity to close out this series. Later, JD, Blake and Ailish tee up the betting lines for tonight’s Leafs-Lightning game and assemble their daily Wake and Rake parlay (2...

Jeff Marek, host of The Jeff Marek Show and co-host of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss Jack Campbell battling through adversity in Game 5, Victor Hedman asserting himself as the best defenceman in the NHL, and this series being an audit on the Leafs’ vision and approach. Afterwards, on the heels of CM Punk sporting a John Tavares jersey on Long Island last night, th...

JD, Blake and Ailish weigh in on the Blue Jays dropping back-to-back games in the Bronx, the team’s continued struggles at the plate, and Jose Berrios’ inconsistency on the mound. Afterwards, the crew discusses if the Leafs can activate their killer instinct in Game 6, where tonight’s game falls on the must-win scale, and the importance of having a good start. Later, Ailish presents her daily edit...

 Kris Versteeg, former NHL forward and two-time Stanley Cup champion, joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss William Nylander emerging as an offensive catalyst for the Leafs in Game 5, Justin Holl's gritty performance on the blue line, Toronto's susceptibility to slow starts, and Mitch Marner's ability to take over games with his skill and IQ. Later, the team chats about Jon Cooper’s comments follo...

Nick Kypreos, co-host of Real Kyper and Bourne, joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss the Leafs’ sluggish start in Game 5, John Tavares finding success in the dirty areas, Jack Campbell’s resiliency, Auston Matthews’ elevated physicality, and if the Leafs have finally located their killer instinct. Later, the team tees up the betting odds for this afternoon’s Blue Jays-Yankees game and assemble th...

Jennifer Botterill, three-time Olympic gold medalist and current Sportsnet analyst, joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss Jason Spezza’s leadership and the cache he carries in the Maple Leafs’ locker room, John Tavares’ productive night, and the biggest keys for Game 6 in Tampa. Then, the team weighs in on Jordan Romano’s ninth-inning meltdown on Tuesday, his recent dip in velocity, and how the Bl...

Ailish discusses her experience attending the Maple Leafs’ Game 5 win at Scotiabank Arena last night. Afterwards, the team chats about Toronto’s epic comeback, Jason Spezza rallying his teammates after a flat first period, the Leafs’ "core 4" all contributing in the win, Jack Campbell elevating his game, and Justin Holl’s strong performance in Game 5. Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of th...

Aaron Ward, former NHL defenceman and two-time Stanley Cup champion, joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss Tampa’s resounding response after their Game 3 letdown, the pressure on Jack Campbell to bounce back in Game 5, the Jekyll and Hyde of Toronto’s blue line, and whether Sheldon Keefe should remove Justin Holl from the lineup on Tuesday night. Later, the team weighs in on Tom Brady signing with...

John Buccigross, NHL play-by-play announcer and studio host for ESPN, joins the show to discuss John Tavares’ struggles so far against Tampa, the pressure on Auston Matthews to elevate his game, the Lightning's championship acumen, and the value of having a type-A personality in the dressing room. Afterwards, JD, Blake and Ailish sift through some more texts from listeners. Later, the team tees up...

Luke Fox, NHL scribe for Sportsnet, joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss the Maple Leafs’ possible lineup adjustments for Game 5, the importance of last change in terms of setting matchups, Toronto’s lack of killer instinct in Game 4, and the versatility of Tampa’s Point-Killorn-Cirelli line. Afterwards, the crew chats about the Raptors’ reported interest in Rudy Gobert and if he’d be a good fit...

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss Morgan Rielly’s post-practice comments on Monday about the Leafs learning from past playoff failures, where Game 5 falls on the must-win meter, the scrutiny facing John Tavares, the pressure facing Auston Matthews to put his imprint on this series, and potential lineup changes for Game 5. Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (40:48)!  The views and op...

Dave Andreychuk, Hockey Hall of Famer and current Lightning studio analyst, joins the show to discuss the game-to-game momentum swings in this series, the Leafs' depth contributions, Sheldon Keefe and Jon Cooper tinkering with their respective power plays, and Tampa's increased sense of urgency when coming off a loss. Then, JD, Blake and Ailish weigh in on Keefe’s decision to pull Jack Campbell in...

Justin Bourne, co-host of Real Kyper and Bourne, joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss the Leafs’ disheartening performance in Game 4, Sheldon Keefe’s messaging after the loss, the lingering effects of past playoff failures, how Tampa imposed their will on Sunday night, Auston Matthews’ usage in this series, and John Tavares’ poor fit with William Nylander. Later, JD voices his gripe with the NBA’...

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the Blue Jays’ difficult weekend in Cleveland, Toronto’s sustained offensive woes, Teoscar Hernandez's return to the lineup, concerns about the team’s bullpen depth, and if the Jays can unlock their full potential. Later, the crew chats about the continued proliferation of Formula 1 in North America, this past weekend’s inaugural Miami Grand Prix, the NBA’s anti-climac...

JD recounts his experience attending a wedding reception on Friday night during the Maple Leafs’ Game 3 win over the Lightning. Afterwards, the team discusses the Leafs’ 7-3 blowout loss in Game 4, Sheldon Keefe’s comments about being satisfied with a split in Tampa, Toronto’s lack of a killer instinct, Auston Matthews struggling to find his rhythm in five-on-five situations, and William Nylander’...

Blue Jays play-by-play voice Dan Shulman checks in from Cleveland to discuss Teoscar Hernandez’s impending return to the lineup, the Jays’ sputtering offence, Bo Bichette breaking out of his early-season funk, and Jose Berrios’ rough outing on Thursday. James Mirtle, senior managing editor and NHL columnist for The Athletic, joins the show to chat about which Leafs players have the most pressure o...

ESPN NHL reporter Kristen Shilton joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss Sheldon Keefe’s looming lineup decisions for Game 3, the potential benefits of reinserting Jason Spezza on the fourth line, and how Toronto might respond to their latest encounter with playoff adversity. Later, the crew tees up the betting lines for tonight’s Blue Jays-Guardians game and the Leafs’ Game 3 showdown against the...