The Ray & Dregs Hockey Podcast

A controversial finish in Anaheim headlines the episode, as the Ducks’ apparent OT winner crossed the goal line but lacked definitive video proof, reigniting calls for puck-tracking technology. However, Edmonton’s inability to hold leads and close out games remains the bigger issue, with concerns also mounting about Connor McDavid’s health and usage. Tampa Bay evened its series with Montreal behind two third-period goals from Brandon Hagel in a physical, back-and-forth matchup that feels destined for seven. The Colorado Avalanche swept Los Angeles to mark the official end of Anze Kopitar’s storied career, leaving the Kings facing key roster questions despite some core pieces in place. Carolina’s sweep of Ottawa was tighter than it looked, with four one-goal games and strong contributions from inexperienced Sens defenders amid injuries, reinforcing optimism about their future. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh staved off elimination after making a goaltending switch to Artūrs Šilovs, but offensive struggles continue and Philadelphia faces a major decision with young star Matvei Michkov likely sitting out Game 5. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Special teams were a big story in game 2 as Anaheim evened its series with Edmonton at one game apiece. Connor McDavid was held pointless in back-to-back playoff games for the first time since the 2024 Cup Final (Games 6 & 7) and briefly left with an injury, while the Oilers continue to look out of sync playing a looser, Ducks-style game. Dallas took a 2–1 series lead over Minnesota on Wyatt Johnston’s double-OT winner despite a number of bad penalties, with Jake Oettinger and the PK holding firm, while the Wild miss Mats Zuccarello’s presence on the power play. Philadelphia has dominated Pittsburgh to a 3–0 series lead, stifling their speed with a 1-1-3 setup as the Penguins have just four goals (three on the PP) and look older and slower. Ottawa returns home down 2–0 to Carolina after a wild double-OT game, with Linus Ullmark strong in goal but facing a Hurricanes team built on elite team defence; Boston and Buffalo head into Game 3 of a physical, tightly contested series with Boston’s depth and goaltending potentially tipping the balance. Tampa Bay and Montreal’s series grows increasingly heated while Martin St. Louis sticks with his group and holds off inserting Brendan Gallagher. Colorado leads Los Angeles 2-0 despite their offence being limited by the Kings, raising questions about whether the Avs have another gear after a middling finish. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"O-Dog" Jeff O'Neill filling in for Ray Ferraro to discuss how Ottawa and Carolina delivered a double-OT thriller in Game 2 that’s being overshadowed by a bizarre series of events. An OT goal overturned on a questionable offside call, a dramatic penalty shot save and a redemtion of sorts on the eventual winner; the Sens are 0–10 all-time when going down 0–2 in a series, though there’s confidence they’ll respond at home after Ullmark’s stellar outing. In Edmonton, the Oilers won Game 1 over Anaheim with Leon Draisaitl and Jason Dickinson returing from injury, Dickinson and Kasperi Kapanen each scored twice and Connor Ingram stepped up with a solid effort and key late save. The Oilers managed their first win of the season without a Connor McDavid point, reinforcing the idea that contenders need multiple paths to win. Philadelphia seized control in Pittsburgh with a 2–0 series lead, mixing it up physically—including getting under Sidney Crosby’s skin—while Dallas evened things with Minnesota behind a strong Jake Oettinger performance despite missing Roope Hintz. Looking ahead, Montreal aims to build on a statement Game 1 vs. Tampa Bay, highlighted by Juraj Slafkovský’s hat trick and growing into a key complementary power presence alongside Caufield, Suzuki, and Demidov, while Buffalo looks to carry momentum from a stunning four-goal third-period comeback against Boston—but will need a far better start against a structured Bruins team. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mediocrity breeds contempt as Rick Bowness and Todd McLellan both vented their frustrations through the media when their teams were eliminated from playoff contention this week. Turning to the East playoff matchups, Tampa’s experience may give them a slight edge over Montreal in a feisty, likely tight series, Carolina’s goaltending remains a big question against Ottawa in what should be low-scoring, Pittsburgh/Philly renews a heated rivalry with plenty of unpredictability, and Buffalo’s speed and scoring could outlast Boston’s tighter style. In the West, playoff positioning is still shifting with L.A. seen as Edmonton’s ideal matchup as they await Leon Draisaitl’s return. Anaheim and Colorado also await outcomes in tonight's games. Dallas/Minnesota looks like a true coin flip but could be impacted by Stars' injuries, and Vegas faces a dangerous but inexperienced Utah despite the former riding a surge under new coach John Tortorella. NHL award chatter sees crowded Hart and Norris races, Peter Schaefer leading the Calder, Andrei Vasilevskiy and Ilya Sorokin atop Vezina consideration, and multiple strong Jack Adams candidates in a wide-open field. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Washington Capitals kept their playoff hopes alive with a win over Pittsburgh on Sunday, earning the nickname “Cockroach Caps” (coined by Brandon Duhaime) for their refusal to fade despite selling at the deadline. With young talent emerging, the Caps appear capable of retooling on the fly. The game marked the 100th and perhaps final time, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin went head-to-head, a subplot that added emotional weight to what feels like a quiet farewell tour for a true legend of the game. Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators clinched a playoff spot but slipped into the second wildcard after an OT loss to the New Jersey Devils, though they remain a dangerous matchup thanks to strong defensive structure and a red-hot Linus Ullmark. Out West, the Los Angeles Kings have surged with four straight wins, holding a wildcard spot with games in hand and a favourable schedule against non-playoff teams. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connor McDavid exploded for a hat trick and five points against San Jose, hitting 130 points for the third time and showing the next-level gear that elite players find as the playoffs approach. Injuries to Connor Ingram and Jason Dickinson added to the night’s storylines, although the severity of those injuries is not yet known. The Sharks, now hanging by a thread, looked like they couldn't quite meet the moment against a seasoned playoff team. In the West Wildcard race, the final playoff spot appears to be Nashville’s to lose with four games left, though the Kings lurk with an easier schedule and a game in hand. In the East, Columbus may be fading in its chase of Ottawa, where belief is becoming a real factor—Ray noting that if the Sens get even B+ goaltending, their overall strength should carry them. Around the league, GM interviews are ongoing but teams aren’t rushing decisions given that scouting groundwork is already in place for the draft. In Ask Ray & Dregs Anything... how much do superstars aid young player development at the NHL level and more importantly... how do we feel about napping? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Devils have fired GM Tom Fitzgerald with five games remaining, raising questions about the timing but signalling opportunity for both the organization to attract candidates and for Fitzgerald to pursue new roles. Meanwhile, the Islanders have replaced head coach Patrick Roy with Pete DeBoer just four games out while sitting on the playoff bubble, a move that has likely been considered for some time and underscores the financial importance of home playoff dates, with DeBoer’s defensive systems offering a chance for quick impact. Nikita Kucherov now sits eight goals behind Ray Ferraro all-time and could pass him early next season, while a bizarre penalty box-door incident that injured Pontus Holmberg sparked frustration from Jon Cooper. Out west, the race for the final wildcard berth is wide open with LA, Nashville, San Jose, and Winnipeg all within three points, setting up a dramatic finish that could hinge on key head-to-head matchups. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Macklin Celebrini’s four-point night has dragged the San Jose Sharks back into the playoff picture as they now sit just one point out. It's basically a 5-team race for the final wildcard berth in the west and while the Winnipeg Jets are now two points back and surging, the Nashville Predators seem to be fading, and all the teams involved continue to root against overtime in head-to-head matchups. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers seem to be peaking at the perfect time despite Leon Draisaitl’s absence due to injury, with a potential division title still in play and his expected early playoff return looming large. The Ottawa Senators’ goaltending remains a concern after Linus Ullmark’s missed starts and shaky outings, raising offseason questions despite the stability his signing was expected to bring. The Montreal Canadiens are red-hot with six straight wins, strong goaltending, and breakout performances from Cole Caufield (47 goals) and Juraj Slafkovsky, signalling a promising trajectory for the club. In Toronto, the GM search is underway following Brad Treliving’s firing, with major roster decisions potentially hinging on Auston Matthews’ long-term intentions amid a thin prospect pool and limited short-term help available. In Ask Ray & Dregs Anything; stick stomping, can the Sabres go all the way and how hard is it to remove the "colourful metaphors" from your vocabulary when transitioning to broadcasting? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Vegas Golden Knights made a shocking late-season move by firing Bruce Cassidy and hiring John Tortorella with just eight games remaining, a surprising twist even amid the team's struggles since the Olympic break. However, with the league’s third-worst team save percentage, questions remain about how much Torts can realistically fix. Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets have stormed back into contention, going from 11 points out to just three back with nine games left, while St. Louis and Philadelphia are also surging, tightening playoff races across both conferences. Minnesota and Colorado, however, might be losing their rhythm by tinkering too much down the stretch, with Ray suggesting they’d be better served locking things in ahead of the playoffs. In the East, the wildcard race is chaos—Columbus holds a spot while Ottawa, Detroit, and a red-hot Philadelphia team (8–1–1 in their last 10) are pushing hard, with standout play from Owen Tippett and Dan Vladar and top prospect Porter Martone potentially entering the mix, bringing a gritty edge reminiscent of Corey Perry. And in Ottawa, confusion lingers after James Reimer started a must-win loss to Tampa Bay, with Linus Ullmark reportedly unavailable despite rest—leaving more questions than answers as the playoff race hits the stretch run. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Eastern Conference playoff race is heating up nightly, with even a light schedule delivering major implications—Boston grabbed two crucial points over Buffalo, solidifying their wildcard positioning and even threatening to move up on the Habs. Columbus has surged into contention under Rick Bowness, fuelled by standout goaltending from Jet Greaves and a Norris-caliber season from Zach Werenski, while Detroit finds itself slipping with a negative goal differential and lingering issues down the middle despite Dylan Larkin’s return. Ottawa, meanwhile, continues to roll despite a depleted blue line, with rookie Carter Yakemchuk scoring in his debut and drawing comparisons to a young Barrett Jackman, further cementing the feeling that the Sens can’t lose right now. In the Rocket Richard race, Nathan MacKinnon (46) and Cole Caufield (44) are both tracking toward 50 goals—a mark Montreal hasn’t seen since Vincent Damphousse—while Dallas stars Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson sit quietly among the league’s top scorers. In Ask Ray and Dregs Anything: a shootout rule change, how did Ray fare against the Dominator and thoughts on player-to-player apologies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New York Rangers managed just 10 shots in a 2–1 loss to the Ottawa Senators, who also lost Thomas Chabot and Lassi Thomson to injury, further thinning an already strained blue line ahead of a must-win against Detroit Red Wings, while the Rangers look like a team that’s checked out. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers face Utah sitting third in the Pacific but sliding after two straight losses, with Connor McDavid having to clarify comments he made praising Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper, comments that felt like a subtle critique of his own staff. Ray suggests this version of the Oilers simply isn’t as strong as recent years. In Tampa, Nikita Kucherov is on a tear and making a serious push for the Hart Trophy, with his intensity often misunderstood despite a strong bond with Jon Cooper and elite offseason work. And finally, AJ Greer received a three-game suspension for boarding Connor Zary of the Calgary Flames, a ruling Ray argues was far too lenient—suggesting it should have been closer to 10 games—and adding to ongoing concerns about consistency and player safety standards across the league. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jack Hughes stirred debate after initially criticizing the Hockey Hall of Fame for holding his Olympic gold medal puck before softening his stance, with Ray defending his right to a little bit of personality amid some media overreaction. At the GM meetings, potential changes could allow some 19-year-olds into the AHL, though Ray notes only a small group would truly benefit and warns of development challenges. Goalie interference remains a hot topic, with continued concerns over consistency despite the league insisting standards haven’t changed. Around the league, Sidney Crosby returned with a goal and assist in a wild OT loss, Ottawa dropped a key game to Washington behind Logan Thompson, and Cole Hutson impressed in his NHL debut, while Edmonton faces a major blow with Leon Draisaitl expected out for the rest of the regular season. The episode wraps with Ask R&D questions on the Leafs’ direction, puck-drop rules, top junior talents who didn’t make it, and whether NHL goalie protection should mirror NFL quarterback rules. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the GM Meetings in Florida, Department of Player Safety was under the microscope following Radko Gudas’s 5-game suspension for the hit that ended Auston Matthews’ season, with many feeling the punishment was too light; George Parros suggested the door is open to changes, including potential third-party input. Ray feels suspensions are largely too lenient and called for a clearer, streamlined rulebook. Meanwhile, Doug Armstrong is stepping down as Team Canada’s Olympic GM - impacting future events like the World Cup - who would a worthy successor be? The NHL also confirmed a 2028 World Cup of Hockey featuring Calgary, Edmonton, and Prague as host cities (notably without a U.S. location), though questions remain about fitting the tournament into an already expanding 84-game schedule. On the safety front, mandatory neck guards for new players will begin next season, with logistics around enforcement still being sorted and roughly 40 approved models available. Finally, Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer is rumoured to have as many as 1,000 friends and family in attendance for his hometown game in Toronto, capping off a standout season as the 18-year old continues to make waves league-wide. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ottawa’s playoff push took a hit with a 3–2 loss to Montreal, as Ivan Demidov scored the winner and goalie Dustin Fowler stood tall for the Canadiens. On a night where Linus Ullmark only allowed 3 goals, the fellas argue it’s fair to question the Senators’ goaltending overall, suggesting even league-average numbers might have them comfortably in a playoff spot. In the West, San Jose sits just one point out of a wildcard with Macklin Celebrini already at 90 points in his second season, though concerns remain about the Sharks’ goaltending and defense, especially when compared to a similarly rebuilding Anaheim team. Tuesday also brought controversy when Nathan MacKinnon received a five-minute major for colliding with Oilers goalie Connor Ingram after a lengthy review; Avalanche coach Jared Bednar blamed Darnell Nurse’s initial contact, and Ray agrees the call was excessive—likely a minor at most. Looking ahead to the GM meetings, Ray hopes the league addresses the ongoing confusion around goalie interference and the frustration of lengthy offside reviews on zone entries that occur long before a goal is scored. Then, In Ask Ray and Dregs Anything, we talk about good goalies on bad teams and what the Leafs offseason may look like... is anyone safe? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The guys look ahead to a wide-open Atlantic Division race, where Ottawa’s playoff hopes may hinge on steadier goaltending, Detroit tries to snap a nine-year drought, and Boston faces a tough road-heavy schedule down the stretch. Buffalo, meanwhile, is surging behind a confident, free-wheeling style and a maturing blue line. Injuries are also shaping the playoff picture, with Brad Marchand possibly facing surgery, Jake Sanderson sidelined for Ottawa, and concerns about how a potential Dylan Larkin absence would impact Detroit. In Philadelphia, Matvei Michkov continues to draw attention as Tocchet experiments with him at right wing despite ongoing questions about his fit in Tocchet's system. Plus, a discussion about NHL front offices, debating the value and power dynamics of teams employing both a President of Hockey Operations and a GM. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A relatively quiet trade deadline was highlighted by the surprising move of longtime Capital John Carlson to Anaheim, where the Ducks leaned further into building an offensive identity. Calgary GM Craig Conroy provided late day drama by sending Nazem Kadri back to Colorado as he chases another Stanley Cup. The Flames also moved Mackenzie Weegar earlier in the week and now sit on a large stockpile of draft picks as they rebuild with a new arena waiting in the wings. Several notable names stayed put, including Robert Thomas in St. Louis and Colton Parayko who declined a trade to Buffalo. Nashville’s Ryan O’Reilly and Steven Stamkos, and goalies Sergei Bobrovsky and Jordan Binnington also stayed with their current teams despite the rumour mill. Toronto sold off pieces like Bobby McMann, Scott Laughton, and Nic Roy while keeping Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Montreal held firm despite exploring a bigger hockey deal as their young playoff window opens. Edmonton added Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson earlier in the week, but with Colorado loading up and Dallas and Minnesota looming, whoever survives the Pacific could still face a Western Conference buzzsaw. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Oilers added big, right-shot defender Connor Murphy to shore up their defensive conscience, but when you factor in the Skinner/Kulak-for-Jarry swap and the draft capital spent, it’s fair to question whether they’ve meaningfully improved, especially with bottom-six centre still a need. On the broader D market, Tyler Myers’ no-trade indecision may be stalling movement, with names like Ristolainen, Faulk, and Parayko also in play. The Rangers’ Brayden Schneider and the Blues’ Robert Thomas are drawing interest but would command massive returns, while Jordan Binnington chatter is quietly building after his Olympic performance boost. Meanwhile, Craig Berube seemed to question his team’s heart and hockey IQ and the Kings fired Jim Hiller with DJ Smith stepping in amid playoff pressure. Will teams like Boston and Pittsburgh, armed with significant draft capital, emerge as surprising deadline players? The countdown is on! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jake Guentzel hit the post of the empty net but the Lightning roll over the Leafs in a 4-2 win. Leafs CEO Keith Pelley issued a letter to Toronto Maple Leafs season-ticket holders, saying the team will do what it takes to not only make the playoffs but take the next step. Joel Quenneville wins his 1,000th game as the Oilers blow a 2-goal lead to the Ducks...twice. Artemi Panarin makes his debut with the Kings, but they fall to the Knights. Plus: Ask Ray & Dregs Anything! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Olympics recap, Gold medal overtime goal analysis, Hughes brothers class, Tkachuk brothers swagger, Matthews has his moment, trade speculation heating up including: Flames Nazim Kadri, Predators Ryan O'Reilly, Canucks' Evander Kane and Elias Pettersson. Paul Coffey returns to the Oilers bench. Plus: The Tim Hortons NHL Hockey Challenge is back. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ray & Dregs react to USA's OT win over Canada for Olympic men’s hockey gold. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.