Quick ignites a bench clearing skirmish following yet another home loss for the Rangers, underscoring the mounting pressure on the team to perform in front of their fans. Binnington's position as the starting goaltender for Team Canada is under threat from Logan Thompson, and the Oilers need to find an answer to their goaltending wows before it's too late. On a more positive note, the Canadiens are showing signs of breaking free from their recent struggles, while the Maple Leafs continue to underperform suggesting a shakeup may be necessary to prevent the season from slipping away.

After a challenging weekend, it may be time to hit the panic button in Leaf land! While Hall of Fame Weekend celebrated the achievements of inductees, it was not a joyful time for the Leafs. On the other hand, Suzuki and Caufield are showcasing their skills with a strong start to the season for the Canadiens, positioning themselves as potential candidates for their countries' Olympic team rosters. Meanwhile, the New York Rangers are struggling at home, unable to score a goal on home ice and facing difficulties winning in front of their fans at Madison Square Garden.

It's early in the season, and every team in the Eastern Conference is above .500 and within a point of a playoff spot. This raises the question: have we reached parity, or are a few teams' slow starts keeping others in the mix? The Leafs are displaying inconsistent play, which makes it challenging for Phil to completely remove himself from the doctor's couch. On the other hand, the Habs continue to shine, despite experiencing some third-period letdowns. Additionally, there is discussions around the league how some of the up-and-coming stars are potentially playing their way onto Olympic rosters.

With the Leafs struggling, it's time for Phil to take a moment on the couch for some reflection. Meanwhile, the Habs are maintaining their strong performance. Additionally, teams like Utah, Chicago, and the Penguins are surprising experts with their impressive starts to the season.

The Canadiens have begun the season on a strong note, while the Leafs' goalie is calling out his team's effort in an attempt to ignite a fire under them. Injuries to key players remain a concern, and the Oilers are facing yet another slow start to the season. Leafs fans don't look now but Marner and the Knights look good early!

The first week of the season was quite eventful, particularly off the ice with several significant contract signings. Notably, Connor McDavid signed what can only be described as the most team-friendly contract in the history of sports, extending his deal in Edmonton and providing the franchise with a substantial discount. This move will enable the team to acquire additional support for another Stanley Cup run. On the ice, the Leafs narrowly defeated the Habs in their season opener, which was a bit sloppy. However, it's still early in the season, and there is plenty of hockey ahead.

The pre-season shenanigans have concluded, and teams are now finalizing their line-ups and roster decisions. The anticipation for the season to begin is palpable. Phil and Ryan share their insights on the outlook for the Leafs and Habs, along with their predictions for the upcoming season.

Phil and Ryan are back for Season 2 of the Aiming Five Hole Podcast. In our Pre-Season show, we will discuss the changes and outlook for the Leafs and Habs. Additionally, we will explore other significant stories around the league, including injuries, retiring players and unsigned stars. Tune in for insights and analysis as we gear up for an exciting season ahead.