The Eastern Conference matchups are set! Hailey, Sean and Max preview all four East first round Stanley Cup playoff series, and are joined by Matt Fairburn from the Sabres beat, to preview the feel good Buffalo Sabres who went from worst to first in the Atlantic Division with the postseason beginning on Saturday. Plus, Hailey, Sean and Max make their first round picks.

This episode was recorded live at 12:00pm ET on April 16, 2026.

Host: Hailey Salvian, Sean Gentille and Max Bultman

With: Matthew Fairburn

Executive Producer: Chris Flannery

Producer: Jeff Domet

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The Columbus Blue Jackets lost 6 straight home games to end their season and Rick Bowness unloaded on the character and commitment of the team in his season ending press conference. Sean and Sean react to that, they discuss the yet to be determined Western Conference playoff matchups, and former NHL'er Cameron Gaunce from TSN stops by to share a coaching rant story of his own, they discusses Julien BriseBois and the Lighting being at the top of the NHL agent poll, the dysfunction inside Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment and Cam tells us what matchup he wants to see in the first round of the playoffs.

Host: Sean Gentille and Sean McIndoe

With: Cameron Gaunce

Executive Producer: Chris Flannery

Producer: Jeff Domet

Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow

Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF

Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a special edition of The Athletic Hockey Show Prospect Series, Max and Scott break down Scott’s top 100 drafted NHL prospects ranking, discussing Michael Misa and Porter Martone in a tier of their own at the very top, some of the biggest risers from last year’s ranking, as well as some of Scott’s favorites, the hardest guys to slot, and the goalies to close things out.

Hosts: Max Bultman and Scott Wheeler

Executive Producer: Chris Flannery

Producer: Chris Flannery

Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow

Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF

Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.