Checking From Behind

The NHL playoff picture is taking shape, and in this episode we break down the six teams that officially clinched a postseason berth over the weekend. Some were expected from the start of the season — others shocked the league. We open in the Eastern Conference, where the Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, and Ottawa Senators all locked in their playoff spots. We take a deeper look at why the Senators have become the team no one wants to face and how their style translates perfectly to playoff hockey. Then we shift to the Western Conference, where three more teams punched their ticket: the Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, and the Utah Mammoth. We break down how each team got here and what their potential first‑round matchups could look like. To wrap things up, we discuss the Detroit Red Wings being officially eliminated from playoff contention — and how they now hold the NHL’s longest active playoff drought at 10 seasons. 🔊 New episodes drop every Sunday & Thursday @ 7 PM EST 🔥 🎧 Stay locked in for the hottest takes, bold predictions, and real talk from around the NHL. 🔥 Follow Us on Social Media: ▶ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@checkfrombehindpod?lang=en ▶ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/checkfrombehind/ ▶ X (Twitter) | https://x.com/CheckFromBehind ▶ Twitch | https://www.twitch.tv/checkingfrombehind 📧 Email | [email protected] 🎙️ Presented by The Hockey Podcast Network 💰 Sponsored by DraftKings Sportsbook – The official sports betting partner of THPN: Spend just $5 you get $200 in bonus bets SIGN UP HERE: https://tinyurl.com/DKSIGNUP25 💥 Powered by DUBBY — Fuel your game at https://www.dubby.gg/ and use code CFBPOD to save 10% on your entire order. (00:00:00) Welcome to CFB Pod (00:04:33) Penguins Clinch Playoff Berth (00:14:57) Senators Clinch Playoff Berth (00:21:07) Boston Bruins Clinch Playoff Berth (00:34:52) Golden Knights Clinch Playoff Berth (00:38:50) Oilers Clinch Playoff Berth (00:47:28) Mammoth Clinch Playoff Berth (00:52:39) Red Wings Miss Playoffs Again (01:06:18) Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The New York Islanders have officially made a coaching change, and the New Jersey Devils have fired GM Tom Fitzgerald — two massive front‑office shakeups that could reshape both franchises. We open the episode breaking down what these moves mean, why they happened, and how they impact the playoff race. Then we’re joined by Shawn De Paz from the What Chaos podcast to talk all things Buffalo Sabres. We dive into the Sabres clinching a long‑awaited playoff spot, expectations heading into the postseason, and how this young core stacks up against the East. To wrap things up, we look back on our favorite (and funniest) moments from the drought era. 🔊 New episodes drop every Sunday & Thursday @ 7 PM EST 🔥 🎧 Stay locked in for the hottest takes, bold predictions, and real talk from around the NHL. 🔥 Follow Us on Social Media: ▶ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@checkfrombehindpod?lang=en ▶ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/checkfrombehind/ ▶ X (Twitter) | https://x.com/CheckFromBehind ▶ Twitch | https://www.twitch.tv/checkingfrombehind 📧 Email | [email protected] 🎙️ Presented by The Hockey Podcast Network 💰 Sponsored by DraftKings Sportsbook – The official sports betting partner of THPN: Spend just $5 you get $200 in bonus bets SIGN UP HERE: https://tinyurl.com/DKSIGNUP25 💥 Powered by DUBBY — Fuel your game at https://www.dubby.gg/ and use code CFBPOD to save 10% on your entire order. (00:00) Introduction (01:48) Isles Make Coaching Change (07:42) Devils Fire Fitzgerald (17:11) Shawn De Paz Joins (52:10) Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Buffalo Sabres have officially clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2011, and we open the episode breaking down what this moment means for the franchise, the fanbase, and the Eastern Conference picture. From there, we dive into the chaotic Eastern Conference wild card race and evaluate which teams are surging — and which ones are collapsing — with just two weeks left in the NHL regular season. We also react to Keith Tkachuk’s controversial comments that lit up the hockey world and discuss how players, fans, and teams are responding. Then we shift to the Western Conference, where the LA Kings just played their record‑breaking 31st game that needed extra time. We look at what that says about their style, their playoff readiness, and their identity. We also check in on the San Jose Sharks’ rebuild and whether their long‑term plan is finally taking shape. To wrap things up, we talk about the red‑hot Edmonton Oilers reclaiming control of the Pacific Division and what their late‑season surge means for the playoff bracket. 🔊 New episodes drop every Sunday & Thursday @ 7 PM EST 🔥 🎧 Stay locked in for the hottest takes, bold predictions, and real talk from around the NHL. 🔥 Follow Us on Social Media: ▶ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@checkfrombehindpod?lang=en ▶ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/checkfrombehind/ ▶ X (Twitter) | https://x.com/CheckFromBehind ▶ Twitch | https://www.twitch.tv/checkingfrombehind 📧 Email | [email protected] 🎙️ Presented by The Hockey Podcast Network 💰 Sponsored by DraftKings Sportsbook – The official sports betting partner of THPN: Spend just $5 you get $200 in bonus bets SIGN UP HERE: https://tinyurl.com/DKSIGNUP25 💥 Powered by DUBBY — Fuel your game at https://www.dubby.gg/ and use code CFBPOD to save 10% on your entire order. (00:00:00) Welcome to CFB Pod (00:00:34) Sabres Clinch Playoff Spot 0 (0:22:22) East Playoff Update (00:29:51) Flyers Are Hot (00:41:54) Keith Tkachuk's Comments O(00:46:09) West Playoff Update (01:08:05) Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we break down the Eastern Conference and Western Conference playoff races and highlight the biggest games shaping the standings. Then we dive into the Vegas Golden Knights firing Bruce Cassidy and making the shocking decision to hire John Tortorella. From there, we shift to the Toronto Maple Leafs, who fired GM Brad Treliving in another chaotic move from the franchise. We also discuss Radko Gudas playing through an injury to “get what he deserves,” plus Macklin Celebrini joining elite company with a historic milestone. 🔊 New episodes drop every Sunday & Thursday @ 7 PM EST 🔥 🎧 Stay locked in for the hottest takes, bold predictions, and real talk from around the NHL. 🔥 Follow Us on Social Media: ▶ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@checkfrombehindpod?lang=en ▶ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/checkfrombehind/ ▶ X (Twitter) | https://x.com/CheckFromBehind ▶ Twitch | https://www.twitch.tv/checkingfrombehind 📧 Email | [email protected] 🎙️ Presented by The Hockey Podcast Network 💰 Sponsored by DraftKings Sportsbook – The official sports betting partner of THPN: Spend just $5 you get $200 in bonus bets SIGN UP HERE: https://tinyurl.com/DKSIGNUP25 💥 Powered by DUBBY — Fuel your game at https://www.dubby.gg/ and use code CFBPOD to save 10% on your entire order. 00:00:00 Welcome to CFB Pod 00:12:28 East Wild Card Race 00:19:14 West Wild Card Race 00:25:12 Vegas Fires Cassidy 00:34:36 Leafs Fire Treliving 00:55:32 Celebrini Cracks 100 points 00:59:11 Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we break down a massive night in the NHL — starting with Connor McDavid making more history, becoming one of the fastest players ever to hit 400 goals and 1,200 points. We also cover the latest injury news, with Thomas Chabot expected to miss 4–8 weeks after undergoing surgery. From there, we dive into a heated conversation about the NHL’s controversial loser point and what the league should do to fix overtime once and for all. Next, we reveal our Dream 2026 NHL Playoff Matchups, including the series we’re dying to see… and the ones we absolutely don’t want. Tampa vs Columbus? Buffalo vs Montreal? Islanders vs Penguins? Edmonton vs Vegas? We break it all down. To wrap things up, we hit the Eastern Conference Wild Card race and the Western Conference Wild Card race, looking at who’s surging, who’s slipping, and which teams control their own destiny. 🔊 New episodes drop every Sunday & Thursday @ 7 PM EST 🔥 🎧 Stay locked in for the hottest takes, bold predictions, and real talk from around the NHL. 🔥 Follow Us on Social Media: ▶ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@checkfrombehindpod?lang=en ▶ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/checkfrombehind/ ▶ X (Twitter) | https://x.com/CheckFromBehind ▶ Twitch | https://www.twitch.tv/checkingfrombehind 📧 Email | [email protected] 🎙️ Presented by The Hockey Podcast Network 💰 Sponsored by DraftKings Sportsbook – The official sports betting partner of THPN: Spend just $5 you get $200 in bonus bets SIGN UP HERE: https://tinyurl.com/DKSIGNUP25 💥 Powered by DUBBY — Fuel your game at https://www.dubby.gg/ and use code CFBPOD to save 10% on your entire order. (00:00:00) Introduction (00:03:41) McDavid Reaches Milestone (00:11:39) Chabot Expected To Miss 4-8 Weeks (00:15:44) Loser Point Convo (00:32:07) Playoff matchups We Need To See (00:42:06) Playoff Matchups We Do NOT Want (00:51:34) East playoff race (00:58:30) West Wild Card Update (01:04:15) Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The NHL playoff race is heating up and chaos is taking over both conferences. We break down the Eastern Conference Wild Card race and which teams are fighting for their playoff lives. The Ottawa Senators have been one of the hottest teams in the entire NHL lately — but can they keep it up? Then we dive into the Detroit Red Wings, who are in serious danger of missing the playoffs for the 10th straight season. We also get into the Western Conference wild card race and why the Nashville Predators appear to be the only team truly chasing that final playoff spot. 🔊 New episodes drop every Sunday & Thursday @ 7 PM EST 🔥 🎧 Stay locked in for the hottest takes, bold predictions, and real talk from around the NHL. 🔥 Follow Us on Social Media: ▶ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@checkfrombehindpod?lang=en ▶ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/checkfrombehind/ ▶ X (Twitter) | https://x.com/CheckFromBehind ▶ Twitch | https://www.twitch.tv/checkingfrombehind 📧 Email | [email protected] 🎙️ Presented by The Hockey Podcast Network 💰 Sponsored by DraftKings Sportsbook – The official sports betting partner of THPN: Spend just $5 you get $200 in bonus bets SIGN UP HERE: https://tinyurl.com/DKSIGNUP25 💥 Powered by DUBBY — Fuel your game at https://www.dubby.gg/ and use code CFBPOD to save 10% on your entire order. (00:00) Welcome to CFB Pod (08:18) East Playoff Race (14:36) Wings Sliding (30:42) West Playoff Race (42:58) Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The NHL has a serious accountability problem — and the GMs are fed up. In this episode of Checking From Behind, we break down everything that went down at the NHL GM meetings, where tensions boiled over around goaltender interference and player safety. GMs are frustrated, Bettman is on the defensive, and players are being left unprotected. We then dive into the AJ Greer hit on Connor Zary and ask the question everyone is thinking — does the Department of Player Safety need serious changes? A phone hearing for that hit? Really? Plus, the Colorado Avalanche become the first team to clinch a playoff spot, and Nathan MacKinnon weighs in on whether the NHL should bring back 5v5 overtime in the regular season. Spoiler: he's not a fan. Connor McDavid called the Pacific Division a "pillow fight" — we react and take a full look at both the East and West wild card races heading into the week. And to close things out, we go through some proposed NHL rule changes making the rounds on social media. Are any of them actually good ideas? 🔊 New episodes drop every Sunday & Thursday @ 7 PM EST 🔥 🎧 Stay locked in for the hottest takes, bold predictions, and real talk from around the NHL. 🔥 Follow Us on Social Media: ▶ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@checkfrombehindpod?lang=en ▶ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/checkfrombehind/ ▶ X (Twitter) | https://x.com/CheckFromBehind ▶ Twitch | https://www.twitch.tv/checkingfrombehind 📧 Email | [email protected] 🎙️ Presented by The Hockey Podcast Network 💰 Sponsored by DraftKings Sportsbook – The official sports betting partner of THPN: Spend just $5 you get $200 in bonus bets SIGN UP HERE: https://tinyurl.com/DKSIGNUP25 💥 Powered by DUBBY — Fuel your game at https://www.dubby.gg/ and use code CFBPOD to save 10% on your entire order. (00:00:00) Intro (00:07:18) GM Meetings Got Heated (00:11:03) DOPS Issues (00:20:48) Avs Clinch Playoff Spot (00:24:56) 5v5 OT In Reg Szn?? (00:33:17) Playoff Races (00:38:17) Pacific Division (00:52:15) NHL Rule Changes Proposed (01:04:36) Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Leon Draisaitl is expected to miss the rest of the regular season — and the Edmonton Oilers' playoff spot is suddenly in serious jeopardy. We break down exactly what this means for Connor McDavid and the Oilers down the stretch. But first, the Buffalo Sabres have DONE IT — tying atop the Eastern Conference in one of the biggest stories in the NHL right now. We also get into the World Cup of Hockey returning in February 2028, debate who DESERVES the Hart Trophy this season, and close things out with our weekly playoff race update from around the league. 🔊 New episodes drop every Sunday & Thursday @ 7 PM EST 🔥 🎧 Stay locked in for the hottest takes, bold predictions, and real talk from around the NHL. 🔥 Follow Us on Social Media: ▶ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@checkfrombehindpod?lang=en ▶ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/checkfrombehind/ ▶ X (Twitter) | https://x.com/CheckFromBehind ▶ Twitch | https://www.twitch.tv/checkingfrombehind 📧 Email | [email protected] 🎙️ Presented by The Hockey Podcast Network 💰 Sponsored by DraftKings Sportsbook – The official sports betting partner of THPN: Spend just $5 you get $200 in bonus bets SIGN UP HERE: https://tinyurl.com/DKSIGNUP25 💥 Powered by DUBBY — Fuel your game at https://www.dubby.gg/ and use code CFBPOD to save 10% on your entire order. (00:00:00) Introduction (00:04:01) Sabres First In East (00:14:52) Draisaitl Out (00:22:29) World Cup Of Hockey (00:26:57) Hart Trophy Race (00:38:28) Playoff Races Update (00:59:18) Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are FALLING APART. Auston Matthews tore his MCL on a leg-to-leg hit from Radko Gudas — and not a single Maple Leaf did anything about it. We break down the Gudas hit, the pathetic team response, and whether it is finally time to fire Brad Treliving and Craig Berube before this franchise wastes another year. Then we reveal our full Top 10 NHL Power Rankings post-Olympic break — the Buffalo Sabres are legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, the Dallas Stars are quietly stealing the Central Division from the Colorado Avalanche, and the Montreal Canadiens window may be opening sooner than anyone expected. We close out reacting to a massive milestone: Anze Kopitar has passed Marcel Dionne to become the all-time points leader in Los Angeles Kings franchise history. 🔊 New episodes drop every Sunday & Thursday @ 7 PM EST 🔥 🎧 Stay locked in for the hottest takes, bold predictions, and real talk from around the NHL. 🔥 Follow Us on Social Media: ▶ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@checkfrombehindpod?lang=en ▶ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/checkfrombehind/ ▶ X (Twitter) | https://x.com/CheckFromBehind ▶ Twitch | https://www.twitch.tv/checkingfrombehind 📧 Email | [email protected] 🎙️ Presented by The Hockey Podcast Network 💰 Sponsored by DraftKings Sportsbook – The official sports betting partner of THPN: Spend just $5 you get $200 in bonus bets SIGN UP HERE: https://tinyurl.com/DKSIGNUP25 💥 Powered by DUBBY — Fuel your game at https://www.dubby.gg/ and use code CFBPOD to save 10% on your entire order. (00:00:00) Welcome to CFB Pod (00:04:43) Matthews/Leafs Situation (00:25:54) Habs/Sharks Bright Future's (00:34:15) Power Rankings (01:06:37) Standings Check (01:08:42) Kopitar Passes Dione ( 01:17:21) Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Buffalo Sabres are ON FIRE. We break down their incredible 8-game winning streak, their improbable rise from last place in December to 1st place in the Atlantic Division, and what it means for their first playoff appearance in 14 years. Then we give our full post-NHL Trade Deadline playoff predictions — who wins the East, who wins the West, and can the Sabres make a deep run? We close out the episode reacting to the massive Nick Schmaltz news: the Utah Mammoth just locked him up for 8 years and $64 million. Was it the right move? What does it mean for the Mammoth's playoff push and the UFA market this summer? 🔊 New episodes drop every Sunday & Thursday @ 7 PM EST 🔥 🎧 Stay locked in for the hottest takes, bold predictions, and real talk from around the NHL. 🔥 Follow Us on Social Media: ▶ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@checkfrombehindpod?lang=en ▶ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/checkfrombehind/ ▶ X (Twitter) | https://x.com/CheckFromBehind ▶ Twitch | https://www.twitch.tv/checkingfrombehind 📧 Email | [email protected] 🎙️ Presented by The Hockey Podcast Network 💰 Sponsored by DraftKings Sportsbook – The official sports betting partner of THPN: Spend just $5 you get $200 in bonus bets SIGN UP HERE: https://tinyurl.com/DKSIGNUP25 💥 Powered by DUBBY — Fuel your game at https://www.dubby.gg/ and use code CFBPOD to save 10% on your entire order. (00:00) Welcome to CFB Pod (00:47) Sabres On a Warpath (28:49) Post Deadline Predictions (46:32) Schmaltz Extension (50:49) Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we break down the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline — the biggest moves, the biggest surprises, and the teams that came out as winners and losers. We dive into the trades that shocked us, the ones that made perfect sense, and how each move shapes the playoff race New episodes drop every Sunday & Thursday @ 7 PM EST Stay locked in for the hottest takes, bold predictions, and real talk from around the NHL. Follow Us on Social Media: TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@checkfrombehindpod?lang=en Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/checkfrombehind/ X (Twitter) | https://x.com/CheckFromBehind Twitch | https://www.twitch.tv/checkingfrombehind Email | [email protected] ️ Presented by The Hockey Podcast Network Sponsored by DraftKings Sportsbook – The official sports betting partner of THPN: Spend just $5 you get $200 in bonus bets SIGN UP HERE: https://tinyurl.com/DKSIGNUP25 Powered by DUBBY — Fuel your game at https://www.dubby.gg/ and use code CFBPOD to save 10% on your entire order. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we break down the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline with an updated look at our full NHL trade board. We highlight the players most likely to be moved, which teams should be buyers, which teams should be sellers, and which clubs should hold as the market shifts. We wrap up with a quick look at the Buffalo Sabres and the strong run of games they’re putting together New episodes drop every Sunday & Thursday @ 7 PM EST Stay locked in for the hottest takes, bold predictions, and real talk from around the NHL. Follow Us on Social Media: TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@checkfrombehindpod?lang=en Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/checkfrombehind/ X (Twitter) | https://x.com/CheckFromBehind Twitch | https://www.twitch.tv/checkingfrombehind Email | [email protected] ️ Presented by The Hockey Podcast Network Sponsored by DraftKings Sportsbook – The official sports betting partner of THPN: Spend just $5 you get $200 in bonus bets SIGN UP HERE: https://tinyurl.com/DKSIGNUP25 Powered by DUBBY — Fuel your game at https://www.dubby.gg/ and use code CFBPOD to save 10% on your entire order. (00:00:00) Introduction (00:01:51) Our Trade Board (00:45:08) Buyers (00:59:22) Stay Put (01:10:23) Sellers (01:14:52) Sabres Talk (01:19:55) Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Zach opens the episode with breaking news out of Pittsburgh as Sidney Crosby is ruled out a minimum of four weeks and the Penguins swing a major trade for Samuel Girard from the Colorado Avalanche. Then, Jess Amato joins the show for a deep dive into the explosive growth of women’s hockey — from the rise of the PWHL to the role models, media coverage, and cultural momentum pushing the sport forward. If you’re following the NHL, the Penguins’ playoff push, or the booming world of women’s hockey, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. New episodes drop every Sunday & Thursday @ 7 PM EST Stay locked in for the hottest takes, bold predictions, and real talk from around the NHL. Follow Us on Social Media: TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@checkfrombehindpod?lang=en Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/checkfrombehind/ X (Twitter) | https://x.com/CheckFromBehind Twitch | https://www.twitch.tv/checkingfrombehind Email | [email protected] Follow Jess Amato On Social Media: X | https://x.com/JessAmatoWrites ️ Presented by The Hockey Podcast Network Sponsored by DraftKings Sportsbook – The official sports betting partner of THPN: Spend just $5 you get $200 in bonus bets SIGN UP HERE: https://tinyurl.com/DKSIGNUP25 Powered by DUBBY — Fuel your game at https://www.dubby.gg/ and use code CFBPOD to save 10% on your entire order. (00:00) Welcome to CFB Pod (01:23) Crosby Out Minimum 4 Weeks (03:02) Penguins Acquire Samuel Girard (08:15) Jess Amato Joins the Show (11:00) PWHL Is Growing the Game (20:02) Women's Win Gold (31:05) Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.