The Athletic Hockey Show: Five First-Round Playoff Series We Want to See
Hosts: Mark Lazarus (Chicago), Jesse Granger (Las Vegas)
Date: March 9, 2026
Episode Overview
Mark Lazarus and Jesse Granger dive into the playoff stretch by picking their dream first-round matchups in the 2026 NHL Playoffs. The conversation covers the resurgence of the Buffalo Sabres, the evolving identities of teams like Tampa Bay and Detroit, under-the-radar trade deadline moves that could make a big impact, and a thoughtful discussion about what it means to be an NHL captain—especially when you’re only 21 years old. The episode closes with a heartfelt tribute to Blackhawks legend Troy Murray.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Sabres' Wild Win and the State of Buffalo Hockey
[01:56 - 11:26]
- Mark and Jesse react to the Buffalo Sabres' electrifying 8-7 comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, a game filled with fights, scrums, and penalty minutes.
- Mark on Buffalo's playoff hope:
"After 14 years of walking through the wilderness, the Buffalo Sabres are back." [01:56] - Jesse describes the infectious energy:
"It's one of the better hockey games of the season in terms of entertainment value... When the game you expect to be great delivers like this, that's as good as it gets." [03:04] - Discussion of Rasmus Dahlin being repeatedly targeted, questioning whether Brandon Hagel is now the NHL’s preeminent agitator.
- Noted transformation of the Lightning: from purely skilled to a more abrasive, antagonistic team.
2. The Power of Hockey Markets & Rebuild Hope
[10:09 - 11:26]
- Mark reflects on Buffalo and Detroit giving hope to other rebuilding franchises:
"This gives a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel for your San Joses and your Chicagos... It can be awful for a really long time to do it this way, but it can work." [09:09] - The hosts praise Buffalo and Detroit as “hockey towns,” noting their consistently passionate fan bases, regardless of the standings:
"Buffalo's a hockey town... and it's really cool to see a team like that, a fan base like that, finally rewarded..." [10:26]
3. Underrated Trade Deadline Moves
[11:26 - 20:24]
- The hosts move to analyzing low-key trades with potential to impact the playoffs:
- Corey Perry to Tampa Bay: Still effective as a net-front presence; "third liner who just lengthens the lineup." [11:26]
- Bobby Brink to Minnesota: Jesse lauds his flash and ability to bolster Minnesota’s wing depth. "He’s a flashy player with the puck... I think that Minnesota team... they've got so much talent on the wing." [12:30]
- Jason Dickinson to Edmonton: Mark highlights Dickinson's defensive prowess and playoff readiness, helping to ease matchup pressure on McDavid and Draisaitl.
"He’s such a good player and a terrific defensive forward. He's an outstanding penalty killer." [13:51] - Nicolas Roy to Colorado: Jesse affirms Roy as a perfect fourth-line center, mentioning his forechecking and playoff pedigree:
"He is so good at holding on to pucks down low... he's got really soft hands for a big fourth line center." [17:07] - David Perron to Detroit: Veteran with a “tricky release,” can score for cheap. "Super tricky release... in the playoffs, a guy like that for cheap, you’re not going to find someone who can score goals like that for that price." [18:48]
4. Five First-Round Playoff Series We Want to See
[23:22 - 39:35]
5. Penguins vs. Islanders
- Intrigue: Unexpectedly competitive teams; possible last playoff runs for Malkin/Crosby.
- Jesse extols Ilya Sorokin's goaltending:
"His .875 high-danger save percentage is better than 20 goalies’ entire save %." [24:34] - Mark points out this could be a series that surprises with its quality.
4. Oilers vs. Golden Knights
- Building animosity, rematch narrative, and star power (McDavid/Draisaitl vs. Eichel/Stone).
- Jesse:
"These teams hate each other... lots of good games, lots of good players. I think it would be a phenomenal way to start the playoffs." [27:30] - Broader conversation on playoff formats and divisional strength; Central is stacked, Pacific is weak.
3. Ducks vs. Sharks
- Matchup of young, high-scoring, defensively suspect teams.
- Jesse:
"If we put all the young kids against each other... you guarantee one of these teams is in the second round wreaking havoc." [31:34] - Mark clarifies the Sharks are a “three-on-three juggernaut,” propped up by overtime wins, but maybe not playoff-ready.
2. Sabres vs. Red Wings
- Historic drought for both, "hockey-crazed markets."
- Mark:
"Little Caesars Arena has never hosted a playoff game. That place is built like the Bell Centre. It's going to be deafening in there." [34:37] - Both on similar rebuild timelines—fitting if they clash in Round 1.
1. Wild vs. Stars
- Best teams in the Central, Stanley Cup-level hockey in Round 1.
- Jesse:
"The speed on the ice is a different level than all the other games in the NHL... playoff final-worthy intensity." [37:15] - Both discuss the immense pressure and sky-high expectations for this series.
5. "How Young Is Too Young to Be an NHL Captain?"
[40:58 - 50:59]
- Mark reflects on Jonathan Toews’ youthful captaincy at 20 (and his self-doubt), linking it to Connor Bedard’s presumed ascendancy as Blackhawks captain at 21.
- "[Toews] was sweating it... All of them are like, 'Yeah, of course we knew it was going to be you.'" [40:58]
- Jesse consults Jack Eichel, who says he'd be a much better captain now with his experience.
- "Looking back... I'd be a lot different captain now than I was back then." [42:30]
- Both agree Bedard is "uniquely prepared" given the young roster, his maturity, and pressure-handling.
- Mark:
"He earned the respect on the ice very quickly... He's been the face of this team already for three seasons." [44:20]
- Mark:
- Discussion touches on what captaincy really means: not about speeches, but about setting examples and being the conduit between coaches and players.
- Mark quoting Duncan Keith:
"This isn't a [BLEEP] Disney movie that doesn't happen... Being a captain is not about giving a big speech." [47:41]
- Mark quoting Duncan Keith:
- Jesse summarizes:
"It's nice when the best player is also a good captain. Sometimes the best player isn't a good captain, but in this case, he's kind of built for this." [49:00]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Buffalo’s return to the playoffs:
"After 14 years of walking through the wilderness, the Buffalo Sabres are back." – Mark Lazarus [01:56] - On Rasmus Dahlin's crazy night:
"I don't want to put that explicit tag on our next to the podcast name here. But... Is Brandon Hagel the new Brad Marchand?" – Mark [05:30] - On Corey Perry’s impact:
"The dude can barely skate at all, but he's a perfect example. These are the kind of trades that I think really make a difference in this league." – Mark [11:26] - On Jason Dickinson's effect on Edmonton:
"Jason Dickinson can come in, not put up any points and still make the Oilers more dangerous offensively." – Jesse [16:14] - On what makes a good captain:
"Being the best player and the hardest worker on the ice… that is the number one way to gain everyone's respect." – Mark [48:40] - On playoff matchups:
"The speed on the ice is a different level than all the other games in the NHL... It's going to be amazing hockey." – Jesse [37:15] - On deconstructing captaincy myths:
"Laz, this isn't a [bleep] Disney movie. That doesn't happen." – Duncan Keith (via Mark) [47:41]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Sabres-Lightning Wild Game Breakdown: [01:56 – 11:26]
- Under-the-Radar Trade Deadline Moves: [11:26 – 20:24]
- Five Dream First-Round Series Picks: [23:22 – 39:35]
- Penguins vs. Islanders: [24:34]
- Oilers vs. Golden Knights: [27:30]
- Ducks vs. Sharks: [31:34]
- Sabres vs. Red Wings: [34:37]
- Wild vs. Stars: [37:15]
- "How young is too young for the C?" Discussion: [40:58 – 50:59]
- Tribute to Troy Murray: [50:59 – end]
Overall Tone & Style
- Smart, witty banter with plenty of hockey geekery—deep dives on prospects, metrics, and history.
- Passionate for the sport’s culture, with acknowledgment of the unique pressures and pleasures of different fan bases.
- Respectful, thoughtful discussions of leadership, paired with grounded realism about what actually happens inside an NHL locker room.
Episode Takeaways
- The playoff field is wide open, with both new blood (Buffalo, Detroit, Anaheim) and established contenders (Dallas, Minnesota, Edmonton, Vegas) promising drama.
- Savvy trade deadline pickups matter as much as star-powered moves.
- NHL captaincy is about more than talent or youth; it's about respect, communication, and setting cultural tone.
- The game—on the ice and in the room—is as much about character, context, and chemistry as it is about statistics.
For listeners eager for playoff fever, team-building insights, and a modern perspective on hockey culture, this episode is an energetic, informed, and highly entertaining primer for the 2026 postseason stretch.