The Athletic Hockey Show — Ovechkin Scores 900th NHL Goal

Date: November 6, 2025
Hosts: Max Bultman, Thomas Cheshin, and guest co-host

Overview

This episode centers on Alexander Ovechkin’s historic 900th NHL goal, including the bizarre attempt by Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington to pocket the milestone puck. The hosts riff on Binnington’s antics and legacy, dissect the woes of the St. Louis Blues, dive into the wacky parity of the NHL’s Eastern Conference, and hand out props to breakout players and teams through the season’s first month. The show also features vibrant discussions on elite prospects, international Olympic roster debates, and the underlying analytics shaping the league’s surprising starts and slumps.

Key Discussion Points

1. Ovechkin’s 900th Goal & Binnington’s Puck Heist

(02:19–07:47)

• Recap of the Milestone:
  The hosts kick off with Ovechkin’s 900th goal, noting the almost comedic manner in which he scored:

  "There was something very appropriate about the way that Ovechkin scored goal number 900. It was a completely harmless... throw it on net and see what happens." – Host C, (03:02)

• Binnington’s Antics:
  A lively banter ensues about Jordan Binnington attempting to steal the goal puck, referencing his reputation as the league’s “villain.”

  "He plays a bit of the villain role... The fact you try to hide it in his pants is, I think, just funny." – Host B, (05:50)

  The incident is compared to Chris Pronger’s infamous Cup Final puck grab, and the hosts debate whether Binnington’s motivations were malicious or just in character.

2. St. Louis Blues in Crisis

(08:04–13:44)

• Dissecting the Downturn:
  The panel details the Blues’ disastrous start (4-8-2) and their demoralized locker room:

  “This is like red alarm, red alert, siren going off stuff for November 6th in a season.” – Host C, (09:01)

• Process vs. Results:
  Despite strong expected goal shares, goalie struggles (specifically Binnington’s) have sunk them.

  “The main reason for optimism for me is that the process is good... Jordan Kyrou has been defensively strong... But right now the pucks aren't going for him, Bennington is doing his worst version of himself in more ways than one.” – Host B, (11:23)

3. Early-Season Parity & the Eastern Conference Logjam

(13:44–17:29)

• Playoff Race Already Heating Up:
  The standings are wild—Florida is last with a .500 record!

  “There are teams who are better than we thought, teams worse than we thought, and they're all jockeying for position.” – Host C, (14:44)

• Narrow Margins:
  Teams like Pittsburgh, Detroit, Philly, and Boston are outperforming, but the difference between 2nd place and bottom is just a few points.

  “For as good as Pittsburgh has played...it feels like they're at their ceiling...and they only have a three point cushion...so it's going to challenge us and make us think differently about...playoff point thresholds...” – Host C, (17:29)

4. Who Could Rise?

(19:23–22:52)

• Optimism for Underperformers:
  The group debates which teams in the “mushy middle” could break out: Tampa (boring but safe pick), Buffalo (still believing in their upside), Ottawa (talented but needs goaltending), and the Islanders (fun but unsustainable?).
  • The panel gives love to players like Bo Horvat and rookie Matthew Schaefer as possible catalysts for surges.

5. Olympic Roster Debate: Horvat vs. Schaefer, Schaefer’s Breakout

(22:52–26:04)

• Canada’s Dilemma:
  Discuss who has a better shot at cracking Team Canada, Bo Horvat or Matthew Schaefer:

  “I would not say it's a zero. I would lean... Schaefer.” – Host A, (25:40)

  • Schaefer’s dazzling rookie campaign draws comparisons to what Drew Doughty and Thomas Harley did before him.
  • The reality: selectors likely lean on established, veteran defensemen over rookies.

6. Breakout Players and Surprise Performers

(29:44–48:08)

A) Cutter Gauthier (Anaheim Ducks) – Surging Rookie Sniper
(29:44–33:44)

• Exploding offensively (10 goals early), second in NHL shots at 5-on-5 behind Nathan MacKinnon.

  “The surprise is the degree of it... this is who you wanted Cutter Gauthier to be.” – Host A, (30:33)

  • Only Alex Ovechkin (2008-09) has a higher shots/60 season.

  “He is ripping it... that's the Ovechkin playbook.” – Host B, (32:09)

B) Logan Thompson (Washington Capitals) – Emerging Goalie Star
(33:44–38:03)

• Established himself as Canada’s potential Olympic starter over Binnington.

  “If Jordan Bennington is the starter for game one, I may break my brand new TV because Logan Thompson has been unbelievable.” – Host B, (34:32)

  • Team Canada concerned about team dynamics, but stats demand his selection.

C) Moritz Seider (Detroit Red Wings) – Defensive Beast
(39:00–42:57)

• No longer facing “inhumane” minutes; thriving with more balanced deployment.

  “He’s crushing them... now a lot of the performance matches the opinion people held of him.” – Host A, (40:32)

  • Could be in the Norris Trophy conversation if trend continues.

D) Nick Schmaltz (Utah) – Two-Way Breakout
(43:00–45:45)

• Contract year surge, outstanding two-way play.

  “...all their on-ice results with him are fantastic. He’s played most of his minutes with Clayton Keller and Barrett Hayton... they allow Cooley, Guenther, and Paterka to fly all over the ice.” – Host B, (44:15)

E) Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks) – Sophomore Sensation
(45:45–48:08)

• Keeping pace with league’s top scorers (tied with Connor McDavid in points).

  “He looks like the guy who can go from star first year to absolute superstar second year... I would not be shocked if he finished top five in points.” – Host B, (46:25)

  • Historic company for points as a teenager (Steve Yzerman, Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby).

  “Anytime you’re saying tied with Bryan Trottier... you’re probably...” – Host C, (47:45)

7. Stick Taps: Weekly Shout-Outs

(50:09–54:31)

• Nazem Kadri:

  • Scores in his 1,000th NHL game, emotional milestone.

  “Spoke afterwards about how much it meant... he scores, the Flames win... now they can trade him.” – Host C, (50:09)

• Spencer Knight (and Blackhawks):

  • Comeback goaltending story, youthful Chicago squad exceeding expectations.

  “Knight's been one of the best stories in the league... the Blackhawks as a whole are really fun.” – Host A, (52:39)

• Auston Matthews (for the Red, White & Blue):

  • Looking fully healthy, a boon for Team USA's international hopes.

  “...Auston Matthews, over the last couple games, looks like he's back... I think that is great for my American friends on this podcast where they might actually win gold.” – Host B, (53:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Ovechkin’s Memorabilia Collecting:

  “There’s something very appropriate about the way Ovechkin scored goal number 900... That felt appropriate to me, didn’t it fellas?” – Host C, (03:02)

• The Binnington Debate:

  “The two likeliest scenarios are keeping it himself or doing what Pronger did and literally throwing it in the garbage. And I don’t know which of those is more insane.” – Host A, (06:37)

• Parity in the NHL:

  “The biggest thing is that no one is doing poorly. Everyone is above .500. Even the Bruins.... So it just creates a mess.” – Host B, (15:44)

• On Logan Thompson for Canada:

  “Canada does not have the luxury of leaving the NHL save percentage leader off Their roster with what the goaltending mix is...” – Host A, (37:34)

• Celebrini’s Historic Company:

  “Most points by a teenager in the first 14 games... Steve Yzerman and Wayne Gretzky... Sidney Crosby... and Macklin Celebrini at 21.” – Host A, (47:27)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Start | End | |------------------------------------|---------|---------| | Ovechkin’s 900th & Binnington | 02:19 | 07:47 | | St. Louis Blues Situation | 08:04 | 13:44 | | Eastern Conference Parity | 13:44 | 17:29 | | Who Rises from the Muck? | 19:23 | 22:52 | | Olympic Roster Debate | 22:52 | 26:04 | | Breakout Players Segment | 29:44 | 48:08 | | Weekly Stick Tap Shout-Outs | 50:09 | 54:31 |

Takeaway

This episode combines sharp banter and deep analysis to paint a vivid picture of the NHL season’s chaos and stars-in-the-making. From Ovechkin’s milestone and mischievous moments to league-wide parity and the evolution of budding and established stars, The Athletic Hockey Show balances humor, insight, and passion—making it a must-listen for any hockey fan wanting a pulse on the league’s biggest stories and controversies.