The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz: The Hockey Show - AHOY From The Stadium Series!
Episode Date: January 30, 2026
Recording Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Episode Overview
This episode hits the road, with Roy Bellamy, David Dwork, Ethan, Rosie, and crew live from Tampa, FL, for the NHL Stadium Series. Amidst the build-up to this major outdoor hockey event, the team delves into the wild Florida weather, the heated playoff race, quirky technical snafus in the studio, fan gripes with NHL rule enforcement, and a special segment with Lightning beat reporter Deandra Lou. Expect the usual mix of hockey analysis, side jokes, and colorful banter.
Key Topics & Discussions
1. Outdoor Hockey in Florida: Stadium Series Vibes
Timestamps: 00:34–03:16
- Roy sets the scene: the team is at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa for the Stadium Series, marveling at the irony of snow flurries in Florida.
- David: “The hockey gods aren't only smiling at Tampa, but they're kind of laughing at us right now... It's going to get down potentially into the 30s over the next couple of nights.” (01:34)
- Discussion of how the NHL builds ice in unpredictable Florida weather, including a “massive tent” to protect the rink.
- Both compare this Stadium Series to the earlier Miami Winter Classic, with higher fan expectations this time due to previous success.
2. NHL Supplemental Discipline & Department of Player Safety
Timestamps: 03:16–08:27
- News: The NHL has centralized all supplemental discipline under the Department of Player Safety (DPS), led by George Parros.
- Roy shares fan frustration: “The fans have not been happy with the DPS, the way they've been handling things… the inconsistencies.”
- David: “We really have no idea what the hell they're doing.” (04:23)
- Ethan jokes about the conspiracy theories that Parros favors Florida, especially tied to his past on the Panthers.
- Ethan: “I love how mad it makes everybody that the Panthers supposedly get all the calls, even though last night they had another bad call go against them…” (08:00)
3. Studio Hijinks: The Piano Mystery
Timestamps: 05:20–07:08
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Ethan tells a hilarious story about mysterious piano music coming through only his headset, nearly driving him crazy before the show. He tried every fix possible—no explanation.
“I could not figure out why there was piano music coming from the headphones… I literally was like, I've been super busy today… I was about to absolutely lose my head.”
— Ethan (06:21)
4. Florida Panthers Weekly Check-In
Timestamps: 08:27–16:47
- Panthers finally get key players (Tkachuk and Marchand) back but suffer frustrating losses to Utah and St. Louis.
- Roy: “These last two games have basically buried them because it's been four-point nights for the Sabres and the Bruins and the Panthers each of these nights.” (12:49)
- The team's recent record, injuries, and tough playoff odds are discussed in depth. Ethan oscillates between hope and despair.
- Rosie drops playoff odds from MoneyPuck and The Athletic, showing the Panthers' dwindling postseason hopes.
- Ethan laments: “This is really the first time this year that I've thought like it's, it's bleak right now. Eight points with 30 games and everybody else is playing hot.” (14:45)
- Discussion of crucial upcoming stretch and how injuries, shaky goaltending, and surging rivals put the Panthers at a disadvantage.
5. League Milestones, Playoff Races, and the Olympic Break
Timestamps: 15:03–17:28
- Roy outlines key “milestone markets” like Thanksgiving and the trade deadline.
- David suggests the race is fluid; Boston, Buffalo, Detroit may cool off, and the Panthers could still find momentum if healthier after the Olympics.
- Ethan: “It's not late early anymore, Dave. Like, it's late with 30 games left in the season… It's bleak.” (16:47)
6. Puck Luck & Betting Segment
Timestamps: 17:28–18:41
- David breaks down the Chicago-Columbus matchup, suggesting shot props and over/under lines for DraftKings bettors.
7. Rosie’s Recaps: ‘Rosa in Unminuto’ and ‘Rose in a Minute’
Timestamps: 18:41–21:02
- Rapid Spanish-then-English recaps of the Flyers’ disastrous week.
- Rosie: “The Flyers finished the week: three losses, a lot of effort, zero rewards, and Konecny wondering what else has to do…” (20:00)
8. Wins and Fails
Timestamps: 21:32–28:53
Wins:
- Tristan Jarry (Oilers goalie) staying in play despite losing a skate blade. (21:32)
- Macklin Celebrini wins a faceoff using only the knob of his stick. (22:20)
- Thunderbug (Lightning’s mascot) goes scuba diving. (23:14)
- Patrick Kane sets the US record for most NHL points. (23:34)
“Paddy Kane. An absolute legendary game. Arguably the greatest US Hockey player ever.” — Ethan (23:34)
Fails:
- ECHL’s Maine Mariners staffer swept off the ice by a pregame prop—she “sticks the landing,” to everyone’s amusement. (24:10)
- Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube’s massive facial injury from a weight room accident. (24:47)
- New York Rangers manage three penalties on a single shift.
“That’s like the easiest fail of the week of all time: to take three penalties, two on the same guy... Rangers in general have been a fail this year.” — Ethan (26:51)
- Rosie laments, “We need the Rangers to succeed” so they can keep interviewing actors from Stranger Things, who are fans. (28:53)
9. Interview: Deandra Lou – Lightning Beat Writer
Timestamps: 31:48–45:07
Lightning’s Recent Success and Injury Management
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Deandra discusses Tampa Bay’s ability to maintain elite status despite injuries, thanks to an effective call-up system from the AHL and a cohesive organizational culture.
“They didn't try to skip steps and kind of slowly built towards it. Got two Stanley Cups, went to another Stanley Cup Final… It's an organization that does things the right way.”
— Deandra Lou (33:04)
Coach John Cooper
- Why hasn't John Cooper won a Jack Adams award? Deandra: “Everyone is so used to the Lightning having success, like, they’ve kind of set the standard… they underestimate what John Cooper does.” (34:39)
- Cooper praised for consistency and “players’ coach” ethos.
The Culture & State of Hockey in Florida
- Parallels drawn with Panthers’ Zito and Maurice; both franchises are lauded for culture and upward trajectory.
- Deandra: “Some teams could take notes from what they're doing here in Florida... Florida is kind of the state of hockey, isn't it?” (41:40–42:33)
Stadium Series & Tampa’s Hockey Events
- Deandra previews a raucous weekend with both the Stadium Series and Tampa’s iconic Gasparilla pirate festival.
- “You're gonna wake up in the morning... see grown adults dressed as Jack Sparrow talking to you in pirate talk.” (44:14)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On the state of NHL discipline:
"You'd like to think that if they're making a change, that there's a plan behind it... but we really have no idea what the hell they're doing."
— David Dwark (04:23) -
On Florida hockey getting respect:
“That’s the narrative when you win two Stanley Cups back to back, and people are mad about it because you’re from Florida.”
— Ethan (08:00) -
On Panthers’ playoff odds:
“This is the first time this year I’ve really thought, it’s bleak right now. Eight points with 30 games and everybody else is playing hot.”
— Ethan (14:45) -
On Lightning organizational strength:
"Everything is kind of... copy and paste and there's really good communication."
— Deandra Lou (33:38) -
On Tampa’s culture:
"Everyone’s kind of on the same page. The Panthers are the exact same way... some teams could take notes from what they're doing here in Florida."
— Deandra Lou (41:40)
Segment Timestamps (MM:SS)
- Outdoor Stadium Series in Florida: 00:34–03:16
- NHL Discipline & DPS: 03:16–08:27
- Studio Piano Hijinks: 05:20–07:08
- Panthers Week & Playoff Race: 08:27–16:47
- Puck Luck / Betting: 17:28–18:41
- Rosie’s Recaps: 18:41–21:02
- Wins and Fails: 21:32–28:53
- Deandra Lou Interview (Lightning/Florida Hockey): 31:48–45:07
Episode Tone
As ever, the show blends sharp, often irreverent sports commentary with a healthy dose of inside jokes, regional pride, and camaraderie. The hockey crew is opinionated, passionate, and always ready to poke fun at themselves and the sport—even amid playoff anxieties and Florida’s unpredictable “hockey weather.”
For Further Listening/Viewing
- Full-length episode and additional content/interviews available on YouTube and The Dan Le Batard Show feeds.
- For Florida playoff odds: MoneyPuck and The Athletic (referenced frequently).
- Special interview with Jack O’Callahan of the 1980 Olympic hockey team available on their YouTube.
Recommended for: Anyone seeking a lively, comprehensive roundup of Florida hockey, NHL headlines, and the quirks that make The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz a sports podcast favorite—no prior listening required!