Celebrating 1,300 episodes, the Locked On New York Rangers podcast takes a light-hearted approach by ranking all 16 Stanley Cup playoff teams based on likability from a Rangers fan perspective. The Minnesota Wild tops the list, largely due to fan favorite Mats Zuccarello, who continues to shine post-trade. Next up are the Colorado Avalanche, buoyed by former Rangers Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey, both of whom have shown strong performance this postseason. The underdog Ottawa Senators follow, with an exciting young roster facing the Toronto Maple Leafs. The St. Louis Blues round out the top four, driven by the beloved Pavel Buchnevich, while other teams like the Los Angeles Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs see mixed sentiments. Meanwhile, the podcast highlights teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals as undesirable winners, creating a spirited discussion around rivalries and fan sentiments.

Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights' playoff struggles might signal a dip in his fantasy value ahead of the next season's drafts. Historically a high scorer, Eichel's performance has disappointed, tallying just one assist in the first four playoff games against the Minnesota Wild and a -7 plus/minus rating. This underwhelming performance diminishes his expected draft position, which could now fall to the late second or early third round, affecting fantasy managers' strategies.

Other players like Carter Verhaeghe and Miko Rantanen also face scrutiny due to fluctuating performances in the postseason, raising questions about their draft projections for next season. The importance of regular-season performance versus playoff output is highlighted, emphasizing the need for careful evaluation in the context of fantasy hockey drafts.

The playoff excitement is palpable as the NHL postseason unfolds, with multiple teams showing great potential. The Washington Capitals narrowly escaped a tough fight against the Montreal Canadiens, needing overtime to secure their victory. Despite the win, concerns linger about the Capitals' performance, particularly in their defensive end, while Sam Montembeault of Montreal emerged as a standout goaltender with impressive stats.

Meanwhile, the Oilers are facing challenges with Stuart Skinner’s inconsistent play against the LA Kings. The Kings, now fortified with star additions, are putting pressure on the Oilers. Expectations for both these teams are high as they aim for a deeper playoff run, with specific players like Gabriel Landeskog and Alex Ovechkin expected to make crucial impacts in upcoming games.