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.

The New Jersey Devils faced a disappointing start in the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes, with a glaring lack of offensive presence leading to turnovers and injuries. Despite Jacob Markstrom's solid performance in goal, the team's inability to maintain possession and convert opportunities proved costly. The Devils will need to adjust their strategy and improve their puck management to remain competitive in the series.

In-game two, the key for the Devils will be better starts, especially in the first period, as they have struggled to come from behind throughout the season. Historical performance indicates they fare much better when leading or tied after two periods. Additionally, splitting star players Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt may create more scoring opportunities across the lineup. With significant injuries affecting their depth, including Luke Hughes, the Devils will need contributions from their supporting cast to mount a comeback.

The Colorado Avalanche secured a commanding 5-1 victory against the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of their playoff series, showcasing their offensive depth despite the absence of key players for the Stars. Mackenzie Blackwood made a strong playoff debut in goal for the Avalanche, though the Stars struggled with injuries, limiting their competitiveness. Gabriel Landeskog's potential return adds an emotional boost for the Avalanche, who await the next game in Dallas with cautious optimism.

In other playoff action, the New Jersey Devils faced a tough loss against the Carolina Hurricanes, struggling with turnovers and injuries, notably impacting their performance. The Devils need to tighten their defense and improve their offensive strategies, especially in the first period, to regain momentum in the series. Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets displayed resilience, coming back multiple times against the St. Louis Blues in a closely contested matchup, proving their depth and adaptability.

The playoff picture in the NHL is heating up as teams prepare for the postseason. The podcast dives deep into the rankings of all 16 playoff contenders based on their chances of winning it all. Key highlights include the impressive performance of the Winnipeg Jets, who have secured the best record in the league, and the surprising resurgence of the Buffalo Sabres. Meanwhile, teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins have struggled significantly, raising questions about their playoff viability. The discussion also touches on individual player performances, such as Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens and the implications of injuries on teams like the New Jersey Devils.

Fantasy implications abound, especially with the goal-scoring prowess of players like Auston Matthews and the reliable goaltending from the new Toronto coach Craig Berube. Throughout this analysis, the hosts highlight the tight competition and potential upsets that could define this year's playoffs, emphasizing how unpredictable the matchup outcomes are. This year’s playoff format promises to deliver some intense matchups that fantasy players and bettors should analyze closely for potential value.