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 NHL playoffs are heating up, and the action has brought forth fiery rivalries and impactful performances. The Washington Capitals continued their dominant series against the Montreal Canadiens with a significant 5-2 victory in Game 4, taking a commanding 3-1 lead. The Capitals' top line, featuring Dylan Strome and Anthony Beauvillier, has been electric, totaling 16 points over the series. A key moment included a controversial hit by Tom Wilson on Alexander Carrier that shifted the momentum drastically in the Capitals' favor, leading to a game-tying goal and a subsequent win. In contrast, the Canadiens struggled to find their rhythm, managing just two goals on the power play.

In the West, Edmonton Oilers rallied for a crucial 4-3 overtime win against the Los Angeles Kings, showcasing their resilience. Leon Draisaitl's first career playoff overtime goal helped level the series at 2-2 as they head back to Los Angeles. The Oilers have relied heavily on their power play, which remains a crucial factor as they navigate this intense matchup. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues tied their series against the Winnipeg Jets with a convincing 5-1 win, capitalizing on the Jets' inconsistent play. Connor Hellebuyck's struggles in goal for Winnipeg raised questions about their defensive strategy.

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.

Tom Wilson made headlines once again as he assisted in scoring the first goal of the series, highlighting his pivotal role in the matchup. This goal not only marked a significant moment for Wilson but also echoed the historic moment when he assisted on Alex Ovechkin's record-breaking 895th goal. The similarities between these two goals showcase Wilson's consistent ability to support his teammates in critical situations.

The atmosphere was electric as fans celebrated the achievement, underscoring the importance of teamwork and strategy in the playoffs. As the series unfolds, Wilson's performance will be crucial to the team's advancement, and his synergy with Ovechkin continues to be a key factor in their offensive strategy.