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Hockey never moves in straight lines, and that’s exactly why this one’s so much fun. We bring two fanbases under one roof and go deep on what actually shifts a season: the Ducks locking in Mason McTavish and Jackson Lacombe as cornerstone pieces, the emotional and tactical fallout from Trevor Zegras landing in Philadelphia, and the precise tweaks the Kings need to finally power past the first round. We’re not hand-waving; we’re talking usage, special teams, depth minutes, and the small edges that become springtime margins.

From there, we zoom out to the league. Who truly improved? Tampa’s spine and continuity vs. Florida’s injury bets, Toronto’s star power vs. goaltending trust, and Carolina adding the top-six finisher they’ve craved. In the West, we weigh Dallas’s regular-season machine against Colorado’s playoff ceiling, and why Vegas keeps finding the exact star archetype to amplify Jack Eichel. The Pacific debate gets spicy: where the Kings’ playable fourth line and calmer PK can buy them wins, why Edmonton’s thinner role players may matter more than anyone admits, and whether Vancouver’s health swings will define their year. Utah’s growth curve, Minnesota’s window, and Winnipeg’s goalie-led floor all get measured against reality, not hype.

We make clear, accountable predictions for every division and plant our flags on Cup paths, then cap it with a clean listener hook: a Celebrini vs. Bedard points bet and why situation often beats raw talent for year-one impact. Along the way, expect candid laughs, honest disagreements, and a stack of receipts you’ll want to revisit in April. If you’re a Kings or Ducks fan—or just a curious NHL diehard—this episode is your roadmap to the season ahead.

Enjoyed this breakdown? Follow the show, leave a quick review, and share your own division winners and Cup picks with us. Your boldest prediction might make next week’s show.

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