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Void
Big CatBig Cat

Wisconsin women's ice hockey winning 5 out of 7 national titles is a dynasty

Women's ice hockey because the Wisconsin Badgers won another national title, five in seven years. Dynasty. Five and seven years is crazy. That's a dynasty.

Subjective label of 'dynasty' but 5 titles in 7 years is objectively a dominant run by any standard.
Win
Big CatBig Cat

Olympic coaches should receive medals along with the athletes

Did you know that the coaches don't get medals? That's bullshit. Bizarre. [PFT: They get the stuffed animal though.] Oh man. [Big Cat:] Could you imagine being a Canadian and that is your sport and it's everything... and then afterwards they're like, 'Hey, here's a Labu Booo.'

It is a factual rule of the IOC that only athletes receive medals, not coaches.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

I will be genuinely disappointed if Team USA doesn't win the gold medal in hockey

I'm gonna give a good honest, like I'm, I'm gonna be disappointed if we, we don't win the gold medal. And I will, I will not. I will not skate out of it by saying it wasn't real and all that stuff.

This is a statement of personal emotional stakes.
Void
Paul BissonnettePaul Bissonnette

The NHL should move to a longer 3-on-3 overtime to avoid shootouts

I actually think that they should move to a longer three on three. Even if you added two extra minutes... I think would, would make a lot more games end in in in overtime as opposed to going to a shootout.

Shootouts remain a divisive topic in hockey, and many fans/players share this sentiment.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

The US and Canada will face off in the gold medal game of the Winter Olympics

We're circling the last game day of of the Winter Olympics. It's gonna be US, Canada. Let's just take care of business boys.

The 2026 Winter Olympics men's hockey gold medal game has not yet been played as of February 25, 2026.
Win
Dylan StromeDylan Strome

Ovechkin breaking the goal record is a top-tier sports moment

Leading up to the [895th goal], it seemed like there was like 21 games and then 11 goals. He broke his leg and we were like, take your time getting back. He's like, no, two weeks I'll be back on the ice. Being a part of [the goal] was really cool. I mean, I had an assist on 890, 91, 92, 93.

Ovechkin's pursuit of the record is factually grounded in current sports history, and in this fictionalized 2026 transcript, the record is achieved.
Void
Paul BissonnettePaul Bissonnette

Hockey is on the rise and the Four Nations tournament will be a high-stakes precursor to the Olympics

Hockey's on the rise man. On the rise. Hockey's on a heater as we always say on the podcast, the last two years. And on top of that, boys we're heading into an Olympic year. With all that Four Nations... precursor to the Olympics coming up. It ain't the Olympics. We all know that. But don't act like they weren't playing for something. They were playing for pride.

This is an inherently subjective opinion about the state of the sport and the prestige of a specific tournament.
Void
Rob MacRob Mac

Hockey players are the best athletes to hang out with because they are the most chill

Hockey players are my, some of my favorite athletes especially to hang out with and to play golf. ... they're the funnest people to hang out with because they're the most chill. They're so fun Canadian hockey players... they're just sweet people. Kind people until they're not.

Subjective opinion based on personal experience.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Jonathan Toews signing with the Winnipeg Jets is the perfect way for him to end his career

Jonathan Toews. He's back, he signed with the Winnipeg Jets, his hometown team. ... I'm happy he's able to now play again. Hopefully end his career the right way. 'cause it really sucked the way it ended in Chicago.

Subjective view on a career narrative.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Oilers fans will not blame Connor McDavid if he leaves Edmonton

Conor McDavid is such a special talent. I'm wondering if there's maybe parts of the Oiler fan base... If he did leave, I bet you there'd be some Oilers fans who'd be like, we don't blame you. You've done everything you can for the Oilers and they just aren't able to put the full team around him.

This is subjective to fan sentiment, though Canadian fans are notoriously less forgiving than Big Cat suggests.
Void
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Hockey has tricked fans into loving overtime by simply taking away the fourth quarter

I have a question for you... has hockey tricked us into saying free hockey just by taking away the fourth quarter. And then whenever it gets to the fourth quarter, we're so grateful to have a fourth quarter.

This is a subjective observation about fan psychology.
Void
Keith YandleKeith Yandle

Coaches should always be involved in the post-series handshake line.

I just think that, you know, maybe [Paul Maurice] is downplaying how much that the coaches mean to a team... I think they deserve to be in there and, you know, whether you're winning a series or losing a series, going through that handshake line, you know, just what it means to shake every guy's hand... I think it's one of the best traditions in hockey and it shouldn't be taken away.

This is a subjective matter of sports tradition and etiquette.
Loss
Big CatBig Cat

The Oilers will win the Stanley Cup in seven games

I think it's Oilers. I got Oilers in seven. I think it's Oilers.

The Oilers lost the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers in 6 games (4-2). They did not win the Cup.
Void
Ryan WhitneyRyan Whitney

Jamie Benn is the player who deserves a Stanley Cup more than anyone else in the league

Number one, Jamie Benn. That's kind, that's kind of my, my player right now. Who doesn't have one that, that I feel like, God, that guy deserves one. He's, I mean, I think, 16 years in 17... a warrior, a beast, a true captain, a leader, and he is done it like teammates love him. He's done it for so long that if Dallas were to get one, that's kind of my guy.

Deserving a trophy is a matter of opinion.
Void
Ryan WhitneyRyan Whitney

Dallas is the best warm-weather hockey town in North America

I think Dallas... those playoff games. It's crazy that arena gets loud, sneaky La Kings are, are awesome... but LA and Dallas kind of stick out and the, the, the Panthers fans have come on here. They, they've made these games a complete party.

Subjective ranking of fan engagement.
Win
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Alex Alexeyev is waiting until after the playoffs for facial reconstruction after losing teeth on the ice

Alex Alexeyev, he got hit in the mouth by a stick. He lost two of his front teeth on the ice... apparently he needs like full facial reconstruction, dental surgery. And he is like, you know what, I'll do it after the playoffs. Fuck it.

Alexeyev did lose teeth during the series and famously played through it, waiting for the offseason for the full dental repair.
Loss
Ryan WhitneyRyan Whitney

Colorado is the best team in the West and will return to the Cup Finals

Colorado to me is, they're the best team in the West. And if they play Dallas, which I think they will in the first round, one of those kind of unfair, like either team could win the cup and somebody losing first round.

Colorado was eliminated by Dallas in the first round in 7 games. They did not make it to the Cup Finals.
Win
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Ovechkin breaking the goal record from his office against the Islanders was the perfect way to end the chase

It was awesome to see him score from his office against the Islanders... Ovie was like, 'fuck it, I know it's at home [and I don't want an empty netter]'. He did it perfectly. That shot has been happening for 20 years. Nobody's ever figured out how to stop it. He did it from his office.

Ovechkin reached 895 goals on Sunday, April 6, 2025, breaking Gretzky's record.
Void
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Alex Ovechkin's mom is terrifying and could definitely beat me up

His mom, I'm terrified of Ovie's mom by the way. I think she could beat the fuck outta me. Probably, yeah.

Humorous subjective claim.
Win
Brady TkachukBrady Tkachuk

The USA's 2025 Four Nations Face-Off win will perfectly set the team up to win gold at the 2026 Olympics

I'm, I can't wait. Yeah, it's gonna be, I think it was the perfect thing to set up for the Olympics and, and gaining all these hockey fans... I really do know feel good about our team too, going into it.

Brady Tkachuk predicted the Four Nations Face-Off would set up Team USA perfectly for the 2026 Olympics, and that he felt good about the team. While the USA lost the 2025 Four Nations Face-Off final to Canada 3-2 in OT, the USA did win the gold medal at the 2026 Milan Olympics, defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime — their first men's hockey gold since 1980. The core prediction that the experience would lead to Olympic gold came true.
Loss
Brady TkachukBrady Tkachuk

Winning a Stanley Cup in Canada would make me 'Captain Canada'

I think about it all the time... [PFT: It'd be Captain Canada at that point.] Yeah. It's made me think about it too much. But I feel like I have my whole day planned when we win.

The Senators did not win the Cup in the 2024-25 season.
Win
Big CatBig Cat

Every team that wins the Stanley Cup is full of Canadians

Every team that wins the Stanley Cup is full of Canadians.

Statistically, Canadian players make up the plurality of almost every NHL roster, including championship teams.
Open
Paul BissonnettePaul Bissonnette

Connor Bedard has 'dog in him' and will become one of the greats

I believe that he does have dog in him and it will eventually be unleashed. He's too stubborn not to become one of the greats. ... This kid is very young, he's very determined and he is gonna figure it out with my help.

Bedard's ultimate legacy is a long-term projection.
Push
Paul BissonnettePaul Bissonnette

Kirill Kaprizov is a top three MVP candidate

Minnesota, Kirill the Thrill [Kaprizov]... Probably a top three candidate for MVP right now. And just an unreal player to watch where every game, game in, game out, shift in, shift out, he has must-watch television.

Kaprizov was a Hart Trophy candidate but finished lower in voting due to missing 41 games with a lower-body injury. He was in the MVP conversation when healthy but the injury limited his final standing.
Loss
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The Oilers will win Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals at home

I feel like they are, the Oilers are going to win game three at home though. They need the tits. They need the tits.

The Oilers lost Game 3 to the Panthers 4-3.
Loss
Big CatBig Cat

I'm rooting for the Edmonton Oilers and Canada to win the Stanley Cup

I think I'm rooting for Canada. Sorry Jake. Sorry about your [Florida Panthers]. Me versus the world. I am as well. Yeah. I just, Canada, you're just so nice. Just cares so much.

The Oilers lost to the Panthers in 7 games.
Win
PK SubbanPK Subban

To stop the Oilers' power play, defenders must prioritize taking away backdoor tap-ins and force shots from the point

If they're gonna beat you, don't let them beat you with backdoor tap-in and Easy tap-in around the net. Let them beat you from a Bouchard point shot or something from outside. You know, like let them let it have to go off two legs and into the net. You'll take that. But you can't have the backdoor tap-in to [Leon] Draisaitl and stuff happen.

This is a tactical strategy rather than a testable outcome, though the Panthers' success in the finals was partly due to neutralizing these exact types of plays.
Win
PK SubbanPK Subban

The Dallas Stars are the best-built team in the NHL

How do you not pick Dallas? Like, what would be your reason for not picking Dallas? ... from the coaching Pete DeBoer to the stars up front. They have scoring depth up front. They have veteran presence, they have sandpaper, they have youth, they have speed, they have defense... Jim Nill deserves a lot of credit.

The Stars won the Central Division and reached the Western Conference Finals, though they lost to the Oilers.
Win
HankHank

The Boston Bruins will win their series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Just gotta win in Toronto. Now it's a tough, it's tough to win in the playoffs. You know, the leaves are a good team. They, they battled through adversity tonight. And, and we gotta come back stronger. Put Swayman in the net and, and we're gonna win.

The Bruins won the series in 7 games on May 4th, 2024.
Win
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The Capitals are going to be killed by the Rangers in the first round

Bad news is they have to play the Rangers who won the President's trophy, which is, you know, basically impossible to lose in the playoffs if you're that good of a team... there's like no chance that we can beat the Rangers, but I'm just glad to be there.

The New York Rangers swept the Washington Capitals 4-0 in the first round.
Win
Paul BissonnettePaul Bissonnette

The Florida Panthers are the favorites to win the Eastern Conference

Florida being the wagon that they are, they're probably the, probably the, the number one favorite in the east.

The Florida Panthers did indeed win the Eastern Conference and went on to win the Stanley Cup in 2024.
Push
Keith YandleKeith Yandle

The Dallas Stars are the favorite to win the Western Conference because Jake Oettinger is one of the best goalies in the NHL

And then out west, I really like Dallas. I liked them a lot last year too, you know, with Ottinger. I think he's one of the best goalies in the league... I think he's just gonna continue to get more confident in the playoffs.

The Dallas Stars won the Central Division and reached the Western Conference Finals, where they lost to the Edmonton Oilers in 6 games.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

The NHL is better for everyone when Original Six teams like Chicago have momentum and are good

I think when Chicago's a good team, it's good for everyone. It's original six. Whenever there's an original six, it feels like there's just more momentum.

This is a business-centric opinion about sports league marketing.
Void
Keith YandleKeith Yandle

NHL starting goalies are the weirdest people on the planet

Starting goalie is just outta control. Like, you don't talk to 'em, don't go near 'em on game day... I think it's from a young age on where you're in the crease, you got no one to talk to.

Widely accepted cultural truth in hockey.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Game 7 playoff hockey is the cruelest thing in all of sports.

Game seven playoff hockey, there's nothing like it in sports. Game seven playoff hockey overtime. It is the cruelest thing in all sports... you sit there and be like, how is it over? Like, keep this game going. This is not fair.

This is a subjective emotional assessment of sports moments.
Loss
Ryan WhitneyRyan Whitney

The winner of the Rangers-Devils series will play the Bruins in the Eastern Conference Final

Rangers Devils winner, I think goes on and plays the Bruins in the Eastern Conference final.

The Bruins were eliminated in the first round by Florida, and the Panthers eventually played the Hurricanes in the ECF.
Loss
HankHank

The Bruins are the greatest regular season hockey team ever and will dominate the playoffs

I'm all out on this team. This team is different. They're the greatest hockey team I've ever watched in the regular season. They're the greatest regular season team of all time. They're gonna dominate, they're gonna run through these playoffs.

The Bruins, after settting NHL records for wins and points, lost in the first round to the Florida Panthers after leading the series 3-1.
Win
Paul BissonnettePaul Bissonnette

Jacob Chychrun will be the biggest name defenseman moved at the deadline

For trade for defenseman right now the biggest name is Jacob Chychrun and he plays for the coyotes. ... I would say that he's gonna be a big name defenseman that moves at the close to the deadline.

Chychrun was indeed the most discussed defenseman and was traded to Ottawa in March 2023.
Open
Ryan WhitneyRyan Whitney

Alex Ovechkin will definitely break the NHL goal-scoring record

Is Ovie gonna get the record, just yes or no? Yes. Definitely yes.

Ovechkin is still active and chasing the record as of 2024.
Void
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The Stanley Cup lifting ceremony is a top-three sports tradition

When you see that, no matter who you root for, it's a great ceremony. Like you're seeing the person lift the cup for the first time, the team captain, or like a long time veteran on that team finally get their Stanley cup. It's awesome. That's like a top three sports [ceremony].

This is a subjective opinion on sports traditions.
Win
Big CatBig Cat

The Colorado Avalanche were one of the most dominant Cup winners in history

The avalanche incredible team, like an absolute wagon of a team... they went 16 and four in the playoffs. They had, they had a four game sweep [of the Predators]... the Oilers [sweep]... 4-2 against the lightning. They, if you combine it all and he'd take out overtime losses and the regular season, they had, they won a 78% clip, which is insane. It's pretty like dad is just, thrills are just awesome. Awesome hockey team that deserves to win the cup.

The Avalanche went 16-4 in the playoffs, one of the best records in the modern era.
Win
Paul BissonnettePaul Bissonnette

Game 4 is the pivotal game of the Stanley Cup Final

I'd say that it's gonna come down to pivotal game for winner that game... if they lose it, it's over no way that they went three in a row.

The Avalanche won Game 4 to go up 3-1 and won the series in 6.
Void
Paul BissonnettePaul Bissonnette

Wayne Gretzky's dominance over his peers will never be seen again

Just given how much he was better than his peers at that time. I don't think that we're ever going to see anything like it. I think Lemieux was close... Wayne was like three times as good. Maybe four times as good as some guys... The sheer dominance and the amount of points that somebody could produce and comparable to the better overall competition, it's just going to be very diff Wayne was just so much more ahead of his time.

Gretzky's statistical records remain largely untouchable, supporting the dominance claim.
Win
Big CatBig Cat

It's a huge disappointment if the Avalanche don't win the Stanley Cup now

The Avalanche looked like the best team. Like if they don't win it now that's would, that's a big disappointment, big disappointment, huge disappointment.

The Colorado Avalanche went on to win the Stanley Cup, defeating the Lightning in the Finals.
Win
Paul BissonnettePaul Bissonnette

The Avalanche will easily advance to the Stanley Cup Finals

Yeah, I would say the Colorado is going to easily advance... [Edmonton is] basically kind of without [Draisaitl]. And also now Kane just got a one game suspension... I think they're going to Colorado is going to advance.

The Avalanche swept the Oilers 4-0 to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Win
Paul BissonnettePaul Bissonnette

The Colorado Avalanche will win the Stanley Cup

I think Colorado takes it. ... The premier Southern organization lifts [the Cup].

The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 to win the 2022 Stanley Cup.
Win
Big CatBig Cat

The Oilers vs. Avalanche series will be absolute fireworks

I'm so excited for that series. Oilers verse Avalanche is going to be fireworks... they broke a record in that last game with four goals in like a minute and a half back and forth.

The series was a sweep by the Avalanche, but it was high-scoring (6-8 in Game 1) and featured plenty of offensive 'fireworks'.
Win
Ryan WhitneyRyan Whitney

NHL scoring is up because of power play strategies and better talent

The scoring staying up has a lot to do with the power plays and also just the games. Good right now. I think hockey's, I think the ratings are up... I think because of all the penalties called. So people's complaint right now is that it's not even, it doesn't even feel like hockey, some games... It's turned into just survive five on five, wait till you get a power play.

NHL scoring has trended upward significantly in the early 2020s, with league-wide average goals per game reaching levels not seen since the early 90s.
Loss
Ryan WhitneyRyan Whitney

I won't pick against the Lightning until they actually lose a series

I said I won't pick against them [Lightning] until they don't win. So I am on the Lightning. I want the Lightning, but I'm going to be very surprised if the Avs don't win the Stanley Cup.

The Lightning lost the 2022 Stanley Cup Final to the Colorado Avalanche, 4-2.
Win
Big CatBig Cat

The NHL won the sports rivalry tonight because there are no NBA games and hockey has the TNT spotlight to itself.

Thursday night, Cinco de Mayo [is] the greatest achievement of hockey versus NBA rivalry... the NBA is not playing because NHL is on TNT tonight. Like the NHL won tonight.

The NBA indeed had no playoff games scheduled for that Thursday night.

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