Welcome to the NHL 2021-2022 Season on NHL Network Radio
After one of the shortest summers in league history, the 2021-22 National Hockey League regular season gets underway this Tuesday evening.
If you haven’t been paying attention, there are now 32 teams in the league thanks to the addition of the Seattle Kraken. They are nestled in the Pacific Division, generally considered the weakest of the four league brackets, and by default stand a fair chance of grabbing a playoff spot in their inaugural campaign. To make room for the new kids on the ice block, the Arizona Coyotes have moved over to the Central Division.
That’s the Central Division led by the powerhouse Colorado Avalanche, a group of teams also featuring the Blues, Jets, Stars, and the improving Minnesota Wild. Is the Central the toughest division in the NHL?
How about the reconstituted Atlantic Division? The winner of the last two Stanley Cup titles resides here. Can the Tampa Bay Lightning do what only the Maple Leafs, Canadiens, and Islanders have accomplished over the long history of this league, namely winning three Stanley Cups in a row? The Bolts will again be joined in this division by very strong teams such as the Leafs, and Tampa’s cross-state rivals, the Florida Panthers, whom many believe are ready to take the next step and capture their first Stanley Cup.
Don’t sleep on the Metropolitan Division, with the impressive Islanders, and Hurricanes, as well as perennial contenders the Capitals and Penguins. Are the Caps and Pens too old? Can the Flyers get back to the post-season, and what horsepower do the Rangers have under the hood?
The NHL is blessed with a bumper crop of exciting, talented young players. Will Connor McDavid lead the league in scoring again? Can Auston Matthew score 60 goals? Will any of the new faces in new places makes a real difference for their new teams? How will the Winter Olympic break affect the playoff races, and will COVID continue to be a much-detested nuisance to everybody?
Entering our 17th season tracking everything moving in the NHL, SiriusXM NHL Network Radio (Channel 91 and on the SiriusXM App) will once again provide you with a front-row seat to all the action, on the ice, in the dressing rooms, in the board rooms, and in the stands.
We feature the best guests, the best insiders, and the best hockey talk since Howie Meeker fired up the Telestrator. 24/7 hockey talk that never stops, SiriusXM NHL Network Radio is your one-stop shopping destination for your favourite game.
Steve Kouleas runs The Power Play every weekday beginning at 3 pm Eastern (12 noon Pacific), talking with the biggest names in the NHL, and getting you set for a night of on-ice action. Steve is joined by an impressive cast of former NHL players, who bring their unique insider perspective to the program.
Scott Laughlin and Gord Stellick are the sizzling 1-2 punch on NHL Morning Skate, starting every weekday at 7 am Eastern (4 am Pacific). They take a look back at the night before and also get you set for the day ahead, in addition to talking puck with a variety of guests.
Mick Kern and Peter Berce, with a sizeable assist from Tyler Madarasz, open up the phones every weekday at 11 am Eastern (8 am Pacific) for Under Review, the show that encourages fellow hockey fanatics to dial 1-877-645-6696 and weighs in on a variety of hockey topics.
Jim “Boomer” Gordon is at The Point every weekday at 1 pm Eastern (10 am Pacific) musing about a variety of hockey topics, including Fantasy Hockey. Jake Hahn keeps everything moving on The Point.
After the games are in the books, Ice Cap comes your way to break everything down. Dave McCarthy, and our man on the West Coast Jonathan Davis, take turns keeping you up to date on the who did what that night.
SiriusXM NHL Network Radio also features play-by-play of the games of the National Hockey League for your listening pleasure, from the opening faceoff on October 12th, until the victorious team hoists the Stanley Cup sometime in June.
Make sure your skates are sharpened, and ready to go, because here comes the 2021-22 NHL regular season…
Tuesday, October 12th – 10:00 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Seattle Kraken at Vegas Golden Knights
The first regular-season NHL game in Kraken history fittingly will take place in Las Vegas, as Seattle faces a Golden Knights squad who are entering only their fifth NHL season. But what a four years it has been for Vegas, who made it to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural campaign, and have been Cup contenders ever since. The same is not expected out-of-the-gate for the expansion Kraken, but we all initially thought the same thing about the Golden Knights.
Wednesday, October 13th – 7:00 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs
The last time these two legendary rivals met up in a meaningful game, Les Canadiens completed the first-round playoff comeback, after being down 3-1 in games to Toronto. This did not sit well with the Maple Leafs, and as one of the favourites in the tough Atlantic Division, their march towards doing something meaningful in the playoffs begins this evening. Montreal is a different team from when we last saw them in the Stanley Cup Final this past July, now having to make do without the likes of Shea Weber, Corey Perry, and goaltender Carey Price.
Thursday, October 14th – 7:00 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Dallas Stars at New York Rangers
Both these teams missed the playoff cut last season, and while most observers believe the Stars can grab one of the post-season spots in the stacked Central Division, there are divided opinions on the fate of the Rangers. Most expect them to get close to a playoff invite, after having finished 11 points back of the Islanders in 2021.
Friday, October 15th – 7:00 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Chicago Blackhawks at New Jersey Devils
A Friday night matchup featuring two of the anticipated dark horses in the NHL this season. Chicago has added the likes of defenceman Seth Jones, and reigning Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury to their lineup, while the Devils are loaded with young, exciting players who are looking to make a big impact on the league starting this evening. Are the 2002 playoffs in the cards for either of these two teams?
