To get you back into that special hockey feeling, we’re going to take a look at each team in the division and what you can expect from their next 82 games. It will be smart. It will be mean. It will be a really good time. Let’s start first with the team who finished dead last in the division, much to the rest of the league's great enjoyment. Here are your 2018-19 Chicago Blackhawks.
Read MoreFor our second installment in our Summer Fandom Series, Mason had the great pleasure of speaking with Nashville's ultimate fan, The Ultimate Predator. A former pro wrestler who also happened to me a lifelong hockey fan, The Ultimate Predator now stalks the halls of Bridgestone Arena during the hockey season. We were excited to have him on our show because he embodies the best parts of Predators fandom and hockey fandom in general. A lot of people, especially hockey fans, sometimes forget that this whole sports thing is supposed to be… fun. And judging by these pictures... it's a hell of a lot of fun in Nashville.
Read MoreIn our first installment of our summer series on fandom, Mason spoke to Teri Stuckmann, one of the most diehard hockey fans you'll ever have the privilege to meet. She also happens to own one hell of a fan cave.
Read MoreA lot of things happen after "He Shoots, he SCORES!!!" Hands fly up into the air, sometimes sticks and gloves follow. Thousands of strangers jump to their feet in unison and start to cheer, fist-pumping vigorously or high-fiving poorly. Then the theatrics hit. It’s time for Entirely Petty Rankings: Best Goal Celebration.
Read MoreFive of the seven teams in the Central Division have first round picks, and all five of those teams are in need of improvements. Chicago wants to stop their slide into mediocrity. Dallas wants to prove their high octane attack is the real deal. Colorado wants to ensure last year wasn’t a fluke. Minnesota wants to prop open their Cup window. St. Louis wants to find that final piece of the puzzle.
Read MoreI’m not exactly an open guy. I try to be as genuine as possible and it's important to me to let others know what they mean to me when I can, but I tend to keep people, even some of those closest to me, at a slight distance. According to the people who know me; my friends, my co-workers, even my family, I am not a "crier". The truth is I am one. I'm a big, blubbering baby who can go from pleasant smile to soggy mess in a matter of seconds. I just get emotional over different things than other people.
Read MoreAfter reading Zack’s entirely petty rankings from last week, I was struck by the words of the great late 20th-century philosopher Rocky Balboa. Because if I can change, and you can change, everybody can change. I’m not going to retaliate against Zack’s absurd list of best team names in the Central Division in hopes that we can end this Cold War between basic pettiness and outright disdain. I am going to be the bigger man, I tell you!!
Read MoreI’ll be honest, when I first read Mason’s list I had to check my calendar, “Is it April already?” I thought to myself. Then I realized that he was actually serious about that and immediately started researching rehab facilities to put him in because if you think that list is accurate than you are clearly on several hallucinogens and need help. Now here are some actual rankings:
Read MoreA good name can do you wonders. If your name is, let's say, Mason Masters, people assume you're ruggedly handsome and very talented. On the other hand, a name can give people pretty lackluster expectations. If you're named Bruce Bourdreau, for example, people assume you're going to flame out of the playoffs every April. So having a good name as a franchise is important. It not only sets a tone but can influence the future of your team for years to come. The Central has some great ones, but it also has some real stinkers. So here's Mason Masters' ruggedly handsome list of best team names in the Central Division.
Read MoreAllow me to start with an open secret. NBC sucks.
Read MoreAhhh... it's finally here. You were good all year and now Hockey Claus has brought you the Stanley Cup Playoffs! Only problem is, for fans of 15 NHL teams out there, they didn't get a team this playoffmas. Luckily your old pal Zack is here to help you with some reasons to root for and root against all 16 of this years playoff teams!
Read MoreWe only have a handful of games left in the season and for those of you who root for teams who don’t hail from Dallas & Chicago, congratulations! You’re still playing meaningful hockey. The Central is stacked and five teams are currently angling to make it through the last week of play unscathed. For the teams that do make it through, they’ll not only receive a shiny new patch on their chest but renewed hopes of Stanley Cup glory. Each team has a path that can get them to the promised land. Each team has demons within that can spell disaster for their season. Let's take a look at what has to go right, and what can go very, very wrong for these contenders if they make it to the season's after-party.
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