The Rangers rebuild got a huge boost when the Blueshirts won the right to select Alexis Lafreniere first overall. Ryan and Rory discuss how that will impact an already-impressive core in The Big Apple.

They also examine the future for three Canadian clubs — Toronto, Winnipeg and Edmonton — that were bounced in the qualifying round. Will Rory ever move off his “never trade Nylander” stance? Was this just one of those years for Winnipeg and can Edmonton ever expect to improve without a serious upgrade in the crease?

And then, it’s predictions time. Can Rory snap his unbelievable three-year run of picking teams to win the Cup that then get swept in the first round?

Tape to Tape is powered by RAM, back-to-back winner of MotorTrend’s truck of the year.

Don’t forget to sign up for the Sportsnet Fantasy Hockey Playoff Pool presented by RAM, at Sportsnet.ca/RAM for your chance to win $50,000 in cash prizes and the grand prize — a 2020 RAM 1500 or RAM 2500.

This episode is produced and sound designed by Michael Mayers, and hosted by Rory Boylen and Ryan Dixon.

Tape to Tape is also on YouTube. Watch it here. Our video and social media producer is Mike Tassone.

Audio Credits: YouTube.com/NHL; Sportsnet

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

No 2020 Stanley Cup Qualifier has had more drama than the Flames-Jets series. Eric Francis joins Ryan and Rory to break down the first three tilts and look ahead to Game 4.

While the top line has shown well, Francis believes the Flames’ best unit remains Mikael Backlund with Matthew Tkachuk and Andrew Mangiapane. As someone who’s been around Tkachuk since the start of his NHL career, what has Francis learned about one of hockey’s most pot-stirring figures?

With the news that Jake Muzzin will be sidelined for the duration of Toronto’s series versus Columbus, the boys discuss what the Leafs blue line might look like for Game 3 and how Muzzin’s absence will affect the Buds. Also, with Brock Boeser back on the No. 1 trio in Vancouver, the Canucks are looking to take control of their set with the Wild in what has become a best-of-three showdown.

Tape to Tape is powered by RAM, back-to-back winner of MotorTrend’s truck of the year. Don’t forget to sign up for the Sportsnet Fantasy Hockey Playoff Pool presented by RAM, at Sportsnet.ca/RAM for your chance to win $50,000 in cash prizes and the grand prize — a 2020 RAM 1500 or RAM 2500.

This episode is produced and sound designed by Michael Mayers, and hosted by Rory Boylen and Ryan Dixon.

Tape to Tape is also on YouTube. Watch it here. Our video and social media producer is Mike Tassone.

Audio Credits: YouTube.com/NHL

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

After laying out their predictions for the West on the last episode, Ryan and Rory dive into the four Eastern Conference best-of-five preliminary round series.

A healthy Pittsburgh Penguins squad figures to have its way with the Habs. The Carolina Hurricanes were a final-four team last year and emerged as huge winners at the 2020 trade deadline, but Rory is not convinced the Canes can handle a really fun New York Rangers.

Four years ago, the Florida Panthers and New York Islanders contested a close series that was ultimately swung the Isles’ way thanks to John Tavares. Can Mathew Barzal prove he’s ready to be the man for Long Island? The Columbus Blue Jackets are a hard-checking, stingy team, but will that be enough to halt the high-flying Toronto Maple Leafs?

Tape to Tape is powered by RAM, back-to-back winner of MotorTrend’s truck of the year. Don’t forget to sign up for the Sportsnet Fantasy Hockey Playoff Pool presented by RAM, at Sportsnet.ca/RAM for your chance to win $50,000 in cash prizes and the grand prize — a 2020 RAM 1500 or RAM 2500.

This episode is produced and sound designed by Michael Mayers, and hosted by Rory Boylen and Ryan Dixon.

Tape to Tape is also on YouTube. Watch it here. Our video and social media producer is Mike Tassone.

Audio Credits: NHL, Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

In just over a week, post-season hockey will return to the NHL. That means it must be time for some bold predictions.

Ryan and Rory dive into all four Western Conference preliminary round series and how they believe things will play out. It’s hard to imagine how the porous Chicago defence has any chance of stopping the dynamic one-two combo that is Edmonton’s Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. And while the Arizona Coyotes were having a disappointing season, how could two big X-factors — the return of goalie Darcy Kuemper and mid-season pickup Taylor Hall — influence things when it comes to the Desert Dogs’ showdown with the Nashville Predators?

No team was hotter than the Minnesota Wild when play was stopped in March, but will that carry over in any way against a Vancouver Canucks squad that — at least on paper — appears to have the upper hand? As for the lone all-Canadian matchup, Rory is bullish on a Jets team that has a goaltending advantage over the Flames and five stud forwards that seem built to thrive in the NHL’s second season.

Tape to Tape is powered by the RAM 1500 Sport, built exclusively for Canadians.

This episode is produced and edited by Michael Mayers, and hosted by Ryan Dixon and Rory Boylen.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

With training camps underway, Ryan and Rory are joined by a pair of guests. Eric Engels on what he’s seen from Montreal so far. Has Jesperi Kotkaniemi found a new gear? And beyond Carey Price and Shea Weber, what will be the key factors for the Canadiens as they prepares for a best-of-five series with the Penguins?

Then the boys pivot to Winnipeg with Ken Wiebe, who firmly believes the Jets — conference finalists just two years ago — have all the makings of a dark-horse contender thanks to a tasty mix of high-end forwards and all-world goalie Connor Hellebuyck.

Tape to Tape is powered by the RAM 1500 Sport, built exclusively for Canadians.

This episode is produced and edited by Michael Mayers and hosted by Rory Boylen and Ryan Dixon.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.