From no sweeps last year to two already this year. For the first time in NHL history the two conference winners both swept their first round opponents. That’s right the Carolina Hurricanes swept the Ottawa Senators in what ended up being an incredibly one sided matchup and then, not long after, the Colorado Avalanche completed their sweep of the Los Angeles Kings and a legend of the last generation saw his last shift on the ice. We’ll discuss the back half of that series today and how the Avalanche finally got to play their game. The Penguins avoided the sweep and are now looking to do the impossible. Some other series also could be said and done right now but every other team who seemed down and out has kept their season alive… for now. With all that being said, now is a great time to visit our bracket standings and to let all of you know how right or wrong you all are. If you miss watching Celebrini play hockey, we do too, but fret not for the World Championships have you covered. Speaking of, the first award nods of the season have started to come through and a name may sound familiar. These playoffs have been action packed every second and it is still far from over. All this and more on today’s playoff edition of the Captain Avalanche Fancast.Music:

"Burn The World Waltz" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Contact Us:

captainavalanchepod1@gmail.com

Glass is being shattered both figuratively and literally. The 2026 playoffs have started off with many bangs and this may just be one of the most exciting in recent memory. There is a fight just about every whistles. Some teams are scoring every goal and others not so much. New rivalries are being born, fists are being thrown, and some teams are already on the brink.

Music:

"Burn The World Waltz" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Contact Us:

captainavalanchepod1@gmail.com

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT’S TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMMMMEEE!!! THE 2026 PLAYOFFS HAVE ARRIVED AND TODAY, SATURDAY, EVERYTHING KICKS OFF! THE INTENSITY IS THE BIGGEST ITS EVER BEEN! WE HAVE NEW CHALLENGERS! NEW MATCHUPS! NEW RIVALRIES SURE TO BE CREATED! AND BIGGEST OF ALL! A NEW STANLEY CUP CHAMPION WILL BE CROWNED! WHO WINS? WHO GOES HOME? Today we’ll bring you our brackets for this year's playoffs and we’ve changed up how we approach it compared to last year. Who do we think stands at the pinnacle at the end of it all? We revisit our preseason predictions and let you know how absolutely correct we were compared to our head spaces at the start of the year. The Avs played some games that didn’t mean much other than breaking regular season records, setting new personal bests, and securing some more trophies for players. But what me and you care about. Who do the Avalanche start in net for game 1 against the Kings this Sunday? The Sharks may have fallen a bit short of their ultimate goal but that doesn’t mean it’s all doom and gloom. We have one last in the tank section for you this week. The excitement meter just got cranked to 11. It’s the 2026 Stanley Cup Preview on the Captain Avalanche Fancast!Music:

"Burn The World Waltz" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Links:https://bracketchallenge.nhl.com/en/leagues/11831Password: CAF

Contact Us:

captainavalanchepod1@gmail.com

The Avalanche have claimed the Central Division as well as first seed in the west and still don't have any idea who their first round opponent will be. In fact almost no one knows with deadlocks and close playoff races everywhere. Can the Sharks still make a push for the playoffs. An old enemy has returned. Scott Wedgewood got his back blown out! All this and more on this week's episode of the Captain Avalanche Fancast.

Links:

Bracket Challenge (Password - CAF): https://bracketchallenge.nhl.com/en/leagues/11831THG on the Devil's GM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcYRKfs25NoTop 10 Most Valuable Hockey Cards: https://public.com/learn/most-expensive-valuable-hockey-cards?wpsrc=Organic+Search&wpsn=www.google.com

Music:

"Burn The World Waltz" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Contact Us:

captainavalanchepod1@gmail.com

Nathan MacKinnon hit 50 goals, Macklin Celebrini hit 100 points (just the third Shark to ever do it). But some teams can't even hit a playoff berth. Some teams are hitting the panic button on their coaching staff and general managers. Some teams have a plan. Some teams have never heard that word. There were was another goalie fight, college signings, and a 9-2 beatdown and the Sharks might just be back in the playoff race. What the heck is going on. Listen this week to find out.

Music:

"Burn The World Waltz" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Contact Us:

captainavalanchepod1@gmail.com

The Avalanche have magically gone from a 3 game losing streak to a 4 game win streak (all while Dallas is on a 4 game losing streak). All it took was Gabriel Landeskog returning. Along with Logan O'Connor, Ross Colton, and Artturi Lehkonen. The Sharks playoff hopes are slipping away and the season is coming to a close. Can they make it in time? What is the other greatest March bracket besides March Madness?

Links:

We at the Captain Avalanche Fancast are heartbroken at the loss of Jessi Pierce. She was a proud member of the hockey community. If you are able to donate or spread the word. Her family's gofundme is linked here.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-mike-hinrichs-after-losing-jessi-pierce-children

Music:

"Burn The World Waltz" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Contact Us:

captainavalanchepod1@gmail.com

The Avalanche try to win without Gabe Landeskog challenge, impossible. The Avalanche have had a tough go with consistency as of late. The same can be said about our co-host's boys in teal. That is the key to victory. Consistency. But how do these two clubs stack up to the other 30 teams in the league? Is help even on the way?

Music:

musictown-irish-jig-99533

Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UZWOiDqjp8

Contact Us:

captainavalanchepod1@gmail.com

The Avalanche made 4 key moves at this years trade deadline to elevate their depth from great to unreal. But who did they bring in and what assets and pieces did they have to sacrifice? Did they get the reunion they wanted with an old friend? Or did the powers that be prevent it? There were also several intense divisional clashes and Captain Gabe Landeskog taking a puck to the nuts. The Sharks are fighting for their playoff lives but can they make it?

Music:

"Burn The World Waltz" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Contact Us:

captainavalanchepod1@gmail.com