The NHL Playoffs and Ice Hockey World Championships

Episode 6: The NHL Playoffs and Ice Hockey World Championships – Goals, Goons, Graft and Glory.

This week, we're checking out one of the toughest sports on the planet – ice hockey, home to the brawling, bruising, toothless titans of the rink. Jack and Ben skate through the NHL Playoffs, where 16 teams chase the (quite literally) biggest trophy in the sport: the Stanley Cup. Meanwhile, across the globe, another 16 nations face-off for international glory at the IIHF World Championship in Sweden and Denmark.

We explore hockey’s wild history, from mysterious origin stories and fearsome enforcers to, somehow again, Kentucky Derby winners. We unpack the unwritten rules, the culture of fighting, and the darker toll of the game - including the growing conversation around CTE and player safety, illustrated through the turbulent highs and tragic lows of the legendary Bob Probert.

There's even a Cold War era subplot, with tales of invasion, rebellion, and the unifying power of sport in the face of oppression. So lace up and tune in – this is ice hockey like you’ve never heard it before.