Holy shit we made it, hockey is finally here! As you can see in the title, we get 116 straight days of hockey (happiness). Episodes right before the season are the most fun, as we get to share all of our legit and bold (sometimes REALLY BOLD) predictions with you all. This week Zach had to do the speed round and get his covered first, but it worked out. Tune in to hear what team & player bold predictions we have, who we think will be having breakout seasons, and our thoughts on the effect Covid will have on this 2021 season. All of this, as Daniel is the only one to have a beer of the week this week since him and Scott wrap it up alone.

In The Neutral Zone Hockey Podcast

Episode 82 - 116 Straight Days Of Happiness

Hockey begins next week and we couldn't be more excited. The show started a little non-traditional, as we began recording right at the conclusion of the WJC Gold Medal game, which segwayed us into one of the most freezing cold takes from some angry Canadian fans. Tune is as we discuss: our choices to make the playoffs/SCF, who will turn it around after a down season, our picks for NHL Awards, and a surprisingly hotly debated topic that allows the NHL to offset revenue . All of that concluded with a couple of delicious local Beers of the Week! You do not want to miss this one! PS: Knight Knight, Canada.

Episode 81 - Brought To You By, Your Ad Here

Time has really flown by in 2020, we look up and it has been 3 weeks since we last recorded. The offseason has moved along much slower than normal, but thankfully we were blessed with the new Reverse Retro jerseys that were revealed. Thankfully more teams hit it out of the park than failed, so tune in a hear how we rank our Top & Bottom 3 jerseys that were revealed. Also tune in to hear if the Dumba rumors will finally give way, transactions that have taken place, and the weird ending to a well known defenseman's career. All of this as Zach and Daniel each enjoy some very delicious Barrel-Aged brews.

Episode 78 - How Retro Can You Go

It took 77 episodes, but we finally had a guest that wasn't Zach or Dave and it was fantastic. Colin Mulvey, former ECHL and German Hockey League man rocket joined us on the show tonight and it couldn't have went better. Listen in as we get to hear some great stories of Colin's journey in professional hockey, as well as his endeavors afterwards. We ask him the most ITNZ style questions and he rolled with the punches, then caught us all by surprise and the end with one of his own. Thanks again Colin for joining us and can't wait to have you on again. Please also check out Colin's premium underwear company, Vora Style, at: https://vora.style/

Episode 77 - Covered Wagons Featuring Colin Mulvey

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, except for cap space. The Golden Knights acquired the top defenseman on the market (a position of need), but at what cost (and we do not mean just his cap)? After a fantastic expansion draft and the deal/signing for Mark Stone, VGK has done nothing but put themselves in a world of trouble. Tune is as we discuss (Zach laughs) this situation in Vegas, why Taylor Hall's short term deal was a good one, the rest of the FA news, and an in depth look at the Lias Andersson deal. All of this, as Daniel enjoys one of the most interesting and delectable brews ever on the podcast.

Episode 75 - The House Always Wins... Or Does It?

After many months of speculation and rumors, the NHL Draft finally brought us the answers, most of which were pretty predictable. Predictability did not come without some surprises, especially the most off the board pick seen in a while, and it was not Minnesota making this selection. But never fear, they did go ahead and ship off two more solid pieces to get peanuts back in return. Join us for our longest episode yet, as we cover: an in depth Round 1 review, a slew of trades/re-signings made in the last week, and speculation on The King's next home. All of this as Daniel enjoys another brew from Arrow Lodge, but does a terrible job communicating the quality, and the Wild end up as the butt end of another rating scale.

Episode 74 - A New King In New York

2020 has been a real mother fucker, but what these NHL players just did for 60+ days to deliver us an amazing postseason and Stanley Cup Final cannot be understated. All of the participating players, coaches, staff, and NHL personnel deserve a hats off for doing this right. Listen in as we cover the Stanley Cup Final & some awesome tid-bits from the series, The King getting bought out, some trades/rumors/team announcements, and a 3 way soapbox moment supporting the commitment these teams just made in search of a Stanley Cup. All of this as Aleks, Zach, and Daniel each discuss their delicious brews that they would dump for future considerations.

Episode 73 - No Asterisk Needed

Zach and Daniel held down the fort this week. Makes it easy when this episode begins with our boy RGM delivering on a promise. The fun did not stop there, as we ran through the NHL Awards (and some of the dumb voting decisions), had an in depth discussion on the Stanley Cup Finals, and got to discuss Minnesota's continued front office stupidity. All of this as Zach and Daniel both consume some delicious brews and give a nice deserved shoutout to our favorite brewery, Great Notion.

Episode 72 - Awards In All Shapes & Sizes

Vegas made their way to the Western Conference Finals again, but the dreary (White)clouds of postseason failure crept up and snatched away hope again, as the new Stars of Dallas shined brightly. Anton "Dobby" Khudobin emerged from the Chamber of Backup Goaltending and became free to roam the crease for Dallas, which leads them to their first Stanley Cup Final since 2000. Tune is as we discuss the Stars' domination in the WCF, the next steps for a few of the Conference Final competitors, some outlandish playoffs tidbits, and the continuous circus of a front office in Minnesota. All of this, as Zach and Daniel sip on a couple of deliciously smooth brews from breweries neither have tried.

Episode 71 - Curtain Call In Vegas

Aleks was so happy to get Episode 70 started, that he set the tone for the entire podcast without even knowing it, since the stream did not mute him during the intro. It didn't stop there as we continued down tangents and rabbit holes making this one of the more interesting episodes. Eventually we got to the important hockey items we needed to cover like: the upcoming musical chairs of UFA goalies, Kyle Clifford's social media omissions, Round 2 recap, and our Conference Finals predictions. All of this while sucking down a delightfully fruity smoothie sour, brewed by LCB brewing out of Tehachapi, CA. Tune into the madness.

Episode 70 - As The Old Adage Goes...

Another week, another podcast with ONLY 3 of us, as Scott now has computer issues. Good thing is that the issue he faces is not as large as the ones that the city and organization of Boston has to deal with. Listen as we address the uncertain future of the Bruins, along with: the ongoing playoff updates, the aftermath of Sidney yanking his Crosby, and the upcoming cap space for the LA Kings. All of this, as Daniel sips on a nostalgicly inspired beer that gets rated on the better side of the Wahlberg rating scale.

Episode 69 - The Worst Ritchie-Round Ever

We know how Marc-Andre Fleury feels, getting stabbed in the back, as Aleks has deserted us for the night. But never fear, tune in as Scott, Zach, and Daniel answer some tough questions about Carey Price, Kyle Connor, and the trade of Kasperi Kapanen. The only thing crazier than Jim Rutherford at the helm in Pittsburgh, is the large smiley face Zach shaved into his chest hair for an order of 50 chicken nuggets. If you don't wanna miss that (you don't), head over to our YouTube channel and check it out. Some awesome enhancements are coming to ITNZ and we can't wait to show you. Somehow we forgot to do our ranking system for the Beer of the Week, but the Pink Guava milkshake IPA from Barrier Brewing was definitely 8.5 MAF agent social media posts out of 10.

Episode 68 - He's Only 22!!

As you may have seen in the announcement last week, Zach has officially joined In The Neutral Zone and we are glad to have him aboard. Join us as we tackle a handful of listener questions that deal with some notable teams getting bounced from the play-in round, unemployed coaches finding work, some playoff surprises, and if there is permission for someone to execute Mike Matheson. Once we get through these great questions, diabetic Bob Ross joins us on the live stream to help us analyze the Round One series' so far, the LA Kings AHL Head Coach hiring, and the delicious collab Beer of the Week from Stone Brewing & Modern Times. We would also like to give our condolences to the Hawerchuk family, as Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk passed away after his long bout with cancer. RIP Ducky.

Episode 67 - Tuuka Bursts The Bubble

The cities of Toronto and Edmonton both will be hosting NHL Playoffs, but neither of their teams will be participating in them. That is so Oilers/Maple Leafs. The first round is set and we were blessed with an absolute goaltending clinic on the first day of playoffs, in a 5 OT marathon. Join us and our guest, Zach from We Are Los Angeles Hockey Podcast, as we discuss this amazing opening game, our thoughts on the series (play-in and present), stars that need to shine brighter in the coming series, and the staying power of a young Flyers team. All of this, plus Zach gets up on his soapbox, before I review my beer of the week from Beachwood. Enjoy this marathon of our own.

Episode 66 - KorpisalOMG

Disclaimer: The rust spilled over to recording, as Daniel had volume on his computer up since his headset was dead, so we apologize for the slight echo. Headphones were found for next episode. Hockey is finally back and so is In The Neutral Zone! 2020 has been surreal for all of us and now we get to sit back and enjoy the craziness of a new NHL postseason scenario that will take place in 2 hub cities, with 24 teams, and hockey on tv for 12+ hours a day. The attendance at these games is more reminiscent of a trip to the Honda Center, but the spectacle and intensity seem to be just like the playoff hockey we know and love… unless you are a Rangers fan. In our return we discuss the NHL's 32nd franchise being awarded, the 1st round matchups so far, and (surprise) another "borderline" decision by Matthew Tkachuk. Get your headphones, face covering, and take a walk while you enjoy the episode (or sit on your ass in your house like you have been for 4 months). And don't forget to grab your own "Beer of the Week", as Daniel snags a tropical IPA from a local brewery in Bakersfield, Temblor Brewing.

Episode 65 - Bubble Hockey

In The Neutral Zone was hatched as an idea by Aleks, Scott, and Daniel when we all decided that we talk hockey all night on Xbox, why don’t we get some equipment and make it into a podcast. This idea came about in early June 2018 and quickly came to fruition. Although we are all from Southern California and big Kings fans, we are all huge HOCKEY fans first. We keep our opinions unbiased (for the most part) and we will discuss the following: - NHL News (rumors, trades, free agency, etc.) - Fantasy Hockey - NHL Draft (preview/predictions/recap) - ALL things NHL - Kings News (needs, targets, rumors, etc.) - And even a beer of the week! Although we are doing this for fun, we are hoping to be able to gain a following and get even more people to enjoy our blabbering (there will be a lot of it).

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In The Neutral Zone Hockey Podcast

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