Matthew Schaefer Series 2 Chase Is On + The Buffalo Sabres Are for Real

Doug Plagens comes to you from the road in Seattle as the big story across the NHL is the incredible surge of the Buffalo Sabres. This isn't just a hot streak; the Sabres have matured into a physical, high-scoring force in the Atlantic Division that refuses to be pushed around, as evidenced by their wild eight-to-seven battle with the Tampa Bay Lightning. We break down why the hobby is finally catching up to Buffalo's success, with deep dives into the rising markets for Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin, plus a look at why Josh Doan is the high-ceiling rookie you should be buying before his price follows his goal-scoring trajectory. The hobby world is currently dominated by the release of Upper Deck Series 2 and the unprecedented hunt for Matthew Schaefer Young Guns. Doug discusses his shift in strategy for this release, explaining why the "Schaefer Chase" makes retail formats like blasters, megas, and tins more appealing than ever for collectors who want a seat at the table without the massive cost of Islanders breaks. We also look at the depth of this year's checklist, featuring names like Michael Misa and Ryan Ufko that ensure you’re pulling value even if you don't hit the big Islander chase card. The Hart Trophy race is also reaching a fever pitch as Nikita Kucherov continues to put up historic, video-game numbers for the Lightning. With 74 points in his last 38 games, Kucherov is forcing a conversation that even Nathan McKinnon and Macklin Celebrini can’t ignore, and his card market is finally reflecting his status as an all-time great. We round out the episode with our Hobby 3 Stars featuring Kirill Kaprizov and Matthew Tkachuk, a prospect check-in on Isak Rossean and Vili Koivinen, and a Value Vintage Pick of Hall of Famer Harry Lumley before ripping into an SP blaster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices