The Point is a lively entry in ESPN’s NHL programming lineup. Serving as the de facto pregame show for the network’s NHL game coverage, the program provides a complete and cohesive look at upcoming games—heightened by the intense NHL playoff action.
I really like this group of hosts. P.K. Subban has become the most recognizable NHL analyst on television, with stints on other ESPN shows such as First Take. Equal parts sarcastic, bombastic, and enthusiastic, he is a real kick to watch. Mark Messier brings the same leadership, authority, presence, and intensity to the broadcast that he did as a Hall of Fame player. He knows the game inside out and has experience winning at the highest level, with six Stanley Cup titles on his résumé. Steve Levy is TV-likable to the hilt. He energizes every conversation and promotes a fun, conversational exchange. For Levy, it’s not about “listen to me talk.” It is about “let’s all talk together.”
I checked out the May 6 edition of The Point where Levy opened the show with video of Hurricanes and Capitals players entering Capital One Arena in D.C. before Game 1 of their series. Before the panelists even got on screen, discussion moved to the Oilers at Golden Knights playoff matchup slated for later that evening.
In a twist, the video turned to clips of Hockey Hall of Famer Chris Pronger, who would be joining regulars Levy, Messier, and Subban in studio. Across the sports landscape, networks often bring in guest analysts during the postseason. Pronger was a welcome addition to this edition of The Point.
Embracing The Former Player Perspective
The Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman had 157 goals and 541 assists in 18 NHL seasons, and won a Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007. Pronger was known as one of the toughest players in the NHL. With him and the equally tough Messier on set, a brawl could have broken out at any time!
Pronger jumped right into the discussion, boldly predicting a Toronto vs. Dallas Stanley Cup Final. Subban boasted that if the Leafs made the Finals, he would wear an Auston Matthews jersey on set. Levy came right back saying, “Big deal, get a tattoo of Auston Matthews!” All four panelists then chimed in as the show cut to video of Pronger and Subban fighting with each other during their playing days. Interestingly enough, it was Messier who handed Pronger his Hart Trophy as the NHL’s MVP in 1999–2000.
The connections between these three players made for some interesting chit-chat throughout the show. The quick-hitting Post to Post segment gave a look at the night’s games, then cut to graphics with the betting lines for both the Carolina–Washington and Edmonton–Vegas matchups. Messier gave a nice analysis of Canes vs. Caps, saying that the game might come down to Carolina’s speed vs. Washington’s strength.
Speaking of strength, Subban’s is actually more about listening than talking. He takes in the others’ points and waits for a moment to pounce on a topic. He is all about hot takes and exciting commentary, while Pronger provided a nice complement with a quiet, basic, and analytical style.
Emily Kaplan Brings The Goods
While the team of Subban, Messier, Levy, and Pronger were excellent, the strength of The Point comes from reporter Emily Kaplan. Whether outside the locker room or in the arena, Kaplan is the best sideline reporter in the four major sports today. She has a cerebral style while asking pertinent and pointed questions. On this program, she provided a nice pregame interview with Dmitry Orlov of Carolina. Kaplan is concise, quick-thinking, always prepared, and never wastes airtime with frivolous questions. She gets to the point and doles out details.
As the show progressed, the quartet of analysts reviewed the hit that Florida’s Sam Bennett laid on Toronto goalie Anthony Stolarz in Game 1 of their series. The segment also featured soundbites from both teams’ head coaches talking about the play. This is one of the real plusses of The Point. While the studio stuff is stellar, the fine production team augments the show with video clips, graphics, and soundbites—making for a really well-rounded program. Pronger said that it wasn’t so much the play itself, but the fact that no penalty was called on the play that surprised him. For this segment, Levy also brought in the astute Dave Jackson, ESPN’s NHL Rules Analyst, who refereed over 1,600 games in the NHL during his officiating career.
The steadying force on The Point is Messier. One of the greatest and most decorated players in the history of the game, he expertly pinpoints subtle plays and moves that make a difference. Subban also provides telling points in his analysis, at one point saying that defensemen need to use their sticks to defend superstar scorers. The graphics and bumps in and out of breaks give the show vibrant color and context.
Kaplan interviewed Washington center Dylan Strome at ice level just a few minutes before the opening faceoff. It is in these interviews that you can see how much players respect Kaplan. Often in these moments, players seem disinterested, preoccupied, and even resentful—but Strome gave Kaplan his undivided attention even though game time was fast approaching. Kaplan also chatted with Levy and the studio crew, offering reports on the latest news in the NHL.
A Puck-Tacular Pregame For Hockey Fans
Airing live before games, The Point is a bastion for breaking news. On this edition, Levy reported that Vegas center Pavel Dorofeyev would not play vs. Edmonton due to an undisclosed injury. Levy originally made his bones at ESPN as a SportsCenter anchor and remains the glibbest personality at the network—just a pleasure to watch. He is a seasoned pro. This was evidenced when there was a technical glitch in throwing to reporter Stormy Buonantony in Vegas. Levy effortlessly forged ahead, striking up a conversation with the studio analysts.
When the crew was able to reconnect with Buonantony, she provided excellent analysis and intel on how the Golden Knights would compensate for losing Dorofeyev. Clearly doing her pregame homework and due diligence, Buonantony related comments from Vegas head coach Bruce Cassidy on his overall strategy for Game 1 versus the Oilers. Buonantony filed a solid and strong report, and is definitely a bright, rising talent on the ESPN horizon.
Such talent is what sets The Point apart from other NHL pregame fare. It is a fact-packed prelude to ESPN’s game coverage and digs deep into the corners—covering the fun, fanfare, and fights of the NHL postseason. The show’s stars are marked by personable ebullience and palpable experience, which result in pure excellence.
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John Molori is a weekly columnist for Barrett Sports Media. He has previously contributed to ESPNW, Patriots Football Weekly, Golf Content Network, Methuen Life Magazine, and wrote a syndicated Media Blitz column in the New England region, which was published by numerous outlets including The Boston Metro, Providence Journal, Lowell Sun, and the Eagle-Tribune. His career also includes fourteen years in television as a News and Sports Reporter, Host, Producer working for Continental Cablevision, MediaOne, and AT&T. He can be reached on Twitter @MoloriMedia.
What a puff piece probably commissioned by ESPN PR. Hockey fans knew Dorofeyev would be out hours before the show came on. Nothing special about the show that Sportsnet, TSN, or TNT already do.