Shep and Sean are back, diving headfirst into the Stanley Cup Finals drama. They break down Edmonton’s Game 3 meltdown, Florida’s relentless style of play, and why trying to “out-Panther the Panthers” is a losing strategy. From splitting up McDavid and Draisaitl to Skinner’s struggles and dumb penalties, the Oilers’ implosion gets a thorough inspection.

The conversation pivots to Detroit sports with a strong critique of Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman’s progress and tough questions about the team’s future. Should the Wings trade Lucas Raymond for a shot at the #1 draft pick? Are there truly any “special” players in Detroit’s pipeline? Sean and Shep go deep on what "success" really means—and why excuses won’t cut it anymore.

The guys also talk Tigers' surprising surge, roster gaps that still need to be addressed, and how trade deadline decisions could define the summer. Plus: thoughts on access and overreach in sports media, NBA vs. NHL culture, mic’d-up players, and a story about getting invited into Scotty Bowman’s inner sanctum.

In this episode of Shep & Sean, Matt Shepard and Sean Baligian kick things off with personal reflections on Memorial Day and the “Greatest Generation,” weaving in stories inspired by Band of Brothers. From there, they pivot to the NHL playoff rematch between the Oilers and Panthers—marveling at Stuart Skinner’s resurgence and the Panthers’ offense—before turning to Detroit Tigers baseball. You’ll hear an in-depth recap of Saturday’s extra-innings loss, Tarek Skubal’s first career complete-game shutout, and a debate on what it all means for the Tigers’ 35–20 campaign and Skubal’s future contract. Tune in for insights, anecdotes, and unfiltered takes on Detroit sports.

Matt Shepard and Sean Baligian kick off this episode by unpacking the Toronto Maple Leafs’ latest game seven collapse at the hands of the Florida Panthers, debating whether the “soft” moniker sticks to a star-laden roster under playoff pressure. They then pivot to Detroit’s own sweet spot as the Tigers roar to the top of the MLB with breakout performances from Spencer Torkelson, Javier Baez, and Akil Baddoo, dissecting how the bullpen and lineup chemistry have fueled their surge. Along the way, Matt and Sean draw lessons from the Orioles and White Sox rebuilds, weigh in on salary caps and cost certainty across pro sports, and share behind-the-scenes locker-room tales that reveal what it truly takes to win when it matters most. Tune in for candid takes, big-league stories, and the grit behind the game.