Underdog Hockey Pod Underdog Hockey Pod

In today's episode, the boys talk discuss the 5th consecutive Game 7 choke job by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs, this time to their dreaded rival - the Montreal Canadiens. How fitting this is Episode 34 - that's Auston Matthews' number (who did nothing all series) as well as how much Toronto's top 3 players make per season, combined (Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares).

We recap the other first round matchups, and talk about the second round series that have already begun. Colorado spanked Vegas in game one - Nathan Mackinnon is on another level, and Ryan Reaves commits a felony. Evander Kane... we won't even get into that.

Seth Jones wants out of Columbus. Where will one of the biggest name defenders around end up going this offseason?

Lastly, why won't the New York Islanders beat the Boston Bruins? "I just have a feeling this is the end"

Listen in, please rate, review, follow us on social media @underdoghockeypod on Instagram and @underdoghockey on Twitter.

This boys give an in-depth perspective of the two playoff series in the Scotia North Division.

For the first time since 1993, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens face off in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs! This original 6 rivalry has never lacked intensity, but it will surely ramp up come playoff time. Will the Leafs be able to adapt to the physical matchup that has been their downfall over the past few playoff seasons? Will the Habs be healthy enough to put up a fight? 2 of our analysts think les habitants will take this one, listen in to find out their reasons!

The Connor McDavid-led Edmonton Oilers will try to make some noise in these playoffs after his nearly 2 point-per-game pace during the regular season. Will the Winnipeg Jets be able to slow him down enough to come out on top? The Oil have lacked offensive depth for years, and this year is no difference. Despite having the top 2 scoring leaders during the regular season, McJesus, and his righthand man Leon Draisaitl, contributed 35% of the teams goals on the entire season, and McDavid had points on 52% of all of the goals scored by the Oilers! Absolutely insane stats that highlight the steep drop off in offensive depth the roster possesses. Will Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Connor Hellebuyck, and the rest of the Jets be able to come out on top utilizing their offensive depth and stellar goaltending? Listen in the hear what the guys think! 

More divisional playoff matchup analyses to come!

This boys give an in-depth perspective of the two NHL Stanley Cup playoff series in the Discover Central Division.

The Carolina Hurricanes managed to snag first in the division, over the powerhouses in Tampa and Florida, and will have the fortune of facing off against the Nashville Predators, who made the playoffs solely off of great goaltending and the fact that the Dallas Stars were too injured to perform this season. The boys break down the series and Kurt explains why he thinks Nashville will win it.

Probably the most anticipated playoff series this year (top 2 at worst), the battle of Florida! These two teams have never faced each other in the Stanley Cup Playoffs before, and this year they are each coming in with rosters boasting high-powered offence, top tier goaltending, and lots and lots of grit! These two teams absolutely hate each other and the last 2 regular season meetings were a war. It should be interesting to see how well Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos do after missing significant time (Kuch missed the entire season), and the all-Russian goaltending matchup of Andrei Vasilevskiy vs Sergei Bobrovsky makes for plenty of interesting storylines. 

More divisional playoff matchup analyses to come!

This boys give an in-depth perspective of the two playoff series in the Honda West Division.

It took until game 56, but the Colorado Avalanche managed to steal first place in the division and the Presidents' Trophy from the Vegas Golden Knights. It feels like this is the year for Nathan Mackinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar to take their game to another level. The St. Louis Blues will be in tough, even though we don't believe they are as bad as the final standings indicate. Will Ryan O'Reilly, David Perron, and Jordan Binnington have an answer for the firepower of the Avs?

Also, the Vegas Golden Knights have to face off against the Minnesotra Wild. This was a heavy, physical series during the regular season with the upstart Wild taking the season series with a 5-1-2 record. It should be exciting to watch Kaprizov in his first Stanley Cup Playoffs, but he and the Wild will be in tough against an experienced Vegas roster.

More divisional playoff matchup analyses to come!

This boys give an in-depth perspective of the two playoff series in the MassMutual East Division. 



How will the Washington Capitals fair against the Boston Bruins? Zdeno Chara's first playoff series again his old team, the health of Alex Ovechkin, TJ Oshie, Tom Wilson and more are broken down.

Also, how will the sliding New York Islanders match up against Sidney Crosby and the surging Pittsburgh Penguins? Did you know Mat Barzal led the Isles in points and penalty minutes this year?

More divisional playoff matchup analyses to come!

The boys discuss all of the current goings on in the NHL, including the Tom Wilson - Artemi Panarin - Department of Player Safety - New York Rangers - George Parros incident, "The Code" in hockey, Connor McDavid's unbelievable season, Michael Houser coming in and going undefeated against Kurt's team, as well as our nominations for the biggest surprise teams and biggest disappointments.