Playoff Underdog

[NJ Panther]

Player Poll: Who will be top underdog of playoffs?The Hockey News

 

 

If the New Jersey Devils secure a playoff berth, beating them in the postseason will be no easy feat.

 

 

That's the verdict of NHL players who collectively tabbed the Devils as the underdog team that has the best chance in the playoffs. In a poll of 30 players, one from each team, eight (27 percent) named New Jersey as the NHL's top underdog of the playoffs.

 

 

Edmonton was close behind with seven votes (23 percent), while Montreal finished in third with four (14 percent).

 

Several players pointed to New Jersey's playoff experience and goalie Martin Brodeur as significant pluses for the Devils.

 

 

"They've been there before with Brodeur," Detroit goalie Chris Osgood said. "They'd be the team nobody wants to play."

 

 

Edmonton got the nod from Montreal defenseman Sheldon Souray. "They have a lot of playoff experience," he said. "They're built for the new rules."

 

 

Here are the results from each team. Players were not allowed to name their own team and some respondents asked to remain anonymous.