OverDrive - Strudwick on McDavid's tough beginning, the injury impact and the Oilers and Ducks' series

Episode Date: April 23, 2026

Got Yer Back Podcast Host Jason Strudwick joined OverDrive to discuss the Oilers' performance against the Ducks, Connor McDavid's cold start to the playoffs, McDavid's injury in Game 2, Ottawa aiming for a comeback against Carolina in the first round and more.

Right now. The hair is crazy. Okay, right now, just money on the table. Yeah. Jason Strudwick's hair or Mark Davis's hair on your salad right now. Struddies. Give me Strud. Are you sure?

Yes. I wouldn't take Strud's hair over anyone else's. Even Mark Davis's? You do have Mark Davis's hair on your hair right now. I want Mark Davis's hair over struts. Okay. Here he is. The Got Your Back podcast host.

Yes. Oilers alumni. Jason Strudwick joining us here in the Maple Toyota Hotline. What's up, Struddy? Not much. You know what? It's funny. I just talked to a friend. A friend of mine got a hair transplant. And he's not telling anyone. And I saw him. I'm like, I didn't say anything because I wanted to hold it over. But like, what do you think people aren't going to notice? You know what I mean? Like,

it is like, it is, it's like he took a rug and put it on his head. And it looks good. Like, I'm like, well, you guys should do it. But he doesn't want anyone to know. He told our other buddy. I'm like, well, everyone can tell. We can all. What did he do? Hide in his basement for a month? I don't know. He's walking around. He's strutting around like a peacock, he's all proud, and I get it. But, I mean, you can't hide that. It's not like you, you know, I don't have got a tattoo on your back like noodles did.

That bad tattoo he had for years. You're right, though, man. Hair, like, to go from really thinning slash your ball, you have no hair, to just a crazy hairstyle. Like, Struddy trying to get some camera time with Billy Ranford. Yeah, what were you doing last night? You were all over hockey night. Well, it was, it was, you know, a foundational player.

night night so me Billy Ransford and was Gratsky up there they were going to do me

after the first overtime intermission we'll get you next time we'll get you next time but yeah Billy he was in there he had a really good goalie I think

noodles you bottled your game after him I think but a little bit of that he was good that's the difference so Bairdranford was really good yeah he was

Struddy what did you make at the game like where are you at with the series I know there's a lot of talk about McDavid. There's a lot of talk about, again, six goals. And I love Euler fans all over me, being concerned that a lot of times five or six goals go in the net, like I'm some kind of moron.

Well, it happened again last night, so where are you at with the series? Yeah, you know what? It's crazy. I think both teams should feel optimistic about their chances in the game three. And I think it's ironically for the same reason for both teams. You know, like if you're Anaheim, you shut down McDavid, Bouchard, and the owner's power play, and if you're the other, they're like, well, those three guys,

those three areas of the orders have even got into it yet. And then, you know, some of the plays you're looking at, you know, on the penalty killed orders are minus four on the power play, right? So they've given up three on the power play. And then the short-hand last night that, you know, McDavid misread or whatever you want to

call it, throws it backwards, and then it doesn't react properly. He could have put a stick in the pass thing. It just passes, boom, and Palin gets an easy redirection. So, you know, I think that those elements of the the game for the elders are huge. They're really important. You know, O'Dag, you know, if you're on the

power playing, you're not going, it bleeds into your 5-on-5. And as a family kill, I just loved it when I saw Power Play guys crying because that meant I was in their head, and they were going to be suffering five-on-five. So I think those are the same areas that both groups are really going to focus on heading into this next game. So, Strad, you talk about both sides because I think Lost in all this is Anaheim deserves some credit

because they played well and their young kids. You can see they're a very talented, young team with a lot of confidence. But if you had to circle a couple things, is it as simple as, you know, 97 and maybe number two, Bouchard have to get going, like their key cornerstone guys, have to play better for them to insert their will more into this series? Well, I think it's slightly different for each one.

I think with Bouchard, I just don't think that he's kind of emotionally committed into it. He looks like he's hanging on the puck a little too long, time a little too risky. and he does do that. And he's fired up 95 points this year. But this Ducks team is really pressuring him, putting pressure, or trying to make him cough it up.

And he's, you know, it's happening. So he's got to move that back a little quicker. With 97, I see a player just trying to do too much. You know, there was,

I think, three times last night, a once on the power play where he just gets all that speed coming into his own and takes on two D men, tries to split them, then just shoots it from the top of circle.

You know, he's a really good player, but those are fairly low, quality chances he's taking there. He just wants it so bad and it seems like he's playing really mad right now and not, there's difference between mad and intense. Mad is you're just raging

at everything. Intense means you're in your flow zone but you're still on it and playing intense. I like one of his teammates to pull over and say, hey buddy, you take a deep breath here and I think back to when Taze was confronted by Brent Seabrook in the penalty box against the Bruins and the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Taze was all over the place. Brent Seabberg went over and talked to him and after that, Kay's kind of found his game. I think the same thing needs to be down with Connor. Like, buddy, we're all here to help you. And I think some of the times when he's pressing so hard, so hard, you know, he's fumbling pucks, he doesn't normally fumble, missing passes if he doesn't normally

do, I think he just wants it too badly. So I think someone has to get to him, and it could be a dry saddle, Hyman, and I'm not, maybe I'm talking off ice, take him, take him for a walk or anything down in, down in Imeheim. Yeah, it reminds me of overtime in that gold medal game, right?

where he just he tried to he won on three and he's like I'm doing this I'm scoring I'm going to get us this gold medal this is my moment and honestly even like after the turnover last night apples to oranges clearly but he kind of

let up and the body language and the same thing in overtime he kind of let up and all of a sudden it's in your net you're like man what are we doing here yeah and maybe Brian that's like the greatest player in the game but that's something he's got to change in his own game where it just as good as you are, it cannot be a one-man show,

and then whatever happens after that. You know what I mean? Like, just because you're the greatest player in the world doesn't mean you can't yourself make some adjustments as far as those details. Oh, absolutely. And I think that's a bit of self-awareness, but sometimes we're in that fight,

you don't see that in yourself. So that's where, you know, a teammate, I think, has to just talk to them. It can't be the fourth-line guy, right? It has to be, you know, Hyman's a very calm voice. That combs someone's a respect in that room. as is Leon, but just to say, hey, take a deep breath. Let us help you here.

Because Leon's line's going really well. You know, Dickinson scores two goals the other night. Now I'm not sure when he'll be back, but there are good things happening out there with this team. And, you know, McDavid's line needs to get on, get on, get going. Were you concerned, like when you saw him, I mean, you're live in the building. The injury looked weird. And then he was testing it. And, you know, he still played, like Hayes said, he played 24 minutes.

but did his game look different after that? Like I thought he wasn't doing a lot of like stopback plays. He wasn't doing a lot of like edge work plays. There was a lot of skating and he had his speed, but did he have his agility? Is that something that would be concerning for you moving forward? Well, I am. And this is what, you know, whether it's, it looks like it's his ankle.

And we've all had, we all tweaked our ankle at some point. And the agility piece you're talking about, that's when it can grab you. And it just feels like something grabs your ankle, right? and really slows you down. So even if it's a very minor one, it can still do that. It can still grab you in those various moments of the game.

So I think that he's going to play. Obviously, he's going to keep it going, but I have to monitor it. And then maybe, you know, this is an opportunity for him to move the puck a little quicker. But he won't do it all those. So move it quicker, find some quieter ice.

Because, you know, in the first, what, a period and a half of the game than in the first three periods, he's trying to take two and three guys on all the time. And the Ducks defenders are, you know, pretty good. You know, they've got some really good sticks. They've got to give Quinville & Company, Jay Woodcroft, former lawyer coach, you know, obviously he kind of know what's going on against your winners. So I think they're doing a good job, and you've got to recognize it,

and then adjust off of what they're doing to you as well. With Jason Strudwig, so when you consider what else is going on in Stanley Cup playoffs right now, it's been pretty wild strud. And, you know, a lot of focus clearly on Ottawa tonight, down 02. And needless to say, this is a must win for them. they've played well, but Nudels, you've pointed this out many times, it doesn't matter. It's not about playing well.

It's about finding a way to win. Where is your head at when it comes to predicting how that game might play out tonight in Ottawa? Well, it feels like a must winner. Like, they've got to get across the line, but I don't think the hurricanes really change your game too much. They play, you know, playoff hockey the whole season. And so when they get to the playoffs,

they just keep going and going and going. And, you know, a bit of a weird overtime sequence other night, but they get it done and ultimately they win the game. So, you know, actually, I'll give you a compliment. I saw your hit on Sportsnet or on SportsCow. Watch it there, Strud. Come on. I know you got, you work everywhere, but we only work at TSN here.

I saw you with, I think it was a Jay, and you were talking about Kachuk. And, like, I do love when he fight. Like, that fight was Stahl. I love that. And I love how Stahl kind of manhandle them for a guy that doesn't fight too much. But I just love two captives fighting like that. But I think it points about me, like they need him in the game and leading and being that, that kind of a brace of guy that he is and getting to that, making life uncomfortable for

those demons. So, yeah, I'm, this is a really interesting game for me. You know, it's your second year in the playoffs. You kind of know that now after you've been to it once. Well, exactly. Like, and they were down three-nuff into the Leafs last year. Yeah. And, but a couple overtime losses.

Well, the games have been close, but the thing is, is there's no moral victories in the playoffs that regardless of how you've arrived at, you know, at these games and, hey, we've played well, we feel we're right there. You're down two nothing, and this is the most important game. And you've wasted two, I didn't say waste, but you've left two unbelievable performances by your goaltender on the table. And if he's an average or below tonight, that concerns you. Trouble.

That's trouble. Yeah, trouble. What do you think of Buffalo on the road? You know, there was so much anticipation for what? what that building was going to look like through the first two games, and it was great in game one. It was much more quiet in game two because Boston kind of took over. Now they hit the road. And, you know, Lindy Ruff is not a matchup guy, you know, he's just going to kind of let them go out and play.

I haven't seen it. I'm assuming UPL's playing tonight. This is a big one for Buffalo. Like, I'm curious how they respond after a loss. They haven't played that great through two games. They found a way to win the first one strud, but it's a big difference. It's like you guys can speak to it. It's one thing to be at home and comfortable and feel great

and the crowd's going nuts. Now you're going in. That's a hostile environment, man. Big time. Boston will be ready to party tonight. Yeah, and I think, you know, this is a good test. And this is, you know, people talk about learning how to play in the playoffs and winning. Well, this is it.

And, you know, I'd always take great satisfaction any time going into an opponent's building and just outplaying them. Like, it's just a really good feeling. I love sending all those fans home sad. Now, it wasn't like I had had tricks to do that. But, you know, as a group, you try to push. the pace and to make that happen. You have to have that road warrior mentality and it's a cliche,

but I think it's true. You have to go in there and just compete all over the ice and just take what happens. You might get down or you might get up or it doesn't matter. I think this is those moments you talk about learning and growing as a team because it's just not the same. The playoffs are not even close to the same as the regular season. So I guess Steve Eisenman spoke today

down in Detroit and one of his quotes was we need better players. Thank you very much. That's a tough quote. There's got to be more context to that. We'll see if we can find it. Yeah, get the audio and we'll show it later if we'll try to bring it down again. I would say every team that's not in the playoffs would probably suggest the same thing. I know he's going to take heat because the answers will be, well, you've been the GM for seven years.

Isn't that your responsibility? Exactly. You've signed a lot of them. You've made a lot of the signings. But I don't think he's wrong. Like that probably is an accurate assessment. Sure. They need some better players.

Maybe they need some better depth. You know, oh, you talked about it. Yeah, like as good a player as Dylan Larkin is, if they were going to take the next step as an organization, he might be your second line centerman. Yeah. Like, you know what I mean? Like, that's what we're talking about here.

But where is that guy? Is it Austin Matthews? Like, that's the only way you're bringing in a guy to be better than Dylan Larkin. So that's what we're talking about here. There's so many teams like that. And I think it's an honest assessment. But the problem is, where are you going to get that guy that's so Dylan Larkins's your second-line centerman? Because that's what you would need to take that next step.

They just don't grow on trees, man. And what are you going to do about it? Everyone's looking for them, too, right? Yeah. And if you want to do the other thing where you're continuously looking to get bit pieces like the Leafs did back in the day where it was like, get Jonathan Bernier, get Phil Kessel, get this guy, get that guy, you're going to fall up short every time. You're just grasping at straws. And they've kind of been doing that.

Like get this guy, get that guy, bring Patrick Kane. And they're good at times, but you put it all together, and they're exactly where they are. So how are you going to make Dylan Larkin, your second-line centerman should be the main goal? It's almost impossible. But you're supposed to get that type of player when you're rebuilding. That's when you're supposed to add those type of guy to see the draft,

because it's hard to get them. They're not, they're just growing on trees ago, and they acquire a true number one center because I think Dylan Arkin is a lower end first line center. And so that puts him as an amazing second line center, right? Yes. Right.

But you just, who's the guy out there? Yeah, okay, I don't know, maybe Austin. I don't know, whatever, but not many. They're not just out there. You can find a fourth D man a lot easier than number one. So do you start again? I mean, that's pretty crazy. I get the better player quote,

but that's a lot to ask because that was the job the last seven years. And to add on that, they do have some kids coming in. That Finney kid's a good player. Like they do. The problem is, are these kids good enough like the Anaheim structure to push those players down? Like that's the, when you have good young, like what happened in Dallas, Jim Nill was masterful with it, right?

Because you still had Sagan and Ben, but by the time your team took that next level, got to the next level, they were on the third line. They were being pushed down because you brought in hints. because you brought in Robertson, you know, Wyatt Johnston, they've got that Maverick Bork there. You know, then you started adding players to that group. But that's what is going to have to happen in Detroit is if Larkin, if your team's going to get to the next level,

maybe Larkin gets pushed down by either somebody incumbent or again, you've got to go out and find them. And that's the biggest challenge. You're said than done. And Eisenman's got to stomach the idea of paying for it. Right. You look back on Quinn Hughes. We don't know what was offered and what was it.

But if it was just a free-for-all, if Vancouver said, give us your best offers. Yeah. And I know we're talking about forwards here, but Quinn Hughes is one of the very few players who is that good that became available. You just had to pay the price in stomach it. Is Eisenman willing to do that moving forward? Because Calgary needs better players. Vancouver needs better players. Toronto needs better players.

Seattle needs better players. Seattle needs better players. St. Louis. Like, they all need better players. Keep going down the line. So everyone, we've already, we've said it all year. I'm tired of saying it. There's not enough.

There's too many teams. It's watered down. You can't get them. There are guys. There are eight guys on every team that shouldn't be in the league. That's how many. You know what you got to do this summer? He's got to hope that a team is going to go scorched earth.

And you go, for example, if it's St. Louis to go, give me Thomas, give me Kyru, give me somebody like that. That's the only way you get better players. You got to pay a lot for that, right? But I said that guys last summer about, give me Brian Rust, give me Raquel, guys like that. And Pittsburgh didn't move those guys, and they're in the playoffs right now.

It's not going well for them, but they had a hell of a year. Yeah, that's right. Hell of a year. Would Patterson be an upgrade there? Elias Pedersen? He's not better than Larkin right now. I know. Talent-wise, he might be.

He was two years ago, but it's not anymore. Here's something crazy, though, Strata know. We just talked about Trevor Zegris and how the grass looks a little greener on the other side in Philly than it did in Anaheim. Now that was maturity in a different culture. Maybe Pedersen just needs a change of scenery. And he settles into a different environment.

That's a high-risk move, right? You might better shave a little bit of money off that too. I don't know. That's a pretty big. That's a bold move. It is. All right, Strud. For I think the 15th year in a row,

your Giants are picking in the top five tonight. And tough. Well, the last time we did it, we won a championship, but whatever. Don't worry about that. Don't worry about the facts. But we're, honestly, I hope we trade down. I would just keep trading down. So I have nothing but a pocketful of picks heading into the later in the first and the second and third.

Yeah, I like that. I love it. But we won't do it. I just, that's my fantasy, right? No, they'll take a running back or something. Yeah, you know they're going to screw that up. Are they as big a mess as any team in the NFL? The Jets are more of a mess, which saves them in the market.

It's crazy. The Patriots are fine other than their coach enjoying life a little too much. Outside of Rable. We bottomed out, I think, last year. This is the beginning of, but Scataboo, like, I don't trust him to last. He's not an every downback, in my opinion. He plays fairly risky, so does our quarterback start, so I'm a little bit worried. But, yeah, we're still trying to fix the offensive line.

That's been a 10-year project, right? It's like noodles getting in shape. It just never ends. One of these days. One of these days, Strud. 54-year project. By 60. Maybe by 60.

All right, buddy. We'll do it again soon. Thank you for joining us. There is. Jason Strudwick joining us here on the Maple Toyota Hotline. Red Tag days are here. Check out the Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Tundra pickup trucks, both available as hybrids.

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