Empty Netters Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode: Is Matthews Done In Toronto And It’s Go Time In Detroit w/ Dylan Larkin
Date: March 17, 2026
Hosts: Dan Powers, Evan, Chris (Almost Friday Media)
Special Guest: Dylan Larkin

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into several major topics in the hockey world: the sudden end of Auston Matthews’ season with a devastating knee injury and its ripple effects on the Toronto Maple Leafs, the shifting playoff races (especially in Detroit and LA), and a celebratory, detailed interview with Olympic gold medalist and Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin. Blending the classic camaraderie and banter of the Empty Netters trio, the episode features sharp analysis, plenty of memorable moments, and exclusive behind-the-scenes Olympic stories.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. Auston Matthews' Season-Ending Injury & Toronto’s Crisis

• Matthews’ MCL Injury: The episode opens with the breaking news that Auston Matthews has suffered a grade-3 MCL tear and is done for the season.
  • “Auston Matthews shut down for the season with an MCL injury.” (04:18)
• Impact and Suspension Fallout: Discussion on Radko Gudas’ 5-game suspension for the knee-on-knee that caused the injury.
  • Consensus is Gudas is an “edge” player, not a dirty one, but “the bloodlust is real” (07:14)
• Leafs’ Response & Mentality:
  • The hosts lament the Maple Leafs’ lack of response after Matthews’ injury, comparing their demoralization to a “whipped dog.”
  • “I think they see their captain get leg-checked and looks hurt and they’re like, Jesus, Austin’s hurt.” (10:04)
  • Reference to Ted Lasso: “We’re broken. We need to fix ourselves.” (08:53)
• Franchise at a Crossroads:
  • Losing Mitch Marner in free agency/trade and Matthews’ injury puts the team in full organizational crisis.
  • Speculation on Matthews’ future: “If Auston Matthews was a free agent at the end of this summer, I would bet he’d be gone.” (13:55)
  • Debate the timing/feasibility of trading Matthews and the market dynamics if he wants out.
• Notable Quote:
  • “...they’re just beaten down... they’re a whipped dog and they’re just tired.” (10:28)

2. NHL World Cup of Hockey Returns

• Announcement Details: The World Cup of Hockey will return in February 2028 in Calgary, Edmonton, and Prague.
  • “2028, February 2028… this will be the fourth World Cup of Hockey.” (16:38)
• Speculation on Teams: No confirmed list yet; hosts hope for Russia’s return, joke about a “Soviets” retro look.
• All-Star Format Frustration: Discussion about dead periods in non-Olympic years and possible replacements for the All-Star game.

3. LA Kings, Anze Kopitar, and the Wild Pacific Playoff Race

• Kopitar’s Man-of-the-Franchise Moment: Kopitar becomes LA’s all-time leading scorer, passing Marcel Dionne.
  • “...the number one points leader for the Los Angeles Kings…we already knew it. He’s the greatest king of all time…” (20:40)
• Pacific Playoff Picture:
  • Pacific teams’ low point totals compared to East; even division leaders wouldn’t make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
  • Kings’ slim playoff hopes and futility of the division (“The Ducks are in first with a –10 goal differential!”).
• Do-or-Die for LA: Emphasis on a must-win stretch for the Kings to push Kopitar into the playoffs one more time.
  • “That has to be the spark. That has to be the springboard. Fucking win at a 70% clip for the rest of the season and make playoffs.” (22:20)
• Notable Quote:
  • “What I find absolutely hysterical is not a single team in the Pacific cares… not a single team would be in the playoffs if they were in the East.” (23:00)

4. College Hockey Transitions & NHL Entry

• Cole Hutson to the Capitals: Praise for the incoming rookie defenseman and his offensive upside.
• Cole Eiserman to Islanders?: Heated debate—hosts want him called up now to ride the positive vibes and depth of the Islanders.

5. Detroit Red Wings: March Collapse Watch

• Recurring March Struggles:
  • “The Wings have a March problem…so far they’re 2 and 5 in March.” (33:11)
• Impact of Larkin’s Absence: Captain missing games hurts, but the hosts challenge the team’s mentality: “This cannot happen. It has to be mental.” (34:01)
• Playoff Race Context: The standings remain packed; Detroit could still climb, but Ottawa and Columbus are pushing from below.
• ‘Fraud Watch’ Callout: Hosts (half-jokingly) put the Red Wings “on Fraud Watch” as a motivational tactic—past calls have sparked win streaks.
• Outstanding Quote:
  • “Putting the Wings on Fraud Watch just means watch.” (37:13)

FEATURE INTERVIEW: Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings Captain, Team USA Olympic Gold Medalist)

[39:48–77:07]

Highlights & Memorable Moments

• Olympic Gold High Still Riding:
  • “Normal things that would bother me… I’ll go watch Jack’s goal and see the celebration on the ice and I’m just like right back to Cloud 10.” (40:35, Larkin)
• Four Nations & Team USA Brotherhood:
  • Intensity and togetherness set the tone months before Milan; Larkin, Chucks, Hughes boys, and others built instant chemistry—credit to Billy G’s leadership in keeping the group intact.
  • “I give the Tkachuks so much credit… they set everything up… they make everyone feel so important.” (46:35, Larkin)
• Olympic Village Stories:
  • Open-door card games, cafeteria hangouts (lava cakes, “Spumoni,” and legend-level inside jokes).
  • “We had prison deals going on for lava cakes at the Olympic Village…” (51:09)
• Pressure Games:
  • Most Nervous for Sweden Game: “This is the most nervous I've been for a game in a long time…” (52:26, Larkin)
  • Gold Medal Final vs. Canada: Near sleeplessness, “it was almost too much… Thank god it was a two o’ clock game.” (58:55, Larkin)
• On Jack Hughes’ Criticism and Redemption:
  • “He wanted the puck on his stick from the first minute of the first game and to make a statement...” (53:45)
• Describing Overtime Winner Sequence:
  • “I had the perfect view of it go right through his legs and in the net. And oh my God, it was… the quietness… it was shock…” (68:23, Larkin)
  • On the locker room celebration: “I probably yelled for 10 minutes straight after that with all the guys hugging…” (68:24)
• Jonathan Goudreau’s Family Moment:
  • “To bring his kids out there was really special and something… that’s bigger than a gold medal… they’ll have that memory… for the rest of their life.” (71:45–72:58)
• Takeaway on Team Bonding:
  • “The most special experience I’ve had… just being in the village, being with the guys—and then our group.” (74:43)
• Card Game Banter:
  • “I had a good day the last time we played [poker], so I was up on Helly…but I’m gonna let that one slide…” (76:16)
• Sign-off:
  • “You’re the best. Thanks for popping on… nice playoff game at LCA here, so let’s get going.” (76:59)

NCAA & Playoff Bubble Watch

• College to NHL Pipeline: Encouragement for teams to call up high-flying rookies; praise for the Islanders’ locker room as a nurturing environment.
• Playoff Standings Recap:
  • Tampa Bay’s rollercoaster form; possibility for Detroit to leapfrog teams but must hold off fast-charging Ottawa and Columbus.

Bachelor Party & Off-Ice Banter

[99:10+]

• Recap of “Glue Guy”’s Palm Springs bachelor party, poolside living, and the joy of communal sports betting (“Fight Cal!”).
• Affirmation: Best bachelor/ette parties are just a big house with friends, not clubbing, “He didn’t shower once—me and lox, never seen a shower.” (103:03)

Beer League Hotline: Playoff Forfeit Fiasco

[103:15–106:59]

• Call-in story: Both semifinalists get DQ’d for fielding ineligible players, finals becomes a rematch of the other semi.
• Host’s verdicts:
  • “If you pay, you play…minimum games played rule is the dumbest rule.” (104:06–104:53)
  • Consensus: Don’t snitch—“snitches get stitches… you reap what you sow.” (103:47)

Blind Rankings: Most Shocking Playoff Misses

[108:08+]

1. New Jersey Devils
2. Toronto Maple Leafs
3. Los Angeles Kings
4. New York Rangers
5. Washington Capitals

“Jets missing playoffs would be wild… President's Trophy, what are you doing?” (111:09)

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Auston Matthews shut down for the season with an MCL injury.”

  • Dan Powers, 04:18

• “We’re broken. We need to fix ourselves.”

  • Dan Powers, channeling Ted Lasso, 08:53

• “…they’re just beaten down... they’re a whipped dog and they’re just tired.”

  • Dan Powers, 10:28

• “That has to be the spark. That has to be the springboard. Fucking win at a 70% clip for the rest of the season and make playoffs.”

  • Evan, 22:20

• “Putting the Wings on Fraud Watch just means watch.”

  • Dan Powers, 37:15

• “If you pay, you play. If you are on the roster from day one, you can play zero games and still play in the playoff. It doesn’t fucking matter. Done. We’re done here.”

  • Dan Powers, 106:48

• Olympic Gold, Team USA: “Normal things that would bother me… I’ll go watch Jack’s goal and see the celebration on the ice and I’m just like right back to Cloud 10.”

  • Dylan Larkin, 40:35

• “I give the Tkachuks so much credit… they set everything up… they make everyone feel so important.”

  • Dylan Larkin, 46:35

• “To bring his kids out there was really special and something… that’s bigger than a gold medal…”

  • Dylan Larkin, 72:58

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Auston Matthews Injury / Leafs Crisis: 04:18–16:28
• World Cup of Hockey News: 16:38–20:33
• Kopitar & LA Kings / Pacific Division: 20:38–29:05
• College to NHL Transitions: 29:05–33:11
• Detroit Red Wings March Watch: 33:11–39:48
• Dylan Larkin Interview: 39:48–77:07
• Beer League Hotline: 103:15–106:59
• Playoff Miss Blind Rankings: 108:08–111:14

Podcast Tone & Vibe

True to Empty Netters energy: irreverent, brotherly banter, sharp hockey analysis with a side of pop culture (Oscars talk), and plenty of behind-the-scenes insight. Speakers are blunt, humorous, and passionate about their hockey takes, balanced by genuine admiration for players like Dylan Larkin and their own brand of “tough love.”

Conclusion

This episode offers a packed, high-energy ride through the most pressing stories of the NHL playoff race, deeply analyzes the Toronto and Detroit crises, celebrates Kopitar and Larkin’s legacy moments, and delivers a heartwarming, hilarious Olympic gold chat with Larkin—all threaded together by the unique Empty Netters chemistry. Perfect for listeners seeking insight, authenticity, and a lot of laughter.