Mike Francesa reveals NHL playoff source after viral clip

sports entertainment

by Ryan Glaspiegel

Mike Francesa said he doesn't use random fans from country clubs as proxies for hockey analysis.

Early Monday morning, the X account BackAftaThis, a longtime Francesa chronicler who has managed to remain anonymous since starting his account in 2017, posted a clip of the former WFAN host talking about the NHL playoffs on his podcast BetRivers. .

In the excerpt, Francesa admitted that he hasn't watched much hockey this season, but that he played golf last week “with some of my hockey buddies that I rely on.”

“They told me they had no problem with the Rangers playing Washington. They said Washington shouldn't even be in the playoffs,” Francesa said, adding that this He emphasized what was told to him before the first match.

The Rangers were favored Sunday after defeating the Capitals 4-1 in Game 1 of a best-of-seven series.

He later said: “They loved the Hurricanes. They thought the Islanders had little chance against the Hurricanes, and they thought the Hurricanes had a great chance to beat the Rangers. They also really liked the Florida Panthers. And in the West, I really liked Edmonton.”

BackAftaThis poked fun at this method of analysis.

“Mike Francesa doesn't watch the NHL. Luckily, his golf buddies do. Here's a preview of the Stanley Cup Playoffs from random people at his country club,” the account says to accompany the video clip. he wrote in a tweet.

Francesa, who rarely responds to internet chatter about his content, insisted the comments were not the result of an intruder.

“To those who are foolish enough to think I have conveyed a businessman's view of hockey,” Francesa wrote in Monday afternoon's X magazine. “These words of wisdom come from nearly 30 years of NHL experience.”

The Rangers will host the Capitals in Game 2 on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.