Top 5 underrated D-men of the playoffs

Much of the 2017 postseason chatter has been dominated by the play of defensive wizards such as Erik Karlsson or P.K. Subban, and for good reason - they've been beasting at both ends of the rink.

However, a group of lesser-known rearguards are carving out a name for themselves as well.

Here's a look at five D-men that deserve a lot more credit than they're currently receiving.

Ryan Ellis - Nashville Predators

The grizzly beard aside, it's been a pretty solid spring for Ryan Ellis.

An underrated stellar regular season has translated into more of the same, as the former 11th overall draft pick is having a postseason to remember.

The Nashville defenseman is coming off a benchmark year in which he posted a career-high in goals (16) and tied his career-high in assists (22).

The 26-year-old, believe it or not, currently paces the league in playoff scoring by defensemen with nine points - some dude named Erik has eight.

Ellis is one of the major reasons the Predators have the St.Louis Blues on the brink.

Shea Theodore - Anaheim Ducks

A defenseman named Shea is making his mark on the NHL playoffs and, no, his last name is not Weber.

Shea Theodore of the Anaheim Ducks is very quietly following up a solid rookie campaign with an excellent postseason performance.

After playing only 34 games during the 2016-17 regular season, the 21-year-old has suited up in all eight of the Ducks' contests so far this spring.

Theodore has registered two goals and five assists on 16 shots on goal, good enough for second in playoff rookie scoring behind wunderkid Jake Guentzel.

Due to the deep pool of defensive talent in Anaheim, you may not have heard much about him before now, but if he continues to impress, get used to hearing his name.

Brady Skjei - New York Rangers

Here's another name you probably haven't heard before, but New York Rangers defenseman Brady Skjei is once again turning heads.

After a regular season in which he finished second in scoring among Rangers defensemen with 39 points, the smooth-skating rookie is currently tied for the team lead in playoff goal scoring with four.

At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, the former first-round draft pick not only has the size, but also the pedigree and talent to develop into a quality, top-four defenseman for years to come.

Joel Edmundson - St. Louis Blues

Joel who?

St. Louis Blues defenseman Joel Edmundson is logging over 21 minutes of ice time per game this postseason while also leading the Blues in scoring by a defenseman.

Edmundson's six playoff points are impressive, but the fact that he's cracked top-four minutes in a defensive-minded lineup like St. Louis' should be enough of an indication of just how solid the young D-man has played.

At a base salary of just over $1 million per season, the Blues' 2011 second-round pick is proving to be a serious bargain.

Justin Schultz - Pittsburgh Penguins

By now, most puckheads know that the Pittsburgh Penguins' D-core has been decimated by injury.

However, what you probably don't know is Justin Schultz has stepped up in the clutch to fill in for guys like Kris Letang by logging over 20 minutes per game, giving Pittsburgh's forwards a chance to do their thing.

Schultz has also chipped in offensively, tallying two goals and five apples for seven points, including the game-winner against Washington in the Penguins' Game 4 victory Wednesday night.

Losing guys like Letang and Crosby is obviously a huge blow to Pittsburgh's cup hopes, but if glue guys like Schultz can continue to hold things together, the Penguins will have a very legitimate shot at being the last team standing come June.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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