What Is Your Favorite NHL Playoff Memory?

For any hockey fan, the playoffs are a special time of year. The games suddenly have more meaning and you can see rivalries develop quickly over the course of four or more games. The weather is nicer outside, the days are getting longer and teams battle with each other every second night for their chance to hoist Lord Stanley’s cup.

Playoff hockey has given us the most exciting moments in hockey history and some of our best memories as hockey fans. This season, the NHL has offered up a series of History Will Be Made commercials that are promoting this season of playoff hockey.

The commercials are simply constructed and feature some of the most memorable moments in NHL playoff history. What has been even more exciting to watch over the course of the release of these commercial spots is the growing list of fan parody videos that have been posted to YouTube and other Video sharing sites, featuring other memorable moments in NHL playoff history.

Why Simple Can be Good

One of the best things that could have happened for the NHL is for their set of videos to have them “Go Viral”. or be shared, among hockey fans across the globe. But, making the videos simple enough for fans to create their own parody versions is even better. Now, the NHL will benefit from the content produced by fans to promote the game in addition to the exposure of the original videos. Could it have turned out better? Probably not.

Sure, the fan parody videos aren’t exactly featuring the content that the league would prefer to see, but most of the parody videos identify important moments for fans. And, that’s the key. Hockey is live. There are going to be faux pas, referees are going to blow calls, players will make mistakes… that is the nature of game. Fans recognize that the game is not perfect and that sometimes everything doesn’t go as planned, but we still love the sport. The game can survive and thrive even though it is not perfect and, perhaps, because it is not perfect.

What Defines Playoff Hockey For You?

What is the moment that most defines the NHL playoffs for you? Was it a heroic performance by your favorite player? A game winning goal by an unlikely hero? Or, was it glaring mistake or a moment riddled with controversy? (Was Brett Hull’s foot in the crease?)

Whatever the case, it is important to recognize that for the game to be the emotional rollercoaster that excites fans, there are going to be a variety of memorable playoff moments – certainly not all of them perfect.

Capitals and Canadiens Not Playing Playoff Hockey

The NHL playoffs are often known as being a much more physically demanding brand of game than that of the regular season.  In addition, there is a notion that referees tend to “let the boys play” a bit more as opposed to being as stringent on the rulebook. Although, there appears to be evidence to the contrary.

To that end, the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals have been playing what amounts to pond hockey in the first round.  According to the series statistics, only one player from either team is listed in the top 30 in hits thus far. (Matt Bradley – 22nd)

2010 NHL Playoff Hits

Further to this, a Montreal Canadiens player doesn’t enter this list until Dominic Moore’s name appears in the 81st slot.  In fact, the Canadiens are dead last in total hits with 112 in these playoffs.  One might assume that the Canadiens would want to be a little more physical against a potent offensive teams like the Capitals. They’ve also lost more faceoffs than any other team, giving puck possession to the Capitals 58.9% of the time.

Staying Out Of The Box

In addition to the lack of physical contact in this series, as one might expect, there have also been very few penalties called.  Except for Bench Minors of course, of which each team has two.

As you can see in the image above, the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals are neck and neck with the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators for penalty minutes in their respective series’.

The Verdict

The Capitals and Canadiens are playing a brand of hockey that is most conducive to a Capitals victory, being the more skilled team. That said, we all know that playoff games and series can be won or lost with goaltending. And stellar Goaltending is what neither team has had consistently.

Unless Montreal gets another outstanding performance like the .974 Save percentage he posted in Game #5, look for the Capitals to finish off the Canadiens tonight.

A Look At The NHL Playoff Mustache

Over the course of time, the playoff beard has become one of hockey’s most endearing superstitions. Many a player (and fan) have participated in the practice of not shaving their face for their team’s playoff run – all in the name of ‘good luck’.  The playoff beard has spawned several fan contests, such as our own annual Playoff Beard Contest, and has even been used to raise money for charity through the Beardathon.

Through the past few seasons, the mustache has made a comeback in hockey. The most notable NHLer to bring back the cookie duster in recent years is, of course, Geroge Parros.  The Edmonton Oilers recently participated Movember, raising over $25,000 for Prostate Cancer through the growing of mustaches in November.

Of course, the Oilers couldn’t participate in the growing of Playoff Mustaches this season, finishing last in the league.  However, the Philadelphia Flyers seem to be holding their own with that strategy!

Not to be outdone by the Flyers, Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres decided to ditch the traditional playoff beard after the Sabres lost Game 4 to Boston. Opting, instead, for the playoff mustache!

“Yeah the beard wasn’t working, done beard seven years in a row, we haven’t won yet so try something different,” Miller told the media after the Sabres practice on Sunday. [WGRZ.com]

Fad or New Tradition?

What do you think? Will the Playoff Mustache become more popular, or will the traditional Playoff Beard still be the go-to superstition for hockey players?

*For more on the top NHL mustaches in history, click over to Joe Pelletier’s Hockey history blog on the subject.

Top 10 NHL Playoff Records

As NHL hockey fans, we all know that playoff hockey is a completely different game.  While regular season hockey provides months of entertainment, the style of game played in the spring is unrivaled.

Long after the snow and ice have left the rivers and lakes of North America, men who grew up playing on those frozen ponds take to hockey’s biggest stage in their annual quest for the Stanley Cup.

Playoff hockey is known to make even the best of the best raise their game to a new level. And, even those not celebrated as mainstream superstars often rise to the occasion in the playoffs – living their fifteen minutes of fame as the most unlikely of heroes.

Without further adieu, let’s take a look at the NHL Digest version of the Top 10 Playoff Records.

Top 10 Playoff Records

10.) Most Game Winning Goals – Brad Richards, Tampa Bay Lightning – 2004

In 2004 Not many hockey fans gave the Lightning much of a shot at winning the Stanley Cup. Brad Richards, however, had other ideas.  On his way to leading the Lightning to the Stanley Cup, Richards amassed a record 7 Game Winning Goals.  Along with his 7 game winners, he added five more goals and 14 assists to lead all scorers in the playoffs with 26 points.  Richards scored four goals and five assists in the Stanley Cup finals alone, vaulting him to the Conn Smythe Trophy!

9.) Most Points By A Defenceman – Paul Coffey, Edmonton Oilers – 1985

The Edmonton Oilers of the mid-1980′s were a nearly unstoppable force in the playoffs. So, it came as no surprise when they managed to win the Stanley Cup in 1985 while losing just twice in the postseason.  What is surprising is that in just 18 playoff games, Oiler defenseman Paul Coffey, managed to rack up an astounding 37 points! Prior to Coffey’s offensive outburst in 1985, no defenseman had scored more than 25 points in a single playoff year. Coffey even managed to tie Wayne Gretzky for points in the Stanley Cup final with 11.

8.) Most Goals In A Series – Jari Kurri, Edmonton Oilers – 1985

Yet another playoff record set by an Edmonton Oiler in 1985. The Oilers were on a mission in 1985 and when they met up with the Chicago Blackhawks in the conference final, it was an all-out offensive assault for 6 games.  Kurri managed to notch 12 goals in the six game series on the back of a 4 goal performance in Game 6.  He also had two other hat tricks in the series and lead all goal scorers in the 1985 playoffs with 19.

7.) Most Saves In A Single Game – Tiny Thompson, Boston Bruins – 1933

It isn’t often that a losing goalie finds his way into the record books (at least for good records) but one can’t help but appreciate the spectacular effort displayed by Thompson in the fifth and deciding game of the Bruins’ series with Toronto in 1933.  In unbelievable fashion the Leafs and Bruins managed to play 8 periods of scoreless hockey!

In the ninth period, after over 164 minutes of hockey, the Leafs finally beat Tiny Thompson to win the game and the series. Thompson had made an incredible 113 saves. Not bad for a night’s work!

6.) Most Saves In The Playoffs – Kirk McLean, Vancouver Canucks – 1994

In the 1994 playoffs, the 27 year old Canucks goaltender took the team on his back and authored an amazing run to the Stanley Cup Final.  The Canucks allowed an average of 34 shots/game, but McLean was up to the task. McLean made a miraculous 761 saves in the playoffs, with a save percentage of .928 and 4 shutouts.  However, it was all for nothing as the Canucks lost in 7 games to the New York Rangers in the Cup Final.

McLean’s 761 saves are 63 more than Ron Hextall made when he won the Conn Smythe in 1987 on the losing team.  If it were not for Brian Leetch’s remarkable attempt (34 points) at Paul Coffey’s record for most points by a defenceman in the playoffs, McLean would have a Conn Smythe trophy on his mantle today. Some argue that he should have won it anyway.

5.) Consecutive Games  With A point – Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders – 1980-1982

In what is believed to be one of the most overlooked records on the NHL’s books, Bryan Trottier’s consistent playoff scoring certainly deserves a spot in our Top 5 playoff records.

To think that one player could score at least one point in every playoff game he played over the course of three seasons is outstanding.  The 1997 Hall of Fame inductee managed to score points in 27 consecutive playoff games from 1980-1982, helping the Islanders secure their place as the dynasty franchise of the early 80′s.

4.) Most Points – Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 1985

Of course, no NHL Top 10 Record list would be complete without an entry from The Great One. Wayne Gretzky and his Edmonton Oilers absolutely blitzed the playoff record books in 1985.

Not only did Gretzky manage an astounding 47 points (17 Goals, 30 Assists) in the Oilers’ playoff run; he did so in just 18 games. That also gives Gretzky the record for the most points per game in the playoffs at 2.61*. Gretzky’s linemate, Jari Kurri, was the chief beneficiary of his 30 assists. As mentioned above, Kurri managed 19 Goals in the 1985 playoffs to tie Reggie Leach for the league record.
*Minimum 10 playoff points.

3.) Consecutive Overtime Wins – Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens – 1993

The Montreal Canadiens started off the 1993 playoffs very slowly, losing their first two games but ‘St. Patrick’ would bail them out. Patrick Roy did just that; backstopping the Canadiens to four straight wins against the Nordiques in the first round, four more consecutive wins in the second round and three straight wins to start the third round.  Amazingly, Roy and the Canadiens managed 10 consecutive overtime victories, including 3 overtime wins in the Stanley Cup final versus Wayne Gretzky’s Los Angeles Kings!

The 1993 playoffs were an anomaly when it came to the number of overtime contests. Some 28 games needed extra time during the 1993 playoffs, which happens to be a league record as well.

2.) Career Playoff Wins – Patrick Roy, 1986-2003

Patrick Roy absolutely dominates this record. In fact, Roy has 151 playoff victories while just two other goalies (Martin Brodeur 179*, Eddie Belfour 161) have even played in as many playoff games. Roy’s intensity and focus allowed him to take his teams deep into the playoffs; one of the reasons that he owns this record by such a wide margin.

On the strength of those deep playoff runs, including 4 Stanley Cups, Roy played in a staggering 247 career playoff games. This sheer volume of games played is also the reason that Patrick Roy has the most career playoff losses of any goalie in NHL history as well – 94.

*Martin Brodeur is still active at the time of publication
1.) Most Stanley Cups – Henri Richard, Montreal Canadiens – 1956-1975

Eleven. That is a massive number of championships for one payer to have been a part of as a player. This record tops our list as the most unbreakable playoff record for good reason. If we can assume a relatively long career in the NHL lasts 20 seasons, a player would need to win the Stanley Cup on average more than every two years to eclipse this record.

With the current parity in the league and the salary cap affecting players’ tenure with clubs, we think this record will stand for a very long time.

Of note is that Richard’s Montreal teammate, Jean Beliveau, has his name on the Stanley Cup 17 times. However, 7 of those were as a member of management. Imagine having 17 Stanley Cup rings!

Your Thoughts

So, what do you think?

Are these playoff records in the correct order?

Are there other NHL playoff records that you would include in this list?

Resources:
Legends of Hockey.net
Wikipedia NHL
HockeyDB.com
Hockey Hall of Fame Records

Andy Sutton Hits Jordan Leopold

Andy Sutton caught Jordan Leopold tonight with one of the most forceful body checks that we’ve seen this season.  Leopold lay unconscious on the ice following the collision, while Sutton continued his momentum through Leopold with such force that he knocked the gate to the penalty box open.

Regardless of whether or not this hit was ‘technically’ clean, as I believe it was, it did result in a head injury.  Even with the new headshot rule, each hit resulting in a head injury will be debated with respect to the ‘intent’ to target the head. The determination of ‘intent’ will likely be the next hot topic in instances like this.

The NHL ruled that there would not be a suspension on this play.

Here is a comment on the hit from Kuklas Korner reader, Primis:

It was not a blindside hit, Sutton was coming from at about 11-o-clock, or maybe 10:30 on Leopold’s fore.  The fact that Leopold wasn’t looking that way is hardly Sutton’s fault.

The puck is there.

I believe Leopold’s head DID hit Sutton’s arm (in the bicep region), but that is more Leopold’s fault than Sutton’s.  If Leopold has his head up, that doesn’t happen.

Sutton doesn’t *have* to make that hit, but it also doesn’t make it illegal.  And Sutton’s so friggin’ huge and Leopold small enough that it’s going to end poorly for Jordan every time, no way around it.

Get your head up next time, Jordan.

What are your thoughts on this hit?

Do you think the new headshot rule will cause debates about ‘intent’ to target the head?

George Parros Lookalike!

There are many lookalikes in the National Hockey League and we’ve looked at a few previously on NHL Digest.

For instance, Red Wings Assistant Coach Paul MacLean looking like the Quaker Oats guy- Wilford Brimley.

Or, Los Angeles Kings Superstar, Anze Kopitar, and his uncanny resemblance to Edward Scissorhands.

However, this latest one is quite the doppelganger!

The National Hockey League’s Chief Technology Officer Peter Delgiacco, recently featured on an NHL.com ad, looks an awful lot like Anaheim Ducks’ enforcer George Parros. Don’t you think?

By the way, everyone says how much Gary Bettman looks like Count Von Count. I think Bettman looks more like Pee Wee Herman.