The Panther
Registered User
Simple question: In the years that you've watched hockey (and I guess you might specify when that is, for context), what is the single best team you've seen in the playoffs? The relevant matter should be the performance of that team in the playoffs only, of that spring only. So, regular season is irrelevant, as is what they did later, etc.
I've missed some teams in more recent years, but I've seen most since 1987 (and a couple before that, but I was too young to really remember).
It's the home-team vote, but I think the 1988 Oilers might be the best playoff team I've seen. They dropped one game against so-so Winnipeg (some of the Oilers had the Flu), but, after that, here's what they did in rounds two, three, and four:
vs. #1 team in NHL = 4 game sweep
vs. #5 team in NHL = 5 game win
vs. #4 team in NHL = 4 game sweep
They outscored those three top teams 59 to 36. Their power-play was suddenly great after a so-so season, and they just seemed unstoppable. After they won, Sports Illustrated wrote that their championship felt more like a coronation than a celebration. This was a slightly less run-and-gun team than in the past (no Coffey), and it was quite solid defensively.
After that, I think I have to say the 2001-02 Red Wings, for many obvious reasons. After dropping the first two against Vancouver, the Wings stormed back to go 16-5 after that. They did need the full 7 games to get rid of Colorado, which is why I can't say this is the best playoff team I've seen, but close anyway. Despite their stacked line-up, it was more of a defensive win than an offensive win (4 goals against in the last 4 games against Carolina).
So... your choice(s)?
I've missed some teams in more recent years, but I've seen most since 1987 (and a couple before that, but I was too young to really remember).
It's the home-team vote, but I think the 1988 Oilers might be the best playoff team I've seen. They dropped one game against so-so Winnipeg (some of the Oilers had the Flu), but, after that, here's what they did in rounds two, three, and four:
vs. #1 team in NHL = 4 game sweep
vs. #5 team in NHL = 5 game win
vs. #4 team in NHL = 4 game sweep
They outscored those three top teams 59 to 36. Their power-play was suddenly great after a so-so season, and they just seemed unstoppable. After they won, Sports Illustrated wrote that their championship felt more like a coronation than a celebration. This was a slightly less run-and-gun team than in the past (no Coffey), and it was quite solid defensively.
After that, I think I have to say the 2001-02 Red Wings, for many obvious reasons. After dropping the first two against Vancouver, the Wings stormed back to go 16-5 after that. They did need the full 7 games to get rid of Colorado, which is why I can't say this is the best playoff team I've seen, but close anyway. Despite their stacked line-up, it was more of a defensive win than an offensive win (4 goals against in the last 4 games against Carolina).
So... your choice(s)?