1992-93(lemieux 160 points/stevens 111 points/tocchet 109 points.

[The Panther]

That 1992-1993 season from Lemieux was magic. Had he played the full season he probably gets 200 points that year.

It was certainly an incredible season by Mario. That's the one and only season of Lemieux's career where both he and his team were at their very best simultaneously (regular season, that is).

In retrospect, his coming back from cancer and being lights-out immediately was perhaps too early of an emotional peak for the club. Who knows, maybe he burned out a bit too after the first month of so of his return (27 points last 10 RS games; 14 points last 10 playoff games)? Maybe if Lemieux had come back a couple of weeks later, the Pens later get that one goal needed to move past the Islanders and into the third round...?

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

It was certainly an incredible season by Mario. That's the one and only season of Lemieux's career where both he and his team were at their very best simultaneously (regular season, that is).

In retrospect, his coming back from cancer and being lights-out immediately was perhaps too early of an emotional peak for the club. Who knows, maybe he burned out a bit too after the first month of so of his return (27 points last 10 RS games; 14 points last 10 playoff games)? Maybe if Lemieux had come back a couple of weeks later, the Pens later get that one goal needed to move past the Islanders and into the third round...?

Part of it was the team was a bit arrogant and overconfident at that point as well and it showed in their work ethic/attention to detail in the isles series. Ended the season with an nhl record setting 17 game win streak, and was coming off back to back cups...who wouldn't be i guess.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

I thought Cashman was the LWer with Espo & Hodge, not Bucyk?

Correct.

Bucyk played with Fred Stanfield and Johnny McKenzie.

 

[The Panther]

Part of it was the team was a bit arrogant and overconfident at that point as well and it showed in their work ethic/attention to detail in the isles series. Ended the season with an nhl record setting 17 game win streak, and was coming off back to back cups...who wouldn't be i guess.

Yes, the same thing happened to Edmonton in 1986 vs. Calgary. The Oilers had beaten Calgary, I think, 24 of the past 26 regular season games and twice in the playoffs. It didn't help when the first round was against hapless Vancouver, whom Edmonton could just throw their sticks on the ice and defeat. But when the opponent has spent the whole season preparing to match you, you'd better be ready.