Conn Smythe Winners - Tiers (1980-Present)

[Sentinel]

The last four Cup were all, more or less, won by a committee, to a point there were no runaway Conn Smythe candidates. Oddly enough, truly impressive solo performances were on the teams that lost (Karlsson, MAF).

 

[scott clam]

The last four Cup were all, more or less, won by a committee, to a point there were no runaway Conn Smythe candidates. Oddly enough, truly impressive solo performances were on the teams that lost (Karlsson, MAF).

It seems to me that there were two very clear candidates for the Caps' cup...

 

[Sentinel]

It seems to me that there were two very clear candidates for the Caps' cup...

"Two," not "one." "Three" if you count Holtby.

 

[scott clam]

"Two," not "one." "Three" if you count Holtby.

Two is hardly a "committee", and while Holtby had a good playoffs it was clearly between Ovechkin and Kuznetsov.

It's not too often you have a team like the '15 Blackhawks where it is one guy who is head and shoulders above everyone else, from the very start. I knew the 'hawks were gonna win it again from the first round of game one, just by watching Duncan Keith.

 

[Michael Farkas]

As someone who watched every minute of every playoff game, I had Holtby as the winner...for whatever that's worth...so I wouldn't say "clearly" it was a two horse race...

 

[LightningStorm]

First off, great article @Hockey Outsider. All around well reasoned analysis. What tiers do you put Hedman and Vasilevskiy in for the back to back cups the Lightning just won? As a Lightning fan I have Hedman tier 2 and Vasilevskiy a low 2/high 3, mainly because Kucherov was my CS choice through the first 3 rounds. Vasy was 2nd though, and his finals performance ultimately put him over the top. Crazy how Kuch became the first player other than Gretzky and Lemieux to score at least 30 in back to back postseasons, yet he won the Smythe in neither. Point also had a playoff leading 14 goals each postseason yet didn't win it. He was my 2nd choice in 2020 after Hedman.

 

[Hockey Outsider]

First off, great article @Hockey Outsider. All around well reasoned analysis. What tiers do you put Hedman and Vasilevskiy in for the back to back cups the Lightning just won? As a Lightning fan I have Hedman tier 2 and Vasilevskiy a low 2/high 3, mainly because Kucherov was my CS choice through the first 3 rounds. Vasy was 2nd though, and his finals performance ultimately put him over the top. Crazy how Kuch became the first player other than Gretzky and Lemieux to score at least 30 in back to back postseasons, yet he won the Smythe in neither. Point also had a playoff leading 14 goals each postseason yet didn't win it. He was my 2nd choice in 2020 after Hedman.

Without too much thought or analysis, I'd put Hedman (2020) towards the bottom of Tier 2 or maybe the top of Tier 3. It was a very good all-around performance. The only issue I had is, from what I recall, Hedman started to falter in the SC Finals. His performance was at least as good as Duncan Keith (2015) through three rounds. In the finals, his production was very good (in fact, his scoring per game increased), but I remember he was on the ice for a lot of goals against. Overall, I think I'd rank him behind the other three defenseman I have in Tier 2 (MacInnis 1989, Leetch 1994, Keith 2015), but probably ahead of the two I have in Tier 3 (Stevens 2000 and Lidstrom 2002).

I'd rank Vasilievsky high in Tier 3 (which isn't a bad thing). Objectively his performance was very strong. If I look at my own research on the adjusted save percentage for SC winning goalies, his performance is roughly between Patrick Roy in 2001 (who won the Smythe - I would have picked Sakic) and Ed Belfour in 1999 (the voters went with Joe Nieuwendyk). Objectively it was a very strong performance, but I would have given the trophy to Kucherov who, adjusted for era, had one of the most productive (non-Gretzky/Lemieux) playoff runs of the past 40+ years.

Do we know the Conn Smythe voting results for 2020 and 2021? It wouldn't surprise me if Kucherov finished second both times. There are very few players from the past ~40 years who had two consecutive playoff runs that strong, and who didn't win the Smythe in either case.

 

[LightningStorm]

Without too much thought or analysis, I'd put Hedman (2020) towards the bottom of Tier 2 or maybe the top of Tier 3. It was a very good all-around performance. The only issue I had is, from what I recall, Hedman started to falter in the SC Finals. His performance was at least as good as Duncan Keith (2015) through three rounds. In the finals, his production was very good (in fact, his scoring per game increased), but I remember he was on the ice for a lot of goals against. Overall, I think I'd rank him behind the other three defenseman I have in Tier 2 (MacInnis 1989, Leetch 1994, Keith 2015), but probably ahead of the two I have in Tier 3 (Stevens 2000 and Lidstrom 2002).

I'd rank Vasilievsky high in Tier 3 (which isn't a bad thing). Objectively his performance was very strong. If I look at my own research on the adjusted save percentage for SC winning goalies, his performance is roughly between Patrick Roy in 2001 (who won the Smythe - I would have picked Sakic) and Ed Belfour in 1999 (the voters went with Joe Nieuwendyk). Objectively it was a very strong performance, but I would have given the trophy to Kucherov who, adjusted for era, had one of the most productive (non-Gretzky/Lemieux) playoff runs of the past 40+ years.

Do we know the Conn Smythe voting results for 2020 and 2021? It wouldn't surprise me if Kucherov finished second both times. There are very few players from the past ~40 years who had two consecutive playoff runs that strong, and who didn't win the Smythe in either case.

Conn Smythe Voting in 2020 and 2021
2020: PHWA’s 2020 Conn Smythe Ballots: Hedman’s razor thin win – Professional Hockey Writers Association
2021: PHWA’s 2021 Conn Smythe Trophy ballots: Vasilevskiy’s resounding win – Professional Hockey Writers Association
As we can see, Point came closer to winning in 2020 than Kucherov in 2021. I do think they were our best forward in each of those respective playoff runs.

In 2020, I think rounds 2-3 clinch Hedman being comfortably in tier 2. He had 8 goals and was +15 in 11 games. I think the amount of goals he was on the ice for was even less than the amount he scored in those rounds. By then he'd also clinched being the CS winner if the Bolts won the cup. Point was our best player in the finals and was also already our 2nd best through 3 rounds, but not even his 5 goals in 6 SCF games could make up for how dominant Hedman had been entering the finals.

For 2021, let me correct myself on one thing. I said Kuch was the leader through round 3 and Vasy 2nd, but in my mind him and Point were actually tied for 2nd. Point had scored a goal in 7 straight games in the span of rounds 2-3. Not scoring a goal in the finals completely took him out of the race though. Vasy's dominant finals performance put him over the top. Only 2 goals allowed in 3 home gamess. 5 shutouts overall, including all 4 series clinching wins. In terms of being most valuable, he clinched the final 2 series with 1-0 shutouts. Since 1980, his 5 shutouts were a single postseason record for CS winning goalies. Ironic how Brodeur had a record 7 in 2003, but Giguere had already clinched it after the WCF, win or lose. I felt bad for Kuch not winning it after scoring at least 30 in back to back postseasons, but Vasy's dominance was too much to ignore. Though if Kuch's press conference was any indication, he doesn't feel bad about Vasy winning the CS one bit. Now that I think of it, Vasy's in tier 2, though not as comfortably as Heddy.

While I think the winner was right for both of the Bolts back to back cups in the end, I wouldn't consider Point and Kucherov undeserving winners if they won it in 2020 & 2021, respectively. They were worthy winners. It's just that Hedman and Vasilevskiy were the most worthy.

 

[frisco]

which begs the inevitable question, what are the highest non-CS runs that could fit in the upper tiers?

'84 and '87 gretzky, would be the obvious ones. who else might belong in tiers 2 or 3?

Crosby (2009) 31 points in 24 GP and plus +9. 15 goals were most this century so far.

Stevens (1991) 17 goals and 33 points in 24 games and plus +14. 4th most goals in NHL history.

Barrasso (1992) 16-5 and a 2.82 GAA (great for that era) including 11 straight wins to finish out the playoffs. No way Pittsburgh gets by the Rangers sans Lemieux without Barrasso playing out of his mind.

My Best-Carey

 

[LightningStorm]

As for your OP, great job overall. I especially like how you didn't automatically dismiss a player as underserving just because another deserved it more. Here are a few thoughts I have on your assessments by tier. Since I'm in my early 30's, some of this comes only from research, not lived experience. Tier I is summed up well and I have nothing to add.

Tier II:
A couple more things to add about MacInnis in 1989. First, Gary Suter, their 2nd best d-man, got injured in R1, so MacInnis taking his game to a whole new level that postseason couldn't have come at a better time. 2nd, of his 7 goals, 4 came in the finals against Roy, who many consider the greatest playoff goalie ever. Of all CS -men since 1980, I have this as #1.

For Sakic's win in 1996 and almost one in 2001, what makes it even more impressive is that it was enough to win despite Forsberg either going cold (1996) or not playing (2001) against their 2 best opponents each postseason. While Sakic wasn't as good in the finals in 1996, he did all the heavy lifting offensively against the Hawks and Wings in rounds 2-3. Then after beating the 2 lowest seeds in the West in the first 2 rounds in 2001, Forsberg missed the rest of the playoffs, and Sakic played even better despite the Blues and Devils being much better opponents than the Canucks and Kings. Sakic was so great both postseasons they hardly even needed Forsberg's production. Weird how Forsberg's 3 best postseasons all ended in game 7 WCF losses in Dallas or Detroit.

Tier III

I'd thought about Potvin being robbed in 1981, which almost overshadows how he should've won in 1983 too. The bigger deal in 1981 wasn't that Potvin didn't win it, as Bossy also would've been a great choice. It's more that Goring did, and I don't think anyone will disagree with you having Goring in tier 4. I think Goring winning was heavily narrative driven, as he was viewed as the final piece to the Islanders dynasty. Trottier also had a better postseason than him. I think you can't go wrong with either Potvin or Bossy. Smith in 1983 was definitely more worthy than Goring in 1981, but I think Potvin definitely should've won in 1983. Scoring a point per game while containing Gretzky in the finals was a masterful performance.

Narratives also likely won Messier the 1984 CS. From what I've heard the Oilers had a narrative that they weren't tough and gritty enough to win it all. Having a physically imposing and intimidating forward like Messier who also scored a lot is something the hockey media likely ran with in terms of him giving the Oilers the championship grit and physicality they needed.

As a Bolts fan I agree with you about Richards when it comes to the GWG record being arbitrary. Still the clear choice though as he led the playoffs in goals and points. Funny how his 7 GWG overshadow his 2 goal game 6 when we were down 3-2 in the finals. Going into game 7, everyone knew he'd win the CS if the Bolts won, while a Flames victory would've meant Iginla.

I agree Kuznetsov was overall better than Ovechkin in 2018. But I don't think anyone is surprised that Ovechkin won it when he led the playoffs in goals and finally won his elusive cup. Everything was about him at that point.

Tier IV

As mentioned, I agree with Goring here. No case exists for him winning in 1981.

Agree about Hextall. IMO, a player on the losing team winning it needs to be at least bordering on a strong outlier, such as Giguere in 2003. Giguere was a good benchmark for a losing player to win it in that they should already have it clinched by round 3, since not even having a mediocre final in a losing effort was enough to take it away from him.

Agree about Federov over Vernon in 1997. That was mostly victory by committee.

As a fan of the late 90's Stars, I don't think there was a wrong choice between Nieuwendyk and Belfour. Nieuwendyk was a great clutch player for Dallas that year and led the playoffs in goals. Also, in the WCF, you wouldn't expect him to have the best series of all the centers with Sakic, Forsberg and Modano there, but he did. The narrative aspect to this was Nieuwendyk led the Stars in goals in 1998, but then missed the playoffs after Bryan Marchment injured his knee the first game. Him coming back the next year with a great postseason was viewed as a great triumph on his part.

Niedermayer was my pick for 2007. I think what likely hurt Pronger with voters was him getting suspended twice, especially since it was in the later rounds both times.

Kings in 2014 won by committee, and I didn't have any strong thoughts on who should've won it that year. Williams was fine, and I also would've been fine with Kopitar.

Crosby winning it in 2016 was a joke. That easily should've been Kessel, especially since he was the leader of the HBK line. I couldn't have put it any better than your description of it being a lifetime achievement award.

 

[daver]

Crosby winning it in 2016 was a joke. That easily should've been Kessel, especially since he was the leader of the HBK line. I couldn't have put it any better than your description of it being a lifetime achievement award.

What is your case for Kessel "easily" over Crosby as opposed to the tossup that it was according the voters?

He had three more points with better linemates while going against the other team's 3rd line and 2nd/3rd d-pairing. His line was given almost an exclusive offensive role; a role which worked because Crosby's line could take on the other team's best line and still produce enough offense despite Crosby having a career 3rd liner and an AHL callup on his wings. Crosby's 2-way game and offense in key moments, especially in Rounds 3 and 4 made his case just as strong.

Crosby was better than Kessel in 3 of their 4 rounds but Kessel performed significantly better in the Caps series, arguably the Pens toughest series that year.

Not sure how you can say Kessel was the leader of the HBK line when he was easily outscored at ES by B and H.

 

[Yozhik v tumane]

Then after beating the 2 lowest seeds in the West in the first 2 rounds in 2001, Forsberg missed the rest of the playoffs, and Sakic played even better despite the Blues and Devils being much better opponents than the Canucks and Kings. Sakic was so great both postseasons they hardly even needed Forsberg's production.

Were the Blues a much better opponent than the Kings in 2001?

The Kings series dragged on for seven games. Forsberg had 8 points and was a +4, Sakic had 2 and was a -2. It’s not certain that the Avalanche would have survived that series if not for Forsberg.

 

[LightningStorm]

Were the Blues a much better opponent than the Kings in 2001?

The Kings series dragged on for seven games. Forsberg had 8 points and was a +4, Sakic had 2 and was a -2. It’s not certain that the Avalanche would have survived that series if not for Forsberg.

Blues were a mid tier team, Kings a bubble team in 2001. Both did some of the Avs dirty work by eliminating the Stars and Wings.

In a more detailed post I had on Forsberg vs Sakic in the playoffs during the Avs deep runs from 1996-2002, I did mention that Forsberg was important for the first 2 rounds in 2001, for the reasons you stated. Him having a great series against LA was crucial since it helped fend off the upset and since Sakic was banged up, even missing 2 games. The Kings series was definitely his best and most crucial performance of any series of the Avs 2 cup wins.

 

[LightningStorm]

The other day when I was thinking about NBA Finals MVP winners, I thought about how much better I like it that the Conn Smythe trophy is for the whole playoffs, rather than the Bill Russell award being just for the finals. I think the whole playoffs rather than the finals is better for 2 reasons:

1. For leagues that only have a finals MVP, it's odd that there's a regular season and finals MVP, but no MVP award that covers the previous playoff rounds.
2. When a team wins a championship, the finals aren't always the hardest round. When the Lightning won the cup last year, the finals were actually our easiest round.

 

[Michael Farkas]

The NFL has a Super Bowl MVP. So, basically the player that played well for 32 minutes...it's already a random playoff format and no games overlap...having a playoff MVP is the easiest thing in that sport and instead they go for first star of a game and people put weight on it to boot.

 

[LightningStorm]

The other day when I was thinking about NBA Finals MVP winners, I thought about how much better I like it that the Conn Smythe trophy is for the whole playoffs, rather than the Bill Russell award being just for the finals. I think the whole playoffs rather than the finals is better for 2 reasons:

1. For leagues that only have a finals MVP, it's odd that there's a regular season and finals MVP, but no MVP award that covers the previous playoff rounds.
2. When a team wins a championship, the finals aren't always the hardest round. When the Lightning won the cup last year, the finals were actually our easiest round.

Here's a thread I made on the basketball subforum here about which NBA winners would change if it were for the whole playoffs rather than just the finals if any of you are interested.

 

[LightningStorm]

Had further reflection from my post from this past December after thinking them through. I have 2 categories for controversial ones. The first are ones that I think were definitely wrong without question. The 2nd is ones I don't agree with, but could see how a reasonable person could agree.

Definitely wrong

Goring (1981): Hands down the worst CS selection since 1980. Not only was his run itself on the lower end of CS winners in this span, but, as I mentioned in this thread I made, his HOF teammates Bossy and Potvin were clearly better. Usually its one player who gets robbed, but in this case it was 2. And as I said in that thread, I can't even decide who would've been the better winner between those 2. Goring was a distant 3rd for the Isles best player that postseason.

Hextall (1987): A great postseason, but nowhere near what I think is needed for a player on the finals loser to win the CS. I'm of the believe that the CS should be the MVP of the winning team barring extreme circumstances, Giguere in 2003 being one of them. Giguere had it clinched by round 3, and I'm still of the opinion that a player winning it after losing the finals would need to have it clinched by the time the finals began. Hextall does not meet that standard. Much has been made about Gretzky not winning it in 1984, but I thought this was the bigger of the 2 robberies.

Williams (2014): Kopitar led the team in scoring (albeit only by a point) while playing his Selke level defense and being an important penalty killer. The media became a little too obsessed over Williams's game 7 resume. While this was mostly a team win and didn't have any historically great performances, Kopitar was definitely the Kings best player that postseason.

Wouldn't have voted for but not unreasonable

Messier (1984): Absolutely would've voted for Gretzky, and I agree voter fatigue cost him here. But Messier had a great postseason, both scoring wise and with his grit/physical play. His dominance over Calgary scoring and physically in their 7 game series was what led to the Flames signing Joel Otto. Thought Gretzky was the right choice, but with Messier still scoring at a high level while doing the dirty work, I can at least see where the voters were coming from.

Vernon (1997): Definitely one of the goalies who got it as a result of a committee win. For that reason I can see why Vernon won it. Still, I thought Fedorov was the best player. Played elite at both ends, being a Selke level forward who led the team in scoring that spring. Plus the defense in front of Vernon was great, so its not like he had to bail out the Wings that often. 1997 Wings had one of the greatest team defensive performances ever for a team in a single postseason, and got better as the playoffs went on.

Crosby (2016): Where I went wrong in claiming this was a joke was only factoring in the half that Crosby's performance was among the weakest for CS winners, but not factoring in there weren't many other viable candidates, as the 2016 Pens were among the greatest team efforts for cup winners. The forward depth on this team was insane, yet on the blueline Letang was by easily their best. My opinion at the moment is I would've given it to him, not only for his great postseason but the much larger load he carried for his position than any of the forwards. Still, the reason I can't put this in the category of wrong is because for how much this cup was a team effort, I don't think any player can claim they were robbed of the CS. I still think there's no doubt that name recognition was a big factor in Crosby winning it, and it did come off as a lifetime achievement award.

 

[LightningStorm]

One last one for the close calls. This is a list of when there were 2 right choices, and picking either of them would've been right, where you couldn't go wrong with either one. Had Bossy or Potvin won in 1981, that pair would've made this list. Here's the list, with the CS winner listed first.

1983 (Smith/Potvin)
1990 (Ranford/Messier)
1999 (Nieuwendyk/Belfour)
2001 (Roy/Sakic)
2007 (Niedermayer/Pronger)
2010 (Toews/Kane)
2013 (Kane/Crawford)
2018 (Ovechkin/Kuznetsov)
2021 (Vasilevskiy/Kucherov)

 

[pnep]

Players PO Scoring, "Score Close" situations (PO Seasons 1918-2021).

"Score Close" is defined as a score that is tied (including 0-0) or team is leading by 1 goal/trailing by 1 goal.


​

GAG - go-ahead Goal (scoring while game is tied, incl. 0-0)

​

Player	POS	PO	Games	G	GAGG
Joe Sakic *	C	1996	22	18	12
Mike Bossy *	RW	1982	19	17	10
Sidney Crosby	C	2009	24	15	9
Fernando Pisani	RW	2006	24	14	9
Tyler Johnson	C	2015	26	13	9
Dave Andreychuk	LW	1993	21	12	8
Jaromir Jagr	RW	1992	21	11	8
Brayden Point	C	2021	23	14	8
Wayne Gretzky *	C	1985	18	17	8
Jarome Iginla	RW	2004	26	13	8
Brad Richards *	C	2004	23	12	8
Kevin Stevens	LW	1991	24	17	7
Joe Nieuwendyk *	C	1999	23	11	7
Reggie Leach *	RW	1976	16	19	7
Brayden Point	C	2020	23	14	7
Joe Pavelski	C	2016	24	14	7
Kirk Muller	LW	1993	20	10	7
Justin Williams *	RW	2014	26	9	7
Ruslan Fedotenko	LW	2004	22	12	7
Eric Lindros	C	1997	19	12	7
Jari Kurri	RW	1987	21	15	7
Jonathan Toews	C	2014	19	9	7
Jim Pappin	RW	1971	18	10	7
Alexandre Burrows	LW	2011	25	9	7
Alex Ovechkin *	LW	2018	24	15	7

GAPTS - go-ahead PTS (scoring while game is tied, incl. 0-0)

​

Player	POS	PO	Games	PTS	GAGPTS
Joe Sakic *	C	1996	22	34	18
Wayne Gretzky *	C	1985	18	47	17
Jarome Iginla	RW	2004	26	22	16
Brian Leetch *	D	1994	23	34	16
Mike Bossy *	RW	1982	19	27	15
Brayden Point	C	2020	23	33	15
Evgeni Malkin *	C	2009	24	36	15
Peter Forsberg	C	2002	20	27	15
Sidney Crosby	C	2008	20	27	15
Sidney Crosby	C	2009	24	31	14
Alex Ovechkin *	LW	2018	24	27	14
Mike Modano	C	2000	23	23	14
Brett Hull	RW	2000	23	24	14
Evgeny Kuznetsov	C	2018	24	32	14
Paul Coffey	D	1985	18	37	14
Brad Richards *	C	2004	23	26	13
Kevin Stevens	LW	1991	24	33	13
Mario Lemieux *	C	1991	23	44	13
Mario Lemieux *	C	1992	15	34	13
Rob Blake	D	2001	23	19	13
Nikita Kucherov	RW	2020	25	34	13
Wayne Gretzky	C	1993	24	40	13
Mark Recchi	RW	1991	24	34	13
Doug Gilmour	C	1993	21	35	13
Mark Messier	C	1994	23	30	13
Jonathan Toews *	C	2010	22	29	13

GTG - game tying Goal (scoring while team is trailing by 1 goal)

​

Player	POS	PO	Games	G	GTGG
Luc Robitaille	LW	1991	12	12	7
Joe Pavelski	C	2020	27	13	6
Jere Lehtinen	RW	1999	23	10	6
Frank Mahovlich	LW	1971	20	14	5
Esa Tikkanen	LW	1991	18	12	5
Jaromir Jagr	RW	1995	12	10	5
Thomas Gradin	C	1982	17	9	5
Rod Brind'Amour	C	1997	19	13	5
Steve Payne	LW	1981	19	17	5
Patrick Sharp	LW	2010	22	11	5
Nikita Kucherov	RW	2016	17	11	5

GTPTS - game tying PTS (scoring while team is trailing by 1 goal)

​

Player	POS	PO	Games	PTS	GTGPTS
Evgeni Malkin *	C	2009	24	36	10
Daniel Briere	C	2010	23	30	10
Wayne Gretzky *	C	1988	19	43	9
Mark Recchi	RW	1991	24	34	9
Ron Francis	C	1995	12	19	9
Glenn Anderson	RW	1987	21	27	8
Rick Martin	LW	1975	17	15	8
Eric Staal	C	2006	25	28	8
Erik Karlsson	D	2017	19	18	8
Cory Stillman	LW	2006	25	26	8
Peter Stastny	C	1985	18	23	8

1GLG - 1 goal lead Goals (scoring while team is leading by 1 goal)

​

Player	POS	PO	Games	G	1GLG
Mike Bossy	RW	1983	19	17	8
Mario Lemieux *	C	1992	15	16	6
Brad Marchand	LW	2019	24	9	6
Bill Barber	LW	1980	19	12	6
Claude Lemieux	RW	1997	17	13	6
Mario Lemieux *	C	1991	23	16	5
Wayne Gretzky *	C	1985	18	17	5
Wayne Gretzky	C	1984	19	13	5
Pavel Bure	RW	1994	24	16	5
Doug Gilmour	C	1989	22	11	5
Craig Simpson	LW	1990	22	16	5
Logan Couture	C	2016	24	10	5
Bobby Smith	C	1981	19	8	5
Anthony Beauvillier	LW	2020	22	9	5
Alex Ovechkin *	LW	2018	24	15	5
Sergei Fedorov	C	1998	22	10	5
Bobby Smith	C	1991	23	8	5
John Druce	RW	1990	15	14	5
Jari Kurri	RW	1993	24	9	5
Steve Payne	LW	1980	15	7	5
Butch Goring	C	1977	9	7	5
Daniel Briere	C	2008	17	9	5

1GLPTS - 1 goal lead PTS (scoring while team is leading by 1 goal)

​

Player	POS	PO	Games	PTS	1GLPTS
Mario Lemieux *	C	1991	23	44	12
Wayne Gretzky	C	1987	21	34	12
Wayne Gretzky *	C	1988	19	43	11
Wayne Gretzky *	C	1985	18	47	11
Mark Messier	C	1990	22	31	11
Mario Lemieux *	C	1992	15	34	10
Mike Bossy	RW	1983	19	26	10
Wayne Gretzky	C	1984	19	35	9
Pavel Bure	RW	1994	24	31	9
Al MacInnis *	D	1989	22	31	9
Brad Marchand	LW	2019	24	23	9
Doug Gilmour	C	1989	22	22	9
Craig Simpson	LW	1990	22	31	9
Mark Messier *	C	1984	19	26	8
Logan Couture	C	2016	24	30	8
Jari Kurri	RW	1988	19	31	8
Cam Neely	RW	1990	21	28	8
Rick Middleton	RW	1983	17	33	8
Barry Pederson	C	1983	17	32	8
Nikita Kucherov	RW	2021	23	32	8
Steve Yzerman	C	2002	23	23	8
Mario Lemieux	C	1996	18	27	8
Brian Bellows	LW	1991	23	29	8
Bill Barber	LW	1980	19	21	8

GAG_GTG_1GLG - go-ahead Goal + game tying Goal + 1 goal lead Goals (scoring while game is tied or team is trailing/leading by 1 goal)

​

Player	POS	PO	Games	G	GAGG	GTGG	1GLG	GAG_GTG_1GLG
Joe Sakic *	C	1996	22	18	12	2	2	16​
Mike Bossy *	RW	1982	19	17	10	4	2	16​
Kevin Stevens	LW	1991	24	17	7	4	4	15​
Wayne Gretzky *	C	1985	18	17	8	1	5	14​
Steve Payne	LW	1981	19	17	6	5	3	14​
Mario Lemieux *	C	1991	23	16	9	2	2	13​
Sidney Crosby	C	2009	24	15	6	2	5	13​
Alex Ovechkin *	LW	2018	24	15	7	0	5	12​
Joe Pavelski	C	2016	24	14	8	2	2	12​
Claude Lemieux	RW	1997	17	13	7	2	3	12​
Tim Kerr	RW	1989	19	14	9	2	1	12​
Yvan Cournoyer *	RW	1973	17	15	7	3	2	12​
Mike Bossy	RW	1983	19	17	6	2	4	12​
Reggie Leach *	RW	1976	16	19	5	3	4	12​
Fernando Pisani	RW	2006	24	14	5	1	6	12​
Dave Andreychuk	LW	1993	21	12	4	0	8	12​
Cam Neely	RW	1991	19	16	5	4	3	12​
Evgeni Malkin *	C	2009	24	14	6	2	3	11​
Mario Lemieux *	C	1992	15	16	5	0	6	11​
Pavel Bure	RW	1994	24	16	8	1	2	11​
Daniel Briere	C	2010	23	12	6	3	2	11​
Mike Bossy	RW	1981	18	17	6	4	1	11​
Jaromir Jagr	RW	1992	21	11	5	1	5	11​
Rod Brind'Amour	C	1997	19	13	7	1	3	11​
Brett Hull	RW	1990	12	13	4	3	4	11​
Luc Robitaille	LW	1991	12	12	2	5	4	11​
Ruslan Fedotenko	LW	2004	22	12	2	7	2	11​
John Druce	RW	1990	15	14	4	2	5	11​

GAPTS_GTPTS_1GLPTS - go-ahead PTS + game tying PTS + 1 goal lead PTS (scoring while game is tied or team is trailing/leading by 1 goal)

​

Player	POS	PO	Games	PTS	GAGPTS	GTGPTS	1GLPTS	GAPTS_GTPTS_1GLPTS
Mario Lemieux *	C	1991	23	44	13	7	12	32​
Wayne Gretzky *	C	1985	18	47	17	2	11	30​
Evgeni Malkin *	C	2009	24	36	15	10	5	30​
Wayne Gretzky *	C	1988	19	43	9	9	11	29​
Mark Recchi	RW	1991	24	34	13	9	6	28​
Brian Leetch *	D	1994	23	34	16	4	7	27​
Wayne Gretzky	C	1987	21	34	12	3	12	27​
Joe Sakic *	C	1996	22	34	18	3	5	26​
Mario Lemieux *	C	1992	15	34	13	3	10	26​
Wayne Gretzky	C	1993	24	40	13	7	6	26​
Doug Gilmour	C	1993	21	35	13	7	6	26​
Mike Bossy *	RW	1982	19	27	15	7	3	25​
Kevin Stevens	LW	1991	24	33	13	5	7	25​
Sidney Crosby	C	2009	24	31	14	6	5	25​
Wayne Gretzky	C	1984	19	35	9	7	9	25​
Evgeny Kuznetsov	C	2018	24	32	14	4	7	25​
Paul Coffey	D	1985	18	37	14	3	7	24​
Nikita Kucherov	RW	2020	25	34	13	7	4	24​
Pavel Bure	RW	1994	24	31	9	5	9	23​
Mark Messier	C	1988	19	34	11	6	6	23​
Peter Forsberg	C	2002	20	27	15	4	4	23​
Sidney Crosby	C	2008	20	27	15	2	6	23​
Al MacInnis *	D	1989	22	31	10	4	9	23​
Steve Payne	LW	1981	19	29	10	5	7	22​
Alex Ovechkin *	LW	2018	24	27	14	1	7	22​
Brett Hull	RW	2000	23	24	14	3	5	22​
Bobby Hull	LW	1971	18	25	11	6	5	22​
Bryan Trottier *	C	1980	21	29	11	7	4	22​
Jonathan Toews *	C	2010	22	29	13	2	7	22​
Peter Stastny	C	1985	18	23	11	8	3	22​

GWG - Game Winning Goals

​

Player	POS	PO	Games	G	WG
Brad Richards *	C	2004	23	12	7
Joe Sakic *	C	1996	22	18	6
Joe Nieuwendyk *	C	1999	23	11	6
Mario Lemieux *	C	1992	15	16	5
Jari Kurri	RW	1987	21	15	5
Mike Bossy	RW	1983	19	17	5
Jake Guentzel	C	2017	25	13	5
Fernando Pisani	RW	2006	24	14	5
Johan Franzen	LW	2008	16	13	5
Nazem Kadri	C	2020	15	9	5
Bobby Smith	C	1991	23	8	5
Dustin Byfuglien	D	2010	22	11	5

GWPTS - Game Winning PTS

​

Player	POS	PO	Games	PTS	WPTS
Brad Richards *	C	2004	23	26	10
Wayne Gretzky *	C	1985	18	47	10
Mario Lemieux *	C	1992	15	34	9
Jonathan Toews *	C	2010	22	29	9
Jarome Iginla	RW	2004	26	22	9
Joe Sakic *	C	1996	22	34	8
Joe Nieuwendyk *	C	1999	23	21	8
Brian Leetch *	D	1994	23	34	8
Peter Forsberg	C	2002	20	27	8
Mark Messier	C	1994	23	30	8
Joe Pavelski	C	2016	24	23	8
Evgeni Malkin *	C	2009	24	36	8
Wayne Gretzky	C	1993	24	40	8
Justin Williams *	RW	2014	26	25	8
Wayne Gretzky	C	1987	21	34	8

1GG - First Goal in Game

​

Player	POS	PO	Games	G	1GG
Sidney Crosby	C	2009	24	15	6
Fernando Pisani	RW	2006	24	14	6
Bobby Hull	LW	1962	12	8	6
Glenn Anderson	RW	1990	22	10	5
Dave Andreychuk	LW	1993	21	12	5
Brayden Point	C	2021	23	14	5
Ruslan Fedotenko	LW	2004	22	12	5
Mike Cammalleri	C	2010	19	13	5

1PTS - First Goal in Game, PTS

​

Player	POS	PO	Games	PTS	1GPTS
Sidney Crosby	C	2008	20	27	10
Evgeny Kuznetsov	C	2018	24	32	10
Jarome Iginla	RW	2004	26	22	9
Wayne Gretzky *	C	1985	18	47	8
Brian Leetch *	D	1994	23	34	8
Mike Modano	C	2000	23	23	8
Mario Lemieux	C	1996	18	27	8
Mark Messier	C	1988	19	34	8
John MacLean	RW	1995	20	18	8
Trevor Linden	RW	1994	24	25	8
Dennis Hull	LW	1973	16	24	8
Brett Hull	RW	2000	23	24	8
Doug Gilmour	C	1993	21	35	8
David Krejci	C	2013	22	26	8

* - Conn Smythe Trophy Winners

 

[Voight]

IMO Crawford would have won the Smythe in 2013 had Quick & Thomas not been the previous two winners. I think a bit of a goalie fatigue set in, as well as him being not as dominant as those two.

 

[Hawkey Town 18]

Players PO Scoring, "Score Close" situations (PO Seasons 1918-2021).

"Score Close" is defined as a score that is tied (including 0-0) or team is leading by 1 goal/trailing by 1 goal.


​

Great stuff! Do you have anything like this for goalies? For example: 1 goal wins (not including empty netters), wins while getting outshot by X no. of shots, etc.

 

[pnep]

Great stuff! Do you have anything like this for goalies? For example: 1 goal wins (not including empty netters), wins while getting outshot by X no. of shots, etc.

SO Wins + 1 Goal Wins

Player	PO	Games	Wins	SO	1G_W	SOW_1GW
Martin Brodeur	2000​	23​	16​	2​	11​	13​
Nikolai Khabibulin	2004​	23​	16​	5​	7​	12​
Andrei Vasilevskiy *	2021​	23​	16​	5​	6​	11​
Patrick Roy *	2001​	23​	16​	4​	7​	11​
Martin Brodeur	2003​	24​	16​	7​	4​	11​
Miikka Kiprusoff	2004​	26​	15​	5​	6​	11​
Jonathan Quick *	2012​	20​	16​	3​	7​	10​
Pekka Rinne	2017​	22​	14​	2​	8​	10​
Dominik Hasek	2002​	23​	16​	6​	4​	10​
Ed Belfour	1999​	23​	16​	3​	7​	10​
Martin Brodeur	2001​	25​	15​	4​	6​	10​
John Davidson	1979​	18​	11​	1​	8​	9​
Chris Osgood	2008​	19​	14​	3​	6​	9​
Tuukka Rask	2013​	22​	14​	3​	6​	9​
Chris Osgood	2009​	23​	15​	2​	7​	9​
Tim Thomas *	2011​	25​	16​	4​	5​	9​
Henrik Lundqvist	2014​	25​	13​	1​	8​	9​
Ken Dryden	1977​	14​	12​	4​	4​	8​
Bernie Parent *	1975​	15​	10​	4​	4​	8​
Dominik Hasek	2007​	18​	10​	2​	6​	8​
Arturs Irbe	2002​	18​	10​	1​	7​	8​
Henrik Lundqvist	2015​	19​	11​	0​	8​	8​
Martin Brodeur	1995​	20​	16​	3​	5​	8​
Mike Vernon *	1997​	20​	16​	1​	7​	8​
Jean-Sebastien Giguere *	2003​	21​	15​	5​	3​	8​
Patrick Roy	1996​	22​	16​	3​	5​	8​
Chris Osgood	1998​	22​	16​	2​	6​	8​
Mike Richter	1994​	23​	16​	4​	4​	8​
Corey Crawford	2013​	23​	16​	1​	7​	8​
Cam Ward *	2006​	23​	15​	2​	6​	8​
Ed Belfour	2000​	23​	14​	4​	4​	8​
Jon Casey	1991​	23​	14​	1​	7​	8​
Andrei Vasilevskiy	2022​	23​	14​	1​	7​	8​
Jordan Binnington	2019​	26​	16​	1​	7​	8​

* - Conn Smythe Trophy Winners

 

[LightningStorm]

IMO Crawford would have won the Smythe in 2013 had Quick & Thomas not been the previous two winners. I think a bit of a goalie fatigue set in, as well as him being not as dominant as those two.

I listed 2013 as one of the 9 instances I believed there were 2 right choices. In addition to a goalie having won the previous 2, I thought Kane being passed over in 2010 (another year I thought there were 2 right choices) might've also played a role in him winning in 2013.

 

[bobholly39]

IMO Crawford would have won the Smythe in 2013 had Quick & Thomas not been the previous two winners. I think a bit of a goalie fatigue set in, as well as him being not as dominant as those two.

I think that's very possible - and it also didn't help Crawford that as good as he was, he was definitely worst than both Quick and Thomas in their respective years. If the order had been reversed and Crawford had somehow won his in 2011 and the second goalie in 2012, I think it's a lot more likely either of Thomas/Quick still win in the 3rd year with their performances despite voter fatigue due to overall better performance.

Patrick Kane has a fantastic playoff record and certainly more than one "smythe worthy run" - but I think I agree that objectively, Crawford was more deserving in 2013.

 

[pnep]

Great stuff! Do you have anything like this for goalies? For example: 1 goal wins (not including empty netters), wins while getting outshot by X no. of shots, etc.

Shots DIF, WINS

PO	Player	Team	WINS	Team ShA, WINS	Team Sh, WINS	Sh DIF, WINS	Sh DIF, WINS per WIN
1998​	Olaf Kolzig	WSH	12​	437​	302​	135​	11.25
2010​	Jaroslav Halak	MTL	9​	357​	232​	125​	13.89
1998​	Dominik Hasek	BUF	10​	350​	236​	114​	11.40
2002​	Jose Theodore	MTL	6​	223​	115​	108​	18.00
2009​	Jonas Hiller	ANA	7​	294​	197​	97​	13.86
2012​	Mike Smith	PHX	9​	322​	232​	90​	10.00
2003​	Jean-Sebastien Giguere *	ANA	15​	530​	440​	90​	6.00
2016​	Brian Elliott	STL	9​	308​	226​	82​	9.11
1993​	Curtis Joseph	STL	7​	276​	197​	79​	11.29
2011​	Tim Thomas *	BOS	16​	589​	515​	74​	4.63
2020​	Anton Khudobin	DAL	14​	495​	422​	73​	5.21
1991​	Tom Barrasso	PIT	12​	415​	343​	72​	6.00
2000​	Ron Tugnutt	PIT	6​	196​	125​	71​	11.83
1999​	Dominik Hasek	BUF	13​	410​	339​	71​	5.46
1981​	Pat Riggin	CGY	6​	225​	155​	70​	11.67
1994​	Patrick Roy	MTL	3​	144​	75​	69​	23.00
2020​	Darcy Kuemper	ARI	4​	186​	119​	67​	16.75
2017​	Marc-Andre Fleury	PIT	9​	321​	258​	63​	7.00
2000​	Curtis Joseph	TOR	6​	205​	143​	62​	10.33
2012​	Pekka Rinne	NSH	5​	175​	116​	59​	11.80
2020​	Jacob Markstrom	VAN	8​	274​	215​	59​	7.38
2011​	Dwayne Roloson	TBL	10​	320​	261​	59​	5.90
1985​	Murray Bannerman	CBH	9​	343​	286​	57​	6.33
2006​	Dwayne Roloson	EDM	12​	394​	337​	57​	4.75
2015​	Corey Crawford	CHI	13​	444​	388​	56​	4.31
2022​	Igor Shesterkin	NYR	10​	372​	317​	55​	5.50
2021​	Carey Price	MTL	13​	424​	371​	53​	4.08
2020​	Thatcher Demko	VAN	2​	91​	39​	52​	26.00
1994​	Kirk McLean	VAN	15​	533​	482​	51​	3.40
1989​	Tom Barrasso	PIT	7​	280​	230​	50​	7.14
2001​	Curtis Joseph	TOR	7​	205​	156​	49​	7.00
2020​	Carter Hart	PHI	9​	291​	242​	49​	5.44
1982​	Richard Brodeur	VAN	11​	390​	341​	49​	4.45
1990​	Bill Ranford *	EDM	16​	482​	434​	48​	3.00
2003​	Dwayne Roloson	MIN	5​	156​	110​	46​	9.20
1988​	Sean Burke	NJD	9​	291​	245​	46​	5.11
1985​	Grant Fuhr	EDM	15​	426​	499​	-73​	-4.87
1959​	Jacques Plante	MTL	8​	203​	276​	-73​	-9.13
1992​	Kirk McLean	VAN	6​	152​	225​	-73​	-12.17
1970​	Jacques Plante	STL	4​	84​	157​	-73​	-18.25
1986​	Mike Vernon	CGY	12​	308​	383​	-75​	-6.25
2016​	Matt Murray	PIT	15​	424​	501​	-77​	-5.13
2010​	Evgeni Nabokov	SJS	8​	225​	303​	-78​	-9.75
1970​	Gerry Cheevers	BOS	12​	343​	423​	-80​	-6.67
1977​	Ken Dryden	MTL	12​	282​	362​	-80​	-6.67
1982​	Billy Smith	NYI	15​	409​	490​	-81​	-5.40
2020​	Robin Lehner	VEG	9​	228​	309​	-81​	-9.00
2020​	Andrei Vasilevskiy	TBL	18​	547​	629​	-82​	-4.56
1963​	Terry Sawchuk	DET	5​	127​	210​	-83​	-16.60
1974​	Ed Giacomin	NYR	7​	163​	248​	-85​	-12.14
1984​	Grant Fuhr	EDM	11​	353​	439​	-86​	-7.82
1992​	Ed Belfour	CHI	12​	296​	385​	-89​	-7.42
1999​	Ed Belfour	DAL	16​	419​	509​	-90​	-5.63
1956​	Jacques Plante	MTL	8​	181​	273​	-92​	-11.50
1995​	Martin Brodeur	NJD	16​	381​	476​	-95​	-5.94
1968​	Glenn Hall *	STL	8​	225​	322​	-97​	-12.13
1997​	Garth Snow	PHI	8​	217​	314​	-97​	-12.13
1968​	Gump Worsley	MTL	11​	296​	399​	-103​	-9.36
1979​	Ken Dryden	MTL	12​	307​	415​	-108​	-9.00
1998​	Chris Osgood	DET	16​	418​	528​	-110​	-6.88
1994​	Mike Richter	NYR	16​	419​	533​	-114​	-7.13
2009​	Chris Osgood	DET	15​	422​	536​	-114​	-7.60
2007​	Dominik Hasek	DET	10​	239​	363​	-124​	-12.40
1978​	Ken Dryden	MTL	12​	265​	390​	-125​	-10.42
2013​	Corey Crawford	CHI	16​	461​	587​	-126​	-7.88
2000​	Martin Brodeur	NJD	16​	364​	494​	-130​	-8.13
2022​	Darcy Kuemper	COL	10​	248​	386​	-138​	-13.80
1989​	Mike Vernon	CGY	16​	395​	543​	-148​	-9.25
2001​	Martin Brodeur	NJD	15​	289​	443​	-154​	-10.27
2008​	Chris Osgood	DET	14​	318​	492​	-174​	-12.43
1997​	Mike Vernon *	DET	16​	414​	610​	-196​	-12.25
1995​	Mike Vernon	DET	12​	240​	450​	-210​	-17.50

Shots DIF, WINS (min 10 WINS)

PO	Player	Team	WINS	Team ShA, WINS	Team Sh, WINS	Sh DIF, WINS	Sh DIF, WINS per WIN
1998​	Olaf Kolzig	WSH	12​	437​	302​	135​	11.25
1998​	Dominik Hasek	BUF	10​	350​	236​	114​	11.40
2003​	Jean-Sebastien Giguere *	ANA	15​	530​	440​	90​	6.00
2011​	Tim Thomas *	BOS	16​	589​	515​	74​	4.63
2020​	Anton Khudobin	DAL	14​	495​	422​	73​	5.21
1991​	Tom Barrasso	PIT	12​	415​	343​	72​	6.00
1999​	Dominik Hasek	BUF	13​	410​	339​	71​	5.46
2011​	Dwayne Roloson	TBL	10​	320​	261​	59​	5.90
2006​	Dwayne Roloson	EDM	12​	394​	337​	57​	4.75
2015​	Corey Crawford	CHI	13​	444​	388​	56​	4.31
2022​	Igor Shesterkin	NYR	10​	372​	317​	55​	5.50
2021​	Carey Price	MTL	13​	424​	371​	53​	4.08
1994​	Kirk McLean	VAN	15​	533​	482​	51​	3.40
1982​	Richard Brodeur	VAN	11​	390​	341​	49​	4.45
1990​	Bill Ranford *	EDM	16​	482​	434​	48​	3.00
2016​	Martin Jones	SJS	14​	399​	355​	44​	3.14
2014​	Corey Crawford	CHI	11​	345​	302​	43​	3.91
1984​	Billy Smith	NYI	12​	344​	303​	41​	3.42
2004​	Evgeni Nabokov	SJS	10​	273​	236​	37​	3.70
2018​	Andrei Vasilevskiy	TBL	11​	345​	308​	37​	3.36
1999​	Patrick Roy	COL	11​	386​	351​	35​	3.18
2014​	Henrik Lundqvist	NYR	13​	392​	361​	31​	2.38
1992​	Tom Barrasso	PIT	16​	471​	441​	30​	1.88
2015​	Ben Bishop	TBL	13​	377​	352​	25​	1.92
2021​	Andrei Vasilevskiy *	TBL	16​	478​	453​	25​	1.56
1986​	Mike Vernon	CGY	12​	308​	383​	-75​	-6.25
2016​	Matt Murray	PIT	15​	424​	501​	-77​	-5.13
1970​	Gerry Cheevers	BOS	12​	343​	423​	-80​	-6.67
1977​	Ken Dryden	MTL	12​	282​	362​	-80​	-6.67
1982​	Billy Smith	NYI	15​	409​	490​	-81​	-5.40
2020​	Andrei Vasilevskiy	TBL	18​	547​	629​	-82​	-4.56
1984​	Grant Fuhr	EDM	11​	353​	439​	-86​	-7.82
1992​	Ed Belfour	CHI	12​	296​	385​	-89​	-7.42
1999​	Ed Belfour	DAL	16​	419​	509​	-90​	-5.63
1995​	Martin Brodeur	NJD	16​	381​	476​	-95​	-5.94
1968​	Gump Worsley	MTL	11​	296​	399​	-103​	-9.36
1979​	Ken Dryden	MTL	12​	307​	415​	-108​	-9.00
1998​	Chris Osgood	DET	16​	418​	528​	-110​	-6.88
1994​	Mike Richter	NYR	16​	419​	533​	-114​	-7.13
2009​	Chris Osgood	DET	15​	422​	536​	-114​	-7.60
2007​	Dominik Hasek	DET	10​	239​	363​	-124​	-12.40
1978​	Ken Dryden	MTL	12​	265​	390​	-125​	-10.42
2013​	Corey Crawford	CHI	16​	461​	587​	-126​	-7.88
2000​	Martin Brodeur	NJD	16​	364​	494​	-130​	-8.13
2022​	Darcy Kuemper	COL	10​	248​	386​	-138​	-13.80
1989​	Mike Vernon	CGY	16​	395​	543​	-148​	-9.25
2001​	Martin Brodeur	NJD	15​	289​	443​	-154​	-10.27
2008​	Chris Osgood	DET	14​	318​	492​	-174​	-12.43
1997​	Mike Vernon *	DET	16​	414​	610​	-196​	-12.25
1995​	Mike Vernon	DET	12​	240​	450​	-210​	-17.50

* - Conn Smythe Trophy Winners