Average second round opponents are better than average first round opponents? In other news, Patrick Roy was pretty good in the playoffs.
Yeah, a few times he was also extremely lucky in his matchups.
Average point total for Roy's 2nd round opponents during his Cup winning seasons (presumably where he gets his "clutch" rep):
89
To put it into perspective (and this is keeping in mind I believe Roy to be the best playoff goalie ever):
Roy
Habs in 1986 were a 87 point team. They had a dream run in the playoffs against opponents that upset the favourites, facing teams with 86 points 1st round, 84 points 2nd round, 78 (
!) 3rd round and 89 in the Finals.
1993 Habs were a 102 point team and also enjoyed a lottery win as far as matchups go: 104 for the Nords in the first round then 86 2nd, 87 3rd, 88 points for LA in the Finals.
That is twice in two cup wins (2/8) facing a higher ranked opponent (for regular season points). For a combined total of 4 points (nothing!).
96 Avs had 104 points facing 79 first round, 94 second round, 131 third round (the real finals against Detroit), 92 Finals.
01 Avs had 118 points facing 90, 92, 103, 111 in the Finals against Jersey.
That is one time in two cup wins (1/8) with the Avs facing a higher ranked opponent. (A big single gap though at 27)
Cujo
1993 Blues had 85 points. Upset 106 point team in the first round (21 point gap!) and lost to the 99 point Leaf team (14 point gap) in the second (Cujo was awesome).
1997 Oilers had 81 points. Upset 104 point team in the first round (23 point gap!) and lost to a 107 point team (26 points) in the second.
1998 Oilers had 80 points. Upset a 95 point team in the first round (15) and lost to a 109 point team (29!) in the second.
1999 Leafs had 97 points. Beat 93 point team, beat 90 point team, lost to 91 point team (6 point advantage). Losing to Buffalo (the 91 point team) is one of Cujo's weaker efforts but the Leafs were not too hot that series and this was vintage Hasek they were facing as well.
2000 Leafs had 100 points. Beat 95 point team, lost to 103 point Devils team. Leafs were embarrassing in this series and managed only 6 shots in the elimination game as I noted above. Devils win the cup.
2001 Leafs had 90 points. Beat a 109 point team first round (19 point gap), lost to 111 point team in the second (21 point gap). Devils go to the finals again. Leafs outshot 206 to 148 in the series.
2002 Leafs had 100 points. Beat 96, and 94 point teams, lost to 91 point Carolina team (9 point advantage). Leafs only score 6 goals in the 6 games.
2003 Red Wings as I mentioned above were swept by Giggy's insanity and Detroit manages 6 goals in the 4 games.
Now looking at all the longer playoff runs of Cujo's career. How can anyone say he was a choker? He was playing teams that vastly outclassed his own or his team was not supporting him. With the exception of 99 against Buffalo where both he and his team were fairly mediocre.. I don't see it.
Just about every year he did anything in the playoffs, Cujo faced a gap in opposition in one round that is almost as big as Roy faced in multiple cup runs!