FirstGoal Data since 1933-34

[Canadiens1958]

Long recognized as the key goal in the in the game, first goal data for players is now available via NHL. com.

www.nhl.com/stats/player?aggregate=1&report=skatergoals&reportType=season&seasonFrom=19331934&seasonTo=20172018&gameType=2&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=evGoals,goals

In over 350+ more games, Gretzky has one less first goal than Jean Beliveau.

First goal of the game tends to set the tone while requiring the opposition to score at least two to win.

Click to read more...

 

[Michael Farkas]

Jagr - 1st in first goals, 1st in game winning goals, 2nd in overtime goals ...that's not bad.

 

[Hockey Outsider]

It would be interesting to take into account the importance of the first goal in different eras. For example, a first goal in the early 1950s (or most of the 1930s, or the early 2000s) would probably be quite a bit more important than a first goal in the 1980s. (If you're only expecting both teams to combined for 5.5 goals on the night, that first one is a more significant contribution towards winning than if you're expecting both teams to combine for 8 goals on the night).

 

[Canadiens1958]

It would be interesting to take into account the importance of the first goal in different eras. For example, a first goal in the early 1950s (or most of the 1930s, or the early 2000s) would probably be quite a bit more important than a first goal in the 1980s. (If you're only expecting both teams to combined for 5.5 goals on the night, that first one is a more significant contribution towards winning than if you're expecting both teams to combine for 8 goals on the night).

Massaging the team data for first goals will answer most of the questions:

NHL.com - Stats

 

[blogofmike]

Mario Lemieux looks like the 1G king on a per game basis. Also has 18 in the playoffs ties Hull for 2nd and is one back of Gretzky - in half the games. Hull 91 makes sense as a single year record (19). He also has #2 with 16 the next year.

I really just went to this to see Pisani 06, who has a share of the playoff record.

 

[blogofmike]

Random team playoff records when you get a 1G

Wayne Gretzky 16-3
Mario Lemieux 16-2
Brett Hull 12-6
Stephane Richer 13-4
Steve Yzerman 14-3
Jean Beliveau 12-5
...
Brad Park 2-7

That's a Park stat if ever there was one.

 

[The Panther]

Can we check first points (goal or assist)?

Players from lower-scoring (and smaller roster) eras will be favored here, of course, as well as those who played their whole career on good teams. (Don't worry, Canadiens1958, that should make Henri Richard look better than he actually was.)

 

[Canadiens1958]

Can we check first points (goal or assist)?

Players from lower-scoring (and smaller roster) eras will be favored here, of course, as well as those who played their whole career on good teams. (Don't worry, Canadiens1958, that should make Henri Richard look better than he actually was.)

Data is from 1933-34 onwards so roster size is not a consideration.

The data speaks for itself to those who take the time to listen.