Highest scoring duos in NHL history

[matnor]

In the thread about top NHL lines (http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=832194) the question was asked which duos scored the most points together. Personally I think that is perhaps more interesting than which lines scored most together since it's more common for two players to have good chemistry and play for a long time together than for an entire line. Also, it might be useful when assesing the production of one player to know the environment he played in. Therefore, I decided to use the data from the Hockey Summary Project to investigate this. As was the case in the other thread the HSP data exists for all seasons from 52/53 with the exception of the seasons 87/88, 88/89, 89/90, 91/92 and 92/93 so that is the data I used. While very good, the HSP data still contains some errors, and it's of course possible that I have made some as well. I define a goal to be a "duo goal" if the two players both had a point on that goal. That is, either goal+assist or assist+assist. Different from the other thread is that I consider both even strength goals as well as special team goals although a separation of these might be interesting.

These are the 30 duos with the most "duo goals" during this period.

Rank | Duo | Seasons | Goals
1 | Wayne Gretzky - Jari Kurri | 80/81 - 95/96 | 647
2 | Mike Bossy - Bryan Trottier | 77/78 - 86/87 | 612
3 | Alex Delvecchio - Gordie Howe | 52/53 - 70/71 | 555
4 | Daniel Sedin - Henrik Sedin | 00/01 - 10/11 | 460
4 | Marcel Dionne - Dave Taylor | 77/78 - 86/87 | 460
6 | Rod Gilbert - Jean Ratelle | 62/63 - 75/76 | 452
7 | Phil Esposito - Ken Hodge | 65/66 - 77/78 | 448
8 | Bernie Federko - Brian Sutter | 76/77 - 86/87 | 366
9 | Guy Lafleur - Steve Shutt | 72/73 - 84/85 | 361
10 | Paul Coffey - Wayne Gretzky | 80/81 - 86/87 | 341
11 | Stan Mikita - Kenny Wharram | 59/60 - 68/69 | 333
12 | Bill Barber - Bobby Clarke | 72/73 - 83/84 | 329
13 | Rick Martin - Gilbert Perreault | 71/72 - 80/81 | 315
14 | Jean Beliveau - Bernie Geoffrion | 53/54 - 63/64 | 312
15 | Phil Esposito - Bobby Orr | 67/68 - 74/75 | 307
16 | Anton Stastny - Peter Stastny | 80/81 - 86/87 | 301
17 | Bobby Clarke - Reggie Leach | 74/75 - 81/82 | 289
18 | Vic Hadfield - Jean Ratelle | 64/65 - 73/74 | 284
19 | Cliff Koroll - Stan Mikita | 69/70 - 79/80 | 281
20 | Glenn Anderson - Mark Messier | 80/81 - 93/94 | 279
21 | Marcel Dionne - Charlie Simmer | 78/79 - 84/85 | 273
22 | Gilbert Perreault - Rene Robert | 71/72 - 78/79 | 272
23 | Rod Gilbert - Vic Hadfield | 62/63 - 73/74 | 271
24 | Vincent Lecavalier - Martin St. Louis | 00/01 - 10/11 | 270
25 | Andy Bathgate - Dean Prentice | 52/53 - 70/71 | 268
26 | Don Luce - Craig Ramsay | 71/72 - 80/81 | 262
27 | Clark Gillies - Bryan Trottier | 75/76 - 85/86 | 261
28 | Paul Henderson - Norm Ullman | 65/66 - 73/74 | 256
29 | Dale Hawerchuk - Paul MacLean | 81/82 - 86/87 | 252
29 | Steve Larmer - Denis Savard | 82/83 - 86/87 | 252

Not surprisingly, Jari Kurri and Wayne Gretzky has the most points together. This is even more impressing since both the 91/92 and 92/93 seasons when they played together are excluded in the data. The only modern players that make the list are the Sedins and St. Louis - Lecavalier. The Sedins placement is particularly striking. Around 70% of their points have come when both players have registered a point on a goal. Though it should be noted that for the years Kurri played with Gretzky he had an even higher share of points together with Gretzky.

I also looked at which duos scored the most points together for a single season.

Rank | Duo | Season | Goals
1 | Wayne Gretzky - Jari Kurri | 84/85 | 109
2 | Wayne Gretzky - Jari Kurri | 85/86 | 106
3 | Mike Bossy - Bryan Trottier | 81/82 | 92
4 | Wayne Gretzky - Jari Kurri | 83/84 | 90
5 | Wayne Gretzky - Jari Kurri | 82/83 | 89
6 | Wayne Gretzky - Jari Kurri | 86/87 | 79
7 | Mike Bossy - Bryan Trottier | 78/79 | 77
8 | Wayne Gretzky - Blair MacDonald | 79/80 | 75
8 | Phil Esposito - Ken Hodge | 70/71 | 75
8 | Paul Coffey - Wayne Gretzky | 85/86 | 75
11 | Daniel Sedin - Henrik Sedin | 10/11 | 73
12 | Mike Bossy - Bryan Trottier | 83/84 | 72
13 | Daniel Sedin - Henrik Sedin | 09/10 | 71
14 | Guy Lafleur - Steve Shutt | 76/77 | 70
15 | Wayne Gretzky - Tomas Sandstrom | 90/91 | 69
15 | Todd Bertuzzi - Markus Naslund | 02/03 | 69
17 | Mike Bossy - Bryan Trottier | 80/81 | 68
18 | Marcel Dionne - Dave Taylor | 78/79 | 67
18 | Rick Middleton - Barry Pederson | 83/84 | 67
18 | Phil Esposito - Ken Hodge | 73/74 | 67
21 | Dale Hawerchuk - Paul MacLean | 84/85 | 66
21 | Mike Bossy - Bryan Trottier | 82/83 | 66
23 | Daniel Sedin - Henrik Sedin | 06/07 | 65
23 | Glen Murray - Joe Thornton | 02/03 | 65
23 | Marcel Dionne - Dave Taylor | 81/82 | 65
23 | Phil Esposito - Ken Hodge | 68/69 | 65
23 | Paul Coffey - Wayne Gretzky | 84/85 | 65
28 | Guy Chouinard - Bob MacMillan | 78/79 | 64
28 | Marcel Dionne - Charlie Simmer | 80/81 | 64
28 | Marcel Dionne - Charlie Simmer | 79/80 | 64
28 | Marcel Dionne - Dave Taylor | 80/81 | 64

As you can see, this list is dominated by Gretzky - Kurri. In 84/85, Kurri had a career high of 135 points. That means Gretzky had a point in over 80% of the points Kurri had. And Gretzky is on the list with a number of different players which underlines just how prolific scorer he was.

If you are interested in any other duo I can look it up.

Edit: See post #46 for updated lists covering all seasons from 52/53 to 12/13.

Click to read more...

 

[Dom]

Very interesting list and work.

Can you discriminate for goal and primary assists?
Let's say compare how many goals Kurri scored with a Gretzky primary assist, a Gretzky secondary assist and total?

 

[Pear Juice]

It really is fascinating to see the Sedin brothers in this company. Really goes to show you how much chemistry means. I knew they scored lots of goals together, but to think that they'd be that high up? I am truly surprised.

I suppose Lemieux - Stevens would be at or near the top if the data would be available.

 

[Dom]

I suggest, if you have the time, that you post the best of last year on the main board, with maybe a top5 for each team. This is very interesting data that I think more people would like to see.

 

[shello]

For some reason im surprised that the Sedins are that high

 

[plusandminus]

Good list.

If one would adjust for era, I actually think the Sedins would get about the same amount as Gretzky-Kurri. Both in their best seasons, and in total. It would be interesting to look at, to see whether they beat Gretzky-Kurri or not.

 

[SidGenoMario]

Could I see Crosby and Malkin?

 

[hskates21*]

So what I got out of this is bossy-trottier is the best offensive pairing of all time is that right?

 

[Infinite Vision*]

Look how much better the Sedin's are than anyone in their era.

 

[tjcurrie]

Very cool !

How bout Hull and Oates ?

Edit: Never mind. Just saw it was omitting the years they played together. Dang.

 

[shazariahl]

Good list.

If one would adjust for era, I actually think the Sedins would get about the same amount as Gretzky-Kurri. Both in their best seasons, and in total. It would be interesting to look at, to see whether they beat Gretzky-Kurri or not.

That would be interesting, though I'd be surprised if the Sedins beat them. For one thing, Gretzky/Kurri are missing a couple seasons, and for another they're still over 200 goals ahead. Even adjusting for era, that's a lot of ground to make up. Guaranteed it would be a lot closer though. The Sedins are pretty high up on the list already, and they'd only move up from an adjusted analysis.

Very interesting list and work.

Can you discriminate for goal and primary assists?
Let's say compare how many goals Kurri scored with a Gretzky primary assist, a Gretzky secondary assist and total?

There was a thread not too long ago here discussing primary assists vs secondary. Someone had complained that Gretzky had more 2ndary assists than anyone else in history, which shouldn't be shocking considering he also has more primary assists than anyone else in history. That's what happens when you have more assists than anyone else has points. However, the breakdown also showed that Gretzky had the highest % of primary assists of anyone in history as well, something I found rather surprising. I'm sure there was a cut off - like min 300 assists or something so we didn't have some random clown who played like 3 games ever and had 1 assist total as the leader.

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

Look how much better the Sedin's are than anyone in their era.

You could say "better." You could also say "reliant on each other."

It is quite striking how far ahead they are.

 

[BSHH]

Very cool !

How bout Hull and Oates ?

Edit: Never mind. Just saw it was omitting the years they played together. Dang.

Hull & Oates should not be omitted, though. In 1990/1991, they scored 111 goals together (86+25), which would top the per year-ranking.

Gruß,
BSHH

 

[5lidyzer19]

Lord stanchion has to be up there, although it's unfair to clasify him as a duo when there are easily dozens of him.

 

[Infinite Vision*]

You could say "better." You could also say "reliant on each other."

It is quite striking how far ahead they are.

I think it really goes to show that individually they don't really compare to Crosby offensively. Atleast IMO.

 

[Infinite Vision*]

Hull & Oates should not be omitted, though. In 1990/1991, they scored 111 goals together (86+25), which would top the per year-ranking.

Gruß,
BSHH

Didn't Oates only play 61 games that year as well?

 

[tjcurrie]

Didn't Oates only play 61 games that year as well?

Yes

Hull & Oates should not be omitted, though. In 1990/1991, they scored 111 goals together (86+25), which would top the per year-ranking.

Gruß,
BSHH

But isnt it how many goals they teamed up for ? Not their totals added up ?

 

[Trottier]

So what I got out of this is bossy-trottier is the best offensive pairing of all time is that right?

Absolutely not! Mike Bossy is "overrated".

I read that elsewhere on this site.

Back to reality: It's Edmonton's duo and NYI's duo...followed by all the rest. The numbers also speak very well of the Sedins' work. (Now they have to produce in June to cement their reputation beyond the stat memorizers.)

 

[redbull]

Absolutely not! Mike Bossy is "overrated".

I read that elsewhere on this site.

Back to reality: It's Edmonton's duo and NYI's duo...followed by all the rest. The numbers also speak very well of the Sedins' work. (Now they have to produce in June to cement their reputation beyond the stat memorizers.)

I read about Bossy being overrated as well, I thought it was the NY Times or the Washington Post .... maybe it was HFboards, definitely one of those though.

---

Besides the fact it's July, I don't see what the purpose of ranking duos means anyway, but since we're playing, I have to agree that it's Gretzky-Kurri and Trottier-Bossy and nobody else even close. If Mario-anyone would be pretty close I suppose. Lafleur-anyone maybe.

Trottier-Bossy were exceptional since they won four straight cups and I think went to the finals 5 straight years, almost 6, not to mention, twice against one of the best hockey teams of all time.

Unfortunately, often on this site, regular season goals/assists/per game (adjusted or not) rank higher than other key measures that aren't easily found in box scores.

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

I
Besides the fact it's July, I don't see what the purpose of ranking duos means anyway, but since we're playing, I have to agree that it's Gretzky-Kurri and Trottier-Bossy and nobody else even close. If Mario-anyone would be pretty close I suppose. Lafleur-anyone maybe.

.

Howe-Lindsay and Morenz-Joliat would have to be up there, as well. Possibly Nighbor-Denneny.

The HSP only goes back so far.

 

[Pear Juice]

Hull & Oates should not be omitted, though. In 1990/1991, they scored 111 goals together (86+25), which would top the per year-ranking.

Gruß,
BSHH

The analysis only counts goals on where they both contributed to the goal via either goal or assists. Hull&Oates would probably be high up, but I doubt they'd overtake Gretzky-Kurri.

 

[kurt]

No mention of Lemieux/Stevens in the thread? I see they'd be omitted from the results just as Hull/Oates were, but thought someone would mention.

Lemieux: 69 goals
Stevens: 55 goals
Tocchet: 48 goals

It's possible Lemieux/Stevens and Lemieux/Tocchet would both crack the list for that year. Heck, even Lemieux/Francis or Lemieux/Jagr, potentially.

For '84-'85 and '85-'86 I'd guess you could probably find permutations of Gretzky/Coffey, Kurri/Coffey and Gretzky/Anderson that would hit this list as well. Same go for some of the other tandems listed.

I think such analysis would diminish how remarkable the accomplishment of the Sedins appears, but there's no doubt they deserve credit in this category.

 

[matnor]

Could I see Crosby and Malkin?

Here they are:

Rank | Duo | Season | Goals
444 | Sidney Crosby - Evgeni Malkin | 06/07 | 38
825 | Sidney Crosby - Evgeni Malkin | 07/08 | 32
106 | Sidney Crosby - Evgeni Malkin | 08/09 | 53
1004 | Sidney Crosby - Evgeni Malkin | 09/10 | 30
2259 | Sidney Crosby - Evgeni Malkin | 10/11 | 22
----- | ----------------------------- | ------------ |---
84 | Sidney Crosby - Evgeni Malkin | 06/07-10/11 | 175

 

[matnor]

Very cool !

How bout Hull and Oates ?

Edit: Never mind. Just saw it was omitting the years they played together. Dang.

For the only season that exists in the data they had 61 goals together which ranks 38th of all time. Impressive given that Oates missed a quarter of the season.

Rank | Duo | Season | Goals
38 | Brett Hull - Adam Oates | 90/91 | 61

 

[matnor]

You could say "better." You could also say "reliant on each other."

It is quite striking how far ahead they are.

Yeah, I wouldn't call them better players for scoring a lot together. But the question is kind of moot since they are unlikely to play apart for a longer time period. One big reason for why they are far ahead of their contemporaries is that there are very few elite players today who play 10+ seasons together.