I'm using Hockey Reference for those finishes, and they require a minimum of 10 points scored in that playoff season for a player to show up on the top 10 list. So while it is true that a player can get hot over a few games, the vast majority of players ranked in the top 10 played in at least two playoff series.
Fair enough. I definitely consider Forsberg's two 1st overall finishes in scoring, while not reaching finals, extremely impressive.
While I cannot bear to watch 90's hockey anymore (I admit that my antipathy towards the late 90's hockey could effect my judgement in evaluating players), I found three games from the 84 series of Oilers vs. Flames from the net.
In an effort to see what's what, I will watch them tonight and try to observe especially Kurri's overall performance. Obviously Oilers will win as the went to the Cup, but other than that I do not know much about this particular matchup.
EDIT: Okay, while individual games are not an indication to either way, I thought to post my impressions if they are of interest to anyone from the first Oilers playoff game I watched today (Smythe division final, Oilers - Flames, game 7).
First of all, I surprised once again how dirty the 80's game seemed like. Before the game was put away by Oilers (it ended up being a 7-4 rout), there was quite a bit of liberal stick use, checking headfirst to the boards, etc. that would probably cause huge threads in hfboards today and to me there was two incidents that could have resulted to suspension today.
The game was pretty good showcase for Kurri who scored 2+1. His mistakes were few, but he did make a mistake shorthanded when in my opinion he played too passively in front of his own net which resulted to one goal against.
Otherwise he had extremely composed game. I was impressed especially when he was pressured in the defensive side of the rink. Aside from the goal against, Kurri played very well shorthanded and his second goal was a beauty of transition where he was pressurized in his own size of the rink, gave a composed pass to a teammate and on the next moment was himself on a breakaway and coolly put the puck in the net. He made some good interceptions and takeaways.
His first goal came from pinpoint pass on a powerplay from Coffey to the front of the net. Kurri's assist was just that he touched the puck briefly before letting it go to Gretzky, who then slapped it in the Flames net.
Overall it was extremely solid game both defensively and offensively. Aside from Kurri's goalscoring I was impressed by his passing game, nothing fancy (one great pass to Gretzky at the end of the game though) but the pucks ended almost invariably to the right people. Neither of his goals were assisted by Gretzky and the second goal was pretty much all Kurri anyways.
Other impressions: Extremely impressed by Gretzky, he saved 3-0 breakaway (these are not too common in the modern game) by his backchecking, picked the opposing players pockets with ease, avoided opposing hits and then gave incredible pass to Anderson. 1+1, could have been much more.
Coffey had some good rushes, a great assist and had a good game too, though also was partially responsible for one goal against.
Messier did not seem to score (unless he had an assist I missed) and checked Mike Eaves headfirst to the boards. Very dirty.
McInnis had a nice goal with his slapper.
Pretty entertaining game until Oilers ran away with it, Moog was a starter for Oilers, Flames went to 3-4 lead at the second, Fuhr was changed to the net and he did not allow a goal. Did not face too many shots either.
but imo you're not doing too badly in this thread.
