Now you're going by reputation. Come on
Well, this Maltsev's supposed 'vanishing in big games' is something that is mostly milked by a couple of posters here rather than by his opponents or teammates or contemporary sources. Why didn't this 'choking' have an effect e.g. on Maltsev's SPOTY voting or his WHC record (awards/all-stars) that are far superior to Yakushev's?
Don't get me wrong, I don't think it's a total myth, and I rank Mikhailov somewhat higher than Maltsev (even though comparing their careers, Maltsev could very easily be favoured too) because in the big games I've seen Mikhailov has usually been a better performer. But the difference between Yakushev and Maltsev in this area is hardly so big that it could compensate the obvious difference in their overall careers (in Maltsev's favour).
I think it's not just the quantity of goals, but the timeliness of them. Maltsev scored in oodles against Finns and Germans, but against tougher opponents he often vanished.
In 1976 OG Yakushev's trio (Shalimov - Shadrin - Yak) scored in every game, including twice against the Czechs (the decisive game of the tournament) when down 2-3. Yakushev lead all tournament in assists. Later that year Yakushev's Spartak won the Soviet championship.
Yakushev's tying goal:
I'm glad you brought that game up. Namely, that's the one big Czechoslovakia game that I've seen where Yakushev - or rather his line - was a big factor. But imo Shalimov was the best player on the line in the game.
And Kharlamov and Petrov were terrific too (two goals).
However, it doesn't matter to me one bit that they scored "in every game" at the 1976 OG. Look at the teams they were facing; weak USA, West Germany, Finland... no Sweden, no Canada whatsoever... the 'flu-ridden' Czechoslovakia was the only true test for USSR in the tournament. And Shadrin was the top scorer in any case.