A while back we sat down together and opened the NHL record book in search of some of the game’s unbreakable records. Although Wayne Gretzky’s name is found throughout the history of the game, it has been determined that some marks, including Darryl Sittler’s 10-point game, Bobby Orr’s 110-point season and Glenn Hall’s streak records were unattainable in today’s game. .
In response, people also wrote their thoughts on the NHL’s all-time records including some from single-game seasons and career game numbers. So, with that in mind, here’s a look at 10 unbreakable NHL records.
NHL Playoff Records: 2 Years of Playoff Hockey
He was a big part of the glory days in Montreal and it got him into the playoffs every year. In fact, in more than 20 years of his career, Larry Robinson did not miss the playoffs once. From his first season with Montreal in 1972-73 to his final days in the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings in 1991-92, Robinson enjoyed 20 seasons of playing experience.
During that time he played 227 postseason games and recorded 144 points (28g-116a). Recently, the great Nicklas Lidstrom also reached the milestone of 20 straight NHL playoff appearances. Played 263 games in 20 playoff seasons – accumulating 183 points (54g-129a).
While Brett Hull made the playoffs in 19 straight seasons and Larry Murphy made it 18 straight years, the way the game has changed and the number of teams missing the postseason each year may be why we won’t see another player. make a 20th consecutive trip to the NHL playoffs – at least not anytime soon.
NHL Playoff Records: 8 Points, 1 Night
Sittler had 10 points a night in the regular season. To this day, that record remains to be broken and is one of the most untouchable regular season records in hockey. In the playoffs, the record for most points in one night is held by two skaters.
In 1988, Patrik Sundstrom scored eight points (3g-5a) for the Devils in a 10-4 victory over the Washington Capitals. The eight-point plateau was also reached by a guy named Mario Lemieux in 1989. The NHL player of the year scored five goals and added three assists in a 10-7 win over the Flyers.
The most recent attempt to beat the record came in May 2010 when Johan Frazen had four goals and two assists against the San Jose Sharks – helping the Red Wings to a 7-1 victory. However, will the playoff record for points in a game ever be touched? A recent score prediction would suggest otherwise.
NHL Playoff Records: The Great One’s Postseason Mastery
If it wasn’t enough for Gretzky to lead the NHL’s regular season record book, the Great One tops most postseason statistical categories. While his career and assist records may be reached at some point in the future, his season-long scoring record may be less affected than people think.
In 208 career NHL games, Gretzky recorded an NHL record 382 points (122g-260a) with the Oilers, Kings, Blues and Rangers. It’s hard to imagine any player in today’s game being able to reach this point as players often see less playoff action than they did during Gretzky’s time.
NHL Playoff Records: A Real Dominion
The talk of royalty has changed in an era of salary capping for teams like Chicago that have won three Stanley Cups in six years. However, there was a time when dominance meant back-to-back championships – a team that seemed to get better year after year.
In the late 1950s, it was the Montreal Canadiens who were the talk of the NHL. In fact, they hold the NHL record for consecutive Stanley Cup championships – winning five in a row from 1956 to 1960.
The Montreal Canadiens won four more in a row from 1976 to 1979 and the Islanders did it from 1980 to 1983. Habs did in the late 50s.
NHL Playoff Records: Hat Tricks are nothing
Looking back at Gretzky’s playoff records, there was another mark he set that seemed untouchable. His ability to see the game was second to none – setting up his teammates and spotting holes in the opposing goalkeeper’s wall.
Over and over again, the Big One made it look easy to score at the NHL level. In fact, he holds the record for most hat tricks in 10 playoff games – including eight three-goal games and two four-goal games. That mark is followed by Maurice Richard and Jari Kurri who both scored seven hat tricks during their playoff career.
While it’s a record that some may question its untouchability, scoring doesn’t come in bunches like it did in Gretzky’s playing days. That is why it should be considered an unbreakable record.
NHL Playoff Records: King of the Crease
Easily one of the greatest goaltenders to ever play in the NHL, Martin Brodeur holds the record for the longest hitting streak. In his career, Brodeur qualified for 205 playoff games with the New Jersey Devils.
Until 2011-12, Brodeur tied with another legend (Patrick Roy) for career playoff shutouts with 23. But it was that year, when he recorded one shutout in 24 games, that he surpassed the former Canadiens and Avalanche greats in saves alone. all-time mark with 24 postseason shutouts.
That record goes along with an impressive 2.02 career goals-against average in the postseason and should stand the chance of goalies playing as many playoff games as Brodeur has in his career.
NHL Playoff Records: All-Time Winner
Roy may have lost his playoff shutout record at the hands of Brodeur, but when it comes to the winningest goalie in the postseason, Roy still holds the mark. In his 247 playoff games, the former Avs and Habs goaltender won an NHL record 151 games — or 61 percent of his games.
Having won four Stanley Cups during his career (two with Montreal and two with Colorado) it makes sense that the legendary goaltender sits atop the NHL’s all-time playoff wins list. Is it broken? Well, here’s what it looks like behind him.
Brodeur is second all-time with 113 postseason wins and Grant Fuhr is third with 92. The closest goalie is Henrik Lundqvist who is tied for fourteenth all time with 54 career playoff wins. At 33, he still has a long way to go to surpass Roy’s all-time record.
NHL Playoff Records: The Hunter Game
To say Dale Hunter is offensively challenged is an understatement. But when it came to playing the game of hockey, Hunter was known for his physical play and more trips to the sin bin than his offense.
And while it’s not always the greatest stat to be known for, it does hold Hunter’s all-time postseason mark. Hunter enjoyed 18 playoff seasons – playing in 186 games. While recording 118 points during that time (42g-76a) he also added an NHL record 729 penalty minutes.
The way the game has changed, penalties are not passed like before. Sure, you still have your most punished games, but not as much as when Hunter set the all-time mark. Now, when it comes to those chasing the mark, Chris Nilan finished his career in second place with 541 playoff penalty minutes and the closest player to play was Ottawa’s Chris Neil with just 192 penalty minutes. Needless to say, Hunter’s record is far from being broken.
NHL Playoff Records: Making History With Free Hockey
The seemingly unbreakable record is the one set by the Montreal Canadiens in 1993. As my colleague Nissa Khan explained, the Habs won 10 of their 16 wins, en route to winning the Stanley Cup, in overtime.
While some may believe this is an unbreakable record, consider this: The closest anyone came was the 2002 Carolina Hurricanes and the 2003 Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Both teams won seven games in extra time in their respective runs and both reached the Cup Final.
It seems possible, but 10 of the 16 required wins means the team has to keep games close and take about 63 percent of its wins by way of overtime.
NHL Playoff Records: Coach, Player and Winner?
Lester Patrick is well known in any hockey circle. But if you were told that you set a record in 1928 that will never be broken, would you know what they were talking about?
If not, here’s one that no one will ever take away from Patrick. In 1928 Patrick became the oldest goaltender in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup Final at age 44, 3 months and 10 days.
But wait. On top of that, Patrick is also the only head coach in NHL history to win a Stanley Cup Final in net – a mark that will never be broken unless one of today’s coaches feels like qualifying.
This article was originally published in July, 2015.
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