Conn Smythe Tournament (1977-00) Round 1: 1995 Claude Lemieux vs 1992 Mario Lemieux

[blundluntman]

MATCHUP #6 (Round 1): Claude Lemieux (1995) vs Mario Lemieux (1992)

Claude Lemeiux (1994-95):
20 GP 13 G 3 A 16 Points

Mario Lemieux (1991-92):
15 GP 16 G 18 A 34 Points

Round 1 Matchups:
Stevens 00 vs Leetch 94 Thread
Nieuwendyk 99 vs Roy 86 Thread
Yzerman 98 vs Gainey 79 Thread
Vernon 97 vs Gretzky 88 Thread
Sakic 96 vs Bossy 82 Thread
C Lemeiux 95 vs Lemieux 92
Roy 93 vs Smith 83
Lemieux 91 vs Goring 81
Ranford 90 vs Hextall 87
MacInnis 89 vs Robinson 78
Gretzky 85 vs Messier 84
Trottier 80 vs Lafleur 77

Click to read more...

 

[DitchMarner]

I think the answer is Lemieux.

 

[Video Nasty]

Lemieux in one of the easier ones.

It should be noted that his team made this run possible, by sustaining the loss of Lemieux for 6+ games of the 1992 playoffs. They withstood his exit in Game 2 of the second round and won the series in 6 against the Presidents’ trophy winning Rangers and even spotted him a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Bruins. He also missed a game in the first round.

A true team effort gave Lemieux the chance to do what he does best. If they collapse in the second round against the better team without him, his signature back to back playoff runs never materialize. Interesting to think about and consider that not all what ifs that this forum becomes obsessed with are positive.

 

[The Abusement Park]

I think the answer is Lemieux.

Don't be ridiculous... This is obviously Lemieux.

 

[tabness]

I think Lemieux in the 1992 playoffs played even better than Lemieux in the 1991 playoffs in a shift by shift/play by play sense. Lemieux at his zenith, just finesse player perfection, an everything player with the added benefit that size and reach. Obviously a lot of missed games though so you'd probably have to go with 1991 for that reason, but this 1992 run is a good candidate for best hockey played ever.

Pisses me off how good Claude Lemieux was though, including more than a few times in the playoffs against Detroit. I'd consider voting him against quite a few playoff runs in this thing (but then again he's a fing turtle so this matchup is for the best)

 

[bobholly39]

One of the easier rounds - Mario Lemieux obviously

 

[JackSlater]

Claude Lemieux is an interesting Conn Smythe but Mario has to win despite the missed games.

 

[Hockey Outsider]

I think Lemieux in the 1992 playoffs played even better than Lemieux in the 1991 playoffs in a shift by shift/play by play sense. Lemieux at his zenith, just finesse player perfection, an everything player with the added benefit that size and reach. Obviously a lot of missed games though so you'd probably have to go with 1991 for that reason, but this 1992 run is a good candidate for best hockey played ever.

Agreed. On a per-game basis, Lemieux's 1992 playoff run is extraordianary. Probably in the top five ever.

But, as @Video Nasty mentioned, he missed a lot of games (six out of 21, which is approx 29%). Jagr and Francis really stepped up, and helped the Pens go 4-2 without Le Magnifique.

In this matchup, it really doesn't matter. I'd rather have Mario for 71% of the games than Claude for every game. But the missed games should be taken into account later in the tournament, during tougher matchups.

 

[BraveCanadian]

lawl