Conn Smythe Tournament (1977-00) Round 2: 1998 Yzerman vs 1990 Ranford

[blundluntman]

MATCHUP #1 (Round 2): Steve Yzerman (1998) vs Bill Ranford (1990)

Steve Yzerman (1997-98):
22 GP 6 G 18 A 24 Points

Bill Ranford (1989-90):
22 GP 16 W 2.53 GAA .912 Sv% 1 Shutout

Round 2 Matchups:
Yzerman 98 vs Ranford 90
Sakic 96 vs Roy 86
Leetch 94 vs MacInnis 89
Roy 93 vs Lemieux 92
Lemieux 91 vs Gretzky 88
Gretzky 85 vs Lafleur 77

Round 1 Results

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[bobholly39]

Wow you're really going heavy with the 2 Lemieux matchups. I think Lemieux 91/92, Roy 93 and Gretzky 88 are all 4 top 5 runs in this series of poll. In contrast, all 6 runs in the first 3 polls would definitely lose to those.

I voted Yzerman for this one - but definitely don't like these round 2 matchups.

 

[lakai17]

Under 3 GAA in this era was remarkable. More so in the playoffs.

 

[tabness]

I'd say Ranford's 1990 is the second best goalie run to Roy 1993.

Still, Yzerman in 1998 after Nagano just hit another level as if the big ice rejuvenated him and carried it into the playoffs. The numbers are lower than many other runs but this is Yzerman with the top defensive responsibilities and handling all the Bowman line juggling gracefully (aside from his usual guy those years McCarty, gotta carry Gilchrist who was playing real hurt, and sophomore Holmstrom who unsurprisingly had a great run himself getting to play with Yzerman).

7 of the 22 games who else but Yzerman was scoring or settinng up the all important first goal for the Wings and letting them lock down after. 15 of those 18 assists were primary. Top guy on penalty kill. Blocking all those shots. In the rare cases that the Wings were being outplayed and needed a hero, Yzerman seemed as if he was skating like it was 1993 again. Oh and Yzerman absolutely crushed one of the best faceoff men ever in Adam Oates in the dot in the finals.



(minor nitpick @blundluntman the Wings played 22 games in 1998, 6/6/6/4)

 

[blundluntman]

I'd say Ranford's 1990 is the second best goalie run to Roy 1993.

Still, Yzerman in 1998 after Nagano just hit another level as if the big ice rejuvenated him and carried it into the playoffs. The numbers are lower than many other runs but this is Yzerman with the top defensive responsibilities and handling all the Bowman line juggling gracefully (aside from his usual guy those years McCarty, gotta carry Gilchrist who was playing real hurt, and sophomore Holmstrom who unsurprisingly had a great run himself getting to play with Yzerman).

7 of the 22 games who else but Yzerman was scoring or settinng up the all important first goal for the Wings and letting them lock down after. 15 of those 18 assists were primary. Top guy on penalty kill. Blocking all those shots. In the rare cases that the Wings were being outplayed and needed a hero, Yzerman seemed as if he was skating like it was 1993 again. Oh and Yzerman absolutely crushed one of the best faceoff men ever in Adam Oates in the dot in the finals.



(minor nitpick @blundluntman the Wings played 22 games in 1998, 6/6/6/4)

Just changed it, thanks for letting me know

 

[blundluntman]

Wow you're really going heavy with the 2 Lemieux matchups. I think Lemieux 91/92, Roy 93 and Gretzky 88 are all 4 top 5 runs in this series of poll. In contrast, all 6 runs in the first 3 polls would definitely lose to those.

I voted Yzerman for this one - but definitely don't like these round 2 matchups.

Yeah there are definitely some tough matchups this round but my main goal was to have as many close/debatable matchups as possible. Imo most of these are relatively close and will be more interesting than the blowouts that would come from pitting lower-tier smythes against higher ones; gotta crack a few eggs to make an omelet I guess.

There's still a chance for 3 arguably top 5 smythe wins to make it to the next round though.

 

[Albatros]

Ranford, didn't leave Boston any chance in the finals.

 

[Ace Card Bedard]

Shame the Blackhawks had such terrible goaltending that season. They could have beaten that Oilers team.