HF Ranks: Greatest Playoff Game Performances by a Player (2006-2014)

[JackTheTulip]

I remember Alec Martinez being incredible in a late playoff game last year when he prevented a clear goal against and then scored the series clincher a few minutes later. It's all fuzzy but I'm sure Kings fans know what I'm talking about.

 

[Trap Jesus]

Good choices so far. My hope is that people can start naming great performances on their own teams and we can go from there.

Some games by Bruins players over the years that I think deserve recognition:

Patrice Bergeron, Game 7 ECQF vs. Toronto in 2013 - 2 G, 1 A, 3 P, +3, 16/22 faceoffs. Assisted on the 4-3 goal with 1:22 left, scored the the game-tying goal with 51 seconds left, then won it in OT.

Tyler Seguin, Game 2 ECF vs. Tampa Bay in 2011 - 2 G, 2 A, 4 P, +3 in 13:31 TOI. Major breakout with Bergeron out, and all of his points (and especially goals) were on highlight reel plays.

Brad Marchand, Game 7 SCF vs. Vancouver in 2011 - 2 G, 1 A, 3 P, +3. I think Bergeron, Thomas and Marchand had great games on the biggest stage, but I have to single Marchand out. Great pass on the GWG, amazing effort on his first goal, and put the nail in the coffin with his ENG. All along with being a key component on the line that made the Sedins a -4 on the night.

Tim Thomas, Game 2 ECSF vs. Philadelphia in 2011 - 54 shots, 52 saves in a 3-2 OT win. Probably the best performance on his historic Cup run. With a 1-0 series lead, Philadelphia completely took it to the Bruins in this one, with Thomas really being the only reason they won. After being tied at 2 after 1, Philly outshot Boston 32-10 in the 3rd period + OT, with Thomas making a countless number of his athletic saves to get the very important swing game in the series.

 

[Esq]

Well, if Sharp buries the perfect pass in OT, then Toews is my winner from Game 7 of the 2011 series vs Vancouver.

Otherwise, Kaner in 2013 Kings series (Game 5) or 2009 Canucks series (Game 6). Hat tricks in both.

 

[JaegerDice]

I'll be a homer and nominate Kane for game 5 vs the Kings in 2013, and Toews for game 6 2013 against Boston (though that performance won't be summed up entirely on a score-sheet).

 

[Captain Bowie]

Roberto Luongo's best playoff games as a Canuck:

2007 - Game 1 vs. Dallas
76 shots, 72 saves in a 5-4 win in 4th OT

2007 - Game 2 vs. Anaheim
44 shots, 43 saves in a 2-1 win in OT

2007 - Game 5 loss vs. Anaheim
58 shots, 56 saves in a 3-2 loss in 2nd OT

2010 - Game 1 vs. Chicago
37 shots, 36 saves in a 5-1 win

2011 - Game 1 vs. Boston
36 shots, 36 saves in a 1-0 win

2011 - Game 5 vs. Boston
31 shots, 31 saves in a 1-0 win

 

[DL44]

Roberto Luongo's best playoff games as a Canuck:

2007 - Game 1 vs. Dallas
76 shots, 72 saves in a 5-4 win in 4th OT

2007 - Game 2 vs. Anaheim
44 shots, 43 saves in a 2-1 win in OT

2007 - Game 5 loss vs. Anaheim
58 shots, 56 saves in a 3-2 loss in 2nd OT

2010 - Game 1 vs. Chicago
37 shots, 36 saves in a 5-1 win

2011 - Game 1 vs. Boston
36 shots, 36 saves in a 1-0 win

2011 - Game 5 vs. Boston
31 shots, 31 saves in a 1-0 win

He was very good in that Dallas game 1... i wouldn't say he was great. He had better games later in the series.. but it is an eye popping save total.


2011, Round 1, Game 7 vs Chi... that was a great game.

I think his game 5 Ana game was his best..

 

[Machinehead]

one of those game 7s has to be in there, no?

Yeah but he's won 5 of them

I'll have to look at them all again.

 

[Erik Alfredsson]

I like Daniel Alfredsson in 06/07. He was amazing. Single game is harder though. I'll get back.

Although we lost the game, Game 5 of the SCF was a big one for him. Everyone else was done except for him, who gave it his all to score our only 2 goals that game.

Game 3 against Pittsburgh he scored twice including the winner.

Of course game 5 against Buffalo with the OT winner was pretty awesome too.

If I had to pick one though it would be Game 5 against the Ducks.

 

[Mitchy]

homer vote for Reimer during games 5 and 6 against the Bruins during the lockout shortened season. Was absolutely amazing in that series, but even more so in the games mentioned.

One of his many great saves during the series:

 

[NeedleInTheHay]

Malkin vs Carolina, it was man against boys.

 

[SchennSational1022*]

Literally any game Daniel Briere played in 2010 would fit here, what an animal he was.

 

[PALE PWNR]

Pronger should probably be mentioned as well for something. Guy puts teams on his back.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Yeah but he's won 5 of them

I'll have to look at them all again.

yeah good problem to have to review

 

[Realgud]

For goalies:

Jonas Hiller vs Wings
Mike Smith vs Blackhawks
Jaroslav Halak vs Capitals/Penguins
Tim Thomas vs Lightning

I don't know why I can only remember goalies :/

 

[Appleyard]

Gosh this is hard... some contenders I saw live or fully re-run in no specific order:

Claude Giroux:
4/13/2012, Game 2, vs Pittsburgh

3 goals
3 assists
+4
10 shots
22:30 TOI

Tim Thomas:
5/2/2011, Game 2, vs Philadelphia

54 shots faced
52 saves

still have no idea how he saved a couple of those shots

Andy McDonald:
4/25/2007, Game 1 vs Vancouver

3 goals
1 assist
+2
7 shots
20:19 TOI

One that really sticks in the memory.

Johan Franzen:
5/6/2010, Game 4 vs San Jose

4 goals
2 assists
+3
5 shots
14:44 TOI

Chris Drury:
5/2/2006, Game 6 vs Philadelphia

2 goals
2 assists
+4
4 shots
16:41

He would have got 6-7 points that night if they kept playing him... he was on another planet.

Chris Pronger:
5/7/2010, Game 4 vs Boston

1 goal
1 assist
+3
3 shots
37:33 TOI

Alex Ovechkin:
5/4/2009, Game 2 vs Pittsburgh

3 goals
+2
12 shots
23:32 TOI

John Madden:
4/24/2006, Game 2 vs Rangers

3 goals
+3
10 shots
18:14 TOI

He was Gretzky for a night. Everything he did turned to gold. Just insane. Still etched in my memory his hat-trick.

Patrick Kane:
6/8/2013, Game 5 vs LA

3 goals
+1
5 shots
28:40 TOI

Evgeni Malkin:
5/21/2009, Game 2 vs Carolina

3 goals
1 assist
+2
8 shots
19:31 TOI

Just dominant.

HMs to Giroux Game 6 vs Pens. He won that game from 1 minute in.

Luongo vs Dallas was crazy in 2007 as well. Leclaire vs Pens in 2010 was bizarre but amazing as well. I did not watch either of those games though apart from highlights.

 

[Blue Shakehead]

Big Buff with 2 goals and 2 assists in game 5 of the Cup final in 2010. He also wrecked Pronger that game. He was dominant the entire run, with 3 game winners against the Sharks in the WCF and 4 goals against the Canucks.

 

[Aceonfire*]

Pronger for sure.

 

[Roo Mad Bro]

Claude Giroux game 2 2012 against Pens.

Absolutely dominant.

 

[Ace Card Bedard]

 

[Captain Bowie]

He was very good in that Dallas game 1... i wouldn't say he was great. He had better games later in the series.. but it is an eye popping save total.


2011, Round 1, Game 7 vs Chi... that was a great game.

I think his game 5 Ana game was his best..

The fact the he played more than two games is unreal. He was amazing in the "2nd game" and stood on his head for 3+ OT's.

 

[Ducks in a row]

http://ducks.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2005030243

Joffrey Lupul 4 goal game in which he scored all 4 goals for the Mighty Ducks in a 4-3 OT win.



Also Jean-Sebastien Giguere had many great games in net for the Mighty Ducks in 2003 playoffs such as Game 1 against the defending Stanley Cup champion Red Wings in which he allowed 1 goal off of 64 shots in a 3OT game or game 1 against the Dallas Stars allowing 3 goals off of 63 shots in a 5OT game as examples. Then against the Wild he allowed just 1 total goal in a 4 game sweep.

 

[Jtown]

Giroux game 2 or Giroux game 6 of 2012.

 

[Stuzchuk]

too bad you start in 06... the single most dominant performance that I'v seen by a single player would be Patrick Roy in the 93 playoffs... from round one to round 4....

Other than that SJ @ DAL will always be up there for me... Turco gave the performance of a lifetime in net... I beleive DAL lost after 2-3 OT IIRC

 

[Cult of Hynes]

Halak in 2009-2010 against the Pens and Caps.

 

[magic school bus]

Crosby and Ovechkin with the dueling hat tricks, and Kane vs Luongo with the elimination game hat trick