McDavid is on a serious run to try and break Gretzky's single season playoff assist record (he did it)

[Ol' Jase]

It is amazing too see how many people try to sh*t on this accomplishment.

Not at all, to be honest. It’s right on the money for this forum.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

It is amazing too see how many people try to sh*t on this accomplishment.

Nothing reveals the absurdity of this place as much as trying to downplay McDavid's ability and accomplishments.

 

[Panthaz89]

Yes. There is a lot separating the two performances.

Gretzky wasn't even allowed to pass the puck over two lines. That literally changed the entire game.

Imagine Gretzky being able to get away with passes from his own end to the other side of the red line.

That makes no sense the 80s was still easier to get points....look at the totals from that decade. You would never see so many players breaking 100 now.

 

[Fourier]

Yes. There is a lot separating the two performances.

Gretzky wasn't even allowed to pass the puck over two lines. That literally changed the entire game.

Imagine Gretzky being able to get away with passes from his own end to the other side of the red line.

Having seen almost every home game Gretzky played for the Oilers live I doubt that the bolded would have made all that much difference in a short sample size like a playoff run. Now if you are talking Coffey maybe and from those passes Gretzky may have had some role in an eventual goal. But long passes were not Gretzky's style.

McDavid's accomplishment is incredible to me having seen Gretzky during that period. The '88 playoff Oilers also scored 4.67 G/gp. Honestly, this was a record I did not expect anyone to break.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

It completely changed the game. All you need is a set of eyes and the iq of a tree to understand that. It's made the game immeasurably faster. And opened up the ice more than any rule change ever has.

What's hard to understand about this?

EDIT: OK. Technically the forward pass rule from like the 1920s probably opened up the game even more, lol.

Two Line Pass Rule: How the NHL Removing it Changed Hockey

What is the two line pass rule in hockey and why did the NHL remove it? Here’s everything you need to know about the 2 line pass rule.

www.hockeymonkey.com

From the article you linked to:

Looking at goal scoring averages per from the late 80’s to the early 90’s, goal scoring has actually gone down slightly since the removal of the rule for the 2005 season. Of course, there are a few factors to this, namely the aforementioned goalie pad sizes as well as teams greatly improving their defensive strategies.

So it's easier to get assists now even though scoring is down? Makes sense.

You're trying to use one variable in a vacuum to reduce McDavid's accomplishment, which is ridiculous though entertaining.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

Anyone who downplays the accomplishments of McDavid or Gretzky simply doesn't "get" hockey nor appreciate the special talents of the game.

 

[La Bamba]

Anyone who downplays the accomplishments of McDavid or Gretzky simply doesn't "get" hockey nor appreciate the special talents of the game.

Jealous fans hate on the all time greats in all sports unfortunately, it’s more or less a reflection of their own sad lives

 

[SaltNPeca]

Amazing SCP for McDavid. If this goes a few more games he'll likely do an even more "Gretzky" thing and have more Assists in a single Playoffs (*salary cap era) than any player had total Points. ('09 Malkin w/ 36)

 

[psycat]

Isn’t it insane how the Oilers won a cup without him shortly after but he was never able to win another cup without those Oilers?

Not at all insane.

 

[WalterLundy]

Need somebody to crunch the post season numbers here

Say no more. I can post the league averages for all of the years but here are the numbers.

Historical playoff league averages:

EVG: 2.03, PPG: 0.74, SHG: 0.10

Wayne Gretzky playoffs adjusted

79-80: 3 GP: 2 G, 1 A, 3 PTS
80-81: 9 GP: 5 G, 10 A, 15 PTS
81-82: 5 GP: 5 G, 6 A, 11 PTS
82-83: 16 GP: 9 G, 19 A, 28 PTS
83-84: 19 GP: 12 G, 21 A, 33 PTS
84-85: 18 GP: 13 G, 22 A, 35 PTS
85-86: 10 GP: 7 G, 11 A, 18 PTS
86-87: 21 GP: 5 G, 27 A, 32 PTS
87-88: 19 GP: 9 G, 22 A, 31 PTS

Oilers playoff totals:
120 GP: 67 G, 139 A, 206 PTS (1.72)

Connor McDavid playoffs adjusted

16-17: 13 GP: 6 G, 5 A, 11 PTS
19-20: 4 GP: 5 G, 4 A, 9 PTS
20-21: 4 GP: 1 G, 3 A, 4 PTS
21-22: 16 GP: 9 G, 21 A, 30 PTS
22-23: 12 GP: 8 G, 11 A, 19 PTS
23-24: 22 GP: 6 G, 34 A, 40 PTS

Totals:
71 GP: 35 G, 78 A, 113 PTS (1.59)

Mario Lemieux playoffs adjusted

88-89: 11 GP: 9 G, 6 A, 15 PTS
90-91: 23 GP: 13 G, 24 A, 37 PTS
91-92: 15 GP: 13 G, 16 A, 29 PTS
92-93: 11 GP: 6 G, 8 A, 14 PTS
93-94: 6 GP: 4 G, 3 A, 7 PTS
95-96: 18 GP: 11 G, 14 A, 25 PTS
96-97: 5 GP: 4 G, 3 A, 7 PTS
00-01: 18 GP: 7 G, 12, 19 PTS

Totals:
107 GP: 67 G, 86 A, 153 PTS (1.43)

To match McDavid’s first 9 years (71 GP and 113 P for 1.59 ppg) Gretzky is at 206 in 120 (1.72) and Lemieux 95 in 60 (1.58)

McDavid has the edge on Lemieux for two best runs combined and for adjusted playoff ppg. For regular season adjusted ppg through the first 9 years it is 1.64 for Lemieux and 1.61 for McDavid. This really helps McDavid’s future case for second best player ever given his overall career trajectory. Longevity very well could be what breaks this essentially relative equivalence between the two.

 

[EXTRAS]

Took him 3 more games. Not as impressed.

 

[AnInjuredJasonZucker]

Gretzky probably didn't lose as many games as many games as McDavid.

Neither of them are credited with an NHL loss.

 

[KevinRedkey]

FWIW, Bouchard is 2 away from tying the Playoff assist record for a Dman.

 

[Video Nasty]

Took him 3 more games. Not as impressed.

1988: Oilers scored 87 goals in 19 games (4.58 GPG). Gretzky assisted on 31 of them (35.6%).

2024: Oilers scored 75 goals in 22 games (3.41 GPG). McDavid assisted on 32 of them (42.7%).

It’s as impressive at the bare minimum and a record few, if any, thought would be broken any time soon. It does nothing to diminish Gretzky, so there’s no reason to downplay it.

Also of note:

When Gretzky had 30 assists in 18 games, the Oilers scored 98 goals (5.44 GPG). His 30 assists were generated from 30.6% of their totals.

How can McDavid’s current day run not be viewed as equally impressive at worst?

 

[EXTRAS]

1988: Oilers scored 87 goals in 19 games (4.58 GPG). Gretzky assisted on 31 of them (35.6%).

2024: Oilers scored 75 goals in 22 games (3.41 GPG). McDavid assisted on 32 of them (42.7%).

It’s as impressive at the bare minimum and a record few, if any, thought would be broken any time soon. It does nothing to diminish Gretzky, so there’s no reason to downplay it.

Also of note:

When Gretzky had 30 assists in 18 games, the Oilers scored 98 goals (5.44 GPG). His 30 assists were generated from 30.6% of their totals.

How can McDavid’s current day run not be viewed as equally impressive at worst?

I'm allowed to have my opinion. It just isn't as impressive when done in more games for me. If someone comes along and breaks mcdavids record in 26 games I'll feel the same way about that guys new record not being as impressive as mcdavids scoring in 22 games. Also, the 12 extra goals the Oilers scored...6 of those can be thrown out because gretzky has 6 more goals than mcdavid. Hard to assist on goals you are scoring on.

 

[Rschmitz]

woooooow

 

[DoubleGold]

But he's gonna lose regardless

 

[J bo Jeans]

Say no more. I can post the league averages for all of the years but here are the numbers.

Historical playoff league averages:

EVG: 2.03, PPG: 0.74, SHG: 0.10

Wayne Gretzky playoffs adjusted

79-80: 3 GP: 2 G, 1 A, 3 PTS
80-81: 9 GP: 5 G, 10 A, 15 PTS
81-82: 5 GP: 5 G, 6 A, 11 PTS
82-83: 16 GP: 9 G, 19 A, 28 PTS
83-84: 19 GP: 12 G, 21 A, 33 PTS
84-85: 18 GP: 13 G, 22 A, 35 PTS
85-86: 10 GP: 7 G, 11 A, 18 PTS
86-87: 21 GP: 5 G, 27 A, 32 PTS
87-88: 19 GP: 9 G, 22 A, 31 PTS

Oilers playoff totals:
120 GP: 67 G, 139 A, 206 PTS (1.72)

Connor McDavid playoffs adjusted

16-17: 13 GP: 6 G, 5 A, 11 PTS
19-20: 4 GP: 5 G, 4 A, 9 PTS
20-21: 4 GP: 1 G, 3 A, 4 PTS
21-22: 16 GP: 9 G, 21 A, 30 PTS
22-23: 12 GP: 8 G, 11 A, 19 PTS
23-24: 22 GP: 6 G, 34 A, 40 PTS

Totals:
71 GP: 35 G, 78 A, 113 PTS (1.59)

Mario Lemieux playoffs adjusted

88-89: 11 GP: 9 G, 6 A, 15 PTS
90-91: 23 GP: 13 G, 24 A, 37 PTS
91-92: 15 GP: 13 G, 16 A, 29 PTS
92-93: 11 GP: 6 G, 8 A, 14 PTS
93-94: 6 GP: 4 G, 3 A, 7 PTS
95-96: 18 GP: 11 G, 14 A, 25 PTS
96-97: 5 GP: 4 G, 3 A, 7 PTS
00-01: 18 GP: 7 G, 12, 19 PTS

Totals:
107 GP: 67 G, 86 A, 153 PTS (1.43)

To match McDavid’s first 9 years (71 GP and 113 P for 1.59 ppg) Gretzky is at 206 in 120 (1.72) and Lemieux 95 in 60 (1.58)

McDavid has the edge on Lemieux for two best runs combined and for adjusted playoff ppg. For regular season adjusted ppg through the first 9 years it is 1.64 for Lemieux and 1.61 for McDavid. This really helps McDavid’s future case for second best player ever given his overall career trajectory. Longevity very well could be what breaks this essentially relative equivalence between the two.

Really puts things into perspective great summary!

So essentially, if (huge if) the Oilers end up coming back and winning the Cup. McDavids run would be the best individual playoff performance in league history?

 

[Fatass]

You don't think this offsets the two line pass? Which change do you think would make for more scoring scrapping 2 line pass in 1988 NHL Playoffs or 1988 Goalie equipment and styles? It's impossible to tell, but it's statistical proven it was easier to score back then.
1987/88 season average goals per team was 297 3.71gpg
2023/24 average goals per team was 244 2.97gpg

You can't take one without the other though. Would changing the two line pass rule possibly increased his totals? Most likely. Would Mcdavid add to his totals playing against 80s goalies/defense? Most like, but can't say for sure on hypothetically. Just like when people say "Mcdavid wouldn't of been able to play in the 80s he would get wrecked " again impossible to know. You would think he would adjust himself to be able to play against big tough opponents, or could he be like Gretzky. Players just couldn't touch Gretzky, and if they did they would get pounded by the enforcers.

Everyone is always so quick with the "ifs". At the end of the day it's only hypothetical, because it didn't happen and there is no point I arguing about hypotheticals. It's alot easier to just sit enjoy what we are seeing. Records are never gonna be linear just like 30 to 40 years from now im sure there will be even more modifications to the sport. Will Probably be some Ai robot or Bill gates genetically modified cyborg controlled by a 12 year old with an Xbox controller breaking all the records.

Gretzky had a 2x4 for his stick and had guys hook and gab and tackle away from the puck. The technology for ice, skates, and other equipment plus the rules of play makes it impossible to compare players across eras.

 

[SullivanT]

Gretzky had a 2x4 for his stick and had guys hook and gab and tackle away from the puck. The technology for ice, skates, and other equipment plus the rules of play makes it impossible to compare players across eras.

Kind of what my post was all about if you read it but if you think great players like Mcdavid or Gretzky wouldn't have adapted their games to work with what they got you are kidding yourself

 

[Fatass]

Kind of what my post was all about if you read it but if you think great players like Mcdavid or Gretzky wouldn't have adapted their games to work with what they got you are kidding yourself

Yup. The great players would be the greatest in any era.

 

[WalterLundy]

Really puts things into perspective great summary!

So essentially, if (huge if) the Oilers end up coming back and winning the Cup. McDavids run would be the best individual playoff performance in league history?

Yes indeed. Definitely could be argued at that point easily. Cup or not it will be one of the best but your point is correct. It’ll take nearly breaking the record as is to win this cup. I think we all should definitely not take for granted just how good McDavid has been as a playoff performer. Through first 9 years in the league he is the second best ever in playoff ppg for forwards when adjusted for era behind only the great one.

Wayne Gretzky playoffs adjusted

79-80: 3 GP: 2 G, 1 A, 3 PTS
80-81: 9 GP: 5 G, 10 A, 15 PTS
81-82: 5 GP: 5 G, 6 A, 11 PTS
82-83: 16 GP: 9 G, 19 A, 28 PTS
83-84: 19 GP: 12 G, 21 A, 33 PTS
84-85: 18 GP: 13 G, 22 A, 35 PTS
85-86: 10 GP: 7 G, 11 A, 18 PTS
86-87: 21 GP: 5 G, 27 A, 32 PTS
87-88: 19 GP: 9 G, 22 A, 31 PTS

Totals:
120 GP: 67 G, 139 A, 206 PTS (1.72)

Connor McDavid playoffs adjusted

16-17: 13 GP: 6 G, 5 A, 11 PTS
19-20: 4 GP: 5 G, 4 A, 9 PTS
20-21: 4 GP: 1 G, 3 A, 4 PTS
21-22: 16 GP: 9 G, 21 A, 30 PTS
22-23: 12 GP: 8 G, 11 A, 19 PTS
23-24: 22 GP: 6 G, 34 A, 40 PTS

Totals:
71 GP: 35 G, 78 A, 113 PTS (1.59)

Mario Lemieux playoffs adjusted

88-89: 11 GP: 9 G, 6 A, 15 PTS
90-91: 23 GP: 13 G, 24 A, 37 PTS
91-92: 15 GP: 13 G, 16 A, 29 PTS
92-93: 11 GP: 6 G, 8 A, 14 PTS

Totals:
60 GP: 41 G, 54 A, 95 PTS (1.58)

Sidney Crosby playoffs adjusted:

06-07: 5 GP: 3 G, 2 A, 5 PTS
07-08: 20 GP: 7 G, 21 A, 28 PTS
08-09: 24 GP: 15 G, 17 A, 32 PTS
09-10: 13 GP: 6 G, 12 A, 18 PTS
11-12: 6 GP: 4 G, 5 A, 9 PTS
12-13: 14 GP: 8 G, 10 A, 18 PTS
13-14: 13 GP: 1 G, 9 A, 10 PTS

Totals:
95 GP: 44 G, 76 A, 120 PTS (1.26)

Crosby is out of place here but I wanted to add him to show the scale of what McDavid has accomplished. Not saying this to pick on Crosby but to show that after Gretzky he is up there with the very best of the best. He is to be compared to Lemieux for regular and post season through the same point (and is virtually identical to him in both adjusted metrics) not anyone else. That’s where the real debate will be as time goes on. McDavid has the most adjusted points in a playoff single season (obviously in more games but still impressive).

 

[tony135420]

had guys hook and gab and tackle away from the puck.

Have you watched any playoff games this year?

It isn't too far off.

 

[Little Bobby Boo]

as a Panthers fan who was at game 4 (rip) - what a moment. The building went absolutely nuts, then MVP chants for a good while.

97 is on another level.

 

[Video Nasty]

I'm allowed to have my opinion. It just isn't as impressive when done in more games for me. If someone comes along and breaks mcdavids record in 26 games I'll feel the same way about that guys new record not being as impressive as mcdavids scoring in 22 games. Also, the 12 extra goals the Oilers scored...6 of those can be thrown out because gretzky has 6 more goals than mcdavid. Hard to assist on goals you are scoring on.

Okay, so the percentage gap still in McDavid’s favor tightens (while ignoring that all goals were generated in an environment that allowed for an extra goal per game).

I know you’re allowed to have an opinion, lol, that’s what is known without being stated every time we hit submit on our posts.

As is being responded to.