Obscure hockey facts/stats (Part 2)

[Hockey Outsider]

The 1968-69 Kings appear to be the only playoff team in NHL history where nobody on the roster was a plus. Seven players were -20 or worse. Incredibly, this team won a playoff round.

 

[The Panther]

The 1968-69 Kings appear to be the only playoff team in NHL history where nobody on the roster was a plus. Seven players were -20 or worse. Incredibly, this team won a playoff round.

Ha, that's funny.

I thought the 1981-82 L.A. Kings might qualify here (369 goals against and made the playoffs!!), but actually they had some players who were +1 to +4.

However, nobody who played more than 75% of the games was a plus.

 

[The Panther]

In December 27th and 30th 1981, Wayne Gretzky scored 9 goals in two consecutive games (4 vs. L.A, 5 vs. Philly). I'm fairly certain nobody has done that since, but I'm wondering who, if anyone, did it before Gretzky?

Once, Wayne Gretzky had 10 assists in two consecutive games. The dates were Feb. 14th and 16th 1986 (7 vs. Quebec, 3 vs. Buffalo).

Then, here are occasions when Gretzky had 9 assists in two consecutive games:
-- Feb. 15th and 17th 1980 (7 vs. Washington, 2 vs. St. Louis)
-- Dec. 5th and 7th 1985 (5 vs. L.A., 4 vs. Minnesota)
-- Dec. 11th and 13th 1985 (7 vs. Chicago, 2 vs. Winnipeg)
-- Oct. 15th and 17th 1986 (5 vs. Quebec, 4 vs. Detroit)

(Toward the end of Wayne's last season with Edmonton, he had 13 assists in three games, and I'm thinking that's got to be the record for three...?)

Anyway, has anyone else had 10 assists in two games (I highly doubt it), or even 9?

 

[Hockey Outsider]

In December 27th and 30th 1981, Wayne Gretzky scored 9 goals in two consecutive games (4 vs. L.A, 5 vs. Philly). I'm fairly certain nobody has done that since, but I'm wondering who, if anyone, did it before Gretzky?

Once, Wayne Gretzky had 10 assists in two consecutive games. The dates were Feb. 14th and 16th 1986 (7 vs. Quebec, 3 vs. Buffalo).

Then, here are occasions when Gretzky had 9 assists in two consecutive games:
-- Feb. 15th and 17th 1980 (7 vs. Washington, 2 vs. St. Louis)
-- Dec. 5th and 7th 1985 (5 vs. L.A., 4 vs. Minnesota)
-- Dec. 11th and 13th 1985 (7 vs. Chicago, 2 vs. Winnipeg)
-- Oct. 15th and 17th 1986 (5 vs. Quebec, 4 vs. Detroit)

(Toward the end of Wayne's last season with Edmonton, he had 13 assists in three games, and I'm thinking that's got to be the record for three...?)

Anyway, has anyone else had 10 assists in two games (I highly doubt it), or even 9?

Joe Malone had nine goals in two consecutive games (on Jan 30th and Feb 2nd, 1918). Not sure if anyone else has.

I wouldn't have guessed this with 1,000 chances, but Billy Taylor had nine assists in two games (March 15th and 16th, 1947 - both against Chicago). He had two assists the first game, and seven(!) the next one. His linemate Roy Conacher had four goals and an assist. Taylor is the only player in NHL history (aside from Gretzky, who did this three times) to have seven assists in one game.

Adam Oates also had nine assists in two games (January 25th and 26th, 1991 - both against Detroit). He had four assists the first game, and five in the next (including on the OT winner).

 

[alko]

If anyone saw the farcical Edmonton - Calgary game the other day, the Oilers (cough..! cough...!) defense gave up 9 even strength goals. I'm wondering when is the last time an NHL club gave up 9 ES goals in one game?

Poor Draisaitl. Even with 3 goals he was -4 in that game. First time since 1983 this happen.

 

[Super Fadio Bro]

This year’s Red Wings allowed 0-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11 goals.

I don’t think any teams in NHL history achieved that « feat ».

 

[crobro]

Victor Nachaev who played 3 games as the first former Soviet in the NHK with the kings in the mid 80’s almost became the owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Kay Whitmore was 5th in GAA in 1992-93. Now that’s a surprising name to see in the league leaders.

 

[MS]

Kay Whitmore was 5th in GAA in 1992-93. Now that’s a surprising name to see in the league leaders.

He was terrific that year which is why, in order to protect him in the 1993 Expansion Draft, Vancouver acquired John Vanbiesbrouck from NYR knowing Vanbiesbrouck would be selected.

 

[kaiser matias]

Victor Nachaev who played 3 games as the first former Soviet in the NHK with the kings in the mid 80’s almost became the owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning

Where did this come from? Never heard it before.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

He was terrific that year which is why, in order to protect him in the 1993 Expansion Draft, Vancouver acquired John Vanbiesbrouck from NYR knowing Vanbiesbrouck would be selected.

Not denying that. But he’s definitely a name you wouldn’t expect to see there.

 

[The Panther]

Some funny stats from the high-scoring era of the playoffs:

In the 1983 Edmonton - Calgary series, Flames' Paul Reinhart led his team with six points in the series, and he somehow went minus 14 (in five games!).

In the crazy 1985 Edmonton - Chicago series, the Hawks collectively were minus 101 and the Oilers +97. Al Second had six points in six games and went minus 11 in the series.

In the very one-sided NY Rangers - NY Islanders first round series in 1994, Brian Leetch went plus 11, while not even one Islander was a plus. The Rangers collectively were plus 58 and the Islanders minus 58, in four games.

 

[Big Phil]

Jonathan Huberdeau is the all-time single season leader in assists for left wingers. Joe Juneau for almost three decades was the leader at 70 assists. How could no one have surpassed 70?

 

[Hynh]

If anyone saw the farcical Edmonton - Calgary game the other day, the Oilers (cough..! cough...!) defense gave up 9 even strength goals. I'm wondering when is the last time an NHL club gave up 9 ES goals in one game?

Not only were they 9 ES goals, they were 9 5x5 goals. However, the last time a team gave up 9 5x5 goals was earlier that month when Detroit gave up 9 to Arizona (!?). The previous instance of 9 5x5 goals was in February 2022 when Toronto scored 9 goals 5x5 against... Detroit. Only 2 other teams have allowed 9 5x5 goals since NHL.com started tracking goals by strength in 2009-10

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Jonathan Huberdeau is the all-time single season leader in assists for left wingers. Joe Juneau for almost three decades was the leader at 70 assists. How could no one have surpassed 70?

Just seems like a confluence of bad luck. Hull and Ovechkin were shoot first types. The leader in A/GP among retired players (Kariya) played in the DPE which was compounded by injury issues. The all time LW leader in assists (Bucyk) played a huge chunk of his career in the O6 era of lower G/GP and shorter schedules. Messier (and many others I'm sure) moved to centre.

What's really crazy is we could 3 LWs (Huberdeau, Panarin, Gaudreau) pass 70 all in the same season.

 

[Ace36758]

To start the 1993-1994 season, Sergei Zubov was sent to the minors to start the year by Mike Keenan. He played two games and then was called up to the Rangers. He ended up leading the team in points that year with 89.

Can anyone think of other examples where a player started off the year in the minors then came back to lead their NHL team in scoring?

 

[Retire91]

Jonathan Huberdeau is the all-time single season leader in assists for left wingers. Joe Juneau for almost three decades was the leader at 70 assists. How could no one have surpassed 70?

Whoa pretty cool one. I was kind of shocked too. I looked up some LW to see how close they got.
Robitaille 63
Sedin 63
Kariya 62

 

[Retire91]

To start the 1993-1994 season, Sergei Zubov was sent to the minors to start the year by Mike Keenan. He played two games and then was called up to the Rangers. He ended up leading the team in points that year with 89.

Can anyone think of other examples where a player started off the year in the minors then came back to lead their NHL team in scoring?

Gustav Nyquist almost did it but he got outscored by one point by Daniel Alfredsson and Niklas Kronwall but the interesting this is he did it only playing 57 games

2013-14 Redwings
Daniel Alfredsson GP 68 P 49
Niklas Kronwall GP 79 P 49
Gustav Nyquist GP 57 P 48

 

[crobro]

When the Indianapolis Racers traded Gretzky to the Edmonton Oilers,the racers coach Pat Stapleton signed 17 year old Mark Messier the next day as a replacement for the great one.

 

[kaiser matias]

When the Indianapolis Racers traded Gretzky to the Edmonton Oilers,the racers coach Pat Stapleton signed 17 year old Mark Messier the next day as a replacement for the great one.

It was actually 3 days later, but yes Messier went to Indianapolis to replace the departed Gretzky. His father Doug was friends with Stapleton, so recommended his son go turn pro there rather than stay in the AJHL (where Doug was coaching Mark).

 

[Hynh]

Leon Draisaitl has more 50 goal NHL seasons than the entire nation of Sweden combined

 

[Yozhik v tumane]

Leon Draisaitl has more 50 goal NHL seasons than the entire nation of Sweden combined

As does Mickey Redmond, Danny Gare, Dany Heatley and all the 46 players who’ve had multiple 50 goal seasons.

Sweden hasn’t been too prolific in exporting goal scorers. For its greatest goal scorer of all time, I’d suppose Håkan Loob whose record 50 goal season would be as good a pick as anyone, however he didn’t even lead his own team in goals that time since Nieuwendyk managed 51. Sven Tumba, Daniel Sedin, Markus Näslund and Tomas Sandström were also decent goal scorers.

For close calls, five times Swedes had 45-49 goals on a season. Kent Nilsson had seasons of 46 and 49 goals, and Mats Sundin netted 47 goals once.

Tomas Sandström is arguably the most probable to reach 50 barring injury: he had seasons where he scored 40 in 64 and 45 in 68 games. Mika Zibanejad in 2019-20 was also scoring at a very high clip, although he’d missed games even before the season was cut short. He finished with 41 goals in 57 games.

Markus Näslund’s 48 goals in 2002-03 is the highest finish by a Swede in the scoring race, being second to only Hejduk that time.

 

[alko]

 

[The Panther]

In his prime, Wayne Gretzky famously racked up Even Strength points (plus short-handed) like no other player. Here's how many games it took him to reach 100 ES points (plus SH, for interest's sake) each season he did it, along with how many points the 2nd and 3rd-best ES scorers had at the time.

To 100 Even-Strength Points:​

1979-80
79 games = (102 points incl. SH)
1st - Gretzky 100 (37 ES goals)
2nd - Dionne 90
3rd - Lafleur 83

1980-81
78 games (106 points incl. SH)
1st - Gretzky 100 (34 ES goals)
2nd - Dionne 84
3rd - Nilsson 76

1981-82
54 games (104 points incl. SH)
1st - Gretzky 100 (46 ES goals)
2nd - Bossy 58
3rd - Anderson / Savard 53

1982-83
64 games (109 points incl. SH)
1st - Gretzky 100 (35 ES goals)
2nd - Stastny 67
3rd - Bossy 62

1983-84
50 games (117 points incl. SH)
1st - Gretzky 100 (38 ES goals)
2nd - Bossy 63
3rd - Kurri 62

1984-85
51 games (114 points incl. SH)
1st - Gretzky 100 (36 ES goals)
2nd - Kurri 74
3rd - Bossy 61

1985-86
58 games (113 points incl. SH)
1st - Gretzky 100 (27 ES goals)
2nd - Coffey 61
3rd - Bossy / Savard 59

1986-87
59 games (114 points incl. SH)
1st - Gretzky 103 (36 ES goals)
2nd - Kurri 61
3rd - Hawerchuk 54

1987-88 - Didn't make it to 100 ES because of injury. However, still led the NHL in ES points despite missing 16 games:
1st - Gretzky 91 (100 points incl. SH)
2nd - Lemieux 74
3rd - Messier 70

1988-89
77 games (115 points incl. SH)
1st - Yzerman 101
2nd - Gretzky 100
3rd - Lemieux 98

1989-90 - Didn't make it to 100 ES because of injury. However, still led the NHL in ES points despite missing 7 games:
1st - Gretzky 96
2nd - Yzerman 79
3rd - Lemieux / Messier 71 (Lemieux's pace was just marginally below Gretzky's, per games played)

1990-91
77 games (102 points incl. SH)
1st - Gretzky 101 (32 ES goals)
2nd - Hull 82
3rd - Recchi 72

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Amid a myriad of eye-poppers here, perhaps the most remarkable is 100 ES points in 50 games in 1983-84; i.e., 2.00 points per game (higher than any other player's total points, in history to that point) if he'd never appeared on the power-play all season!

 

[Hynh]

As does Mickey Redmond, Danny Gare, Dany Heatley and all the 46 players who’ve had multiple 50 goal seasons.

Sweden hasn’t been too prolific in exporting goal scorers. For its greatest goal scorer of all time, I’d suppose Håkan Loob whose record 50 goal season would be as good a pick as anyone, however he didn’t even lead his own team in goals that time since Nieuwendyk managed 51. Sven Tumba, Daniel Sedin, Markus Näslund and Tomas Sandström were also decent goal scorers.

For close calls, five times Swedes had 45-49 goals on a season. Kent Nilsson had seasons of 46 and 49 goals, and Mats Sundin netted 47 goals once.

Tomas Sandström is arguably the most probable to reach 50 barring injury: he had seasons where he scored 40 in 64 and 45 in 68 games. Mika Zibanejad in 2019-20 was also scoring at a very high clip, although he’d missed games even before the season was cut short. He finished with 41 goals in 57 games.

Markus Näslund’s 48 goals in 2002-03 is the highest finish by a Swede in the scoring race, being second to only Hejduk that time.

I originally had it formulated as "Germany has more 50 goal seasons than Sweden" but then I didn't want people to think Heatley counts as a German. As you say, the Swedish style of hockey doesn't produce very many "Cy Young" players.

 

[FerrisRox]

Not denying that. But he’s definitely a name you wouldn’t expect to see there.

Not long after he was out of the NHL and spent five years in the minors before resurfacing.