Why is Crosby considered a clutch SCF performer?

Pancakes

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Go watch game 5 of the 2017 Cup run and tell me that he's not a clutch performer. Most important game in that series and he was absolutely dominant.

Or game 6 against the Sharks in 2016 with his dominant primary assist to Letang's GWG + his blocked shot + assist on Hornqvist's empty netter.
 

GrumpyKoala

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There some truth to that, only +3 in 25 cup finals games but it's not like he been invisible or a liability. The Olympic golden goal have a lot to do with the clutch when it matter impression. Pittsburgh had multiple great run with a great cast of players, and lead by a great captain. no reason to nit-pick here.
 
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Coffey

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There some truth to that, only +3 in 25 cup finals games but it's not like he been invisible or a liability. The Olympic golden goal have a lot to do with the clutch when it matter impression. Pittsburgh had multiple great run with a great cast of players, and lead by a great captain. no reason to nit-pick here.
Well said. Not invisible, not a liability.
But not some amazing showman that is thrown around when SCF performances are brought up.

Not even sure why people are bringing up McDavid in here. Crosby is a top 5 player of all time and I’m not even questioning his legendary status, just saying he doesn’t really excel in the finals.
 

Three On Zero

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In 2009 he had 2 assists in the finals and zero points in games 5-7, including the SC winning game.

In 2016 he had 4 assists in the finals and zero points in games 3-5. Two of his four assists in the SC winning game.

In 2017 he finally scored a goal in the finals coupled with 6 assists with zero points in the SC winning game.

Is there a reason why this propaganda floats around that he’s a dependable clutch player in the finals?
Solid 200’ player that also had to take hard defensive match ups. He was doing a lot more for Pittsburgh than just racking up points.
 
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Habssince89

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he is as good as we say he is.... our eyes ain't lieing to us.
And you certainly are trying to say "he isn't.
Hah I'm not denying Crosby's talent, just saying that the "he had the best defenders doubling teaming him" talking point is such a paradox. That's the norm for all the GOAT players. It can't be used as an excuse just because he has SCF series where he personally underperformed
 
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KrisLetAngry

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In 2009 he had 2 assists in the finals and zero points in games 5-7, including the SC winning game.

In 2016 he had 4 assists in the finals and zero points in games 3-5. Two of his four assists in the SC winning game.

In 2017 he finally scored a goal in the finals coupled with 6 assists with zero points in the SC winning game.

Is there a reason why this propaganda floats around that he’s a dependable clutch player in the finals?
I guess that's 2 more points then McDavid has scored ever in a Stanley Cups final last game.

Scoring was lower is a big thing.
I'd rather have McDavids line mates last year than 09 and 16 to be honest.
 

AnInjuredJasonZucker

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Weird thread all around. First, the premise. I don't think that Crosby's calling card has ever been clutch performance in the finals.

Second, no one bothered to even attempt to define what "clutch" means. The OP vaguely hints at it, but I'd challenge that assumption.

Third, the responses are aggressively swerving the point with some pretty weak defenses. I don't remember those series enough to say one way or another.
 
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Divine

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Oilers fans only compare McDavid's stats to Crosby, ignoring the fact that one of those centres plays defense while the other always cheats for offense.

It's not always about points, but unfortunately, defense doesn't show up on the stat sheet so you'd actually have to have watched the player play.
 

Cubs2024wildcard

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No one gives a f*** about how many points he's putting up in the finals. People care that he has 3 cup wins in an era where that kind of success is insanely rare.

Crosby was the leader of the Penguins and they had 3 cup wins and 4 cup appearances with him. Trying to cling to "he didn't have that many points!" to discredit him just makes you look like a hater.
So Toews?
 

Cubs2024wildcard

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Weird thread all around. First, the premise. I don't think that Crosby's calling card has ever been clutch performance in the finals.

Second, no one bothered to even attempt to define what "clutch" means. The OP vaguely hints at it, but I'd challenge that assumption.

Third, the responses are aggressively swerving the point with some pretty weak defenses. I don't remember those series enough to say one way or another.
What does "clutch" mean?

Watch a Patrick Kane playoffs highlight reel. I'm sure there's a couple on youtube.....
 

GeeoffBrown

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In some sports, they only hand out an award for the Finals but Conn Smythe trophy is a whole playoffs award
 

Luigi Lemieux

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Out of the 4 cup finals they were in 2 of them were against Detroit with Zetterberg and Lidstrom completely suffocating Crosby at all times. Would affect anyone's numbers.
 

Fordy

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lot of slap fighting in here

the reality is that every scf has its own narrative. prior to literally last year, “production” was not something most people cared about in scf. it’s quite literally something that could only matter if you lost. it’s a 7 game max series. it’s the final narrative. you can actually just evaluate it on a moment to moment basis. who did what when. there was a critical moment - who did what? there’s no need to look at individual stats, projected numbers, quibble over production. it’s usually 5-7 games and you can just remember and evaluate every moment. if you start talking stats, it’s literally only to argue that someone who lost actually did better than the results showed

it’s a unique animal. everything goes out the window. it’s about moments and narrative and someone builds a strong enough case that they win. xGF doesn’t exist. if you like gaudy stats, focus on the regular season, or even the early playoff rounds. the scf has never been about who can put up the best stats
 

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