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Greatest Playoff Runs in NHL History

Wayne Gretzky's 47 points in 18 games. Mario Lemieux winning with a broken hand. The Oilers losing just two games en route to glory. These playoff runs redefined excellence under pressure, combining dominant performance, high stakes, legendary individual efforts, and Cup-winning outcomes. Some years, a team or player simply can't be stopped.

January 25, 2026

Team Playoff Runs

The most dominant championship marches in NHL history:

#1. 1988 Edmonton Oilers: 16-2 Record

The most dominant playoff run in modern NHL history.

The Run:

Swept Winnipeg Jets (lost one game total to Winnipeg)
Swept Calgary Flames and Detroit Red Wings (lost one combined)
Swept Boston Bruins in Finals
Total: 16-2 record

Wayne Gretzky Stats: 43 points in 18 games, leading team to massive goal differentials every round.

Why It's #1: Edmonton outscored opponents by enormous margins across four rounds, losing just twice in 18 games. The offense was unstoppable, defense suffocating.

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#2. 1977 Montreal Canadiens: 12-2 Record

Completed 14-game run to Cup on May 7, 1977, sweeping Stanley Cup Finals.

The Dominance:

Part of Montreal's four consecutive Cups (1976-1979)
Swept Finals opponent
Minimal resistance throughout playoffs
Dynasty at absolute peak

Context: Montreal's mid-1970s teams faced little competition, dominating with elite talent across entire roster.

#3. 1983 New York Islanders: 16-4 Record

Fourth consecutive Cup for Islanders dynasty.

The Run:

Swept New York Rangers in Patrick Division Finals
Swept Edmonton Oilers in Stanley Cup Finals
16-4 record overall
Fourth straight championship

Significance: Islanders matched Montreal's four consecutive Cups, establishing themselves as legitimate dynasty.

#4. 1992 Pittsburgh Penguins: 16-5 Record, 11-Game Win Streak

Mario Lemieux's legendary run despite broken hand.

Mario's Stats:

44 points in just 15 games (missed five with broken hand)
11 multi-point games
Only two pointless games despite injury

The Streak: Penguins won final 11 games to capture back-to-back Cups with Lemieux dominating through pain.

Why It's Legendary: Lemieux proved he could carry team to championship while playing hurt, second-highest single-playoff point total ever.

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#5. 1995 New Jersey Devils: 16-4 Record

Martin Brodeur and trap system suffocated opponents.

The Defense:

Swept heavily favored Detroit Red Wings in Finals
Allowed just 34 goals in 20 playoff games
Defensive trap at peak effectiveness

Dominance: Devils proved defense wins championships, frustrating elite offensive teams with structure.

#6. 2001 Colorado Avalanche: 16-7 Record

Ray Bourque's storybook ending after 22 years.

The Storyline:

Bourque finally wins Cup after 22 seasons
Patrick Roy vs. Martin Brodeur Game 7 Finals thriller
Won Game 7 in Denver
Emotional payoff with Sakic handing Cup to Bourque

Context: Elite team with compelling narrative made this run unforgettable.

Individual Playoff Runs

Single-player performances that defined postseasons:

Wayne Gretzky, 1985: 47 Points in 18 Games

NHL-record 47 points (17 goals, 30 assists) remains gold standard for single-playoff dominance.

The Numbers:

47 points in 18 games
Led Edmonton to 15-3 record
First Conn Smythe Trophy
2.61 points per game

Why It's Untouchable: Gretzky's combination of volume and efficiency has never been matched. Modern playoff formats make 47 points virtually impossible.

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Mario Lemieux, 1991: 44 Points in 15 Games

Second-highest single-playoff total despite broken hand.

The Performance:

44 points (16 goals, 28 assists) in 15 games
Missed five games with broken hand
11 multi-point games
Only two pointless games

Context: Lemieux dominated while injured, proving toughness matched skill. Would have challenged Gretzky's record if healthy.

Tim Thomas, 2011: .940 Save Percentage

At age 37, Thomas posted historic goaltending performance.

The Stats:

.940 save percentage overall
.968 save percentage in seven-game Finals
1.98 GAA
Ended 39-year Boston drought

Why It Matters: Thomas proved age doesn't limit peak performance, delivering when Bruins needed him most.

Connor McDavid, 2024: 42 Points in 25 Games

Fourth-highest single-playoff total in history despite Finals loss.

The Numbers:

42 points in 25 games
Won Conn Smythe despite losing
First losing-team Conn Smythe since 2003
Highest single-playoff total since 1993

Significance: McDavid's performance was so dominant he won MVP despite Edmonton losing Finals.

Patrick Roy, 2001: Game 7 Mastery

Roy's clutch Game 7 Finals performance in Denver.

The Performance:

Shutout Martin Brodeur in Game 7
Elite saves throughout run
Third Conn Smythe Trophy
Helped Bourque finally win

Context: Roy's playoff resume includes three Conn Smythe Trophies, most all-time.

Common Elements of Greatest Runs

What separates legendary runs from good ones:

Sweep Frequency: 1988 Oilers, 1977 Canadiens, 1983 Islanders all swept Finals, showing complete dominance.

Goal Differential: Elite runs feature massive goal differentials, outscoring opponents by 2+ goals per game.

Overtime Wins: Clutch overtime victories define great runs, showing team can win close games.

Adversity Overcome: Lemieux's broken hand, Bourque's 22-year wait add narrative weight to statistical dominance.

Modern vs. Historical Runs

How playoff formats affect dominance:

Historical Advantage: Fewer rounds meant teams only needed 12-16 wins, making perfection easier.

Modern Challenge: Four rounds requiring 16 wins make dominant runs harder to achieve.

Schedule Differences: Older playoffs were shorter, allowing peak performance to sustain.

Salary Cap Impact: Modern parity prevents single team from dominating like 1980s Oilers.

The Verdict

The 1988 Oilers' 16-2 playoff record represents team dominance unlikely to be matched. Wayne Gretzky's 47 points in 1985 remains individual gold standard nearly 40 years later.

Mario Lemieux's 1991 run (44 points while injured) and Tim Thomas's 2011 goaltending (.940 save percentage) show excellence comes in different forms. Connor McDavid's 42 points in 2024 proves modern players can approach historic performances.

These runs defined careers, built legacies, and created moments that transcend hockey.

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