Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The greatest Game 7 heroes in NHL history (and who might become one tonight)
Pro Hockey Talk ^ | May 12, 2011 | James O'Brien

Posted on 05/12/2011 5:04:30 PM PDT by NYer

Pavel Datsyuk, Joe Pavelski AP

A lot of people think that it’s unfair that the playoffs can make or break players’ legacies. It’s reasonable to feel uncomfortable about that since the sample size is so small, but there’s no doubt that lasting memories are made when everyone can focus on one game. The fact that tonight’s Detroit Red Wings-San Jose Sharks match is a Game 7 only intensifies that scrutiny.

The fact that Game 7s are still technically one game means that lesser known players can often steal the spotlight. Maxime Talbot scored two goals against the Red Wings in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals to win the Pittsburgh Penguins’ third championship. Mike Rupp came out of nowhere to score the game-winning goal and two other assists in the New Jersey Devils’ most recent Cup win. Ruslan Fedotenko scored two goals to help the Tampa Bay Lightning win their only Cup in a similarly surprising fashion.

Still, when The Hockey News named its top 10 all-time Game 7 performances, most of the biggest games were provided by the biggest names. Perhaps it only makes sense that the sport’s most famous star also happened to top the list of performers in the league’s highest profile games:

3. Mark Messier, Rangers, 1994

The Rangers captain famously guaranteed a win against New Jersey in the Eastern Conference final, then followed that up with the Stanley Cup-winning goal in Game 7 against Vancouver.

2. Ron Hextall, Philadelphia, 1987

It’s rare to see the Conn Smythe Trophy given to a member of the losing team, but that’s what happened to Hextall in Philly’s Cup final series loss to the Oilers. Hextall made 40 saves in a losing cause in the Flyers’ Game 7, 3-1 loss and was spectacular throughout the series.

1. Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles, 1993

During the Campbell Conference final between Toronto and the Kings, Gretzky put up arguably the best single-game showing of his unrivaled career, recording a hat trick and virtually willing L.A. to victory over a plucky, Doug Gilmour-led Leafs squad.

(If you here some rumbling from Toronto, their words might sound like “high-stick!”)

NHL.com provides its list of three unlikely heroes from each side, but I thought I might throw out a few more anticipated names who might come through for their teams.

Most likely Detroit heroes

Nicklas LidstromHe leads the Red Wings in points in Game 7s and factored into some of the team’s most important goals in this series already. Most signs indicate he should be back to play next season, but if he has doubts, he’ll obviously want to keep this run alive.

Pavel DatsyukDespite shrugging off an injured wrist, the all-world forward is still an irresistible force.

Henrik Zetterberg - He’s often overshadowed by Datsyuk, but Zetterberg is a dynamic two-way player in his own right and was the team’s top regular season scorer with 80 points.

Niklas Kronwall - Kronwall is showing signs of returning to the form that made him seem like the “next big thing” on the Detroit blueline a couple years ago. He gets most of his attention from those bone-crushing checks, but Kronwall can score points too.

Most likely San Jose heroes

Devin SetoguchiHe scored the OT-winner to clinch the Sharks’ historic comeback against the Kings and already has an OT winner against the Red Wings in this series. This would solidify the belief that he’s a thorn in Detroit’s side.

Joe ThorntonJumbo Joe already has a playoff series-clinching goal this year. Would another one turn his critics’ volume down that much more?

Joe Pavelski“The Big Pavelski” has been gold in the last two postseasons for San Jose.

Dan BoyleThe Sharks’ greatest weapon from the blueline has a Stanley Cup ring on his resume and plenty of scoring ability.

***

Of course, the Hollywood ending would involve Patrick Marleau either coming up huge for his team or blowing the game in a tragic way. We’ll see what happens tonight, but in the mean time: who do you think will be the biggest difference-maker?



TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: California; US: Michigan
KEYWORDS: detroitredwings; hockey; nhl; playoffs; redwings
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-39 next last

1 posted on 05/12/2011 5:04:33 PM PDT by NYer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: NYer

Go Sharks!


2 posted on 05/12/2011 5:05:52 PM PDT by samadams2000 (Someone important make......The Call!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

Captain Eddie Westphal

The 1975 Islanders weren't even supposed to have gotten to the quarterfinals against Pittsburgh. The third-year club wasn't expected to get past their big-city rival, the Rangers, in the best-of-three preliminary round -- but they did, winning Game 3 in overtime at Madison Square Garden in a game then-Isles GM Bill Torrey later called "the biggest win in franchise history."

3 posted on 05/12/2011 5:07:33 PM PDT by NYer ("Be kind to every person you meet. For every person is fighting a great battle." St. Ephraim)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer

What about Bobby Orr in 1970?


4 posted on 05/12/2011 5:08:24 PM PDT by buccaneer81 (ECOMCON)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer

The top three especially deserve their rankings...but only Cam Neely had the stones to be cast as a gay trucker named Seabass.


5 posted on 05/12/2011 5:10:39 PM PDT by Clemenza (Remember our Korean War Veterans)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer; SouthTexas; NormsRevenge

Have at it boys (NR & ST)


6 posted on 05/12/2011 5:12:54 PM PDT by tubebender (A perfectly good tagline used to reside here but our colorless Prez needed it for his campaign)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: samadams2000

The Sharks lack the depth of the Red Wings.


7 posted on 05/12/2011 5:13:49 PM PDT by NYer ("Be kind to every person you meet. For every person is fighting a great battle." St. Ephraim)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: NYer

I think Mark Messier was probably the most talented hockey player to ever play the game. He could play wing, center, offense and defense and play the game well.


8 posted on 05/12/2011 5:15:20 PM PDT by Jonty30
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: buccaneer81
Bruins - Flyers 1974 (Kate Smith)

(And I was a Ranger fan then)

ML/NJ

9 posted on 05/12/2011 5:16:03 PM PDT by ml/nj
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: NYer

Dwayne Roloson has been huge for the Tampa Bay Lightning, and he may definitely be a hero of the Boston - Tampa Bay series. Being an Islanders fan and him being a former player for that team, I’m definitely supporting him, as they also have Sean Bergenheim who was also an Islanders player.


10 posted on 05/12/2011 5:16:14 PM PDT by wastedyears (SEAL SIX makes me proud to have been playing SOCOM since 2003.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: buccaneer81
Not just any Game 7. THE Game 7, the Finals in overtime, May 10, 1970:


11 posted on 05/12/2011 5:17:38 PM PDT by buccaneer81 (ECOMCON)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: ml/nj
Bruins - Flyers 1974

Best sports rivalry of the 1970s.

12 posted on 05/12/2011 5:19:16 PM PDT by buccaneer81 (ECOMCON)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: NYer
I'm a Wings fan, but I just don't see them pulling this one off. Mule hasn't played much this series and didn't produce much when he did. Zetterberg and Pavel haven't produced much, but have kept the Wings in the game. They need some more people stepping up.

Thing is, they don't really start going till the third period. They certainly wore the Sharks down in game 6. The Sharks were seriously frustrated at the end of the game, slapping and punching at Wing players even after the buzzer. If they keep coming at them all game long, look for a wild third period! Still, I think the Sharks will pull it out in OT. The Wings are just playing too hurt, regardless of the volumes of experience they have.

13 posted on 05/12/2011 5:19:48 PM PDT by jeffc (Prayer. It's freedom of speech.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer

It’s too bad this game isn’t on network TV, considering how poor the rest of their offering are.


14 posted on 05/12/2011 5:26:16 PM PDT by FlyVet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: airborne

Game 7 ping!


15 posted on 05/12/2011 5:26:49 PM PDT by rfp1234
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer

The darkest of dark horses: Douglas Murray or Scott Nichol in OT.


16 posted on 05/12/2011 5:28:48 PM PDT by rfp1234
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: buccaneer81

4 games.


17 posted on 05/12/2011 5:35:54 PM PDT by bobby.223
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: buccaneer81

4 games.


18 posted on 05/12/2011 5:36:57 PM PDT by bobby.223
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: samadams2000

GO RED WINGS!!


19 posted on 05/12/2011 5:40:29 PM PDT by Debi911
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: bobby.223
Damn, you're right. I must have lost my mind somewhere in the last 41 years.

Thanks for the correction.

20 posted on 05/12/2011 5:41:09 PM PDT by buccaneer81 (ECOMCON)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-39 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson