APPosted on 05/12/2011 5:04:30 PM PDT by NYer
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 Lidstrom – He 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 Datsyuk – Despite 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 Setoguchi – He 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 Thornton – Jumbo 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 Boyle – The 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?
Let’s not forget Noel Picard. Without Noel’s stick action on Bobby’s skate after the puck went in we wouldn’t have THE picture today.
Ha! If ya find it let me know.....my old azz ancient mind(?) is probably right there with it!!! Seriously tho, the Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito and Derek Sanderson years in Boston were my favorite hockey ‘years’. The Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita And Glenn Hall years in Chicago and the Ted Lindsay, Gorie Howe and Alex Delveccio years in Detroit are next in line.
It’s been all Sharks so far, but that hasn’t stopped Detroit from repeatedly coming from behind to win in this series.
That was overtime, but not game 7.
Stephane Matteau. Double Overtime, against the Devils in the conference finals that year. I still remember that game and not even being able to hear "Scores" by the CBC announcers because the crowd was so loud.
NUTS!!!
Guess I’ll have to root for the Bruins now.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Damn good team. Damn good effort! Best of luck.
I know. My brain was on the fritz.
Picard lifted that stick like one of the Hanson brothers. (But he bore a striking resemblance to Barclay Donaldson.)
The sport was at its peak in the ‘70s. Right number of teams, real toughness, no “armor padding,” great TV coverage, affordable tickets (in 1972 the most expensive ticket for the Bruins was $10, the same as $50 today.) Now, $50 will land you in the upper bowl in most arenas.
(An original 6 Final would have been cool)
Thank you Nicklas Lidstrom(assuming he decides to hang'em up)....great career, and an example of a true professional athlete....skill, class and longevity.
Pretty much every sport peaked in the 70s.
I agree.
Great vintage video!! Oh how I hated the Habs!!!!! ‘specially John Ferguson! I remember him getting it started with the ‘Golden Jet’ Bobby Hull.....when Bobby’s Jaw was wired up from a break or fracture a few weeks before!!!! (around ‘69 I think it was). What a RAT!!!! The ‘1955-’56 thru 1959-’60 NHL seasons were no good if you weren’t a fan of the Canadiens!! 5 straight cups!!! GGGRRRRR!!
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