The Stanley Cup Playoffs are where legacies are forged. The pace is faster, the hits are harder, and the pressure is off the charts. While some stars fade under the spotlight, others shine even brighter. These five players didn’t just perform, they delivered in the clutch, time and time again.
Let’s count down the Top 5 Most Clutch Playoff Performers in NHL History.
5. Patrick Roy
When the lights came on, Roy flipped the switch. He holds the all-time record for most playoff wins by a goalie and is the only netminder to win the Conn Smythe Trophy three times. Roy didn’t just win Cups, he stole them.
- Career Playoff Stats: 151 wins, .918 save percentage, 2.30 GAA
- Stanley Cups: 4 (1986, 1993, 1996, 2001)
4. Mark Messier
Messier’s clutch DNA is legendary, none more so than the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, when he guaranteed a win in Game 6… then backed it up with a hat trick. He lifted not just teams, but cities.
- Career Playoff Points: 295 in 236 games
- Stanley Cups: 6
3. Sidney Crosby
Crosby’s playoff resume is packed with highlight-reel goals and clutch assists. He’s a two-time Conn Smythe winner and was the heartbeat of three Cup runs. His ability to stay composed while dragging his team forward puts him in elite company.
- Career Playoff Points: 201 in 180 games
- Stanley Cups: 3 (2009, 2016, 2017)
2. Wayne Gretzky
Yes, Gretzky’s entire career was ridiculous, but he was even more dangerous in the playoffs. His 47 points in the 1985 postseason remains the highest single-year total in NHL history. Clutch wasn’t just a moment for Wayne, it was a career.
- Career Playoff Points: 382 in 208 games
- Stanley Cups: 4 (1984–1988)
1. Claude Lemieux
He wasn’t the most skilled or most celebrated, but Claude Lemieux was built for the postseason. He consistently scored key goals and rattled opponents with his grit and edge. With a Conn Smythe Trophy and big goals for multiple franchises, he may be the most underrated clutch player ever.
- Career Playoff Goals: 80 in 234 games
- Stanley Cups: 4 (with 3 different teams)
Being clutch in the NHL playoffs takes more than skill, it takes ice in your veins and the will to win. Whether it was stopping pucks, leading comebacks, or sealing victories, these five NHL legends came through when it mattered most.
