17:10 20.06.2009 Gretzkys scoring exploits are legendary. Hes the NHLs all-time leader in every major statistical category | Lemieux's Stats and Best Season
Gretzkys scoring exploits are legendary. Hes the NHLs all-time leader in every major statistical category | Lemieux's Stats and Best Season
Sitemap
Main Page
Gretzkys scoring exploits are legendary. Hes the NHLs all-time leader in every major statistical category, and his 2,857 career points are 980 more than his nearest competitor. Yet had it not been for poor health, Lemieux could have toppled all Gretzkys seemingly unreachable records.

Lemieux, who finished his storied career with 690 goals and 1,723 points, lost valuable years from his prime due to a chronic bad back and a battle with cancer. His health woes forced him to retire in 1997, and he did so with a 2.01 points-per-game average, the highest in NHL history. He made a dramatic return three and a half years later to keep the struggling Pittsburgh Penguins franchise afloat, but his advanced age and ongoing health problems combined to lower his per-game scoring average to 1.88 points, dropping him below Gretzky's 1.92 career average.

Gretzky's Stats Inflated Due to Era Yes, Gretzkys advantage in raw numbers is unmistakable. But hockey pundits often overlook the fact it was much easier to score goals in the early 1980s when Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers were running roughshod over the league.

The five highest-scoring seasons in NHL history occurred between 1981 and 1986. During that five-year span, Gretzky amassed a staggering 375 goals and 1,036 points in 394 games, recording a remarkable 2.63 points-per-game.

But heres the dirty little secret. The league averaged a ridiculous 7.87 goals per game during that five-year stretch. To put that number in perspective, in 2007-08, the NHL averaged 5.57 goals per game.

In 1985-86, with the league registering 7.94 goals per contest, Gretzky established the NHL single-season scoring record with 215 points.

Lemieux's Stats and Best Season

In 1988-89, Lemieux had his best full season, ringing up 85 goals and 199 points. That year, the league averaged 7.48 goals per game, off 5.8 percent from 1985-86. Adjust Lemieuxs numbers accordingly, and he would have put up 222 points over 80 games.

In 1992-93, Lemieux had a truly magical season, fighting through cancer to produce 69 goals and 160 points in just 60 games. His 2.67 points-per-game clip rivaled Gretzkys 2.69 standard from 1985-86, except the league averaged only 7.25 goals per game in 1992-93, down 8.7 percent from Gretzkys record-setting season. Once again, adjust Lemieuxs numbers to 1985-86 terms, and he would have accumulated 232 points over 80 games.

However, Lemieuxs greatest on-ice challenge could have been in 1995-96. Because of expansion and the dreaded neutral zone trap, scoring was down across the league, falling to a paltry 6.29 goals per game. Undaunted, Lemieux still managed 69 goals and 161 points in 70 contests. In 1985-86 numbers, Lemieuxs total would have been worth 223 points over 80 games.

Conversely, take Gretzkys 215-point pace and put it in the context of 1995-96, and he would have had 148 points over the same 70 games it took Lemieux to record 161.

Gretzky's and Lemieux's PPG in Today's NHL Adjust both players stats to the current 2008-09 goals-per-game average of 5.82, and Gretzky would have a 1.56 career points-per-game mark, while Lemieux would check in at 1.61.

Whether one prefers Gretzky or Lemieux is a matter of opinion. What cant be argued is Gretzky dominated in an era when it was far easier to score goals. And when the stats are adjusted to reflect the changing league conditions, Lemieuxs numbers are superior. If not for Lemieuxs troubled health, there would be no debate.
Hockey NHL Betting on team Boston

Hockey NHL Betting on team Pittsburg

Hockey NHL Betting on team Crosby

Hockey NHL Betting on team Malkin



Bet Sports Poker Casino








Betting Poker Casino


Betting Poker Casino


Desing: Se 2008-2019 All Right Reserved