The 2025 NHL playoffs are beginning to speed up as the Florida Panthers try to hold the Stanley Cup title.
The most difficult part of the sport is getting points, whether you score goals in soccer, touchdowns in American football or find the net in ice hockey. These are the wins you match.
Therefore, in order to establish the biggest NHL playoff player in history, we looked into the players who contributed the most points from goals and assists in key postseason crunch matches.
Best NHL Playoff Player of All Time: Top 5 Points Scorer
5. JaromirJagr (1990-2018)
- Games Played – 208
- Goal – 78
- Assist – 123
- Points – 201
Kick the list that holds the NHL icon, Jaromir Jagr, A man who enjoyed a 28-year career in the world’s largest ice hockey league – played for nine teams along the way.
He kicked off his NHL career for the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Boston Bruins in October 1990, and finished his career again in April 2018 due to Calgary’s flames against the Bruins.
During his stay in the National Hockey League, the first Czech player to be drafted won two Stanley Cups in a row with the Pittsburgh Penguins between 1991 and 92.
He is considered one of the best players in all Don skating who appeared in the All-Star Game eight times between 1991 and 2000 (overlooked only in 1993 and 1999).
JAGR has made 208 playoff appearances in the playoffs with 78 goals and contributed to 123 assists. This included memorable moments like a hat-trick with the Washington Capitals in 1996, a double game against the Buffalo Sabres in 2001, and a key assist at the age of 44, helping the Florida Panther progress.
4. Glenn Anderson (1980-1997)
- Games Played – 225
- Goal – 93
- Assist – 121
- Points – 214
Next on the list, Stanley Cup winner Glen Anderson played 225 playoff matches, scoring 93 goals between 1980 and 1997 and providing 121 assists.
Anderson played on five different NHL sides, but his heart always played for the franchise with the Edmonton Oilers in three separate spells (80-87, 91-92 & 96-00).
NHL legend is known on the ice for his dynamism and, along with Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and Jali Kuli, was an important part of the infamous “Euler Dynasty.”
He won five of the six Stanley Cups alongside the Oilers, winning in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1990 before finally winning the glorious trophy with the New York Rangers in 1994.
The playoff performance helped Anderson’s status among other elite NHL players, and Anderson scored multiple games-winning goals at key moments, doing so against Calgary in 1984, Los Angeles in 1985 and Detroit in 1987.
3. JariKurri (1980-1998)
- Games Played – 200
- Goal – 106
- Assist – 127
- Points – 233
The third-highest point scorer in NHL playoff history is none other than Jari Kurri, who played for five different National Hockey League teams between 1980 and 98.
He scored 233 points in 200 appearances (106g + 127 assists) highlights the abilities that Kurri owns and explains why he won five Stanley Cups.
Kurri is mostly known for his time with the Edmonton Oilers, but he also saw his playoff performance in 1993, helping the Los Angeles Kings reach the Stanley Cup final.
Obviously, this list focuses on the NHL playoffs, with Kuli enjoying some big moments in the postseason, winning the game’s winner against Calgary in 1984, the infamous hat-trick in the 1985 Stanley Cup final and the miraculous winner against Detroit in 1987.
2. Mark Messier (1979 – 2004)
- Games Played – 236
- Goal – 109
- Assist – 186
- Points – 295
Another member of the “Oilers Dynasty” came in second as he scored 296 points (109g + 186a) in 236 appearances in three different NHL franchises.
Messier won the Stanley Cup five times with the Oilers, but achieved his most memorable feat in 1994 as he captained the New York Rangers in his first Stanley Cup in 54 years.
He is considered one of the greatest players of all time and appeared on the NHL All-Star team every year between 1981 and 1997, besides 1989-1995.
Messier’s most memorable playoff moment came in 1990. He received the Conn Smythe Award for his performance to lead the Oilers to another Stanley Cup.
Other major playoff moments included a sublime hat trick in 1994, winning the Rangers in their first Stanley Cup final in over 50 years and winning the match winner against the Penguins in 1992.
1. Wayne Gretzky (1979 – 1999)
- Games Played – 208
- Goal – 122
- Assist – 260
- Points – 382
Finally, and perhaps not surprising, we have the indisputable goats of the national hockey league and ice hockey in general, Wayne Gretzky.
Greetzky holds the most goal records in NHL playoff history, earning a record 122 and helps with the most time with 260, accumulating 382 playoff points.
He also led the way to become the best scorer, supporting contributions throughout the NHL, winning four separate franchises and four Stanley Cups.
In fact, he is the only player in history to have over 200 assists in the NHL playoffs. Mark Messier sits second in the 186, so he has 86 fewer than Gretzky Managing.
Gretzky had several iconic moments in the NHL playoffs, winning a game against the Kings in 1983, scoring a series-winning goal against Calgary in 1987, and was crucial in leading the King to the first ever Stanley Cup final in 1993.
