altough it was a heads play of mario to trick richter he gets two thumbs up, but this wasnt marios goal it was kariya's , maybe u should say your fav goal that he was a part of because he never touched the puck.
@Peopleareblind Better health care, better economy, better living, and the record for most gold medals for a host country at the Olympics. You guys just got all the bronze & silver.
Being a Canadian, this goal has to be one of my favorites ever. I remember our whole school shut down to watch this game and that goal was just one of those "holy SHIT!" moments!
@jone4700 actually, I'm pretty sure he was the one who passed the puck to Pronger before he passed it to Kariya so he got an assist (pretty sure anyway)
@gymguy25 Technically you're right; he did get an assist on the play, but I wasn't talking about the second assist in the neutral zone, I was talking about the memorable play in front of the goal not being an assist.
yeah for all the goals and assists that Lemieux has scored in his career this is one of the best plays made...and he got nothing in the stat line for it. I am glad people remember it.....
Probably the smartest player to ever play the game...he doesn't even have to touch the puck to make an amazing play.
There is an assist her has where he faked shooting the puck on net, the goalie fell for it and he passed it over and that person got the goal while the goalie was scrambling to 'save' the shot from Mario...
seriously tho...fucking intelligent, he never doubted it for one second..totally amazing to do that on that level of competition...10 steps ahead. best ever 66
lemieux didn't finish, but it was a genius move on his part to let it slide through his legs. That's the kind of intuition that he had and without it, this goal wouldn't have happened. So essentially, this was HIS goal
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
I'm going to disagree, sod9999 only because I think there are/were smarter players. Igor Larionov? Nick Lindstrom? But I will say he was the most dominate player. He was the Jim Brown of the NHL.
@sod99999 I would disagree, I think Gretzky was possibly the smartest athlete ever. He always knew where the puck would be. He always knew what play to make and the perfect time to make it. His timing, positioning, and awareness were impeccable. I say this looking at my Mario Lemieux shrine in my living room. Although Mario was the most talented player to ever lace up skates I think Gretzky was a more mental player and used his brains to dominate whereas Lemieux used his size and natural skill.
Lemieux is the only player I have ever seen in my long years who would ever have thought to do that. Absolutely tremendous. He made hockey, a rough and tumble, often hack and slash child's game a masterpiece of athletic art. He showed us what hockey could be, and I suppose when all is said and done, I love hockey the way it could be, more than what it is made out to be.
I remember this goal well. It is one of the most memorable goals I have ever seen - like the Bobby Orr throught the air goal - an unbelievable play by the greatest Offensive Threat in the History of the Game - Mario Lemieux. Anybody who doesn't think that this is a great play - doesn't know Hockey. Thanks for posting this!!!!
every scorer, or players, instinct at that moment is to SHOOT THE PUCK! just slap it as hard as you can. To do what Mario did takes... alot of guts, talent, vision, just... whatever.
It was an intentional fan on the puck to fool the goaltender. It was a genius play and the ultimate display of situational awareness on his part. Gretzky is on record stating that only Lemieux would've had the presence of mind to do that.
Yeah, notice he saw Kariya as they were both entering the zone. I'm saying 'saw' but he didn't really look at him. He just felt his presence like a Jedi. I bet aliens abducted him in his youth and gave him superpowers.
I remember this goal well. It is one of the most memorable goals I have ever seen - like the Bobby Orr throught the air goal - an unbelievable play by the greatest Offensive Threat in the History of the Game - Mario Lemieux. Anybody who doesn't think that this is a great play - doesn't know Hockey. Thanks for posting this!!!!
you guys are idiots this is one of the best plays ever, to not shoot the puck in the slot in olypic gold medal game and to dummy it to kariya...rediculous!
this play is another example of why he is the best ever. Give lemieux a healthy body throughout his career and gretzky's records didn't stand a chance.
Haha! Who cares, really? If Maurice Richard would've played in the 80's, he might've scored 100 goals in a season, but he didn't. If Lemieux played a full healthy career, he might've come close to some of 99's stats and records, but he didn't.
Face it: 66 never had a 51-games point scoring streak, never scored 50 in 39, never averaged 2 assists/game in a season, but it doesn't take away from how great he was.
Look at the points/game stats, they're almost identical. There... you happy now? =)
You can see it anyway you want, Lemieux has the best career points per game (ppg) ratio ever. This stats says it all, and is the most accurate way to measure talent.
If you must make a fuss over it, his ppg numbers went down after he came back from retirement.
Also, think of this: Gretzky played THAT many more games than Lemieux.... isn't amazing that his ppg is that high???
And for the record, I was a Gretzky fan growing up, but now that they both retired and I can look at both careers, I can say that I like 'em both equally. That's where I stand.
Fact is, look at who Gretzky played with, and who Lemieux played with. Gretzky played with hell of a lot better people then Lemieux through out his career.
That's a good point. Gretzky had Messier, Kurri, Anderson, Coffey and Lowe from the get-go. But to me, that's not a good argument, and here's why:
Gretz scored 50 goals in 39 games (which he did one month before turning 21). Does it really matter who he played with...? Lemieux scored 5 goals 5 different ways in one game! Again, does it really matter who he played with...??
FACT IS = They were both great, period.
(This "who was better" argument is useless and getting old....)
having a good line makes kinds of plays/goals possible more often. Mario was left to carry the load on his own shoulders most of his career. The best time for him imo was when Jagr, francis and murphy was on his team.
You got it backwards, The difference between a good player and a great player is a great player can make everyone around them good. Gretzky played with Blair McDonald which was neither a good or great player but managed 46 goals along side Gretzky. Bernie Nicholls good player, got 70 playing on Gretzky's line. Lemieux is impressive as well Rob Brown 49 goals not a good player, Kevin Stevens bested fifty twice.
You can bet that Jari Kurri understands that his 600+ goals are in part because of Gretzky. Jagr, Fancis, Kurri, Messier, Coffey, Recchi etc. Both these guys played with good players but they where the Great ones.
This is also something to think about when talking about Sid Crosby. Sid gets injured and Malkin turns into a superstar when hes gone. Staal also had very few goals this year. This would never happen under Gretzky or Lemieux's watch in any era. Crosby and Ovechkin aren't there yet.
Very, VERY good point, Din0might7...! You said it best, both these guys played with good players, but THEY were indeed the Great Ones. Good point about Crosby and Ovechkin. Granted that they probably are the two best players in the league right now, but they aren't close to touching Gretzky and Lemieux in terms of what they can do for the whole team.
When you bring up names like Blair McDonald and Rob Brown, who can argue? =)
Lemieux had some great players playing with him too, especially during the days when Pittsburg won the Cup. The 92' roster also had Jagr, Francis, Coffey, Kevin Stevens, Mullen, Rechhi, Trottier, that was a pretty stacked team.
He didn't score but those of us who played hockey for a long time know that this is one if not the greatest play he ever made. ANY other player would have taken the pass but he let it go by. How in the hell did he know Kariya was on the other side, god knows, unbelievable awareness
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
oh my god. first of all mario didnt score. second of all he didnt even get an assisy. and third of all if this is your favourite lemieux play u havent seen shit
Actually, Lemieux did get an assist on the goal, it went Lemieux-Pronger-Kariya. BTW I'm a big Lemieux fan as well and this is my fav Lemieux play as well. One of the few goals I've seen that actually gives my chills to see.
Mike Mcphee was the best player
Plnault 1 week ago
Best 2002 olympics goal period
Plnault 1 week ago
Favorite Lemieux goal but there is no Lemieux goal. Fucking fail. Its called your favorite Mario Lemieux hockey play. not a goal.
GuerreroBestEver 1 month ago
stupid fag why the fuck would you add music?
CrosbyIsKing 1 month ago
my favorite lemieux goal was the 2 on one with gretzky when slava bykov fell
okpapereat 3 months ago
KARIYA!!!! =)))
sk6er 6 months ago
lemieux didn't score the goal buddy he didnt even touch the puck.
but still is one of the best hockey players ever to play the game
elia00841 6 months ago 2
shit, I STILL can't believe it
MyWordizBond 7 months ago
To me, it is the greatest goal I've ever seen. I remember, I couldn't believe it..
MyWordizBond 7 months ago
altough it was a heads play of mario to trick richter he gets two thumbs up, but this wasnt marios goal it was kariya's , maybe u should say your fav goal that he was a part of because he never touched the puck.
vinnybunbats 7 months ago
@Peopleareblind Better health care, better economy, better living, and the record for most gold medals for a host country at the Olympics. You guys just got all the bronze & silver.
MrMoldyPickles 7 months ago
The goalie was like WTF I thought Lemiuex would try to score. What a brilliant play by Lemiuex.
MafiaMons 8 months ago
CANADA rocks at hockey - usa sucks at hockey ......
4071DFCT 8 months ago
@4071DFCT USA rocks at everything else - canada sucks at everything else ...............
Peopleareblind 8 months ago
@Peopleareblind probably not smart to insult a canadian on a hockey video
alexanderovie08 7 months ago
@alexanderovie08 i didnt say anything about hockey though so its okay lol
Peopleareblind 7 months ago
@Peopleareblind yes but what nationality do you think would be watching a hockey video??
alexanderovie08 7 months ago
@alexanderovie08 well im from the us and im watching it ha canadians arent the only hockey fans they are just the best at it
Peopleareblind 7 months ago
@Peopleareblind i know im just saying there will be canadians watching the vid like myself
alexanderovie08 7 months ago
he was probalby the most talented player ever. he had seasons when he couldnt practice at all. he just jumped into the ice and made miracles..
vili1 8 months ago
Mario - You are the very best hockey in the world!!! Slovakia funs!!!
fugaz66 9 months ago
Called a 'dummy' play in soccer [football], never seen it used in hockey until now. Leave it to Mario.
frenchycanada 10 months ago 3
easily one of the best goals I have ever seen
supernoodleful 10 months ago
Super Mario! :D
ZimboJambo 11 months ago
I love how McInnis pass Kariya and go to Lemieux in the celebration.
Jo3mD 11 months ago 3
@Jo3mD pronger u mean not micinnis!
vinnybunbats 7 months ago
@vinnybunbats ? ..it is Al McInnis.
Jo3mD 6 months ago
@Jo3mD my bad i thought u meant that macinnis passed the puck to kariya, but ya that is weird that he would go to mario like he scored the goal!!
vinnybunbats 6 months ago
great play by mario but he didnt even score so the title of the video should be changed
let88it88be 11 months ago
this is why Canada > USA. although that goalie dive was pretty cool.
kthorstrejka 11 months ago
I remember this and it is still freakin amazing!
MrKillerDolphins 11 months ago
Being a Canadian, this goal has to be one of my favorites ever. I remember our whole school shut down to watch this game and that goal was just one of those "holy SHIT!" moments!
kissorkill11 11 months ago
@kissorkill11 That game was on a Sunday, I remember, what do you mean your school shut down to watch the game? You had school on Sunday back then?
gymguy25 11 months ago
what a snipe
ShakenManager 11 months ago
most unselfish play of all time. also the most "assisty" non-assist of all time.
jone4700 1 year ago 2
@jone4700 actually, I'm pretty sure he was the one who passed the puck to Pronger before he passed it to Kariya so he got an assist (pretty sure anyway)
gymguy25 1 year ago
@gymguy25 Technically you're right; he did get an assist on the play, but I wasn't talking about the second assist in the neutral zone, I was talking about the memorable play in front of the goal not being an assist.
jone4700 1 year ago
5 people like basketball.
cellblock21 1 year ago
@cellblock21 over 5 people love hockey
Ibran8787 1 year ago
I've heard people complain about "phantom assists" but damn Mario deserves one there. That was all him.
russellblack 1 year ago
that wasnt mario lemiuxes goal but, he was the brains of the attack
T0mpsu 1 year ago
mario was genius
TheVillain365 1 year ago
You sir goalie just got faked the fuck out
GameConsoleJunkie 1 year ago
@ringostarrulezall because every real hockey fan that knows that goal considers that marries goal, magic Mario.
32Kinger13 1 year ago
2WIREG...
Chuck Norris is overrated in every possible way. Mario Lemieux could defeat that chump at anything, lol.
BreastsInspector 1 year ago
why is this called a Mario Lemieux "Goal" video? it should be your favorite Mario "Play"
Ringostarrulezall 1 year ago 3
Mario Lemieux could defeat Chuck Norris in a fight on skates thats how great he is.
2WIREG 1 year ago
yeah for all the goals and assists that Lemieux has scored in his career this is one of the best plays made...and he got nothing in the stat line for it. I am glad people remember it.....
robertchflynn 1 year ago
Its not just Lemieux's genius play... It was that Kariya scored the goal... Fuck Yeah !
rubberduckyzguy 1 year ago
Its not just Lemieux genius play... It was that Kariya scored the goal... Fuck Yeah !
rubberduckyzguy 1 year ago
we had so much magic in that game !!! Mario was the best hockey player EVER in the NHL !!!
Alexiscool12 1 year ago 7
GOAT
savic11 1 year ago
i love how lemieux doesnt even have to touch the puck to be the greatest player on earth
slaphappy18 1 year ago 5
I've watched this about 30 times.....it's just amazing.
cujobo 1 year ago
Just look at the defensman in front Lemieux....
Jo3mD 1 year ago
Probably the smartest player to ever play the game...he doesn't even have to touch the puck to make an amazing play.
There is an assist her has where he faked shooting the puck on net, the goalie fell for it and he passed it over and that person got the goal while the goalie was scrambling to 'save' the shot from Mario...
Veetoria 1 year ago
Comment removed
lobomuerto11 1 year ago
@lobomuerto11
And I am sure you are a great hockey player....
Veetoria 1 year ago
@Veetoria I'm not Canadian, nice try though.
lobomuerto11 1 year ago
@lobomuerto11
Pretty obvious there...
But if you're going to say " You all probably personally suck balls at hockey... " you better be better then the people you are insulting..
Let me guess, you live the USA?
Veetoria 1 year ago
Comment removed
lobomuerto11 1 year ago
@lobomuerto11
I have no idea how the invention of hockey or maple syrup and Canadian Bacon as a pizza topping has any bearing on this...
lol
Veetoria 1 year ago
Comment removed
lobomuerto11 1 year ago
@lobomuerto11 Your clearly an idiot, and a pedo.
leafsmarlies 1 year ago
Comment removed
lobomuerto11 1 year ago
Richter was focused on Lemieux... that's Brilliant!
Jo3mD 1 year ago
Lemieux was and is the real deal!!
Greatest ever in my mind
mcjer33 1 year ago 2
one of mario's top 10 offensive plays, and he never even touched the puckk
cjvs1604 1 year ago
one of the all-time best plays in hockey. a real masterpiece
catsgame 1 year ago
seriously tho...fucking intelligent, he never doubted it for one second..totally amazing to do that on that level of competition...10 steps ahead. best ever 66
thomasmoonman 1 year ago 2
it doesn't get better than mario lemieux.
jbDMB21 1 year ago
lemieux didn't finish, but it was a genius move on his part to let it slide through his legs. That's the kind of intuition that he had and without it, this goal wouldn't have happened. So essentially, this was HIS goal
supernaturalmars 1 year ago
LOL, Americans playing hockey.
powerman923 1 year ago
dude fuck you...who just beat canada?
Matt03785 1 year ago
Its always better to give the baby the bottle, then steal it from them in the last game. ;)
powerman923 1 year ago
@powerman923 that doesn't even make any sense
toymachine04465 1 year ago
Yes it does, are you sure you read it?
powerman923 1 year ago
it made sense, kinda, but it was pretty lame...good effort tho..canada rules.
thomasmoonman 1 year ago
HAHAHA...CROSBY WAS THERE WHEN THE MEDAL WAS UP FOR GRABS....come on dude...The US has a good team, BUT THIS IS OUR SPORT WHOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO
thomasmoonman 1 year ago
Do you get it now?
powerman923 1 year ago
losing by 1 goal in OT isn't anything to be ashamed of considering Canada's roster was stacked
Matt03785 1 year ago
Keep whining. XD
powerman923 1 year ago
Great goal but that wasnt Lemieuxs goal it was Paul Kariyas. But it was a great play by him.
kendo207 1 year ago
MARIO'S MAGIC
EasyCompanyable 2 years ago
his momma came to rescue him
cammallari 2 years ago
lol wow amazing talent he scores without touching the puck!! i wish i had his powers
MolsonEx1903 2 years ago 2
Only Mario can pull off a play like that, HE HAS EYES IN THE BACK OF HIS HEAD!!
charbel2477 1 year ago
wasnt his goal lol.
ganzerizgodly 2 years ago
he didnt even touch the puck but all the eyes are on him.
Jo3mD 2 years ago
the thing thjat make this goal incredibile was that lemieux did not touch the puck at all
666capou666 2 years ago 12
@666capou666
Naaaa reallllyyyyy!?!?! I thought he made a slap pass.......O_O
SonnyA89 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
wheres the goal????
iceman2933 2 years ago
smartest play ever..who agrees with me??
sod99999 2 years ago 113
I totally agree. I was blown away when I first saw it live, and it still amazes me today
dimensionless99 2 years ago 7
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I'm going to disagree, sod9999 only because I think there are/were smarter players. Igor Larionov? Nick Lindstrom? But I will say he was the most dominate player. He was the Jim Brown of the NHL.
ort777 2 years ago
I meant Nick Lidstrom - sorry for the misspelling.
ort777 2 years ago
@sod99999 ...it's with comments like this that you spark the "who was better between Orr, Gretzky, and Lemieux" debate....! ;)
Smartest player ever? Hmmmm... I'll give it to #99.
TheRealDerfMan 1 year ago
@TheRealDerfMan FUCK YOU!
nhlmike26 1 year ago
@nhlmike26 ...for what? Meh, bet you'd love it...
TheRealDerfMan 1 year ago
@sod99999 I would disagree, I think Gretzky was possibly the smartest athlete ever. He always knew where the puck would be. He always knew what play to make and the perfect time to make it. His timing, positioning, and awareness were impeccable. I say this looking at my Mario Lemieux shrine in my living room. Although Mario was the most talented player to ever lace up skates I think Gretzky was a more mental player and used his brains to dominate whereas Lemieux used his size and natural skill.
cibobary8766 8 months ago
@cibobary8766
The comment says that it's the smartest play ever,
Not that Lemieux is the smartest.
TheAogGuy 8 months ago
@TheAogGuy Sorry buddy. Thanks for your two cents.
cibobary8766 8 months ago
what a fuckin genius play by mario
bigbiggymasterbig 2 years ago 73
auh mario did not score
falice88 2 years ago
wtf kariya scored :S
HollyzChannel 2 years ago
You didn't get it dude.
Lemieux passed the puck to Pronger, Pronger back to Mario (he let it go through his legs).........
Cetvrtabrigada 2 years ago
insane play...nobody but mario could do something like that.
xrdude 2 years ago 4
totally agree
bigbiggymasterbig 2 years ago
Mario had an assist on the goal, he passed the puck to Pronger, Pronger to Kariya.
Cetvrtabrigada 2 years ago 2
no
prongr passed to him, he let it go through his legs to kariya who one timed it in
iggyfrinkle 2 years ago
now that's real hockey smarts
gcdcjccc 2 years ago 2
he didnt even score :P but it was a great, unselfish play to help out ol Canada
HE DESERVES AN ASSIST ON THAT ONE
iozzi89 2 years ago
haha did he even get a point? What a player
FatsoMcguccen 2 years ago
Great goal! Don't understand why you had to step all over Bob Cole's call with music but oh well.
Mario was a class above
nickdnc2003 2 years ago
Lemieux is the only player I have ever seen in my long years who would ever have thought to do that. Absolutely tremendous. He made hockey, a rough and tumble, often hack and slash child's game a masterpiece of athletic art. He showed us what hockey could be, and I suppose when all is said and done, I love hockey the way it could be, more than what it is made out to be.
OneEyedKeys 2 years ago 8
kariya!
Raptinox 2 years ago
gotta change the title dude....great play but no goal.
flynniceman 2 years ago
lemieux dosent even score
yea he made a great play but he didnt score
u should have made it favorite mario lemieux moment
shaggylemonsQ 2 years ago
I remember this goal well. It is one of the most memorable goals I have ever seen - like the Bobby Orr throught the air goal - an unbelievable play by the greatest Offensive Threat in the History of the Game - Mario Lemieux. Anybody who doesn't think that this is a great play - doesn't know Hockey. Thanks for posting this!!!!
jakercleary 2 years ago
every scorer, or players, instinct at that moment is to SHOOT THE PUCK! just slap it as hard as you can. To do what Mario did takes... alot of guts, talent, vision, just... whatever.
phille22 2 years ago 3
It was an intentional fan on the puck to fool the goaltender. It was a genius play and the ultimate display of situational awareness on his part. Gretzky is on record stating that only Lemieux would've had the presence of mind to do that.
BigBenIsTheSavior 2 years ago 8
Yeah, notice he saw Kariya as they were both entering the zone. I'm saying 'saw' but he didn't really look at him. He just felt his presence like a Jedi. I bet aliens abducted him in his youth and gave him superpowers.
mogwai142 2 years ago 6
i remember that.sick goal
jeffy10420 3 years ago
I remember this goal well. It is one of the most memorable goals I have ever seen - like the Bobby Orr throught the air goal - an unbelievable play by the greatest Offensive Threat in the History of the Game - Mario Lemieux. Anybody who doesn't think that this is a great play - doesn't know Hockey. Thanks for posting this!!!!
AceBG27 3 years ago 2
you guys are idiots this is one of the best plays ever, to not shoot the puck in the slot in olypic gold medal game and to dummy it to kariya...rediculous!
mitchj9 3 years ago
It was a good goal, but it was Kariya that scored it, from a pass from Pronger, it simply just went through Lemieux's legs.
EndlessSporatic 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
lemiuex didnt even touch the puck. its neither a goal nor an assist whoever posted this should be shot
xvizionsx 3 years ago
are you fucking kidding me? this goal is insane, ONLY Mario would think to do that and be able to pull it off. One of my favorite goals ever.
grant10001 3 years ago 2
it's a brilliant play.
Mario's split second decision to let it slide by.
aworldofviolets 3 years ago 2
nice music
watzer11 3 years ago
One of the greatest goal I remember. Genius!
jfperron73 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
that was beautiful but it wasnt too hard to do..
AlexKovy 3 years ago
no shit,Einstein...
it wasn't hard to do it,it was the hardest to think about it though.
blindcynic 3 years ago
yeah i know
AlexKovy 3 years ago
Lemieux should be playing today
sniperstar 3 years ago
that is one amazing hockey mind
qiranwang 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
thats not a fukin lemueix goal. he didnt even touch that fukin puck u dumb fuck
lbuzz234 3 years ago
he didnt have to touch it. what he did was harder then scoring a goal. dumb fuck
myflowisunreal 3 years ago 6
i guess
lbuzz234 3 years ago
It's still an assist, numbnuts.
qwsxcder 3 years ago
he didnt touch the puck
bignate190 3 years ago
you dont know anything about hockey
mase5701 3 years ago
You don't either, apparently, if you do not understand the different between 'assist' and 'goal'.
qwsxcder 3 years ago
my comment was for lbuzz234 who said lemieux didnt even touch the puck, lemieux deflected it. I know it wasnt a lemieux goal any idiot knows that.
mase5701 3 years ago
Mario always pulled off some of the smartest plays i have ever seen. On a nightly basis. Go Pens!
EnjoiFLiP412 3 years ago 6
intense!
Oilerman10 3 years ago
Assist not goal!
BjGard 3 years ago
How many assists like that can you count that were not counted? That should have been an assist
louisgdehaut 3 years ago
He actually got the 2nd assist because he passed to Pronger before it reached Kariya
BjGard 3 years ago
you cant call this video a lemieux goal!
wendel88 3 years ago
OH MY GOD THAT PLAY WAS UNREALLLL
myflowisunreal 3 years ago
that either coulve been an amazing save but it was just an ok goal
JMercin12 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
hi im marios son
yungjibbs9 3 years ago
....Okkayyy...
fanatic1313 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Lemieux > Gay ol' Gretzky
command66 3 years ago
Are you fucking kidding me?
fanatic1313 3 years ago
The vision that Mario had on this play was some of the greatest I have ever seen. This goal gets better every time I see it. Go Canada!
TheMagnificen7 3 years ago
this game was hockey porn................
divinefart 3 years ago 4
this play is another example of why he is the best ever. Give lemieux a healthy body throughout his career and gretzky's records didn't stand a chance.
drushnock11 3 years ago 5
Haha! Who cares, really? If Maurice Richard would've played in the 80's, he might've scored 100 goals in a season, but he didn't. If Lemieux played a full healthy career, he might've come close to some of 99's stats and records, but he didn't.
Face it: 66 never had a 51-games point scoring streak, never scored 50 in 39, never averaged 2 assists/game in a season, but it doesn't take away from how great he was.
Look at the points/game stats, they're almost identical. There... you happy now? =)
TheRealDerfMan 3 years ago
You can see it anyway you want, Lemieux has the best career points per game (ppg) ratio ever. This stats says it all, and is the most accurate way to measure talent.
Mario hands down.
arianebaby11 3 years ago
If you must make a fuss over it, his ppg numbers went down after he came back from retirement.
Also, think of this: Gretzky played THAT many more games than Lemieux.... isn't amazing that his ppg is that high???
And for the record, I was a Gretzky fan growing up, but now that they both retired and I can look at both careers, I can say that I like 'em both equally. That's where I stand.
(Go Habs!!)
TheRealDerfMan 3 years ago
Fact is, look at who Gretzky played with, and who Lemieux played with. Gretzky played with hell of a lot better people then Lemieux through out his career.
devilsman917 3 years ago 6
That's a good point. Gretzky had Messier, Kurri, Anderson, Coffey and Lowe from the get-go. But to me, that's not a good argument, and here's why:
Gretz scored 50 goals in 39 games (which he did one month before turning 21). Does it really matter who he played with...? Lemieux scored 5 goals 5 different ways in one game! Again, does it really matter who he played with...??
FACT IS = They were both great, period.
(This "who was better" argument is useless and getting old....)
TheRealDerfMan 3 years ago 3
having a good line makes kinds of plays/goals possible more often. Mario was left to carry the load on his own shoulders most of his career. The best time for him imo was when Jagr, francis and murphy was on his team.
android17ak47 3 years ago
Mario was out for 40 games and came back and won the scoreing title
toold2becool 3 years ago
He wasn't out for 40 games...!! He "came back" from retirement after some 35-40 games or so into the season...
Get your facts right, like Din0might7 or BloggerMusicMan...
TheRealDerfMan 3 years ago
You got it backwards, The difference between a good player and a great player is a great player can make everyone around them good. Gretzky played with Blair McDonald which was neither a good or great player but managed 46 goals along side Gretzky. Bernie Nicholls good player, got 70 playing on Gretzky's line. Lemieux is impressive as well Rob Brown 49 goals not a good player, Kevin Stevens bested fifty twice.
Din0might7 3 years ago
You can bet that Jari Kurri understands that his 600+ goals are in part because of Gretzky. Jagr, Fancis, Kurri, Messier, Coffey, Recchi etc. Both these guys played with good players but they where the Great ones.
This is also something to think about when talking about Sid Crosby. Sid gets injured and Malkin turns into a superstar when hes gone. Staal also had very few goals this year. This would never happen under Gretzky or Lemieux's watch in any era. Crosby and Ovechkin aren't there yet.
Din0might7 3 years ago 2
Very, VERY good point, Din0might7...! You said it best, both these guys played with good players, but THEY were indeed the Great Ones. Good point about Crosby and Ovechkin. Granted that they probably are the two best players in the league right now, but they aren't close to touching Gretzky and Lemieux in terms of what they can do for the whole team.
When you bring up names like Blair McDonald and Rob Brown, who can argue? =)
TheRealDerfMan 3 years ago
Thanks Man Great reply.
Din0might7 3 years ago
Lemieux had some great players playing with him too, especially during the days when Pittsburg won the Cup. The 92' roster also had Jagr, Francis, Coffey, Kevin Stevens, Mullen, Rechhi, Trottier, that was a pretty stacked team.
BloggerMusicMan 3 years ago
Lemieux had a 46 game streak that was stopped because he just couldn't play through the pain anymore.
doaftheloaf 3 years ago
He didn't score but those of us who played hockey for a long time know that this is one if not the greatest play he ever made. ANY other player would have taken the pass but he let it go by. How in the hell did he know Kariya was on the other side, god knows, unbelievable awareness
sly24k 3 years ago
Mario probably would have scored if he had taken he pass, but he knew Kariya was in better position, especially if he faked Richter first.
doaftheloaf 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
oh my god. first of all mario didnt score. second of all he didnt even get an assisy. and third of all if this is your favourite lemieux play u havent seen shit
66SuperMario66 3 years ago
Actually, Lemieux did get an assist on the goal, it went Lemieux-Pronger-Kariya. BTW I'm a big Lemieux fan as well and this is my fav Lemieux play as well. One of the few goals I've seen that actually gives my chills to see.
gymguy25 3 years ago 3
Read Sly24k above. You will see that your the one who didnt see shit.
"unbelievable awareness". Thats right, Mario shined without even touching the puck. Too subtile for you.
arianebaby11 3 years ago
He didn't even score that you idiot!!! and it wasn't even that nice!!!
skatecity34 4 years ago
you obviously know nothing about hockey.
trueguinnessking 2 years ago