NHL Record for Most Assists in Potential Clinching Games, Playoff Career
Wayne Gretzky holds the NHL record with 51 assists.
Top of the list
| Rank | Player | Assists | GP | Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Wayne GretzkyEDM, LAK, STL, NYR | 51 | 41 | 28 | 79 |
| 2 |  Mark MessierEDM, NYR | 43 | 53 | 33 | 76 |
| 3 |  Glenn AndersonEDM, TOR, NYR, STL | 36 | 57 | 25 | 61 |
| 4 |  Jari KurriEDM, LAK, NYR, ANA, COL | 35 | 41 | 25 | 60 |
| 5 |  Bryan TrottierNYI, PIT | 33 | 47 | 7 | 40 |
| 6 |  Sidney CrosbyPIT · active | 29 | 39 | 10 | 39 |
The full top 58
| Rank | Player | Assists | GP | Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wayne GretzkyEDM, LAK, STL, NYR | 51 | 41 | 28 | 79 |
| 2 | Mark MessierEDM, NYR | 43 | 53 | 33 | 76 |
| 3 | Glenn AndersonEDM, TOR, NYR, STL | 36 | 57 | 25 | 61 |
| 4 | Jari KurriEDM, LAK, NYR, ANA, COL | 35 | 41 | 25 | 60 |
| 5 | Bryan TrottierNYI, PIT | 33 | 47 | 7 | 40 |
| 6 | Sidney CrosbyPIT · active | 29 | 39 | 10 | 39 |
| 7 |  Doug GilmourSTL, CGY, TOR, NJD, BUF, MTL | 28 | 30 | 8 | 36 |
| 8 |  Evgeni MalkinPIT · active | 26 | 39 | 12 | 38 |
| 9 |  Larry MurphyLAK, WSH, MNS, PIT, DET | 23 | 39 | 7 | 30 |
| 10 |  Denis SavardCHI, MTL | 22 | 28 | 13 | 35 |
| 10 |  Sergei ZubovNYR, PIT, DAL | 22 | 28 | 2 | 24 |
| 10 |  David KrejciBOS | 22 | 32 | 9 | 31 |
| 10 |  Steve YzermanDET | 22 | 34 | 7 | 29 |
| 14 |  Nicklas LidstromDET | 21 | 47 | 7 | 28 |
| 14 |  Larry RobinsonMTL, LAK | 21 | 48 | 4 | 25 |
| 16 |  Sergei FedorovDET, WSH | 20 | 33 | 7 | 27 |
| 16 |  Scott NiedermayerNJD, ANA | 20 | 42 | 9 | 29 |
| 16 |  Paul CoffeyEDM, PIT, DET, PHI | 20 | 43 | 10 | 30 |
| 16 |  Kevin LoweEDM, NYR | 20 | 51 | 3 | 23 |
| 20 |  Mario LemieuxPIT | 19 | 20 | 16 | 35 |
| 20 |  Duncan KeithCHI, EDM | 19 | 24 | 5 | 24 |
| 20 |  Mike BossyNYI | 19 | 33 | 23 | 42 |
| 20 |  Bobby SmithMNS, MTL | 19 | 39 | 14 | 33 |
| 20 |  Chris CheliosMTL, CHI, DET | 19 | 41 | 4 | 23 |
| 20 |  Claude LemieuxMTL, NJD, COL, DAL | 19 | 50 | 16 | 35 |
| 26 |  Jonathan ToewsCHI | 18 | 22 | 11 | 29 |
| 26 |  Bobby ClarkePHI | 18 | 27 | 4 | 22 |
| 26 |  Jaromir JagrPIT, NYR, PHI, BOS | 18 | 33 | 13 | 31 |
| 26 |  Ray BourqueBOS, COL | 18 | 34 | 2 | 20 |
| 26 |  Mark RecchiPIT, MTL, PHI, CAR, BOS | 18 | 38 | 12 | 30 |
| 26 |  Brad MarchandBOS, FLA · active | 18 | 38 | 7 | 25 |
| 26 |  Charlie HuddyEDM, LAK, STL | 18 | 39 | 1 | 19 |
| 26 |  Scott StevensWSH, STL, NJD | 18 | 47 | 3 | 21 |
| 34 |  Steve LarmerCHI, NYR | 17 | 25 | 11 | 28 |
| 34 |  Henri RichardMTL | 17 | 34 | 13 | 30 |
| 36 |  Peter StastnyQUE, NJD | 16 | 14 | 5 | 21 |
| 36 |  Bobby HullCHI | 16 | 15 | 7 | 23 |
| 36 |  Paul ReinhartCGY, VAN | 16 | 15 | 4 | 20 |
| 36 |  Brian LeetchNYR, TOR | 16 | 16 | 5 | 21 |
| 36 |  Igor LarionovVAN, SJS, DET | 16 | 25 | 5 | 21 |
| 36 |  Alex PietrangeloSTL, VGK · active | 16 | 25 | 3 | 19 |
| 36 |  Mike ModanoMNS, DAL, DET | 16 | 29 | 8 | 24 |
| 36 |  Shea TheodoreANA, VGK · active | 16 | 29 | 5 | 21 |
| 36 |  Jacques LemaireMTL | 16 | 32 | 12 | 28 |
| 36 |  Denis PotvinNYI | 16 | 41 | 8 | 24 |
| 46 |  Stan MikitaCHI | 15 | 21 | 7 | 22 |
| 46 |  Patrick KaneCHI, NYR · active | 15 | 23 | 14 | 29 |
| 46 |  Henrik ZetterbergDET | 15 | 25 | 8 | 23 |
| 46 |  Red KellyDET, TOR | 15 | 25 | 4 | 19 |
| 46 |  Brad RichardsTBL, DAL, NYR, CHI | 15 | 25 | 4 | 19 |
| 46 |  Mike RichardsPHI, LAK, WSH | 15 | 29 | 5 | 20 |
| 46 |  Al MacInnisCGY, STL | 15 | 30 | 7 | 22 |
| 46 |  Peter ZezelPHI, STL, TOR | 15 | 31 | 8 | 23 |
| 46 |  Joe ThorntonBOS, SJS, TOR | 15 | 33 | 5 | 20 |
| 46 |  Valtteri FilppulaDET, TBL, NYI | 15 | 34 | 2 | 17 |
| 46 |  Brian ProppPHI, BOS, MNS | 15 | 35 | 8 | 23 |
| 46 |  Marian HossaOTT, PIT, DET, CHI | 15 | 37 | 11 | 26 |
| 46 |  Bobby NystromNYI | 15 | 37 | 7 | 22 |
Does NOT include statistics from May 24 suspended game in 1988 Stanley Cup Final (EDM at BOS), but does include statistics from 2020 Stanley Cup Qualifiers Top 58 of 337 lines on the NHL's list, ties kept. Source: NHL Records.
About these records
Every record list comes from the NHL's official records database (records.nhl.com): 808 regular-season and playoff records for skaters, goalies and teams. We keep the top 50 of each list, with ties, and refresh lists with active players daily, so career climbs like Alex Ovechkin's goal total update the morning after a game.
Records cover the league's whole history, so eras matter: scoring was far higher in the 1980s, goalie stats like saves and save percentage start in 1955-56 or later, and time on ice, hits and blocks start in 2005-06. Each list notes its own limits.
Active players are flagged, so you can see who is climbing a list this season. For the milestones those players are chasing tonight, see the milestone watch.
More NHL records and milestones
- All NHL records
Every official record list by category
- Milestones
Who could hit a milestone tonight, and who is close
- Streaks
Active point and goal streaks and droughts, with the luck behind them
- Hat tricks
Every hat trick this season and the leaders since 2017-18
- Gordie Howe hat tricks
Goal, assist and a fight in one game
- Game highs
Most shots, saves, hits and goals in one game this season
- Rookies
Rookie leaders, points pace and the Calder race
- Awards
Trophy winners and this season's award races with odds
- Head to head
All-time records between any two teams
Frequently asked questions
What is the NHL record for most assists in potential clinching games, playoff career?
Wayne Gretzky holds the NHL record for most assists in potential clinching games, playoff career with 51.
Who is the active leader for most assists in potential clinching games, playoff career?
Sidney Crosby is the highest active player on the list at 29, rank 6 all time.