NHL Record for Most Assists in Potential Clinching Games, Playoff Series
Peter Stastny holds the NHL record with 8 assists (1984-85).
Top of the list
| Rank | Player | Assists | Season | Opp | GP | Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Peter Stastny | 8 | 1984-85 | Buffalo Sabres | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| 2 |  Doug Gilmour | 6 | 1985-86 | Minnesota North Stars | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 3 |  Glenn Anderson | 5 | 1986-87 | Detroit Red Wings | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 3 |  Don McKenney | 5 | 1957-58 | New York Rangers | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 3 |  Maurice Richard | 5 | 1955-56 | New York Rangers | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 3 |  Darryl Sittler | 5 | 1976-77 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 2 | 1 | 6 |
The full top 58
| Rank | Player | Assists | Season | Opp | GP | Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peter Stastny | 8 | 1984-85 | Buffalo Sabres | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| 2 | Doug Gilmour | 6 | 1985-86 | Minnesota North Stars | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 3 | Glenn Anderson | 5 | 1986-87 | Detroit Red Wings | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 3 | Don McKenney | 5 | 1957-58 | New York Rangers | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 3 | Maurice Richard | 5 | 1955-56 | New York Rangers | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 3 | Darryl Sittler | 5 | 1976-77 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 3 |  Denis Savard | 5 | 1988-89 | Detroit Red Wings | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 3 | Doug Gilmour | 5 | 1992-93 | Los Angeles Kings | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 3 |  Craig Hartsburg | 5 | 1982-83 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 3 |  Evgeni Malkinactive | 5 | 2008-09 | Washington Capitals | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 3 | Evgeni Malkinactive | 5 | 2016-17 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 3 |  Brad Marchandactive | 5 | 2022-23 | Florida Panthers | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| 3 |  Mark Messier | 5 | 1988-89 | Los Angeles Kings | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| 3 |  Paul Reinhart | 5 | 1980-81 | Philadelphia Flyers | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| 3 |  Denis Gurianov | 5 | 2019-20 | Colorado Avalanche | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| 16 |  Wayne Gretzky | 4 | 1984-85 | Winnipeg Jets (1979) | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| 16 |  John Anderson | 4 | 1985-86 | Quebec Nordiques | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| 16 |  Joe Mullen | 4 | 1981-82 | Winnipeg Jets (1979) | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 16 |  Peter McNab | 4 | 1977-78 | Philadelphia Flyers | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 16 |  Toe Blake | 4 | 1943-44 | Chicago Blackhawks | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 16 | Wayne Gretzky | 4 | 1987-88 | Winnipeg Jets (1979) | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 16 |  Bernie Federko | 4 | 1981-82 | Winnipeg Jets (1979) | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 16 |  Cale Makaractive | 4 | 2021-22 | Edmonton Oilers | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 16 |  Chris Chelios | 4 | 2001-02 | Vancouver Canucks | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 16 | Wayne Gretzky | 4 | 1984-85 | Chicago Blackhawks | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 16 |  Dave Maloney | 4 | 1982-83 | Philadelphia Flyers | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 16 |  John MacLean | 4 | 1987-88 | New York Islanders | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 16 |  Leon Draisaitlactive | 4 | 2021-22 | Calgary Flames | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 16 |  Rob Ramage | 4 | 1988-89 | Los Angeles Kings | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 16 |  Mikko Rantanenactive | 4 | 2024-25 | Colorado Avalanche | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| 16 | Peter McNab | 4 | 1981-82 | Buffalo Sabres | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| 16 |  Steve Larmer | 4 | 1989-90 | St. Louis Blues | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 16 |  Brian Leetch | 4 | 1993-94 | Washington Capitals | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 16 |  Tyler Myersactive | 4 | 2010-11 | Philadelphia Flyers | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 16 |  Steve Yzerman | 4 | 1997-98 | St. Louis Blues | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 16 |  Phil Kessel | 4 | 2016-17 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 16 |  Tony Currie | 4 | 1980-81 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 16 |  Phil Esposito | 4 | 1971-72 | New York Rangers | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 16 |  James Patrick | 4 | 1991-92 | New Jersey Devils | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 16 |  Dave Ellett | 4 | 1986-87 | Calgary Flames | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 16 |  Kevin Lowe | 4 | 1982-83 | Calgary Flames | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 16 |  Jerry Korab | 4 | 1977-78 | New York Rangers | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 16 |  Max Talbot | 4 | 2007-08 | Philadelphia Flyers | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 16 |  Matthew Tkachukactive | 4 | 2023-24 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 16 |  Kyle Connoractive | 4 | 2024-25 | St. Louis Blues | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 16 | Mark Messier | 4 | 1983-84 | Calgary Flames | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| 16 |  Doug Weight | 4 | 2002-03 | Vancouver Canucks | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| 16 |  Claude Girouxactive | 4 | 2011-12 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| 16 |  Guy Chouinard | 4 | 1980-81 | Philadelphia Flyers | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| 16 | Wayne Gretzky | 4 | 1983-84 | Calgary Flames | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| 16 |  Ken Linseman | 4 | 1980-81 | Quebec Nordiques | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| 16 |  Dustin Brown | 4 | 2013-14 | Chicago Blackhawks | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| 16 |  Josh Bailey | 4 | 2019-20 | Philadelphia Flyers | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 16 |  David Krejci | 4 | 2017-18 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 16 |  Scott Stevens | 4 | 1986-87 | New York Islanders | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 16 |  Ryane Clowe | 4 | 2010-11 | Detroit Red Wings | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 16 |  Charlie McAvoyactive | 4 | 2022-23 | Florida Panthers | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 16 |  Dennis Wideman | 4 | 2009-10 | Philadelphia Flyers | 4 | 0 | 4 |
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 274 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 series?
Peter Stastny holds the NHL record for most assists in potential clinching games, playoff series with 8 (1984-85).
Who is the active leader for most assists in potential clinching games, playoff series?
Evgeni Malkin is the highest active player on the list at 5, rank 3 all time.