Wayne Gretzky's 5 Goals To Make It 50 In 39 Games

On December 30th 1981, Wayne Gretzky scored 5 goals against the Philadelphia Flyers to give him 50 goals in 39 games, a record many say will never be beat.

[@cameranmanner4701]

This is right up there with Al Bundy's 4 touch downs in one game with Polk High. :)

[@richardcrowe1429]

😂

[@demondavejeep]

spot on

[@rum8121]

Lol yes

[@AL.BUNDY.]

I agree!

[@nuttermudder4630]

pump the brakes there @cameranmanner4701

[@Bhub746]

“He’s got 50 goals before anybody has 30!” That’s just insane to think about what kind of level this man was on compared to everyone else

[@mangod7827]

followed by, "He won't be 21 until January 28th". He did this at just 20 years old

[@bearmcdaniel6042]

@@mangod7827 January 26 commentator got it wrong

[@tonyp9313]

Too bad everyone else sucked.

[@thomasjefferson6]

At the time, Mike Bossy was second with 28.

[@honkingantalope]

When hockey was garbage. These aren't highlights it's playing incompetent players. Those goalies barely move. Cover like 25 percent of the net.

[@TheSlamSociety]

Seeing how entertained and overjoyed those fans were seeing the greatest at his greatest brought tears to my eyes. Sometimes, sports can truly create magic.

[@hardinFrisco]

How Bobby Orr was not there

[@chuckwood8452]

Despised him (I’m an Islanders fan) until last year when I had a rare opportunity to spend a short time talking with him. I told him how the 1984 Stanley Cup still breaks my heart. He laughed and told me how nobody will ever duplicate what the Islanders did. I became an instant Gretzky fan. Super friendly guy.

[@TheMissile13]

What did the islanders do?

[@skramjet4482]

TheMissile13 early 1980s dynasty

[@wanderingstar9322]

@@TheMissile13 they lost John Tavares to the maple leafs in free agency

[@jimdraven2432]

@@TheMissile13 4 straight Cups (80-81-82-83), an unparalleled 19 consecutive playoff series victories. Like Gretzky has said, one of the teams the Oilers patterned themselves after

[@joelgrabie2774]

@@TheMissile13 What did they do? 4 straight Cups (80-81-82-83), an unparalleled 19 consecutive playoff series victories.

[@LenLangevin]

this brings back memories....i was at this game and the atmosphere was electric even before the game started.

[@nateletkeman3558]

Len Langevin wow

[@-gundy8444]

What a game to be at

[@vimy1589]

i saw him record his 2000 th or 2500th point in winnipeg, fans applauded for 10 minutes ! he was a true jet killer

[@davidellis6797]

I was as well. Seats were in the end where he scored the 50th goal.

[@BramStoked-uq4hp]

Me too. It’s funny when people say they were there but can’t answer any questions about the game. That was an unbelievable night from a player that did the miraculous on the regular.

[@Michael-fw5ef]

He did this when he was just 20 years old.

[@jere3604]

But isnt younger better in sports :P

[@airballer2044]

JJasd Players usually hit the prime at about 26-27 years old

[@airballer2044]

Monroe B Yeah they are all about that range though 25 years of age is probably the most accurate, because that’s when the muscles are supposed to be at their strongest.

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

@@airballer2044 Gretzky's prime started at age 20 which is unheard of in most sports.

[@holoholopainen1627]

What is The Date to This ? Has He turned 20 or 21 ?

[@bryantthoresen6772]

My favorite Gretzky record is the 163 assists in 1985-86. He would've led the league in scoring that year with ZERO goals.

[@michaelgriffiths8068]

And he did that 4 times in his career (led the NHL in scoring with his assists alone). 3 of those 4 times he also somehow scored the most goals in the NHL. Absurd.

[@MMGJ10]

163 assists is just mind boggling Only two players in history ever had 2 ppg in a season. Lemieux and Gretzky. Gretzky friggen did it in assists ALONE. insane

[@doublek321]

My favorite Gretzky record is that he could've scored 0 goals in his entire career and still been the leading point scorer in NHL history. But he's the leading goal scorer in NHL history.

[@maitrehg]

This record is the hardest to beat. The second player, apart Gretzky himself many times, is Lemieux at 114.

[@nocrtname]

Imo the hardest record to beat is leading the league in assists 16 times. The game could change and increase scoring, but nobody’s going to lead in assists for 16 years.

[@Exotic3000]

Absolutely amazing. And I don’t believe the record will ever be broken.❤❤❤

[@deletesoon70]

Not just 50 in one season, 50 in less than half of one season. Incredible.

[@christiandegges1663]

As a Flyers fan, I say we deserved this because of those awful Cooperalls.

[@BillMorganChannel]

I just looked it up, the cooperalls seemed to provide better protection, but when players went to the ice they slid too fast and had a hard time to stop sliding. I agree they looked like me going outside to get the morning paper.

[@somewheredec]

@@BillMorganChannel I'm 34 but when I moved to the US and only had roller deck hockey options this is what everyone wore....I can confirm....they are awful.

[@56squadron]

Agreed. I was so embarrassed when they wore them.

[@BillMorganChannel]

@@somewheredec Where did you move from? Isn't the USA a wonderful pace to live?

[@AdamTrupish]

I thought they were cool back then ...never had a pair though

[@carboncubss]

I am still amazed, even after watching 100's of video and reading articles and books about the "Great One" and I am still always in awe. No better name than the "Great One"

[@carboncubss]

@Hugh Mungus I like Mr hockey... But like the "Great one" even better, because he is.

Heard about The Rocket? 🚀

[@ericday4505]

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but the defense and goaltending here are disgraceful. These old films of play in the 80s shows just how much the game has improved. Pavel Datsuk would have scored 175 goals had he played against defensemen who were statues. And goalies who have little interest of actually stoping the puck.

[@carboncubss]

@@ericday4505 Woulda shoulda could, but cant.

[@ericday4505]

@@carboncubss I know I woulda and coulda see the crappie defense and goaltending, and I am a Philly fan. They were embarrassing.

[@silvergold3022]

he slumped the second half of the year, only 42 goals in the next 41 games🤣

[@johngenova5506]

actually had 90 by game 74 scored 2 in final 6, could've easily had 100goals,, in 83-84 same missed 6 games to injury 87 goals 74 games

[@oakenshanks]

rofl

[@fedvvvv]

Still the greatest.

[@richardstewart7324]

Bum lol

[@backyardhockey8658]

“slumped”

[@gatorflight74]

Saw Gretzky play against Detroit with Steve Yzerman in 1983...I was in awe how great he was!!

[@fenderguitars6050]

LA Kings fan here; We were a little skeptical if 99 could still be as great without Messier, Fuhr, Kurri etc,..We found out quick Wayne can play with anyone ,..

[@tomwalsh63]

Yzerman off the post!

[@rickrobitaille8809]

Working in west Edmonton mayfield road a arrived home to one of my favorite memories 💥😁🇨🇦

[@tbonejones354]

Take away all his goals and he would still lead the nhl with most points ever

[@ANTHONY0808able]

And he was only 20 years old when he achieved this amazing record !!

[@marchfirst381]

Do you think Ovi might beat his goals record ?

[@cosmiccharlie1056]

@@marchfirst381 it's gonna be real close. Ovi is still playing great

[@yolazerbeam3205]

@@marchfirst381 you would have to take into account Alexander Ovechkin scored many goals playing overtime (game winning goals) where Wayne Gretzky never got that opportunity until later on in his career when the NHL decided to re-instate an overtime period if the game was tied after 60 minutes of play. Also I'm sure Ovechkin will do what Jaromir Jagr did for the last few years of his career and just milk the league for sitting around until a power play comes up.

[@Hexstrike14]

@@yolazerbeam3205 you also have to keep in mind Ovechkin is already a better goal scorer using era adjusted numbers

[@franklidgad]

Oh the good ol' days back in the 80's. *Truly A Legend!!*

[@kranmaster]

The best all around slap shot in the history of the game. 3 laser beam clappers that you couldn't place more accurately in the top corner with your hand. His skill set was/has been so underrated. He was a fantastic skater; amazing on his edges and could pull away from anyone on a break. He was incredible at stealing the puck, amazing on faceoffs; what a tremendous talent.

[@oakenshanks]

probably why they waived the hall of fame rules and put him in the hall the day after he retired...lol all hail 99

[@MMGJ10]

It's a shame that younger fans didn't get to really see him. There's a belief that he was so good because everyone else was so bad and that's totally not the case. His highlights don't tell the whole story. His vision, his ability to put the puck exactly where he wanted it to go, etc, was insane. He knew where to be, or where to go better than anyone. He could out think the game better than anyone and that made it look easy, but it was all Gretzky. Lemieux was very similar too. Their vision and hockey sense was just insane.

[@MrRyanxdavey]

This is the biggest misconception about Gretzky. I always laugh when I hear people say that he was such a great player despite being a bad skater with an average shot and that his vision is what carried him. Gretzky had an AMAZING shot and was a very good skater. Simply the greatest player the game will ever see, by an absolutely ridiculous margin

[@fvecc]

Ryan Davey His shot wasn't hard. But it was very accurate and he shot back against the grain (ie in the direction opposite he was moving), which made it very difficult on goaltenders.

[@MMGJ10]

@@MrRyanxdavey I never said he was a bad skater or had an average shot. Not sure if that was meant for me but I think so. No, he was a supremely talented player, but what sets guys like him and Lemieux way above the rest is their vision, their hockey sense, being able to see the game better and faster than anyone else. And he's certainly not the best the game has ever seen by a ridiculous margin, Lemieux is right up there with him. If not for injuries and illness Lemieux would be even closer, or ahead of the great one in that ranking. They both were head and shoulders above everyone else.

[@hemmygrant]

Was at this game with me pappy, pretty awesome

[@4runr598]

Gretzky was a cheat code

[@cmoorePB]

Yeah, he basically changed what hockey was. He did to Hockey what Tiger Woods did to golf.

[@photofinish8607]

GTFO with the woods comment. Lame past time hobby, and a unfaithful POS

[@HufflepuffBaseball42313]

@@photofinish8607 what? He was right.

[@foreman_spike]

Photo Finish That was an analogy. Work on your reading comprehension

[@cartitard6684]

Chris Moore you mean what Caleb Jones did to passing?

[@airfoilengine3799]

As a Wings fan, I always (back in the day) had bad feelings about the Oilers. But I had the privilege of watching Gretzky and Yzerman play - in person . Certainly the best ever. Gretzky, Lemieux and Yzerman were deadly in the slot and from any angle for that matter. Top class.

[@JohnSmith-en8vx]

Never has a single player exerted such dominance over an entire professional league in greater fashion then the only undisputed GOAT in all of professional sports.

[@MickPsyphon]

Bobby Orr!

[@jesterlead]

No love for Bata Reyes? How about Ma Long?

[@andrewdouris6035]

Bobby Orr!

[@jasonjansen9831]

One could argue Michael Jordan, but I would pick Gretz. Also, without injuries, Bobby Orr would have been the greatest.

[@MickPsyphon]

@@jasonjansen9831 Orr was the greatest. He played better injured than any of his contemporaries. 😁

[@taekwondotime]

A lot of people today (especially Ovie lovers) try to diminish his accomplishments by criticizing the goaltending of this era. They forget that players today have better equipment, training facilities, composite sticks, better skates, lighter weight jerseys and pads, etc..... and play in a NHL with no 2-line pass, no hitting allowed, no interference, hooking, holding, etc. The truth of the matter is, if Ovie played in Gretzky's era, he would have been concussed multiple times, have torn ACLs, and miss tons of games due to injuries for his style of play in a much more violent and ruthless 1980's NHL. Ovie's shot would be diminished with a wooden stick, and he would be slowed considerably playing with antiquated equipment.

[@chr970]

Agreed fully. And ovie would get hammered by some guys back then too.

[@taekwondotime]

​@@chr970 100%. I can picture guys like Stevens, Lindros, Messier, Hatcher, Kasparitis, etc... plastering Ovie into the boards every time he entered the zone. Even if it didn't hurt him right away, it would wear on him over the course of 82 games and slowly break him down. Then he'd have to deal with guys waterskiing on him like Lemieux did in the 90's, getting mugged up and down the ice. Only one referee back then so no penalty calls coming on any of that interference.

[@Demy1970]

Spot on and the goaltending equipment nowadays is a joke, everything is baggy and the lack of play in front of the net makes a difference. Gretzky was a once in a lifetime change agent

[@stephennixon9609]

The guy was absolutely amazing. Those Edmonton Oilers teams just shattered goal scoring records as individuals and as a team and he was the leader. I'm happy as a Rangers fan he played his last game as a NY Ranger.

[@tommyhendo]

He’s so in the zone.. it’s amazing to watch.. he’s looking down at that puck.. telling it where to go in his mind..and the puck just listens to him and goes there.

[@gooddognigel9992]

Critics of gretzky should keep in mind that he was very determined, highly skilled, and his work ethic and love of the game were unparalleled. He was a student of the game. He loved the history of hockey. He played with some excellent hockey players. He was by far the most dominant force in the hockey world, and he always will be.

[@ghytgb]

Ovie is better. Doesn’t need a bodyguard to fight for him. Gretz was a weakling.

[@timlogan6803]

@@ghytgb HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Thanks for that. Better. Not a chance in hell.

[@szahmad2416]

@@ghytgb and yet, Ovi hasn’t beat this record yet.

[@roymcgaw7431]

@@ghytgb What is the objective of the game? Score goals and win, or get into fights? Ovi is great; Gretzky is the greatest.

[@peters6119]

The commentator was prophetic when he said, "I don't think anyone will beat that ... not even Gretzky". It's almost 37 years later and at this point it's pretty certain that it will never be done again unless they make the goalies go back to wearing pads that were designed only to protect the goalie instead of today's pads that are strategically designed to help the goalie stop the puck (pad design, gloves, etc. Even then no player will statistically dominate as much as Gretzky (50 goals before anyone else has 30!). This record will live longer than any of us will. Even Gretzky in the next 7 years in his prime couldn't duplicate that magical 39 games. The crowd reacted to every goal like they just knew at the time how historic this was. Great video.

[@hebber1961]

I was at the previous game where he got 4 against L.A.. I told someone that night that the way he's going, he get 50 the next game...not really thinking he would.

[@TheHilltopPillbox]

I remember watching that game over the Christmas holidays with my Dad's 7 brothers and 2 sisters all sitting around the living room. They went NUTS. I was only 11, but I knew something pretty special had happened. Glad I saw it, even on TV.

[@paulelliott3220]

My favourite record Gretzky THE man

[@edmourgagnon1504]

paul elliott And not even 21 years of age???

[@mrktyb]

Nowhere closed of Mario. Just look at the video and see how he NEVER get hit. Protected by the league and the refs. I bet Mario would have been English, his career would have been a lot more different, a lot easier.

[@zzz7zzz9]

@@mrktyb gretzky was plagued with back pain from cheap shots and hits. There's a reason he had semenko.

[@hottubking1229]

The music was riveting. Really was the highlight of the video.

[@rocketmanab]

Pretty sure the Flyers goalie had Gretzky on his fantasy team

[@LDehaut]

Pete Peeters

[@Chekmate99]

announcer: “the ice is littered with programs” me: “I’ll take one!”

[@craigconley1872]

Watched this game live!!

[@vinnykurri17]

I remember as a kid watching the Oilers on ITV. Living in Ontario I was always trying to stay up late to watch them. Haha Amazing!

[@benk3999]

When it was a joy be a hockey fan.

[@algee8228]

Back in the day when hockey was hockey. I dunno what it is now.

[@sageantone7291]

The most untouchable record in sports, along with Wilt's 100 points in a game.

[@stevem842]

100 points in a game isn't untouchable. Kobe's gotten 81. If a guy got extremely hot and looked like he could reach it, and his team kept feeding him the ball the way they did for Chamberlain in his 100 point game, it could happen. It'll certainly happen long before anybody ever scores 50 in fewer than 39 games. This one here is truly untouchable

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

Sage Antone I would have to disagree.Gretzky's 163 assists in a single season will even take longer to be broken.

[@epicragegaming2016]

81 by kobe is 100x more impressive than a 100 point game where goaltending was allowed, and wilt stood taller than most everyone back then. i'm not taking anything away from wilt, hes a legend. but modern day 81 is light years more impressive.

[@epicragegaming2016]

cy young might have something to say about that. he holds records that just aren't even possible to match. 749 complete games. to put it in perspective, last year the most complete games pitched was 2 shared by a few people. pitchers play maybe 35 games max, they would need to throw a complete game every appearance for 22 seasons.

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

Steve M when you're dead and buried wilt Chamberlain's 100 point game and his average of 50 points a game will still be intact

[@rickrobitaille8809]

This was actually magical to watch😁🇨🇦✔

[@phillycardshark9257]

Will never be broken. Ever.

[@Guy6994]

I agree probably the toughest record to break in professional sports.

[@seansmith2289]

What an amazing game to have been at. One of the most exciting moments in sports history.

[@ethansucksatcuphead]

I feel like even if i was a flyers fan I would have cheered on the 50th like how can you not.

[@billblake9665]

I cheered him on for his 49th.............

[@mnmade9062]

Most prolific scorer in the history of sports…all sports, period. What a rare opportunity for those fans to witness history. You can see they know it too by the looks on their faces in the crowd shots after each goal. I was only 6 years old then and didn’t have an awareness of Gretzky yet, but I surely did a few years later, and he became my all-time favorite player. Best game I saw him play live was in Spring of 93 when he’d just returned from injury. I always tried to get tix when Oilers and then Kings came to town, with that usually being the one game per year we could afford. Although we didn’t know it at the time, it would be Gretzky’s last game in Minnesota, and the last North Stars game I’d ever attend. Kings beat the North Stars that night and Gretzky had 1 goal and 4 assists. I’m so glad I have that memory…just magical.

[@michaelgriffiths8068]

I remember seeing the highlights of that game! It was his breakout game after the “return from injury slump” when he returned from the back surgery. I can’t remember any of the points he scored now, but I remember he had a goal a 4 assists for 5 points. Do any of the plays stick out in your mind?

[@17golfstar]

I realize that today’s goaltending is 10x better, but you have to admit - this was something to behold. It was almost meant to be. Inevitable really. Pure magic

[@mikebennett2653]

todays goalies are 6-6 or more, with double the padding... all they do is drop to their knees and square the shooter, old time goalies were far far more athletic.

[@hulkangry5546]

​@@mikebennett2653 EXACTLY what I was going to say👍👍👍👍

[@TooBokoo]

While you're correct, goalies are better now. There was still nobody even close to Gretzky back then. Scoring certainly wasn't easy or everyone would've put up numbers like him.

[@choosenone2die]

10 x better . Are U out of your F mind ? I see awfull goals many time

[@Agathos-qh3lc]

The thing that all the doubters miss (and is really just applying common sense) is that if the goal tenders weren't as good back then (when Gretzky played) as they are today, then why weren't all the players (back then) doing better? There should have been dozens of players reaching totals like Gretzky if it was because the goalies "back in his day" weren't as good. But no. Only one was setting records. Only one.

[@powergi3996]

When goalies were 5'8'' 145lbs. What a time to be alive!

[@mikeg4678]

Sebastien Didnt matter. He would have done it today. U must be a kid. I got to watch him live He was amazing. Nothing like u have ever seen. Today’s game sucks anyways. No hitting no hate no nothing.

[@fvecc]

Sebastien Imagine if Gretzky was as big as today's players, or had their equipment, or training facilities and worked out all year long? What about the medical advancements in the last 40 years that helps players to recover from injuries faster? Why is ithat in all the imagined scenarios, Gretzky is always hurt by today's advancements but never benefits?

[@justinchapo5691]

@@mikeg4678 not a snowballs chance in hell he does that in todays game . players are bigger , faster , smarter . goalies are 20x better than what this guy showed us lol he would be good but not producing numbers like this

[@mikeg4678]

El Skinny Chapo you have no idea what ur talking about. Keep dreaming kid

[@justinchapo5691]

@@mikeg4678 i need some of what you're smoking cause you're talking crazy . he'd be lucky to have 100 point season nowadays

[@pjsbulldog67]

Nice having semenko having your back as well,,greatest player/and team ever in my opinion

[@thorpestanford5359]

Big Dave

[@greatunz67]

There will never be anyone even close to Gretzky again. 215 points, one season he had 92 goals, that more than the total points that 'superstars' get nowdays.

[@juster3.146]

@digital warfare They get way more power plays than ever did nowadays then Gretzky's days in the NHL.

[@juster3.146]

@digital warfare Yeah we'll goalie pads were smaller in the 80s and actually Greztky played in the dead puck era in the late 90s and it was hard to score. Like to see Crosby or McDavid get as many assists in the last couple of years in there careers. Maybe they'll get more when Greztky played in the dead puck eras in the last 4 years of there careers.

[@G3NK5T42]

Different era, the 80s were. Players were scoring 60-90 goals left and right. If he had began his career during the Dead Puck Era, I doubt he would've scored more than 600 goals. Either way, his regular season career goal record of 894 will soon be beat by the GREATEST GOAL SCORER, ALEX OVECHKIN!!! Only 18 remaining.

[@michaelkern7881]

I was 12 years old at that game with my Grandpa, my dad (season ticket holder 78 - 89) said go to the game because Gretzky would not get 5 that night. Was my dad so choked the next day!! HAHA, one of the best moments to witness.

[@JKD6991]

This will be a hard,if not the hardest, record to break. Gretzky is the GOAT!

[@hulkangry5546]

What about 153 points in 51 games?🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@mr.nihilz3283]

Ya the cardboard stand up goalie with no reflexes had nothing to do with it.

[@MorbidMattski]

Absolutely wild all these years later here we are in 2023 and no one has touched this. No one has even come close. I love Connor McDavid he’s such a great talent and we are blessed to have him but what Wayne Gretzky did with the sport is absolutely unheard of. Just completely re-wrote the record book and so many records still standing. What a legend.

[@doghousebrewingcompany2762]

People that say the goalies were trash, he scored 50 before anyone else had 30. He was on another level. No one today runs away with the goal title like that.

[@theroseexperience]

The goalies and defense were still atrocious.

[@bryantthoresen6772]

@@theroseexperience I agree, the defense and goaltending wasn't even close to what it is now. But Gretzky wasn't just breaking records, he was SHATTERING them..............how come other players in the early-80s era weren't doing that? They weren't even close............... As mentioned, Gretzky had four seasons where he would've led the NHL in scoring on assists alone. No one in the current era has dominated their peers like that.

[@danieloceans9652]

Brady McNish different era. Vizina winners stats back then would be barely good enough for the American League now lol

[@mumbles215]

I watched this live and the flyers are my Team. I knew then this man was a true stud

[@larryastrostar83]

The one record that even Wayne said probably would not be broken

[@MikeRatushniak-d6e]

I remember this game I was there he shine so bright that night was magical

[@georgekellar7899]

To watch him as a teenager their will never be another like that . Glad to witness history.

[@RRaquello]

I watched this game in, of all places, NYC. It wasn't on local TV of course, since it didn't involve the local teams, but I live in the southern most part of New York and on nights when the weather was good you could get UHF channel 29 from Philadelphia. It was coming in perfectly clear that night. Gretzky was the only player in NHL history where you'd turn on the game and say, "Let's see if he can score 5 goals tonight" with the realistic expectation that he could actually do it.

[@kennywilson5422]

Did I hear the commentator right? Two four goal games in a row? Also 4 in one season is absolutely insane.

[@kohl2339]

not in a row, just two four goal games that season. Not including the one he just played, so technically three after

[@daveivins5968]

@@kohl2339 2 consecutive 4 goal games...so that would be in a row if im not mistaken, and it was a total of four, 4 goal games (10/31/81, 11/25/81, 12/27/81, 12/30/81)

[@tms372]

YES, two four goal games in a row, four that season.

[@sillymonkey725]

That year, he had 35 goals after 35 games. Then he went berserk.

[@Jay9999]

Game 38 he was at 41 goals so he got 4 goals that game and then 5 goals in game 39. But he also had 58 assists during that streak wich is phyco

[@twfchamp02]

This is the correct video. Don’t take it down. Thank you.

[@bernier42]

Imagine being in the control room at the moment one of the most iconic and unbeatable NHL records is set, and thinking the best thing to do is spend 32 of the next 35 seconds switching between different views of the crowd.

[@scotthodgins7975]

Gretzky was undeed incredible, and often what is overlooked is how well his whole line was. He still would have been the great one and mentioned along with Gordie Howe, Rocket Richard, Bobby Orr and the like if he was on a different team or had a different lineup. But the lineup he had aided to his greatness, as he did to theirs.

[@rager6615]

Literally the goalies are the size of 12 yrs olds these days lmao

[@1Galag]

Because the pads are so big now a days

[@dirtyflow1825]

And hybrid stance hasn’t been invented by Roy yet so they are standing straight up instead of bent

[@Rosterized]

its always funny to look back with modern eyes, yes gretzky dominated compared to anyone else at his time but most of these goals look ridicilous, he just walks in and slap shots meanwhile these goalies are just standing around looking stupid almost like they are not even trying to stop the puck going in 🤣

[@Agathos-qh3lc]

The thing that all the doubters miss (and is really just applying common sense) is that if the goal tenders weren't as good back then (when Gretzky played) as they are today, then why weren't all the players (back then) doing better? There should have been dozens of players reaching totals like Gretzky if it was because the goalies "back in his day" weren't as good. But no. Only one was setting records. Only one.

[@kevinb2844]

Remember this game as a 12 year old flyer’s fan and trying to truly comprehend the greatness I was witnessing.

[@deonpersaud8502]

The craziest thing about Gretzky was that he was considered a better passer than a goal scorer. That's how Great he was. Scary when you think about it.

[@peters6119]

He made a deliberate effort to shoot more that season. He said that in the previous year he was so well known for making the pass that teams were starting to play the pass more and he realized that the shot was getting too hard to pass up so he vowed at the start of the season to shoot more than the previous year and this was the result. On top of the 92 goals, though, he still passed the puck enough to get 120 assists!

[@eversostupid]

Deon Persaud Gretzky was so far ahead of everyone else in those days that when we had hockey pools you had to take either Gretzky goals or Gretzky assists. It would have been too much of an advantage to have his total points on one fantasy team.

[@justafanintexas7913]

Peter S - Gretzky also cherry-picked a lot at center ice.

[@tomlorenzen4062]

@@justafanintexas7913 Really? I thought it was behind the net, always some dumbass who doesn't know what he is talking about. 61 official records when he retired, I think he still owns 60. Another 27 unofficial records. Get a clue. The best ever by a long shot.

[@crazedzealots]

You only see Athletes like this come along once in a while, Gretzky hockey, Jordan Basketball, Messi Soccer, Mike Tyson Boxing, Khabib MMA. They devote everything they are to the God given talent they are born with for their entire lives and become legendary. Mike Tyson strayed from the hard work path and then began to fail. As for the others they dominated till they left their sports or were injured over the years pushing their bodies that hard all the time.

[@lukaww4391]

Wayne Gretzky is the best hockey player ever - 2857 points

[@fenderguitars6050]

Wayne Gretzky has like 1400 points "without" the Oilers ,.. yeah , he really was THAT GOOD ,..

[@edwardwong654]

I am not worthy to even watch such greatness but only say the word. They should definitely call Gretzky The Great One.

[@spunkybruiser]

For everyone saying the goalies are horrible, Look up the GAA and save % from the modern era and you will fine they are pretty similar, I looked it up and was some what shocked myself. Hell, pens lost 10-1 and 7-1 this year already and they won the cup the past 2 years. 6/4 LA and CBJ last night. Second point. With the advent of faster, better, equipment like sticks, Goalies would have to adapt. Curved blades on the stick, goalies started to wear masks. Modern sticks flex and put off so much more power, modern goalies had to adapt to a changing game. Pre 1960 hockey was north and south, after the 1970's into the 80's Hockey started going east and west thanks to Anatoli Tarasov. To say the goalies were horrible, they were the best at what they did.

[@spunkybruiser]

His second 3rd and 4th goal were all top corner, one bar in, bar down, on a stand up goalie who by their very nature cut down 98%+ of the net. 2 Feet above the crease,....

[@chrisedwards4891]

They are not even close to similar... www.quanthockey.com/nhl/seasons/1980s-nhl-goalies-stats.html vs www.quanthockey.com/nhl/seasons/2010s-nhl-goalies-stats.html 1980s league leader was Roy with a 2.82 GAA, the only GAA under 3.00. Ritcher had a SV% of .904, the only SV% over .900. Today, top 50 goalies are all sub 2.70 GAA and above SV% of .913. The 1980s had 9 of the top 17 goal scoring years of all time.

[@Jeneric81]

Just look at the footage.The phsyical and technical evolution of goaltending since this era is far and wide the biggest difference for today. Many of these shots wouldn't even be considered a scoring chance today. Still an incredible feat, but let's not pretend even Gretzky could replicate it today.

[@Agathos-qh3lc]

The thing that all the doubters miss (and is really just applying common sense) is that if the goal tenders weren't as good back then (when Gretzky played) as they are today, then why weren't all the players (back then) doing better? There should have been dozens of players reaching totals like Gretzky if it was because the goalies "back in his day" weren't as good. But no. Only one was setting records. Only one.

[@janinehietala5487]

I was lucky enough to be at the game, my dad took me for my 16th birthday. I’ll never forget it!

[@davidrobins4025]

And he did this before his 21st birthday. Truly an amazing hockey player.

[@becausereasons41]

This record will stand forever

[@nelsonbutler564]

I missed this but remember 163 assists....I'd flip to the sport pages everyday and see Gretzky 5 assists 7 assists 8 assists I was pissed off hardly any goals but still managed 52

[@michaelgriffiths8068]

Yup, the only player ever to have a 52 goal season almost as an afterthought. Goes out and does the unthinkable: Scores more points in a season than anyone in history at the time (other than himself), but....that's just his assists.....and throws in 52 goals as an afterthought. Absurd.

[@proapocalypse1448]

Nobody except Wayne or Mario have scored more than 160 points in a season. So I think Gretzkys 163 assists will never be broken.

[@michaelgriffiths8068]

The crazy thing is he scored 50 goals in less than 50 games two more times after this. No one else had ever done it even once at this point (in less than 50 games) in the entire history of the NHL. Then he goes out and does it 3 times in 4 years, haha. Just think about that for a second. And not only does he do it 3 times, he absolutely destroys the record (twice), beating the previous record (of 50 goals in 50 games) by 11 games and then 8 games two years later to prove it wasn't a fluke. Totally nuts.

[@8tchtrain]

Gretzky didn't follow the puck, he anticipated where it would be. He had the best instincts of any athlete in any sport.

[@ambermae6]

Records never to be broken

[@gregharrison5479]

50 in 39 at 20 years of age. No one in our lifetime will break that combination.

[@evgenyzhabin8605]

No one in a lifetime will compete such useless goalkepers. LoL )

[@gregharrison5479]

@@evgenyzhabin8605 why was he the only one to do it then?

[@mensrea1251]

You can throw away the 20 years part and 50 in 39 will still never be broken.

[@AndrewSmith-vr8kd]

@@evgenyzhabin8605 Let's put today's goalies in that equipment and see their stats drop.

[@evgenyzhabin8605]

@@AndrewSmith-vr8kd I'm a goalie. )) And i often play in retro equipment. ) There is not much difference. The difference is in the modern goalies skills. It's much more harder to score goals now.

[@rosemariesherman2801]

I watched that game in Edmonton. Still remember when he got the fifth one. Crazy stuff. We expected Gretzky to get five points every game.

[@BillPresson]

What was it like to live in Edmonton during his years as an Oiler? My goodness.

[@victormaratovich7412]

It was FANtastic, many parades even the Eskimos had a decade of excellence. The city put up a sign 'City of Champions'

[@TheBatugan77]

Fkn cold.

[@NJGuy1973]

@@victormaratovich7412 And they had a good minor league baseball team, too.

[@nathanmuir5420]

20 years old and not one other player in league had 30 goals by the end of that night. Legend. G.O.A.T.

[@kenwell3498]

I watched a Kings game one night and Gretzky was on his own blueline. defenseman had the puck in his own corner and basically used a slap shot to pass it to him. he one-timed that thing and dead on the tape hit a streaking Courtnall at the other blueline and sent him in on a breakaway. probably doesn't sound like much but it was so perfect I've never forgotten it

[@theroseexperience]

Just brutal goaltending and defending in every capacity. I grew up in Gretzky's hometown and he's the GOAT but half of his goals just would never happen in the modern game.

[@eagle8burger]

I don’t disagree, but could you imagine this man with a composite stick, and modern skates? Guy would have been Ovi and McDavid in one dude.

[@theroseexperience]

@@eagle8burger What? No, just no, Gretzky was not a big man at all, in fact he's smaller than McDavid. Gretzky would not be a top goal scorer in the modern NHL, he's too small. Still likely the overall best player but the advantage composite sticks give players is nothing compared to astronomical growth in technique and equipment for defender and in particular goalies of the modern era.

[@szahmad2416]

@@theroseexperience he himself admitted he was very lucky to be playing in that era, explaining that goalies were not expected to be athletes and defense wasn’t really a skill at that time; that it quickly caught up to offense later. Then. the gap opened up more when the NHL eliminated the hoping, clutching, grabbing and high-sticking that was allowed as long as a player didn’t fall because of it. That was the era when Crosby and Ovechkin made their debut. And now, you see how good defensive skills and a hot goalie have caught up again, with the Panthers making it to the finals.

[@TooBokoo]

But then you have to ask yourself, why didn't everyone throw up numbers like Gretzky? Scoring still wasn't easy. Look at all the players that were lucky to score only 10 goals a season, if even that.

[@theroseexperience]

@@TooBokoo Quite a few did put up astronomical numbers. Nowhere am I saying Gretzky was some bum, he was the best of his era but as a goal scorer he'd nowhere near what he was. Guy's who could hardly skate were putting up 30 goals in this era, the goaltender numbers speak for themselves.

[@patmccrotch5373]

This is what the Flyers get for the atrocity that is those pants. This was a little before my time, my first Flyers game was in '94. As a little kid, that was the perfect time to be a Flyers fan, Lindros, LeClair, Renberg, Recchi (for a little bit), Brind'Amour, Desjardins, Hextall, and Antoski was their main brute. But getting back on topic, as a hockey fan, this record is absolutely amazing. Would've loved to have seen Gretzky as he entered the league.

[@frankmarshal7767]

typical Grapes ... "he did it for me", lol

[@michaelpatterson9119]

THE GREAT ONE hockey will never see one man mismatched and ahead of the rest of the league wish I could have seen him play

[@williamseric740]

All of you guys complaining about the goalies back then, and how he was protected; not one of you all ever played in the NHL. I would guess that the majority of you never played hockey at all. If you are one of the all-time greatest players, you could play in any era; and dominate. His records stand for themselves, GOAT.

[@tylerbauman7495]

im a goalie and i say the problem lies in the standup style of the day put any modern day butterfly goalie in net and theres no way gretsky would score that easily He showed how the standup style could be exploited which is one of the reasons that the butterfly style is so widly used today

[@NoName-ge6wc]

Unlike the other major team sports, more than any athlete in history, there can be no doubt that the undisputed goat of his sport is the Geat One. This record will stand forever.

[@peacesearcher4598]

He wasn't even 21 years old. Extraordinary feat!

[@dougruddock5173]

I was at that game. I live in Ottawa and came out to Red Deer to visit my parents. My dad managed to find tickets and we drove to Edmonton to watch the game.

[@shaneblank5837]

You people better recognize greatness when u see it

[@ericday4505]

And horrific goaltending.

[@theleadguyinmb]

Haha. "You people" lol

[@badmonkey6410]

Back in that time, hockey pools were fun with the gretzky factor.Some if not most woudnt allow gretzky to be picked AT ALL.Because you had a huge huge advantage if you got him 1st overall.What we did was allow gretzky to be picked THREE times. You could pick him for only goals or only assists or his total points divided by two.That way we could still keep gretzky in the pool and it made it quite fun to have gretzky potentially picked three separate times.

[@owenosterman7961]

Why is nobody talking about how half the guys weren’t even wearing helmets 😂😂💀💀

[@JukedGamer]

Because that's just how the NHL was back then, helmets weren't required and quite a few at that point were still used to only playing without the helmet

[@JukedGamer]

@Jason F. they did

[@NJGuy1973]

@@JukedGamer In 1979 the NHL made helmets mandatory for entering players, but current players could continue to play without them. The last helmetless player was Craig MacTavish, who debuted in 1979 and was allowed to play without a helmet until he retired in 1997.

[@JukedGamer]

@@NJGuy1973 thats what i was saying? they weren't required but they could if they wanted to

[@garnetk3751]

go back another 10-15 years and the goalies weren't wearing masks.

[@tuckermoreland147]

not a big fan of hockey but usually they are big fearsome bruisers. how did this little guy outskate. outthink and outplay everyone in the league ? for years....... truly a special individual.

[@zacharylortie2786]

It’s amazing that despite not being the strongest, the fastest, the most agile or the best shot.. that his vision of the game alone brought him to greatness

[@mp-lj3ug]

"Not the best shot" lolllll That is funny.

[@zacharylortie2786]

@@mp-lj3ug You think he has the best shot in NHL history?

[@mp-lj3ug]

@@zacharylortie2786 his stats speak for themselves. Don't matter what I think....

[@zacharylortie2786]

@@mp-lj3ug I knew you were going to say that. So I guess when Ovy takes the goal record he has the best shot in NHL history? He’s already at 800 goals

[@mp-lj3ug]

@@zacharylortie2786 There's go guarantee he will pass Wayne in all time goals. Ovi does have a great shot and if he does pass Wayne in goals I'm less games I'd say he had a better shot. It's just common sense. Wayne scored many goals from bad angles slap shots with the goalie out, saying "not the best shot," is comical like I said.

[@Rainman270]

It was said Wayne couldn’t break a pane of glass with his slap shot, amazing how he scored so many goals.

[@mpaulm]

I believe this was during a stretch when he had 16 of 21 shots go in.

[@choosenone2die]

December 19 - Oilers 9, North Stars 6: 3-4-7 December 20 - Flames 7, Oilers 5: 2-1-3 December 23 - Oilers 6, Canucks 1: 1-3-4 December 27 - Oilers 10, Kings 3: 4-1-5 December 30 - Oilers 7, Flyers 5: 5-1-6 he did 15 goals in 5 games 25 points. Hit 1000 points with 5 points in the game Break Esposito record with a Hat trick in the last 7 minutes of the third period. He always shattered record with style.

[@sumwear7123]

Back when goalies didn't have pads that made them the size of elephants.

[@carpetclimber4027]

Back when goalies couldn't stop a beachball an bottom liners couldn't skate.

[@NAMULTISS]

Today he wouldnt of scored half as much. Goalies are way better and there equipment is bigger. Still remember when P Roy 1st started to use big pads.the nhl went nuts. Mind you he got caught for having to big of pads but still changed the game.

[@MrJoepeps]

@@NAMULTISS todays players would get half what they get now if they were in that era with that equipment and those rules with hooking holding and no space lol... it's all relevant to the time

[@johnnysuperbman4396]

@@MrJoepeps not true at all. They would need to get used to the equipment for sure, but once they're used to it, they would dominate. I forgot who, but i read that back then, players would eat steak and fries as food before PLAYOFF games. Just the sheer athleticism and training that players have now would completely dominate the game. On top of that, the on ice training players receive now is much harder than back then. Sidney Crosby today would dominate the game close to the degree of Gretzky if you take into account his unparalleled skating skills and sheer weight that he has on him. On top of all of this, look at the awful defense (not even going to mention the horrible goaltending) on that second goal. They keep backing up and basically gave Gretzky the goal. Defense back then was not what it is today, considering that defenseman today on average weigh more than 210 pounds too.

[@aaronfram7501]

Goalies arnt even trying lol

[@MrDJS444]

For me, this is his greatest record. If I had to pick one that will never be broken, this would be it.

[@michaelgriffiths8068]

163 assists in a season (more assists than anyone had even scored points at the time) is more impressive.

[@markgardiner2231]

Gretzky himself said 50 in 39 is the one he is most proud of

[@SLAYERSWINE1]

#GOAT Athlete. Definitely most dominant athlete in his sport. I don't wanna hear Michael Jordan ( who I watched regularly when I resided in Chicago ), Tiger Woods, Tom #MarciaMarciaMarcia Brady, etc. NO ONE athletically matches up with #TheGreatOne

[@SlavaSesh]

Agreed, but if Lamar Jackson's numbers don't prove to be a one season fluke, I think Gretzky might have a challenger for title of most dominant athlete of modern times. LJ is able to be the entire offense for a team much like 99 was able to be.

[@SLAYERSWINE1]

@@SlavaSesh That is a stretch & wishful thinking. Too many factors involved down the road. He could be in incredible shape but he'll need a healthy offensive line for a decade straight to keep him healthy. Too much dependence on his line to succeed.

[@shyba2011]

WILT

[@SLAYERSWINE1]

@@shyba2011 More like Wilt-ed...Sorry, you can't even say he is the best player in the history of the NBA let alone best athlete ever.

[@SlavaSesh]

@@SLAYERSWINE1 dependence on his line? what are you smoking? dude can be the only person on his team to ever touch the ball in a game and still win. He doesn't need time and space either, as he can just run as soon as he has the ball. Literally all the dude needs is a center to hand the ball to him.

[@daisybluegroff]

I was there to witness this and it was magic.

[@blackoutgstar9949]

every sport argue whos the goat in hockey everyone knows who the goat is

[@oneneverknows5526]

Bobby Orr

[@WinslowLeach1974]

Gretzky! 50 goals in 39 games! Amazing! TV director: *"Quick, show 22 consecutive seconds of crowd shots instead of the players celebrating on the ice"*

[@jazzman1904]

One statistic no one else has suggested is that if you averaged out the slightly over 200 points and the slightly under 200 points a season he has six 200 point seasons in his first eight years!!

[@motiergroup6189]

The GOAT