Tim Kerr is often overlooked when recounting the great goal-scorers in NHL history. The 6-3, 225-pound power forward was a monster for the Philadelphia Flyers during the 1980s, posting four consecutive 50-goal seasons from 1984 to 1987.
Kerr’s immense size and soft hands around the cage made him a nightmare on the power play. Opposing penalty killers couldn’t move him from in front, and the second the puck found his stick, it was in the net.
Kerr Scores 34 PPGs
Incredibly, when Kerr notched 54 goals in 1983-84, only nine came on the man-advantage. But the following year, in 1984-85, he ripped home 21 of his 54 goals on the power play, marking the first of four career seasons with at least 20 power-play tallies.
In 1985-86, Kerr bagged a career-high 58 goals, and he did most of his damage with the extra skater. Kerr set an NHL record with 34 power-play goals that season, helping the Flyers capture the Patrick Division with 53 wins and 110 points. Kerr finished his illustrious career with 150 power-play goals.
Gretzky, Lemieux, Hull Can't Catch Kerr
Wayne Gretzky’s best season on the man-advantage came in 1983-84 when he collected 20 of his 87 goals on the power play. It was the only time in Gretzky’s career he reached 20 power-play goals.
Mario Lemieux had three campaigns with more than 20 power-play scores. He was particularly dominant in 1988-89 and 1995-96, ringing up 31 power-play goals each season.
Brett Hull was lethal with the man-advantage, hanging five career seasons with at least 20 power-play goals. The Golden Brett couldn’t reach 30, though, topping out at 29 in 1990-91 and 1992-93.
Joe Nieuwendyk was always an unheralded power-play artist. A master of the deflection, Nieuwendyk was the second man to ever pot 30 power-play goals, bagging 31 for the Flames in 1987-88. It certainly didn’t hurt having Al MacInnis and Gary Suter at the points, either.
Dave Andreychuk came closest to matching Kerr’s record season, burying a remarkable 32 power-play goals in 1992-93 while serving as the triggerman for Doug Gilmour and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Andreychuk finished his career with 274 power-play goals, the most in NHL history.
Most Power-Play Goals Single Season
34 – Tim Kerr, Philadelphia, 1985-86
32 – Dave Andreychuk, Buffalo, Toronto, 1992-93
31 – Joe Nieuwendyk, Calgary, 1987-88
31 – Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh, 1988-89
31 – Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh, 1995-96
29 – Michel Goulet, Quebec, 1987-88
29 – Brett Hull, St. Louis, 1990-91
29 – Brett Hull, St. Louis, 1992-93
Michael Dell - Michael Dell has been the Head Writer and Editor-in-Chief of LCS Hockey (www.lcshockey.com) since 1994. In his spare time he enjoys ...
