May 9, 2011: Daniel and Henrik Sedin played in their 78th playoff game together, breaking Brent and Duane Sutter‘s record for most NHL playoff games played together as brothers.
If you’re new to hockey: 6 Sutter brothers (Brian, Darryl, Duane, Brent, Rich, and Ron) played in the NHL, with at least one of them playing in the league for 24 consecutive seasons — they’re NHL royalty.
Duane, the 3rd Sutter NHL’er, was the 1st round draft pick of the New York Islanders in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft. He proceeded to step into the league for the 1979-80 season and go on to win an astounding 4 consecutive Stanley Cups to begin his NHL career from 1980-83.
His younger brother, Brent, was drafted the following season in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft and joined Duane for the last two Cup runs in ’82 and ’83.
From 1982-87, Duane and Brent Sutter played 77 playoff games together, setting the record for most NHL playoff games played together as brothers.
Until the Sedin twins came along…
Drafted 2nd and 3rd overall in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Daniel and Henrik Sedin entered the struggling Vancouver Canucks lineup with high expectations.
Although the pair fell far short of Evgeni Nabokov‘s Calder Trophy-winning campaign in the 2000-2001 season, the Swedish rookies helped the Canucks reach the playoffs for the first time since 1996.
By the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Sedin Twins were riding back-to-back Art Ross Trophies (Henrik won ’09-’10, Daniel ’10-’11) and the 2011 Presidents’ Trophy into their 8th postseason with the Canucks.
Along their route to the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals, the Canucks found themselves facing off against formidable foe, the Nashville Predators for the Western Conference Semi-Finals.
Up 3-2 in the series, Daniel and Henrik Sedin made history in game 6, breaking the Sutter brothers’ record, suiting up for their 78th playoff game together.
In fitting fashion, Daniel Sedin scored the game- and series-winning goal assisted by none other than his brother Henrik… and Ryan Kesler.
The Canucks went on to beat the San Jose Sharks 4-1 in the Western Conference Final before losing a heartbreaking game 7 to the Boston Bruins in the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals.
Although they never captured the Stanley Cup, Daniel and Henrik Sedin had their numbers retired and will forever be remembered as some of the greatest Vancouver Canucks ever.
And they left on an amazing note, winning their final home game in Vancouver in overtime 4-3, with Daniel scoring two goals including the overtime winner and of course, Henrik assisted on both of them!
TODAY IN HOCKEY HISTORY
Pingback: Today in Hockey History: Rookie Netminder John Gibson Earns a Shutout in his NHL Playoff Debut | Hockey Players Club Blog