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Sportsnet recently posted stats on hits leaders for this year's Stanley Cup playoffs. The top two players include the Bolts' Erik Cernak and the Leafs' Ryan Reaves.
However, the most surprising name is this year's Rocket Richard winner Auston Matthews, who is third. Matthews combines size and physicality, much like the player who leads the all-time Stanley Cup playoff hit list.
With that interesting stat in mind, here is a look at the top-five hits leaders in the Stanley Cup playoffs, with a very familiar name leading the way.
NHL players with the most hits in the Stanley Cup playoffs
#1 Alexander Ovechkin
Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin tops the all-time Stanley Cup playoff hit list, with 637 in 149 games.
Ovechkin led the Caps to the 2018 Cup finals, marking the only championship in his career. Entering this postseason, he has registered 69 goals and 141 points to go with his all-time hits lead.
With the Caps qualifying for the postseason this year, Ovechkin will get a chance to add to his all-time hits lead.
#2 Brooks Orpik
Another valuable member of the 2018 Capitals championship team, Brooks Orpik, ranks second on the all-time Stanley Cup playoff hit list. He registered 611 hits in 156 postseason matchups.
Orpik retired following the 2018-2019 seasons after logging more than 1,000 regular-season games. The veteran defenseman only tallied 26 points during his long postseason career but shares a spot in history with some of the league’s elite names.
#3 Zdeno Chara
The long-time Boston Bruins captain, Zdeno Chara is tied with Orpik for second place on the all-time Stanley Cup playoff hit list.
Chara registered 611 hits in 200 games. However, Chara was a much more prolific point producer than Orpik, racking up 70 points during his postseason career. He led the Bruins to the 2011 Cup while playing a lengthy career that spanned from 1997 to 2022.
Chara and the Bruins also played in the Cup Finals, losing to the Chicago Blackhawks.
#4 Chris Kunitz
Long-time Pittsburgh Penguins forward Chris Kunitz sits fourth on the all-time hits list with 530 in 178 playoff contests.
Kunitz was a key member in the Pittsburgh Penguins Cup runs, winning four championships. He added 27 goals and 66 assists during his postseason career, making him a valuable contributor to his team, thanks to his solid all-around game.
#5 Milan Lucic
Milan Lucic is fifth on the all-time postseason hits list with 487 in 136 games. Lucic was an integral part of the 2011 Bruins championship while making stops with various teams across the league.
While mostly known for his hard-nosed, physical play, Lucic has also been known to score. He’s tallied 77 postseason points. Lucic is not with the Bruins during this postseason due to a temporary suspension by the league.
