Greatest New Jersey Devils player of all time: 24. Randy McKay
Randy McKay was the heart-and-soul player of those great Devils teams. He didn’t light the lamp like Richer or Elias, he didn’t gain the headlines of Scott Stevens, Martin Brodeur, or even Bobby Holik, and he isn’t always the name that comes up when we talk about fan favorites. However, Randy McKay was a vital part of two Stanley Cup teams.
McKay came to the Devils as compensation for the Detroit Red Wings signing Troy Crowder. It was a terrible deal for the Wings, as Crowder played just seven games in the Motor City before suffering a serious injury. McKay went on to play 760 games with the Devils. He was a physical presence who had some big offensive moments.
McKay is most known for two very different games. He scored the game-winning goal in Game 6 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Finals against the Philadelphia Flyers. That goal sent the Devils to the Stanley Cup Final, where they swept the Red Wings. He also scored four goals in a game in 2000. John Madden also scored four goals, making it the first time since the 1920s two teammates scored four goals in a game.
McKay’s most famous contributions came as a member of the Crash Line. Paired with Holik and Mike Peluso, these three grinders turned defense into offense. It was a driver for the Devils lore. Call it the Trap, call it a defensive strategy, but they were insanely effective together. McKay was a huge reason for that.