3. When everyone gets hot at once, you win
1995 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The Devils have plenty of insane runs that look strange today. Grant Marshall is a Devils legend today strictly because of what he was able to do in 2003. He had nine goals in the regular season, but he scored six in the playoffs. The fourth line of Steve Bernier, Ryan Carter, and Stephen Gionta (who wasn't even on the roster for most of the season) helped lead the Devils in 2012. Ondrej Palat found the power that earned him $6 million per season in last year's postseason. However, there's nothing like 1995.
Everyone became great all at once. This was the first legendary performance by Martin Brodeur. Yes, we went head-to-head with the Rangers the year before, but he posted a .927 save percentage throughout the postseason. Call it the trap, call it defense, who cares. A .927 save percentage in the playoffs is exactly what the stat proclaims.
The forwards were phenomenal. Claude Lemieux’s ascension in this postseason is the stuff of legends, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP. After scoring six goals in the regular season, Lemieux scored 13 goals in 20 playoff games. Randy McKay had five goals in the regular season. He scored eight in the postseason as part of the Crash Line. He even had an overtime game winner in the first round.
Then, the stars were stars. Stephane Richer was great. John MacLean was great. Scott Niedermayer was great. Scott Stevens was fantastic. Neal Broten was a monster. Bill Guerin was a playmaker. Jacques Lemaire played four-line hockey, and it was the reason the Devils so easily dispatched everyone in their way en route to their first Stanley Cup.