Messier in the playoffs from 1983 through 1994 is pretty damn elite. Like, up with the most elite performers of all-time. 11 years out of 12 he was in the playoffs (with two teams) and did the following:
1983
- 14 goals in first 10 games (through three rounds)
- 21 points in 15 games (even after Edmonton was shut down in the Finals) and +11
1984
- 26 points in 19 games
- Conn Smythe (over peak Gretzky), Stanley Cup
1985
- 25 points in 18 games, +14
- Stanley Cup (2 goals in Cup-clinching game)
1986
- 10 points in 10 games, but overall was a bit disappointing vs. Calgary, a series that Edmonton lost
1987
- 28 points in 21 games, +13
- led Oilers in scoring through three rounds
- scored game-tying goal in game 7 of Finals
- Stanley Cup
1988
- 34 points in 19 games
- led Oilers in scoring through three rounds
- Stanley Cup
1989
- Oilers lost to Gretzky-Kings in round one, but Messier had 12 points and a record 11 assists
1990
- co-led playoffs in scoring, with 31 points in 22 games
- Stanley Cup (as captain)
1991
- Only 15 points in 18 games, but he was hobbled and could barely skate at times (still scored a point-per-game vs. Calgary and vs. Minnesota)
- Scored the very last goal of the Oilers' dynasty vs. Minnesota in his final game as an Oiler
1992
- 14 points in 11 games for NYR, but had a few 'iffy' moments
1993
- NYR missed playoffs after late-season collapse
1994
- 30 points in 23 games, +15
- 'Guaranteed' win vs. Jersey in game six
- scored Cup-winning goal in game 7 of Finals
- Stanley Cup
So, let's add that up: Over 11 playoffs in 12 seasons, Messier did this:
-- 246 points in 183 games (1.34 PPG = slightly higher than in regular season)
-- Six Stanley Cups, seven times in Cup Final
I mean, good luck matching that!
It's notable that most of his scoring points with Edmonton in this period did not involve Gretzky. Some did (esp. 1983 to 1985), but very few after that. By 1986-87, Messier was scoring nearly no points shared with Gretzky. A few more maybe in 1988 because of the Oilers' deadly power-play that year, but overall he clearly didn't need Gretzky to produce at the same level he scored at in the mid-80s.