Proof Teams Can Overcome a 3-1 Deficit in the NHL Playoffs

2. The New York Rangers – 2014 Second Round

In four previous series between the Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Penguins won all four. This series was unique in that whichever team scored first, went on to win the game in all seven contests. New York took a 3-2 overtime victory in game one, but the following three games were controlled by the Penguins with goalie Marc-Andre Fleury recording back to back shutouts. Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, and line-mate Evgeni Malkin both recorded two points in a 4-2 victory in game four. Sparked by an emotional game by Martin St. Louis after the unexpected death of his mother, The Rangers won game five convincingly, which started the eventual comeback. Brad Richards power-play goal in the second period of game seven was enough to clinch the series and move on.

1. The New York Rangers – 2015 Second Round

This was the fifth meeting between the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals in the last seven years. After splitting games one and two, the Washington Capitals were in control of the series after a game three shutout by goaltender Braden Holtby. Games four, five were one-goal contests with a Washington goal being waved off in game five due to what was ruled goaltender interference. Ryan McDonagh’s overtime goal gave the Rangers a one-goal victory.  The Rangers were able to hold off a late Capitals comeback in game six, winning the game 4-3. Game seven would require overtime, with Rangers Derek Stepan scoring in overtime to secure the series win for the Rangers. This was the first time in NHL history where a team had overcome a 3-1 deficit in consecutive years to win a Stanley Cup Playoff series. This would be the fifth time that the Washington Capitals had relinquished a 3-1 series lead to lose in seven games.

Bonus: The Toronto Maple Leafs – 1942 Stanley Cup Finals

The 1942 Leafs are the only team to come back from a three-game deficit in a Stanley Cup Final. The meeting between the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs was filled with excitement as Detroit took the first three games of the series. The Maple Leafs, now down 3-0 in the series, needed a spark, and that came in the form of some small changes to the roster, with the Leafs moving on to a one-goal victory due to Nick Metz’s game-winner. This game had it’s excitement as the game nearly ended in a riot. Detroit’s Eddie Wares was penalized and fined $50 fine for refusing to leave the ice after being assessed a misconduct. Referee Mel Harwood called a questionable too-many-men penalty after dropping the puck while Wares was still on the ice. In protest, Detroit’s Don Grosso threw down his stick and gloves and received a $25 fine. Detroit coach Jack Adams then attacked Harwood at the conclusion of the game, punching him in the face, and requiring Harwood to leave under police protection. The Leafs would go on for the unprecedented win on a series-winning goal by Pete Langelle in the third period of game seven.

Fun Fact: This would be the first time a team overcame a 3-0 deficit and also the first time a crowd of over 16,000 attended a hockey game in Canada.

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