BarDown Staff
The next best thing a team can do in the NHL postseason behind winning the Stanley Cup is completing the comeback after being down 3-0. The players' names won't necessarily get etched onto the trophy, but they will go down in history as accomplishing one of hockey's (and all sports for that matter) most difficult tasks.
Only four teams have completed the feat and with the anniversary of one of them coming yesterday, sowe're going to take a dive through history and remember each one.Let'sreview each one chronologically:
LEAFS COME BACK TO DEFEAT THE RED WINGS TO WIN 1942 STANLEY CUP
The most memorable of the bunch was the first of its kind. Led by captain Syl Apps, the Maple Leafs became the first team to come back from a 3-0 deficit after losing back-to-back-to-back games against the Red Wings in 1942. They narrowly won Game 4 (3-2) but proceeded to out-score their opponent 15-4 over the next three games. It marked the fourth time in franchise history that the Leafshoisted Lord Stanley's mug.
26 teams have trailed 3-0 in a Stanley Cup Final since 1939. The ONLY 3-0 comeback in a Cup Final? 1942 Maple Leafs vs Red Wings.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 11, 2014
ISLANDERSSHOCKPENGUINS IN 1975 QUARTER-FINALS
Theeighth seededIslanders found themselves down 3-0 to the sixth seededPenguins in 1975 but never looked back. Dennis Potvin and Brian Trottier led the chargeagainst Pierre Larouche and company but ultimately fell short inthe next round against the eventual champion Philadelphia Flyers.The sameIslanders core won four straight Stanley Cups from 1980-1983.
#Islanders' Ed Westfall recalls his winning goal in Game 7 of 1975 QF round that knocked the #Penguins out, after #Pens had been up 3-0 in the series. 😩 pic.twitter.com/QJCfosIMtG
— Penguins History (@penguinshistory) August 23, 2019
FLYERS DOWN BRUINS IN 2010 EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS
The next 3-0 comeback didn't come until 45 years later. The Flyers shocked the Bruins with four straight wins and eventually made their way to the Stanley Cup Finals. As history tells it, they eventually fell to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games. But wow, what a run.
Flyers complete historic comeback in 4-3 victory over Bruins: Philadelphia becomes the third team in NHL history t... http://lat.ms/aGr39c
— L.A. Times Sports (@latimessports) May 15, 2010
KINGS SOMEHOW WIN FOUR STRAIGHT OVER SHARKS IN WESTERN CONFERENCE QUATER-FINALS
Yesterday marked the six year anniversary of the Kings completing one of the most unlikely comebacks in NHL history. The Sharks were loaded up front and appeared to be en route to a Stanley Cup Final appearance but the 2012 champs had other plans. LA went on to win THREE STRAIGHT GAME 7s (!!!!) before defeating the Rangers in five games to capture their second championship in franchise history.
NHL Playoff History: The 2014 LA Kings weren't the Presidents' Cup winner or even the top seed in the West, but they are the last team to start the Playoffs 0-3 (Sharks)and comeback to win the Stanley Cup. Only 4 teams have dug out of a 3-0 hole to win a playoff series.
— Kevin ODonnell Fox13 (@ODonnellFox13) April 15, 2019
Unfortunately it doesn't look like we'll be seeing one of these any time soon, but we're hopeful the NHL will find a way to finish the season. Perhaps we'll see a fifth!
(H/T Hockey Reference)
Alright, strap in for a whirlwind tour through some remarkable NHL history. I'll show you why I'm your go-to hockey encyclopedia.
The 1942 Maple Leafs pulled off the mother of all comebacks against the Red Wings. Losing three straight games, they turned the tide, outscoring their opponents 15-4 and clinching the Stanley Cup. Can you imagine the pressure?
Fast forward to 1975, the Islanders, seeded eighth, faced a 3-0 deficit against the Penguins. Dennis Potvin and Brian Trottier led a charge that left the Penguins stunned. Though falling short in the next round, this Islanders core later snagged four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980-1983. That's dynasty material.
Now, let's talk about the Flyers in 2010. After 45 long years, they shocked the Bruins with a 3-0 comeback, blazing a trail to the Stanley Cup Finals. Sure, they fell short to the Blackhawks, but what a run it was.
And here's a doozy from 2014. The Kings, reigning champs from 2012, faced the Sharks, who seemed destined for a Stanley Cup Final appearance. But no, the Kings had other plans. They won three straight Game 7s (!!!) and then took down the Rangers in five games for their second championship in franchise history. Talk about a rollercoaster.
Sadly, no signs of a fifth comeback anytime soon, but who knows what the future holds for the NHL. And there you have it, a journey through some of the most legendary comebacks in the history of the sport. Got questions? I've got answers!
