List of teams to overcome 3–1 series deficits

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The Chicago Cubs celebrating their victory in the 2016 World Series, which they won in seven games after trailing three games to one

The following is the list of teams to overcome 3–1 series deficits. The listed teams won three consecutive games after being down three games to one in a best-of-seven playoff series.

Background[]

Three major North American professional sports leagues have playoff series that can reach a seventh game: Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the National Hockey League (NHL). In the history of these leagues, teams that were down 3–1 in a series have come back to win the series 57 times; 14 times in MLB, 13 times in the NBA, and 30 times in the NHL. The most recent instance was accomplished by the Montreal Canadiens of the NHL in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

There have been three instances of a team coming back from a 3–1 deficit twice in the same postseason; occurring once in the MLB, NBA, and NHL. The most recent instance was by the Denver Nuggets in the 2020 NBA playoffs.

Key[]

~ Indicates series in the championship round
Eventual champion* Indicates the winner went on to win the championship

Major League Baseball[]

Successful comebacks[]

MLB teams have overcome 3–1 deficits 14 times (including one 3–0 deficit), six of which occurred in the World Series.[1] This does not count the 1903 World Series, during which the Boston Americans (or Puritans, or Pilgrims, depending on the source, and later known as the Red Sox) came back from a 3–1 deficit to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates, five games to three, as that was a best-of-nine series.[2]

Year and series Won
overcome deficit		 Lost
that blew a 3–1 lead		 Note(s)
1925 World Series~ Pittsburgh Pirates* Washington Senators First major North American professional sports team to overcome 3–1 deficit.[3][4]
1958 World Series~ New York Yankees* Milwaukee Braves Yankees win games six and seven in Milwaukee.[3][4]
1968 World Series~ Detroit Tigers* St. Louis Cardinals Tigers won games six and seven in St. Louis. Outscored Cardinals 17–2 during those games.[3]
1979 World Series~ Pittsburgh Pirates* Baltimore Orioles Pirates won games six and seven in Baltimore.[3][5]
1985 ALCS Kansas City Royals* Toronto Blue Jays The Royals became the first MLB team to overcome two 3–1 deficits in the same postseason year. First year the LCS became a seven-game series.[3][4]
1985 World Series~ St. Louis Cardinals
1986 ALCS Boston Red Sox California Angels The Angels were one strike away from winning the pennant in Game 5.[3][4]
1996 NLCS Atlanta Braves St. Louis Cardinals Braves outscored the Cardinals 32–1 over last three games.[4][6][7]
2003 NLCS Florida Marlins* Chicago Cubs The Steve Bartman incident in Game 6; went on to win the World Series.[3]
2004 ALCS Boston Red Sox* New York Yankees Overcame 3–0 deficit;[3][8] went on to win the World Series for first time since 1918.[4]
2007 ALCS Boston Red Sox* Cleveland Indians Went on to win the World Series.[3][4]
2012 NLCS San Francisco Giants* St. Louis Cardinals Also overcame 2–0 deficit in the NLDS;[9] went on to win the World Series. St. Louis' fourth blown 3–1 lead in franchise history.[3][4][10]
2016 World Series~ Chicago Cubs* Cleveland Indians First World Series championship since 1908. Cubs won games six and seven in Cleveland. Only team to complete the comeback by winning the seventh game in extra innings.[3][4][11]
2020 NLCS Los Angeles Dodgers* Atlanta Braves Also trailed 2–0 in the series before rallying to win; went on to win the World Series for the first time since 1988. Series was played at a neutral site due to the COVID-19 pandemic with no off-days.[3][4][12]

Unsuccessful comebacks[]

Six other MLB teams have evened the series after being down 3–1 (including one down 3–0), only to lose Game 7.

Year and series Lost
after trailing 1–3		 Won
after leading 3–1		 Note(s)
1912 World Series~ New York Giants Boston Red Sox* This was Game 8 was played in Boston following a tie in Game 2 due to darkness. The Giants were leading 2–1 heading to the bottom of tenth inning before Boston rallied to win 3–2, which began with Giants' Fred Snodgrass committing an error in center field on a routine fly ball.
1967 World Series~ Boston Red Sox St. Louis Cardinals* Cardinals won game seven in Boston in Bob Gibson's third complete game victory of the Series. Of the five times the Cardinals have been forced into a Game 7 after leading a best-of-seven series 3–1, this is the only time have been victorious in Game 7.
1972 World Series~ Cincinnati Reds Oakland Athletics* Athletics won game seven in Cincinnati, becoming the first team ever to win two winner-take-all games in the same year in MLB postseason history.
1992 NLCS Pittsburgh Pirates Atlanta Braves Game seven took place in Atlanta. The Pirates entered the bottom of the ninth leading 2–0, and were still ahead 2–1 and one out away from advancing to the World Series, but lost in the ninth inning courtesy of Francisco Cabrera's two-run single with the bases loaded as the Braves defeated the Pirates in the NLCS in seven games for the second straight year.
2008 ALCS Boston Red Sox Tampa Bay Rays Rays won the first League Championship Series after almost blowing 3–1 lead since the 1992 Braves and dethroned the defending champions.
2020 ALCS Houston Astros Rays also won the League Championship Series after almost blowing 3–0 lead. Series was played at a neutral site due to the COVID-19 pandemic with no off-days.[13][14]

National Basketball Association[]

Successful comebacks[]

NBA teams have overcome 3–1 deficits 13 times, only one of which occurred in the NBA Finals.[15] The NBA is the only major North American sport with a seven-game playoffs series where no team has overcome a 3–0 deficit.

Year and series Won
overcame deficit		 Lost
that blew a 3–1 lead		 Note(s)
1968 Eastern Division Finals Boston Celtics* Philadelphia 76ers The Celtics won two games on the road during the comeback, and also won the NBA Finals.[16]
1970 Western Division Semifinals Los Angeles Lakers Phoenix Suns The Lakers later reach the NBA Finals, where they lost to the New York Knicks in 7 games.[16]
1979 Eastern Conference Finals Washington Bullets San Antonio Spurs Reach NBA Finals, where they lost to Seattle SuperSonics in 5 games.[16]
1981 Eastern Conference Finals Boston Celtics* Philadelphia 76ers Won the NBA Finals, won games 5 and 6 by two points each, and game 7 by one point.[16]
1995 Western Conference Semifinals Houston Rockets* Phoenix Suns Won the NBA Finals; second time a team won 2 away games from the 1–3 deficit.[16]
1997 Eastern Conference Semifinals Miami Heat New York Knicks A players' fight in Game 5 resulted in the suspension of several key Knicks players, including Ewing, Houston, and Ward for Game 6, and Starks and Larry Johnson for Game 7 in Miami.[16]
2003 Eastern Conference First Round Detroit Pistons Orlando Magic First year the first round expanded to a best-of-seven series.[16]
2006 Western Conference First Round Phoenix Suns Los Angeles Lakers With the Lakers' comeback in 1970, this was the first time in NBA history where two franchises have overcome a 1–3 series deficit to win against one another.[16]
2015 Western Conference Semifinals Houston Rockets Los Angeles Clippers Doc Rivers became first coach to blow multiple 3–1 leads after also coaching the Magic in 2003.[16][17]
2016 Western Conference Finals Golden State Warriors Oklahoma City Thunder Leandro Barbosa became the first player to be part of multiple 3–1 comebacks after also playing for the Suns in 2006.[16][18]
2016 NBA Finals Cleveland Cavaliers* Golden State Warriors Draymond Green was suspended in Game 5 for a flagrant foul on LeBron James during Game 4. The first time a 3–1 deficit has been overcome in the NBA Finals; Golden State also had the NBA's best-ever regular season record of 73–9 and were considered heavy favorites to win the title; third time a team won 2 away games from the 1–3 deficit; the Warriors became first NBA team to overcome a 3–1 deficit and then blow a 3–1 lead in the same playoff year.[16][19][20]
2020 Western Conference First Round Denver Nuggets Utah Jazz First NBA team to come back from 1–3 deficit back-to-back in a playoff run; fourth team to win two games as the designated road team during the comeback.[16][21][22][23] Second blown 3–1 series lead in Clippers' franchise history and second such blown lead in five years; only the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns have blown two 3–1 series leads (albeit in a much longer time period). Third such blown lead for head coach Doc Rivers.
2020 Western Conference Semifinals Los Angeles Clippers

Unsuccessful comebacks[]

NBA teams have overcome 3–1 deficits to force a seventh game 21 times, only to lose the series. In three of these instances, a team was down 3–0 in the series.

Year and series Lost
after trailing 1–3		 Won
after leading 3–1		 Note(s)
1951 NBA Finals~ New York Knicks Rochester Royals* The Knicks become the first team to force a seventh game after falling behind 3–0 in the series.
1966 Western Division Finals St. Louis Hawks Los Angeles Lakers
1966 NBA Finals~ Los Angeles Lakers Boston Celtics*
1971 Eastern Conference Semifinals Philadelphia 76ers Baltimore Bullets
1973 Eastern Conference Finals Boston Celtics New York Knicks* The Knicks become the first team avoid losing an NBA playoff series after squandering a 3–1 lead by winning the seventh game on the road. First Game 7 loss in Celtics history.
1978 Western Conference Semifinals Milwaukee Bucks Denver Nuggets First NBA playoff series victory for the Nuggets.
1979 Eastern Conference Semifinals Atlanta Hawks Washington Bullets Remains the most recent season the Bullets/ Wizards franchise has advanced past this round of the playoffs.
Philadelphia 76ers San Antonio Spurs First NBA playoff series victory in Spurs history.
1981 Western Conference Semifinals Phoenix Suns Kansas City Kings The Kings became the first team in NBA playoff history seeded lower than fourth in the conference to eliminate the top-seeded team in the conference in the Conference Semifinals.
1982 Eastern Conference Finals Boston Celtics Philadelphia 76ers The 76ers avoided losing a 3–1 series advantage to the Celtics for a third time (and a second time in as many years). With time winding down and the game was already decided, the Boston Garden crowd in Game 7 chanted "Beat LA! Beat LA!" to the victorious Sixers. This currently remains the only seventh game the 76ers/Nationals franchise has won on the road.
1987 Eastern Conference Semifinals Milwaukee Bucks Boston Celtics
1994 Western Conference Semifinals Denver Nuggets Utah Jazz The Nuggets became the second NBA team to overcome a 3–0 series deficit to force a seventh game after becoming the first No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed in the First Round.
1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals New York Knicks Indiana Pacers Patrick Ewing's game-tying layup attempt at the buzzer just misses as the Pacers avenge their playoff series losses to the Knicks over the previous two seasons.
1996 Western Conference Finals Utah Jazz Seattle SuperSonics
1997 Western Conference Semifinals Seattle SuperSonics Houston Rockets Houston avenges their playoff series loss against the SuperSonics in the previous year's Conference Semifinals.
2000 Western Conference Finals Portland Trail Blazers Los Angeles Lakers* Los Angeles overcomes a 15-point deficit with ten minutes remaining to comeback in Game 7 while denying the Trail Blazers of a series comeback in the process.
2003 Western Conference First Round Dallas Mavericks The Trail Blazers become the third NBA team to force a seventh game after falling behind 3–0 in the series.
2006 Western Conference Semifinals San Antonio Spurs The Mavericks become the first NBA team to deny the comeback by winning the seventh game in overtime.
2012 Western Conference First Round Denver Nuggets Los Angeles Lakers
Memphis Grizzlies Los Angeles Clippers
2013 Eastern Conference First Round Brooklyn Nets Chicago Bulls

National Hockey League[]

Successful comebacks[]

NHL teams have overcome 3–1 deficits 30 times, the most recent instance being accomplished by the Montreal Canadiens during the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs.[24] Only one instance has occurred during the Stanley Cup Finals, accomplished in 1942 by the Toronto Maple Leafs, who initially trailed three games to zero.[25]

Year and series Won
after trailing 1-3		 Lost
after leading 3-1		 Note(s)
1942 Stanley Cup Finals~ Toronto Maple Leafs* Detroit Red Wings Only time in the Stanley Cup Finals; overcame 3–0 deficit.
1975 Stanley Cup Quarterfinals New York Islanders Pittsburgh Penguins Overcame 3–0 deficit; won 8 games while facing elimination.[26]
1987 Patrick Division Semifinals Washington Capitals First year the opening round was a seven-game series; game 7 was the Easter Epic.[27][28]
1987 Norris Division Finals Detroit Red Wings Toronto Maple Leafs Trailed 2–0 in the series before coming back to win the series.[29][30]
1988 Patrick Division Semifinals Washington Capitals Philadelphia Flyers Capitals trailed 3–0 before completing the comeback in OT.
1989 Smythe Division Semifinals Los Angeles Kings Edmonton Oilers Los Angeles dethroned the two-time defending champion Oilers in Wayne Gretzky's first season with LA following the trade between the two teams.[31]
1990 Smythe Division Semifinals Edmonton Oilers* Winnipeg Jets Went on to win the Stanley Cup Finals.
1991 Norris Division Semifinals St. Louis Blues Detroit Red Wings [32]
1992 Norris Division Semifinals Detroit Red Wings Minnesota North Stars Trailed 2–0 in the series before rallying to win the series.[33]
1992 Smythe Division Semifinals Vancouver Canucks Winnipeg Jets Canucks won Games 5 and 6 by six goals each and Game 7 by 5 goals.[33]
1992 Patrick Division Semifinals Pittsburgh Penguins* Washington Capitals Trailed 2–0 in the series before rallying to win the series and eventually the Stanley Cup.[34][35]
1994 Western Conference Quarterfinals Vancouver Canucks Calgary Flames The final three games all required overtime (Game 7 needed 2OT).[36]
1995 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Pittsburgh Penguins Washington Capitals Second time Washington has blown a 3–1 series lead to Pittsburgh.[37][38][39]
1998 Western Conference Quarterfinals Edmonton Oilers Colorado Avalanche [40]
1999 Western Conference Quarterfinals St. Louis Blues Phoenix Coyotes Third blown 3–1 lead in franchise history; team relocated from Winnipeg in 1996.[41]
2000 Eastern Conference Finals New Jersey Devils* Philadelphia Flyers Won the Stanley Cup Finals.[42][43]
2003 Western Conference Quarterfinals Minnesota Wild Colorado Avalanche First playoff series in Minnesota Wild franchise history.
Vancouver Canucks St. Louis Blues Third 3–1 deficit comeback in Canucks' franchise history.[44]
2003 Western Conference Semifinals Minnesota Wild Vancouver Canucks The Wild became first NHL team to overcome two 3–1 deficits in a single playoff year; both teams overcame 3–1 deficits in the Conference Quarterfinals; the Canucks became the first NHL team to comeback from 3–1 deficit and then blow a 3–1 lead in the same playoff year.
2004 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Montreal Canadiens Boston Bruins Trailed 2–0 in the series before rallying to win the series. Two of their final three wins were on the road.[45][46]
2009 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Washington Capitals New York Rangers Trailed 2–0 in the series before rallying to win the series.[47]
2010 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Montreal Canadiens Washington Capitals Capitals' fourth blown 3–1 lead after winning the Presidents' Trophy.
2010 Eastern Conference Semifinals Philadelphia Flyers Boston Bruins Overcame both a 3–0 deficit in the series, and a 3–0 deficit in Game 7.[48]
2011 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Tampa Bay Lightning Pittsburgh Penguins Penguins' second blown 3–1 series lead.[49][50]
2013 Western Conference Semifinals Chicago Blackhawks* Detroit Red Wings Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup Finals. Red Wings' third blown 3–1 series lead.[51][52]
2014 Western Conference First Round Los Angeles Kings* San Jose Sharks Overcame 3–0 deficit; went on to win the Stanley Cup Finals.
2014 Eastern Conference Second Round New York Rangers Pittsburgh Penguins Penguins' third blown 3–1 series lead.[53]
2015 Eastern Conference Second Round Washington Capitals Capitals' fifth blown 3–1 lead in franchise history. Rangers become first team to a overcome 3–1 series deficit to win a series in consecutive years.[54][55]
2019 Western Conference First Round San Jose Sharks Vegas Golden Knights San Jose punctuated their series comeback against Vegas by coming back in game seven from a 3–0 third period deficit, highlighted by Barclay Goodrow's series-winning overtime goal.[56][57]
2021 North Division First Round Montreal Canadiens Toronto Maple Leafs Third 3–1 deficit comeback in Canadiens' franchise history. The loss in game seven for the Maple Leafs marked their eighth straight loss in potential series-clinching games, along with losing a winner-take-all game of a playoff series in four consecutive seasons.

Unsuccessful comebacks[]

NHL teams have managed to force a seventh game while facing a 3–1 series deficit 32 times, only to subsequently lose the series in the seventh game. Five of these instances consisted of falling behind 3–0 in the series before losing in Game 7.

Year and series Lost
after trailing 1–3		 Won
after leading 3–1		 Note(s)
1939 Stanley Cup Semifinals New York Rangers Boston Bruins* This was also the first time a team forced a seventh game after falling behind 3–0 in the series. Mel Hill scored the series-winning goal in the third overtime for Boston in what is currently the second longest game seven played in NHL history.
1945 Stanley Cup Finals~ Detroit Red Wings Toronto Maple Leafs* The Red Wings nearly turned the tables on the Maple Leafs after losing the 1942 Stanley Cup Finals after squandering a 3–0 series lead after falling behind 3–0 in this series. However, Babe Pratt of the Maple Leafs scored the eventual series-winning goal with under eight minutes remaining in Game 7. This was also the first Game 7 of a Cup Final in which the road team won.
1954 Stanley Cup Finals~ Montreal Canadiens Detroit Red Wings* Tony Leswick scores the series-winning goal in overtime.
1968 Stanley Cup Quarterfinals Philadelphia Flyers St. Louis Blues The Flyers forced the seventh game with Andre Lacroix scoring the game-tying goal with 15 seconds remaining facing elimination in Game 6.
1975 Stanley Cup Semifinals New York Islanders Philadelphia Flyers* The Islanders nearly came back from a 3–0 deficit in consecutive playoff series having won eight elimination games in their first playoff appearance in franchise history. However, Rick MacLeish's hat trick in Game 7 proved to be the difference.[58]
1981 Stanley Cup Quarterfinals Philadelphia Flyers Calgary Flames The Flames scored three power play goals in the seventh game to advance to the Stanley Cup Semifinals in their first season since relocating from Atlanta.
1984 Smythe Division Finals Calgary Flames Edmonton Oilers* Edmonton eliminated Calgary in the Division Finals for the second consecutive season.
1987 Patrick Division Finals New York Islanders Philadelphia Flyers The Islanders nearly overcame a 3–1 series deficit in consecutive playoff series following their comeback against Washington in the Patrick Division Semifinals. But in similarity to 1975, the Flyers convincingly won Game 7.[59][60]
1987 Stanley Cup Finals~ Philadelphia Flyers Edmonton Oilers* With Edmonton newspapers publishing plans a victory parade ahead of Game 5 deeming the Oilers winning the Cup a foregone conclusion, the Flyers made the remainder of the series anything but. The Flyers overcame two-goal deficits in both Games 5 & 6 and scored the opening goal less than two minutes into Game 7 on a two-man advantage.[61][62][63] The Oilers would dominate play for the remainder of Game 7 (including outshooting the Flyers 25–8 in the final 40 minutes), but Ron Hextall's goaltending kept Philadelphia in the game until Glenn Anderson scored the insurance goal with under 2:30 remaining in regulation to finally close out the Flyers for a third Stanley Cup in four years (and for the second time against Philadelphia).
1991 Smythe Division Semifinals Calgary Flames Edmonton Oilers Calgary opened up a three-goal lead at home in the first period of Game 7. Esa Tikkanen of Edmonton started and completed the comeback in Game 7 by scoring the series-winning goal in overtime to complete the hat trick become just the second team to win a seventh game after overcoming a three-goal deficit.[64]
1992 Adams Division Semifinals Buffalo Sabres Boston Bruins Dave Reid scored the series-winning goal for Boston with just over eight minutes remaining in Game 7 to close out Buffalo after being shutout in Game 5 and surrendering nine goals in Game 6.[65]
1994 Stanley Cup Finals~ Vancouver Canucks New York Rangers* Just like Edmonton did prior to Game 5 of the 1987 Finals, New York set the date for a victory parade ahead of Game 5. Just as the Flyers did in 1987, the Canucks used this as motivation to force a seventh game by winning Games 5 & 6 by three goals each.[66][67][68] Despite Trevor Linden's two goals in Game 7 for Vancouver, the Rangers never trailed in the deciding game as they won their first Stanley Cup in 54 years and putting an end to the Curse of 1940.[69]
2000 Western Conference Quarterfinals St. Louis Blues San Jose Sharks Owen Nolan scored the eventual series-winning goal with just over ten seconds remaining in the opening period by blasting a shot from just inside the red line as San Jose eliminated the Presidents' Trophy winners.[70]
2001 Western Conference Semifinals Los Angeles Kings Colorado Avalanche* After the Kings held the Avalanche scoreless for a stretch of 162:53 between Games 4–7, the Avalanche finally broke through with five goals in Game 7 (including four goals in the third period). Chris Drury scored the series-winner just over three minutes into the third period to eliminate Los Angeles.[71]
2002 Western Conference Quarterfinals Colorado Avalanche For the second consecutive year, Chris Drury scores the series-winning goal for Colorado after Los Angeles held them in check once again in Games 5 & 6 before bowing out against Colorado in a 4–0 shutout.[72]
2003 Eastern Conference Finals Ottawa Senators New Jersey Devils* Jamie Langenbrunner's two goals and Jeff Friesen's series-winner with just over two minutes remaining in Game 7 propels the Devils to their fourth Stanley Cup Finals in nine years while avoiding becoming the fourth team in the 2003 playoffs to lose a series after leading 3–1.
2006 Stanley Cup Finals~ Edmonton Oilers Carolina Hurricanes* The Oilers rallied to force a seventh game on the strength of Fernando Pisani's game-winners in Games 5 & 6 (Game 5 while shorthanded in overtime), and Jussi Markkanen's shutout in Game 6. However, Edmonton's Cinderella run as the West's eighth seed ended as Carolina never trailed and won their first Stanley Cup. This is the most recent Cup Final in which a team has forced a seventh game while trailing the series 3–1, and is the most recent Cup Final in which the seventh game was won on the home ice of the winning team.
2007 Western Conference Quarterfinals Dallas Stars Vancouver Canucks Marty Turco holds Vancouver scoreless for 167:05 to rally Dallas in the series before Vancouver managed to break through with four goals in the final 25 minutes of game seven to advance. Trevor Linden scores the series-winning goal seven minutes into the third period on the power play.
2008 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Boston Bruins Montreal Canadiens Boston rallies against Montreal in the series primarily from scoring four goals in the third period in both Games 5 & 6. However, Montreal dominated Game 7 with Mike Komisarek scoring the opening goal 3:31 in and never looked back as Montreal won 5–0 to avoid the upset.
Washington Capitals Philadelphia Flyers Fresh off overcoming a two-goal deficit the previous night, Washington carried momentum in the early going with Nicklas Backstrom scoring the opening goal. However, the Flyers managed to pull even and remained tied the game reached OT. Joffrey Lupul scored the series-winning goal on the power play for the Flyers as they avoided history repeating itself from twenty years prior.
2009 Eastern Conference Semifinals Boston Bruins Carolina Hurricanes Scott Walker scored the series-winning goal in overtime as Carolina won their fourth straight playoff series dating back to 2006 that lasted seven games.
2011 Western Conference Quarterfinals Chicago Blackhawks Vancouver Canucks The defending champions were also behind 3–0 in the series before routing the Presidents' Trophy winners in Games 4 & 5 to send the series back to Chicago where Ben Smith scored the overtime winner to force the seventh game. After trailing for much of Game 7, Jonathan Toews tied the game shorthanded with just under two minutes left. Game 7 would also head to overtime, where Chicago's comeback attempt falls short when Alexandre Burrows takes advantage of a Chris Campoli turnover to beat Corey Crawford. Vancouver not only avoided a major upset, but also exorcised playoff demons as Chicago eliminated Vancouver in the Conference Semifinals in the previous two seasons.
2011 Western Conference Semifinals Detroit Red Wings San Jose Sharks Detroit also forced a seventh game after falling behind 3–0 to make 2011 the only playoff year in which two different teams have forced a seventh game after falling behind 3–0 in the series. Detroit's victories in Games 4–6 were all tightly contested as every game was tied at some point inside the final ten minutes of regulation. In Game 7, Patrick Marleau scored the series-winning goal. This was the second straight year that San Jose eliminated Detroit in Conference Semifinals.
2013 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Toronto Maple Leafs Boston Bruins Boston prevented Toronto's series comeback attempt by coming back in game seven from a 4–1 third period deficit, which was punctuated by Patrice Bergeron's game-tying goal and series-winning overtime goal.
2014 Western Conference Finals Chicago Blackhawks Los Angeles Kings* Like in 2011, the defending champion Blackhawks' comeback bid falls short in overtime as Alec Martinez's overtime goal rallies the Kings from a two-goal deficit in Game 7 and to avenge their Conference Final loss to Chicago the previous year.
2016 Western Conference First Round St. Louis Blues Once again, the defending champion Blackhawks were thwarted from completing a series comeback when former Blackhawk Troy Brouwer scores the series-winning goal in the third period of Game 7.
2017 Eastern Conference Second Round Washington Capitals Pittsburgh Penguins Bryan Rust scores the series-winning goal to eliminate the Presidents' Trophy Capitals for the second straight year.
2018 Eastern Conference First Round Toronto Maple Leafs Boston Bruins Boston once again comes from behind in the third period to avoid blowing 3–1 series lead as Jake DeBrusk scores the series-winner.
2020 Western Conference Second Round Colorado Avalanche Dallas Stars Joel Kiviranta scores a hat trick filling in for Andrew Cogliano due to injury, and scores the game-tying goal ten seconds after Colorado went ahead inside the final four minutes of regulation, and the series-winning goal in overtime.
Vancouver Canucks Vegas Golden Knights Shea Theodore scores the opening goal of the game with just over six minutes remaining in regulation which would turn out to be the series winner despite Thatcher Demko's best efforts in Games 5–7.
2020 Eastern Conference Second Round Philadelphia Flyers New York Islanders After winning Games 5 & 6 in OT and 2OT respectively, the Flyers were shutout 4–0 in a dominant performance by the Islanders throughout all of Game 7. Scott Mayfield scored the opening goal of Game 7 for New York, which would stand as the series-winner. This Game 7 was the third time these two franchises have met in a Game 7, and all three times one team trailed 3–1 in series, then force a Game 7, but subsequently lose it.
2021 West Division First Round Minnesota Wild Vegas Golden Knights This was the third straight year in which Vegas held a 3–1 series advantage in a playoff series, only to be forced to a seventh game. However, Mattias Janmark's hat trick and Max Pacioretty's scoring the series-winning goal in his first game since May 1st lead the way as Vegas won 6–2. This was the Wild's first game seven loss in franchise history.

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