Biggest Comebacks in NHL History

by Mike Pruitt - 10/26/2021

Biggest NHL comebacks Jordan Caron Boston Bruins

In games like hockey, coming back from a large deficit is one of the most difficult things to do in the entire sporting world. Once a team is up a couple of goals, and we have made it at least to the second period, this is when you will see the squad with the lead shift their line into a much more defensive posture.

More often than not in hockey or soccer, for example, these tactics work, and the team with the lead may not score the same amount of goals that they did in the first half of the game or even give themselves the opportunity.

But that's okay, because they turn the game into some sort of purgatory that keeps them from attacking, but their defense is so strong that the attack of their opponents never penetrates their shielding.

There are times, though, where this tactic does backfire, and this phenomenon has produced some of the biggest comebacks in NHL history. Today, I wanted to share with you some of those magical moments.

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2010 NHL Playoffs Philadelphia Flyers vs Boston Bruins

Let's flashback just over a decade to the 2010 NHL Playoffs when storied rivals the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers met once more.

This was a special comeback from Philly for several reasons. For A, they were once down 3-0 in the series. They battled back, though, and this was Game 7 and being played for the Eastern Conference Finals. Oh, and they were down 3-0 in this game.

It's like they knew they could come back because they had before. However, all of a sudden, time was not on their side, and it appeared that Uncle Mo' left the arena an hour ago in search of a six-pack. That is about as hopelessly close to the door that you can get mentally.

Or so one might think. The 2010 Philly Flyers had that memo float on by their little red carts, and that is when they went on a run. The game ended in a 4-3 win for Philly and an unforgettable series for one of the strongest fan bases in sports.

2008 Montreal Canadiens vs New York Rangers

The Montreal Canadiens are one of the oldest franchises in North American sports. And as you can see, their history is as deep and as strong as it gets.

There isn't much to do up there, eh? I don't mean particularly in Montreal, but Canada as a whole is pretty barren, and the weather makes it difficult to do many activities outdoors for more than half the year.

This is where superfans come from and what constitutes a truly strong fan base. I have never played the game, but I have laced up the skates once, and there is a chunk of either spine or fat deposit that still floats around my lower back to this day.

That fall hurt, but not as bad as the one time I fought a former hockey player in the street. He had my shirt, and the next thing you know, I have 3 plates and 15 screws in my face.

I have nothing but respect for these guys. I wish I didn't have to break so many bones to reach that conclusion, but that's life.

Montreal came back from being down 5-0 in the first 25 minutes of the game to tie it up for overtime. Then, nobody scores in OT, and we head to penalty shots. That is where the Canadiens did just enough to get a win that will never be forgotten.

6-5 Montreal.

2009 Chicago Blackhawks vs Calgary Flames

Back in 2009, the Chicago Blackhawks, who were playing at home, found themselves behind the Calgary Flames 5-0 very early. Was this game just a wash?

Should they mentally pack it in and play it out from there? They could rest their starters and give the bench a chance to win the game from here on out. You could put some positive spin on it. However, at the end of the day, if you're a competitor, forget about it.

That type of thing isn't going to happen. And if anyone even begins to think in that way, they need to be checked.

Down 5, the Blackhawks worked their way back into the game and tied it up in the 3rd period. They did this, though, somehow, on just 6 shots on goal. They needed to and they made just about every one of them count.

Chi-Town finished the job in overtime to secure the 6-5 win.

2013 NHL Playoffs Boston Bruins vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Looking back to the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, two long-time rivals, the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs, played a Game 7 that fans from both sides, for better or for worse, will remember forever.

It was 4-1 with a few minutes into the 3rd period, and things were looking bleak for the Boston Bruins. The team somehow managed to score 3 more goals in the final period to send Game 7 into overtime.

From there, Uncle Mo' was giving out piggyback rides to anyone who could say they "pahked theh cah," and Boston netted one to make it a 5-4 final score.

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Biggest Comebacks in NHL History

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