1) Every playoff season we go through this same old tired exercise every time a team falls behind 3-0 in their best of 7 series. The team behind starts throwing out cliche's of how its not yet over. That they have to take it one game at a time, etc, etc. However it would seem the odds are not only against them, but its down right scary how astronomical they are. Take these numbers and crunch em'. In the ENTIRE history of the NHL only two playoff teams in 152 attempts have recovered from an 0-3 start to win a best-of-seven series!!
2) It has been 33 years since that last happened. Ironically it was a second round series (Back then the first round was a quickie best of 3) The 1975 NY Islanders in their only 3rd season overcame a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Penguins. Seems like yesterday, but it was a tad more than 33 years since we watched 'Not- so- Fast' Eddie Westfall slip a shot over the shoulder of Gary Inness with a few mins to play to do the impossible. (They almost did it again in the next round with the Flyers, but succumbed to Kate Smith and the eventual Cup champs-the Flyers last Cup)
3) Before the Islanders improbable run, it was 33 years prior to that in 1942 that the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 to win the Stanley Cup. It remains the only comeback from a three-game deficit in best-of-7 Stanley Cup Finals history -- or, for that matter, in NBA and MLB Finals history. So here we are, 2008, its been 33 years since the last 3-0 comeback. How ironic it would be if it occurred again this year? Right now here are the series that could be in play:
- Pittsburgh -vs- NY Rangers: The BlueShirts staved off elimination last evening. Might they be able to do what their cross town rivals did to Pittsburgh 33 years ago? Like the Isles they have the goalie who could potentially do it. Then it was Glen (Chico) Resch who was 'The man' who carried the Isles. Could Hank become the new King of the come back? We never say never at FAUXRUMORS, but we will stick with our original predictions and expect to see the Pens advance.
- SJ-vs-Dallas: The Sharks were able to get out of Dallas with a close game win on Wednesday night. They return to the Shark Tank tonight to try to extend the series. Thus far the Stars have outplayed/out worked the Sharks in every game (even the one the Sharks won) We believe this is the series to watch for a possible/improbable come-back. Can Joe Thornton shed his playoff dissapearence persona? We could definitly see this as a possible 7 game series and once it gets that far its a 50:50 proposition. Stay tuned as the Sharks are hoping that 33 is a lucky number!
4 comments:
I was just a kid back when my Islanders won that series but it was so much fun. That was a special team. I can't see either of the two teams you wrote about doing it. The Rangers are gonna get their butts kicked Sunday. The Sharks look like crap. Thornton is a playoff loser. Neither team has what the Islanders had when they came back. Is Renney or Therrian Al Arbour? Someone might come back from 3-o but its not gona be one of these teams
Ok Faux, here is where this "Lucky 33" will fall short, particularly with regard to the Rag$... In those previous two series you alluded to, the teams were comparable in talent and personnel... This year, we have a healthy Pittsburgh team with oodles more ability... The Pens are clearly superior to the Rag$ with the exception of netminder (which is a close call right now - a wash, basically)... The Rag$ are banged up - Drury is playing hurt and Avery is gone... This would be a much bigger upset than the upstart Isles, with several future hall of famers, taking out the 75' Pens... I do not mean to minimize that accomplishment, but if Pittsburgh blew this one, it would be more on them than anything amazing the Rag$ did...
Now, in the West... More likely, b/c San Jose' is supposedly the better team... However, I am not sold on the concept that the Sharks have a playoff toughened team... I believe Dallas will win, but it should take more effort for them than for the Pens... Remember, Brad Richards is a clutch player and has made a huge difference in this Stars squad...
Faux, check back in 33 years, cuz it ain't happening this time around...
Come to think of it, that series in 75' preceeded a couple of those Islander HOFers I alluded to... But, I stick by my analysis, as those teams were pretty even in talent... Garry Inness? What became of him after that series? Nothing!
I think if the fellas can get it together for a big win tonight we will do it.
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