Sports & Athletes

Most Dramatic Last-Second Comebacks in NHL Playoff History

A collection of the most thrilling overtime victories and sudden-death goals in National Hockey League playoff history, highlighting moments where teams overcame deficits or won games in the final seconds of regulation or extra time.

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New York Islanders vs. New Jersey Devils, 1982 First Round

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Mike Bossy scored with just 2.1 seconds remaining to win Game 4 in double overtime. The Islanders were down 3-0 in the series, and this victory sparked their legendary comeback to win the first three games of the next round, though they ultimately lost the series.

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Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, 1987 Conference Semi-finals

Mark Recchi scored an incredible 50.8 seconds into overtime in Game 1 to give Philadelphia a 3-2 win. This goal is often cited as the birth of modern playoff intensity, setting the tone for a series that the Penguins would eventually win in seven games.

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New Jersey Devils vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 2012 Eastern Conference Finals

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Brian Boyle scored with 1 minute and 39 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game, sending it to overtime. In the extra period, Zbynek Michalek added the winning goal, completing a massive comeback from a 2-1 series deficit to force Game 7.

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Chicago Blackhawks vs. San Jose Sharks, 2013 First Round

Patrick Sharp scored with 48 seconds left in overtime of Game 7 to eliminate the Sharks. The Blackhawks were trailing the series 3-2 and faced elimination, making this sudden-death winner a defining moment in the 2013 playoffs.

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Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Islanders, 2017 First Round

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Evgeni Malkin scored with 55 seconds left in overtime of Game 7 to complete the comeback. The Penguins were down 3-1 in the series and faced elimination, but won four straight games to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

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Nashville Predators vs. Vegas Golden Knights, 2018 First Round

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Filip Forsberg scored with 10 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game against the defending champions. Nashville went on to win in overtime, completing a historic comeback from 3-0 down in the series, a rare feat in NHL history.

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Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Islanders, 2020 Second Round

Nikita Kucherov scored with 12 seconds left in overtime to secure the victory. The Lightning overcame a 2-1 series deficit and a physical, gritty series against the Islanders, continuing their path to the Stanley Cup championship.

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Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 2012 First Round

James Neal scored an overtime winner in Game 6, with Sidney Crosby scoring the tying goal with just 21 seconds left in regulation. This victory forced a decisive Game 7, showcasing the Penguins' ability to rally under extreme pressure.

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Montreal Canadiens vs. New York Rangers, 2012 Eastern Conference Finals

Alexei Emelin scored with 40 seconds left in overtime of Game 7 to eliminate the Rangers. The Canadiens overcame a 2-1 series deficit and a physical rivalry, advancing to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1993.

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Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers, 2013 Eastern Conference Semi-finals

Chris Kelly scored an overtime winner in Game 7 after the Bruins had blown a 1-0 series lead. The victory sent Boston to the Eastern Conference Final, marking their return to prominence after a decade-long drought.

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Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins, 2013 Eastern Conference Semi-finals

David Krejci scored an overtime goal with 2:13 remaining in Game 6 to force a Game 7. Although Boston ultimately lost the series, this goal is remembered for its timing and the high stakes of the rivalry series.

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Detroit Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks, 2013 Western Conference Semi-finals

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Marian Hossa scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in Game 7 of the Final, but earlier in the series, Detroit mounted significant comebacks. Notably, the Blackhawks' resilience in this series defined their championship run.

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Edmonton Oilers vs. Boston Bruins, 1988 Stanley Cup Final

The Oilers overcame a 3-0 series deficit to win their third consecutive championship. While not a single last-second game, the series featured dramatic comebacks in multiple games, cementing their legacy as one of the greatest dynasties.

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New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 1974 Semi-finals

The Rangers completed a comeback from 3-0 down in the series, a rare occurrence in the pre-modern era. Game 7 featured intense pressure, with the Rangers securing the win to advance to the Stanley Cup Final.

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Los Angeles Kings vs. San Jose Sharks, 2012 First Round

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Dustin Brown scored the overtime winner in Game 6 to force a Game 7. The Kings completed the comeback from 2-0 down, eventually winning the series and going on to capture their second Stanley Cup.

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Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars, 2019 Western Conference Finals

Gabriel Landeskog scored the overtime winner in Game 3 after the Avalanche were down 2-0 in the series. This victory shifted momentum, allowing Colorado to win four straight games and advance to the Stanley Cup Final.

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Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, 2018 Eastern Conference Semi-finals

Evgeny Kuznetsov scored an overtime winner in Game 3 after the Capitals had lost the first two games. This goal helped Washington complete the upset, eliminating the defending champions and advancing to the Conference Final.

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Florida Panthers vs. New York Rangers, 2020 Second Round

Anthony Duclair scored in overtime of Game 6 to force a Game 7. The Panthers overcame a 2-1 series deficit, showcasing the resilience that would later define their 2022 Stanley Cup Final run.

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Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins, 2019 Eastern Conference Final

Nikita Kucherov scored a crucial goal with under a minute left in regulation to tie the game in Game 1. The Lightning won in overtime, setting the stage for their eventual series victory and deep playoff run.

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Vegas Golden Knights vs. Nashville Predators, 2018 First Round

The Golden Knights overcame a 2-0 series deficit, with several games decided by narrow margins. Their playoff run was marked by dramatic finishes and sudden-death goals, culminating in a Stanley Cup Final appearance.