After a heart-breaking loss to the Boston Bruins in Game 7, Leafs fans were left to ponder what might have been after blowing a three-goal lead.
Upsets and comebacks are a part of the NHL playoffs, it’s often what makes them exciting.
Global News has compiled a list of four of the biggest upsets in NHL history.
(2010) Philadelphia vs. Boston
Boston Bruins’ fans celebrating after the Game 7 overtime win against Toronto can sympathize with Leafs fans in remembering their disastrous series against the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round of 2010 NHL playoffs.
The Bruins jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the series before heading into Game 4 with the Flyers facing elimination.
The Flyers would go on to win the next three games, surprising the Bruins and sports fans alike, setting up a Game 7 in Boston.
Early in the game, the Bruins grabbed a 3-0 lead before giving up four unanswered goals to lose the game and the series 4-3.
(2000) St. Louis vs. San Jose
The President’s Trophy is given to the team recording the most points during the NHL regular season. But as NHL trivia buffs might know, only seven of the 21 teams to win the trophy have gone on to win the Stanley Cup.
In the 2000 NHL Playoffs, the St. Louis Blues entered the post-season after amassing 114 points and the President’s Trophy.
The Blues faced-off against the San Jose Sharks, a team that finished well back from the Blues in the Western Conference.
The Blues would battle back-and-forth with the Sharks before setting up a Game 7, before losing the final game at home and making an early exit to the golf course.
(1982) Los Angeles vs. Edmonton
Dubbed the “Miracle on Manchester” after the street Manchester Boulevard where the former L.A Kings arena was located, this best-of-five series is arguably the biggest upset in the history of the NHL.
Led by superstars Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, and a 21-year-old Wayne Gretzky (who had just finished a 212-point season), the Edmonton Oilers were a powerhouse and Stanley Cup favourite.
After splitting the first two games, the series moved to Los Angeles for what became known as the “miracle game.”
The Kings quickly found themselves trailing 5-0 to a strong Oilers offense by the end of the second period.
During the third period, the Kings slowly chipped away at the five-goal lead, tying the game with seconds remaining in regular time.
In overtime, the Kings scored in the final two minutes to pull ahead in the series.
The Oilers stole Game 4, but blew a four-goal lead in Game 5 to lose the series.
(1942) Detroit vs. Toronto
The Red Wings jumped out and took a 3-0 lead in the 1942 Stanley Cup final with the Maple Leafs. The Leafs, undeterred, would come back to win the next three games outscoring the Red Wings 16-6.
In Game 7, more than 16,000 fans squeezed into Maple Leafs Gardens. After a scoreless first period, the Red Wings took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Syd Howe in the second.
Detroit held on to the lead with less than 13 minutes remaining in the game, before giving up three unanswered goals.
The Red Wings became the only team in NHL history to lose the Stanley Cup Finals after being ahead 3-0.
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