Finding yourself down 3-0 in a playoff series is never ideal for any team, in any sport. Last series, the Carolina Hurricanes were on the flip side, up 3-0 against the New York Islanders. Although it has been rare for a team to come back to win a series with such a deficit, it is possible. The Boston Red Sox are the ultimate example but it is important to take each game at a time. The more games won in this situation, the more the pressure builds on the opposition.
Although this was Rod Brind'Amour's cry last season in the Florida series, each of the 4 games played were one-goal contests and could have easily gone in favor of Carolina. Despite the dominant start to the playoffs for the Rangers, the first three games were decided by one goal, and two of those games were decided in OT. OT has not been kind to the Canes this playoffs but anything can happen in OT.
The home crowd at PNC Arena is electric and certainly will provide a boost to start this historical comeback. Pyotr Kochetkov always brings a different feel around the team when he is in between the crease. If Brind'Amour goes back to him, the team will have added energy and feed off him. As well as Frederik Andersen is capable of playing, I believe Kochetkov can put together a more consistent 60 minutes.
As mentioned, these Rangers have won all 7 games in this postseason and have yet to truly face the adversity of bouncing back from a loss. Winning streaks are always desirable but ultimately end and face a tough reaction and response. The Canes have been through a lot of playoff series, while this Rangers group is in their first run together.
Finally, the trade deadline was a huge success for the Canes as they grabbed the top prize in Jake Guentzel. Guentzel has a history of coming up clutch in the playoffs and is currently on fire. After a quiet first-round, Guentzel is consistently scoring and the team can jump on his back, starting tonight.
Ultimately, there is no sugarcoating it, the odds are heavily against this group. But the combination of coaching, skill, and more importantly character, the Canes have as good of a shot as anyone to make this historic comeback.