There have been 79 three-goal comebacks in NHL postseason history. It has happened just seven times in the finals. The most recent came on Thursday when the Edmonton Oilers overcame a 3-0 first-period deficit to shock the Florida Panthers and even the series at two games apiece. The Oilers looked dead in the water before finding their game in the second period and winning 5-4 in overtime.
Edmonton is all too familiar with three-goal comebacks in the Stanley Cup Final. In 2006, the Oilers led the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0 in Game 1. A little magic, determination, and a smidge of luck allowed the Canes to make history, winning the opening game of the series, 5-4, before getting the job done in seven games to claim the Stanley Cup. Here's a look back at that magical night in Raleigh.
How the Oilers built their lead
Edmonton broke the ice in the series midway through the first period. Cam Ward made an excellent save on a deflected shot, but the rebound sat perfectly in front for Fernando Pisani to pick up and deposit into the net. There was nothing the Hurricanes' netminder could do as Edmonton's leading goal scorer got the scoring started.
More history was made in the second period. Niclas Wallin was guilty of covering the puck with his glove in the crease, giving the Oilers a penalty shot. Craig MacTavish chose Chris Pronger to take the shot, and it paid off. Pronger beat Ward blocker-side to become the first, and still only, player to score on a penalty shot in the Stanley Cup Final.
The third goal came off an unlucky bounce. Ethan Moreau's shot from the boards was heading wide, but his shot hit Aaron Ward's leg and deflected into the net. With a 3-0 lead late in the second period, the Oilers were in complete control. The Canes didn't have an answer for Dwayne Roloson, staring a 1-0 series deficit in the eyes with over 20 minutes left.
The comeback, the collision, and the captain
As he'd done throughout the playoffs, Rod Brind'Amour put the team on his back. Late in the second period, the captain was on the spot to break the shutout. An excellent transition chance for Justin Williams created by Cory Stillman leaked through Roloson. Brind'Amour popped home the rebound with 2:43 left, getting the Canes a step closer after 40 minutes.
The Hurricanes began the third period with renewed purpose. Just 100 seconds into the final frame, Ray Whitney hammered home a one-timer, pulling the Canes within a goal. Under four minutes later, Whitney struck again. This time, he did it on the power play, putting home Mark Recchi's rebound to send the crowd into a frenzy.
Halfway through the period, Justin Williams gave the Hurricanes their first lead. A mishandle at the blue line allowed Williams to prance into the zone on a short-handed breakaway. He snapped it under Roloson's blocker to make it 4-3. There was still plenty of time left, and Edmonton found the equalizer a few minutes later when Ales Hemsky knotted it up at four on the power play to kill the mood.
The most widely debated moment of the series came with 5:54 left. Marc-Andre Bergeron shoved Andrew Ladd into Roloson, forcing Roloson out of the series and bringing Ty Conklin into the game. This moment proved costly. In the final minute, miscommunication between Conklin and Jason Smith allowed Brind'Amour to swoop in and bury the game winner into an empty net.
Edmonton earned redemption almost 20 years later
The Oilers followed the exact script in reverse to beat the Panthers on Thursday. Florida jumped ahead 3-0 in the first period behind a pair of power-play goals by Matthew Tkachuk and one at even strength by Anton Lundell. While it wasn't Stuart Skinner's fault, he was lifted between periods, paving the way for Calvin Pickard to be the hero.
Edmonton's victory eclipsed the Hurricanes' in drama. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Darnell Nurse, and Vasily Podkolzin scored in the second period to tie the game. Jake Walman's go-ahead goal came late in the third period, but Sam Reinhart tied it with less than 20 seconds to go, forcing overtime for the third time in four games.
For the second time in the series, Leon Draisaitl was the hero. His pass to the front of the net deflected off a Panthers defender and snuck under Sergei Bobrovsky to knot the series. It was a cool, redemptive moment for the Edmonton Oilers, even if they made it a little too interesting. The 2025 Oilers join the 2006 Hurricanes in NHL history. It's pretty good company, if you ask me.