List of teams to overcome 3–0 series deficits


The following is the list of teams to rally from 3–0 series deficits by winning four straight games to win a best-of-seven playoff series. In the history of major North American pro sports, teams that were down 3–0 in the series came back and won the series 5 times; all but one of them were accomplished by National Hockey League teams. Teams overcame 3–0 deficit in the final championship round once.
On the flip side, teams have had their 3-0 comeback fall short eight times: five in the NHL, and three in the NBA.
No team has overcome multiple 3-0 deficits, although the New York Islanders of the NHL nearly did. The Islanders were the closest to achieving this feat twice in the same postseason, having already done so in the 1975 quarterfinals, before falling short in game 7 of the semifinals.
MLB went to a best-of-seven format for the League Championship Series in 1985, the NHL followed suit for the first round in 1987, and the NBA did the same for the first round in 2003.

Key

Home^Indicates team down 3-0 was home team in game 7
~Indicates game seven in the championship round
*Indicates the winner went on to win the championship

National Hockey League

Four NHL teams have overcome 3–0 deficits, only one of which occurred in the Stanley Cup Finals. Three comebacks were completed with game 7 on road ice, while one was completed on home ice.
Year and seriesWinner that overcame deficitLoser that blew leadNotes
1942 Stanley Cup Finals~Toronto Maple Leafs^*Detroit Red WingsOnly time in the Stanley Cup Finals. Also the only time the comeback was completed at home
1975 Stanley Cup QuarterfinalsNew York IslandersPittsburgh PenguinsWon 8 games while facing elimination this playoff year.
2010 Conference SemifinalsPhiladelphia FlyersBoston BruinsAlso overcame 3–0 deficit in the 7th game
2014 First RoundLos Angeles Kings*San Jose Sharks

3-0 comebacks that fell short

Five other NHL teams have evened a series after being down 3–0, only to lose game 7. Four of these teams were the visiting team in game 7, while the Detroit Red Wings were the only home team in game 7.
Year and seriesTeam down 0–3, lost 3-4Team up 3–0, won 4-3Note
1939 SemifinalsNew York RangersBoston Bruins*
1945 Stanley Cup Finals~Detroit Red Wings^Toronto Maple Leafs*
1975 SemifinalsNew York IslandersPhiladelphia Flyers*Islanders came back from 3–0 deficit to win in the previous round
2011 Conference QuarterfinalsChicago BlackhawksVancouver CanucksCanucks won game 7 in overtime after Blackhawks tied it 1-1 with a shorthanded goal with 1:56 left
2011 Conference SemifinalsDetroit Red WingsSan Jose SharksSecond time this year a team forced a game 7 after down 3-0

Major League Baseball

Only 1 MLB team has overcome a 3–0 deficit to win the series. No MLB team has lost a game 7 after overcoming a 3–0 deficit.
Year and seriesTeam that overcame deficitTeam that blew leadNote
2004 ALCSBoston Red Sox*New York YankeesWent on to win the World Series for first time since 1918

National Basketball Association

The NBA is the only major North American sport with a seven-game playoffs series where no team has overcome a 3–0 deficit. There have been 3 teams who came back to even the series, only to lose game 7.

3-0 comebacks that fell short

Three NBA teams have evened the series 3-3 after down 0–3, only to lose in game 7. All three teams were the visiting team in game 7.
Year and seriesTeam down 0–3, lost 3-4Team up 3–0, won 4-3Note
1951 NBA Finals~New York KnicksRochester Royals*
1994 Conference SemifinalsDenver NuggetsUtah JazzNuggets also overcame a 2–0 deficit to win a best-of-5 the previous round
2003 First RoundPortland Trail BlazersDallas Mavericks