Wikipedia

Game seven

"Game 7" redirects here. For the song by T.I., see We Want Smoke.

A game seven is the final game of a best-of-seven series. This game can occur in the postseasons for Major League Baseball (MLB) (League Championship Series and World Series), the National Basketball Association (NBA) (all rounds of the NBA playoffs), and the National Hockey League (NHL) (all rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs). The game is generally played at the site of the team holding the home advantage across the series.[1]

Chris Carpenter pitches to Mike Napoli in the 2nd inning of Game 7 of the 2011 World Series.
Syl Apps of the Toronto Maple Leafs after Game seven of the 1942 Stanley Cup Finals
Inside the Toyota Center before tip off of Game seven of the 2018 NBA Western Conference Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets

The nature of a best-of-seven series requires that the series be tied 3–3 going into game seven, such that either team can take the series (advancing further in the playoffs or winning the championship) by winning the game. Because of this decisive nature, game sevens add an element of drama to their sports.[according to whom?][2][3][4][5][6] Aside from North American sports leagues, game sevens are also a fixture in many other sports around the world, mostly in baseball, basketball, and ice hockey leagues. Most codes of football do not employ a best-of-seven series (or any best-of-x series in general), hence game sevens are not played in those leagues.[citation needed] Some playoff rounds (such as MLB's current Division Series) are played in a best-of-five format, such that game five has similar qualities to those described above, though the suspense and drama have less time to build in a shorter series. Furthermore, the World Series of 1903, 1919, 1920, and 1921 were played in a best-of-nine format, though none of the four went to a decisive game nine.

The game seven is comparable to a final or to a single game in a single-elimination tournament or to a one-game playoff. A championship series' game seven is equivalent to the Super Bowl game in the National Football League in that the game's winner is the league's champion for the season.

Examples

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Baseball

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Chinese Professional Baseball League

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The Chinese Professional Baseball League's championship series, the Taiwan Series, has seen nine series decided in game seven.[7]

Taiwan Series that were decided in game seven include:

Year Winning team Losing team Score Site Notes
1991 Uni-President Lions Wei Chuan Dragons 13–5 Taipei City
1998 Wei Chuan Dragons Sinon Bulls 5–2 Taichung City Capacity audience.
2000 Uni-President Lions Sinon Bulls 4–1 Taichung City Capacity audience. Lo Min-ching homered the fifth time and then the sixth in the series.
2001 Brother Elephants Uni-President Lions 7–5 Tainan City Capacity audience. Yofu Tetsu saved the Elephants.
2004 Sinon Bulls Uni-President Lions 8–6 Tainan City Capacity audience. Chang Chia-hao hit the winning triple in the ninth inning.
2007 Uni-President Lions La New Bears 4–2 Kaohsiung County Capacity audience. Nelson Figueroa became the first player taking three starting wins in CPBL playoff history.
2008 Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions Brother Elephants 4–0 Tainan City Capacity audience. Luther Hackman closed the game.
2009 Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions Brother Elephants 5–2 Tainan City Capacity audience. Lions win their third consecutive championship.
2015 Lamigo Monkeys Chinatrust Brothers 11–0 Taoyuan Stadium Capacity audience. Lamigo overcomes a 3–1 series deficit to win their second consecutive championship.

Major League Baseball

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Main article: List of Major League Baseball game sevens

In the Major League Baseball postseason, a game seven can occur in the League Championship Series and the World Series; a game seven cannot occur in the Division Series of the playoff, which are played as best-of-five series nor can it occur in the Wild Card Series, which are played as best-of-three series.

In the World Series, there have been 40 decisive game sevens through the 2022 season; visiting teams have won 21 of those games.[8] Four non-decisive game sevens have been played, in the World Series contested as best-of-nine series (1903, 1919, 1920, 1921); none went to a game nine.

World Series decided by a game seven:

Year Winning team Losing team Score Site Notes
1909[9] Pittsburgh Pirates Detroit Tigers 8–0 Bennett Park, Detroit Rookie Babe Adams tosses a six hit shutout for his third win of the series.
1912[10] Boston Red Sox New York Giants 3–2 (10) Fenway Park, Boston This decisive contest was actually Game 8, as Game 2 had ended in a tie.
1924[11] Washington Senators New York Giants 4–3 (12) Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C. Longest game seven in innings. In the 12th, Muddy Ruel doubled after a dropped foul popfly by Giants catcher Hank Gowdy. Ruel scored on a game-winning RBI double by Earl McNeely.
1925[12] Pittsburgh Pirates Washington Senators 9–7 Forbes Field, Pittsburgh Pittsburgh became the first team in a best-of-seven series to win the series when trailing 3–1.
1926[13] St. Louis Cardinals New York Yankees 3–2 Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York City Grover Cleveland Alexander strikes out Tony Lazzeri with the bases loaded to end the seventh and preserve the Cardinals lead. Two innings later Babe Ruth is caught stealing to end the World Series.
1931[14] St. Louis Cardinals Philadelphia Athletics 4–2 Sportsman's Park, St. Louis Last postseason game for the Athletics while based in Philadelphia.
1934[15] St. Louis Cardinals Detroit Tigers 11–0 Navin Field, Detroit Dizzy Dean's second win, a six-hit shutout on one day of rest, gives the Cardinals the title.
1940[16] Cincinnati Reds Detroit Tigers 2–1 Crosley Field, Cincinnati A sacrifice bunt and sacrifice fly scored the winning runs.
1945[17] Detroit Tigers Chicago Cubs 9–3 Wrigley Field, Chicago Cubs last World Series appearance until 2016.
See also: Curse of the Billy Goat
1946[18] St. Louis Cardinals Boston Red Sox 4–3 Sportsman's Park III, St. Louis Enos Slaughter's famous mad dash scored the deciding run to win the game and the series.
1947[19] New York Yankees Brooklyn Dodgers 5–2 Yankee Stadium, the Bronx, New York City This was the Series that featured Cookie Lavagetto's pinch-hit that spoiled Bill Bevens' no-hit bid and Al Gionfriddo's catch to rob Joe DiMaggio of a home run.
1952[20] New York Yankees Brooklyn Dodgers 4–2 Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York City Billy Martin's game saving infield catch preserves the Yankees lead and helps win the game and the series.
1955[21] Brooklyn Dodgers New York Yankees 2–0 Yankee Stadium, the Bronx, New York City Dodgers' only championship in Brooklyn. The home team won all games of the series except for Game 7.
1956[22] New York Yankees Brooklyn Dodgers 9–0 Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York Jackie Robinson's final Major League game. Last postseason game at Ebbets Field and Dodgers' last postseason game before moving to Los Angeles. As in the 1955 World Series, the only game won by the visiting team was Game 7.
1957[23] Milwaukee Braves New York Yankees 5–0 Yankee Stadium, the Bronx, New York City The Braves' only championship in Milwaukee.
1958[24] New York Yankees Milwaukee Braves 6–2 County Stadium, Milwaukee The Yankees overcome a 3–1 deficit. This was the Braves' last postseason game in Milwaukee.
1960[25] Pittsburgh Pirates New York Yankees 10–9 Forbes Field, Pittsburgh Bill Mazeroski hit a walk-off home run to win the Pirates the championship. Last postseason game in Forbes Field. Last postseason game for Yankees' manager Casey Stengel. Highest scoring game 7 in World Series history. As of 2021, this the most recent time that a Pittsburgh sports franchise has clinched a championship in Pittsburgh.
1962[26] New York Yankees San Francisco Giants 1–0 Candlestick Park, San Francisco With runners on second and third and two outs, Willie McCovey's line drive to Bobby Richardson ended the game. First 1–0 game seven score.
1964[27] St. Louis Cardinals New York Yankees 7–5 Busch Stadium I, St. Louis, Missouri Last postseason game at Busch Stadium I.
1965[28] Los Angeles Dodgers Minnesota Twins 2–0 Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota Pitching through immense pain and on two days rest, Sandy Koufax throws a 3-hit shutout to win the Series and World Series MVP. The home team won all games of the series except for Game 7.
1967[29] St. Louis Cardinals Boston Red Sox 7–2 Fenway Park, Boston Bob Gibson wins his third game of the Series and also homers.
1968[30] Detroit Tigers St. Louis Cardinals 4–1 Busch Stadium II, St. Louis, Missouri Mickey Lolich outduels Bob Gibson for his third win of the Series. The Tigers rallied from a 3–1 deficit to win the series. First Game 7 loss by the Cardinals in the World Series.
1971[31] Pittsburgh Pirates Baltimore Orioles 2–1 Memorial Stadium, Baltimore The home team won all games of the series, except for Game 7.
1972[32] Oakland Athletics Cincinnati Reds 3–2 Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati The A's first championship in Oakland.
1973[33] Oakland Athletics New York Mets 5–2 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California Bert Campaneris and Reggie Jackson hit the only Oakland home runs in this game to set the tone for victory and the series.
1975[34] Cincinnati Reds Boston Red Sox 4–3 Fenway Park, Boston One night after Carlton Fisk's famous home run, the Reds rebound to take the Series.
1979[35] Pittsburgh Pirates Baltimore Orioles 4–1 Memorial Stadium, Baltimore The Pittsburgh Pirates, powered by NLCS and World Series MVP Willie Stargell, rally from a 3–1 deficit to win the series. The Pirates were the last team to win a game seven on the road until 2014.
1982[36] St. Louis Cardinals Milwaukee Brewers 6–3 Busch Stadium II, St. Louis Joaquín Andújar earns his second win of the Series and Bruce Sutter his second save.
1985[37] Kansas City Royals St. Louis Cardinals 11–0 Royals Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri The Royals also won the 1985 American League Championship Series in seven games, becoming the first team to win two game sevens in the same postseason. Royals became first team to win the World Series after losing the first two games at home. The Royals were the last team to come back from 3–1 down to win a title in any of the five major men's professional sports leagues until the Cleveland Cavaliers won the 2016 NBA Finals after trailing 3–1. The Royals are so far the only team to come back from 3–1 deficits to win both their League Championship Series and the World Series in the same MLB postseason.
1986[38] New York Mets Boston Red Sox 8–5 Shea Stadium, Flushing, Queens, New York Mets become the first team to be one strike away from elimination and come back to win the World Series. Bill Buckner's infamous 10th-inning fielding error at first base allowed the Mets to win Game 6 in a walk-off and force Game 7.
1987[39] Minnesota Twins St. Louis Cardinals 4–2 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis The home team won all 7 games of the series for the first time in MLB history.
1991[40] Minnesota Twins Atlanta Braves 1–0 (10) Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis As in 1987, the home team won all games of the series. The Twins won in the bottom of the 10th on a walk-off single by Gene Larkin scoring Dan Gladden after 9+1⁄2 scoreless innings of play. Jack Morris goes all ten innings for the Twins and is named the Series MVP. Twins centerfielder Kirby Puckett hit a famous walk-off home run in the bottom of the eleventh inning of the previous night's game to force this decisive game.
1997[41] Florida Marlins Cleveland Indians 3–2 (11) Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida Florida becomes the first wild card team to win the World Series. The Marlins rallied for one run in the bottom of the ninth to tie and won in the eleventh on an Édgar Rentería RBI single off Charles Nagy.
2001[42] Arizona Diamondbacks New York Yankees 3–2 Bank One Ballpark, Phoenix, Arizona Arizona rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth for a come-from-behind win, capped off by Luis Gonzalez hitting the winning RBI single off closer Mariano Rivera. As in both 1987 and 1991, the home team won all games of the series.
2002[43] Anaheim Angels San Francisco Giants 4–1 Edison International Field, Anaheim, California John Lackey became the second rookie pitcher to win a World Series game seven.
2011[44] St. Louis Cardinals Texas Rangers 6–2 Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri Cardinals became the second team to be one strike away from elimination and come back to win the series, which they did twice. Just like the 1991 series, a walk-off home run in the bottom of the eleventh inning of game six, forced this decisive game with David Freese providing the firepower.
2014[45] San Francisco Giants Kansas City Royals 3–2 Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri The Giants became the first NL team to win a game seven on the road since 1979. NLCS MVP and eventual World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner, normally a starter, pitched five scoreless innings of relief on two days rest to save the Giants' third title in five years.
2016[46] Chicago Cubs Cleveland Indians 8–7 (10) Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio Chicago Cubs' first World Series win since 1908.[47] Game played between the two teams (Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs) with the longest active championship droughts. Dexter Fowler the first player ever to lead off a World Series Game 7 with a home run.[48] The Cubs are the first Major League Baseball team to come back from a 3–1 series deficit to win the World Series since the 1985 Royals and the first since the 1979 Pirates to do so by winning Games 6 & 7 on the road. Most recent World Series game seven to be decided in extra innings. First extra-innings game seven to be won by the road team.
2017[49] Houston Astros Los Angeles Dodgers 5–1 Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles First instance of back-to-back game sevens since 2001–2002. First World Series championship for the Astros, who became the first AL team to win a World Series Game 7 on the road since 1972. The Astros became the second team to win two winner-take-all game sevens in the same postseason since the Kansas City Royals in 1985.[50] First major professional sports championship in Houston since 1995.
2019 Washington Nationals Houston Astros 6–2 Minute Maid Park, Houston This is the first best-of-seven postseason series in any of the major North American sports where the visiting team won all seven games. This was the Nationals' first World Series win and the first time a Washington-based team won the World Series since 1924.

Basketball

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National Basketball Association

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Main article: List of NBA game sevens

All playoff rounds in the National Basketball League (NBA) are now in a best-of-seven series format so all rounds can have a maximum of seven games. The NBA Finals has been consistently played in a best-of-seven series format since its inception. The game sevens where the championship was awarded:

Year Winning team Losing team Score Site Notes
1951[51] Rochester Royals New York Knicks 79–75 Edgerton Park Arena, Rochester, New York New York forced a game seven after trailing 0–3 in the series.
1952[52] Minneapolis Lakers New York Knicks 82–65 Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis The teams alternated wins throughout the series.
1954[53] Minneapolis Lakers Syracuse Nationals 87–70 Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis The teams alternated wins throughout the series.
1955[54] Syracuse Nationals Fort Wayne Pistons 92–91 Onondaga County War Memorial, Syracuse, New York The home team won all games of this series.
1957[55] Boston Celtics St. Louis Hawks 125–123 (2OT) Boston Garden, Boston Only game seven in NBA history to go into two overtimes.
1960[56] Boston Celtics St. Louis Hawks 122–103 Boston Garden, Boston The teams alternated wins throughout the series. Last time the NBA Finals were played in March.
1962[57] Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 110–107 (OT) Boston Garden, Boston Most recent NBA Finals game seven to go into overtime.
1966[58] Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 95–93 Boston Garden, Boston Last NBA Finals until 2016 that a team down 3–1 rallied to force a game seven.
1969[59] Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 108–106 The Forum, Inglewood, California Final game for Celtics Bill Russell and Sam Jones. Jerry West was Finals MVP, the first time the award was given, and only time it has gone to a player on the losing team.
1970[60] New York Knicks Los Angeles Lakers 113–99 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City Notable for Willis Reed's return from injury. The teams alternated wins throughout the series.
1974[61] Boston Celtics Milwaukee Bucks 102–87 MECCA Arena, Milwaukee The final four games were each won by the road team.
1978[62] Washington Bullets Seattle SuperSonics 105–99 Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle Last NBA Finals game seven won by the away team until 2016.
1984[63] Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 111–102 Boston Garden, Boston Last NBA Finals until 2014 that followed a 2–2–1–1–1 format.
1988[64] Los Angeles Lakers Detroit Pistons 108–105 The Forum, Inglewood, California Second consecutive championship for Los Angeles. Coach Pat Riley had promised fans a repeat during the prior season's championship celebration.
1994[65] Houston Rockets New York Knicks 90–84 The Summit, Houston Pat Riley became the first head coach to appear in an NBA Finals game seven with two different teams (Lakers in 1984 and 1988, Knicks in 1994).
2005[66] San Antonio Spurs Detroit Pistons 81–74 SBC Center, San Antonio Detroit was attempting to repeat as champions, having defeated the Lakers in the prior season's NBA Finals.
2010[67] Los Angeles Lakers Boston Celtics 83–79 Staples Center, Los Angeles Fifth time that the Celtics and Lakers met in a game 7. Kobe Bryant won his second consecutive Finals MVP award, scoring 10 of his game high 23 points in the fourth quarter, as well as grabbing 15 rebounds to clinch the victory for the Lakers.
2013[68] Miami Heat San Antonio Spurs 95–88 American Airlines Arena, Miami Third consecutive NBA Finals for Miami, and their second consecutive championship. Last NBA Finals to use a 2–3–2 format.
2016[69] Cleveland Cavaliers Golden State Warriors 93–89 Oracle Arena, Oakland, California First away team to win game 7 of the NBA Finals since 1978. The Cavaliers also became the first team in the four major men's professional sports leagues to come back from 3–1 down in a championship round since the 1985 Kansas City Royals and first team ever to do so in the NBA Finals. First major professional sports championship in Cleveland since 1964.

Ice hockey

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Kontinental Hockey League

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In the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) playoffs, game seven can occur in all playoff series. The KHL playoffs' final series, the Gagarin Cup Final, has seen five series decided in game seven.[70]

The game sevens where the Gagarin Cup was awarded are:

Year Winning team Losing team Score Site Notes
2009[70] Ak Bars Kazan Lokomotiv Yaroslavl 1–0 TatNeft Arena, Kazan Inaugural season for the Kontinental Hockey League after it was reorganized from the former Russian Superleague.
2010[70] Ak Bars Kazan HC MVD 0–2 Balashikha Arena, Balashikha
2012[70] HC Dynamo Moscow Avangard Omsk 0–1 Arena Omsk, Omsk
2014[70] Metallurg Magnitogorsk HC Lev Praha 7–4 Arena Metallurg, Magnitogorsk
2016[71] HC CSKA Moscow 1–3 CSKA Arena, Moscow

Liiga

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In Liiga (or Finnish Elite League) playoffs, game seven can occur in all playoff series except the wild-card rounds. The Liiga playoffs' final series has seen several series decided in game seven.

The game sevens where Liiga awarded gold medals and the Kanada-malja include:

Year Winning team Losing team Score Site Notes
2014 Oulun Kärpät Tappara 1–0 (OT) Oulun Energia Areena, Oulu [72]
2015 Oulun Kärpät Tappara 2–1 (2OT) Oulun Energia Areena, Oulu [73]
2019 HPK Oulun Kärpät 2–1 (OT) Oulun Energia Areena, Oulu [74]

National Hockey League

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Main article: List of NHL game sevens

In the National Hockey League's (NHL) Stanley Cup playoffs, game seven can occur in all playoff series.[75] The Stanley Cup became the NHL's de facto championship trophy in 1926, and the league instituted the best-of-seven series starting in the 1938–39 season. No Stanley Cup Finals game seven has ever ended with a 1–0 score.

The game sevens where the Stanley Cup was awarded are:

Year Winning team Losing team Score Site Notes
1942[76] Toronto Maple Leafs Detroit Red Wings 3–1 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario Toronto came back down 0–3 in the series to win the Stanley Cup. The Leafs were the first team in North American professional sports to win a playoff series after trailing 0–3.[77] It remains the only time in the Stanley Cup Finals where a team won a championship series after trailing 0–3.
1945[78] Toronto Maple Leafs Detroit Red Wings 2–1 Olympia Stadium, Detroit Detroit was down 0–3 in the series and rallied to force game seven before losing.
1950[79] Detroit Red Wings New York Rangers 4–3 (2OT) Olympia Stadium, Detroit Longest game seven in a Stanley Cup Finals.
1954[80] Detroit Red Wings Montreal Canadiens 2–1 (OT) Olympia Stadium, Detroit Most recent Stanley Cup Finals game seven to be decided in overtime.
1955[81] Detroit Red Wings Montreal Canadiens 3–1 Olympia Stadium, Detroit Red Wings' last Stanley Cup victory until 1997. The home team won all games of the series.
1964[82] Toronto Maple Leafs Detroit Red Wings 4–0 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario First game seven that ended in a shutout.
1965[83] Montreal Canadiens Chicago Black Hawks 4–0 Montreal Forum, Montreal The home team won all games of the series.
1971[84] Montreal Canadiens Chicago Black Hawks 3–2 Chicago Stadium, Chicago The home team won all games of the series except for game seven. Chicago led 2–0 in the deciding game at home before allowing three unanswered goals and losing the game.
1987[85] Edmonton Oilers Philadelphia Flyers 3–1 Northlands Coliseum, Edmonton, Alberta Flyers rallied from a 3–1 series deficit to force a decisive game, but lost.
1994[86] New York Rangers Vancouver Canucks 3–2 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City Canucks represented Canada's last Stanley Cup Finals appearance until 2004 Calgary Flames. Rangers won their first Stanley Cup since 1940.
2001[87] Colorado Avalanche New Jersey Devils 3–1 Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado Long-time Boston Bruins captain Ray Bourque won the Stanley Cup in the last of his 22 seasons in the NHL.
2003[88] New Jersey Devils Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 3–0 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey The home team won all games of the series. This was Ken Daneyko's final playing season with New Jersey, as he retired after the Devils' Cup win.
2004[89] Tampa Bay Lightning Calgary Flames 2–1 St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida Lightning captain Dave Andreychuk won his Stanley Cup after 22 seasons.
2006[90] Carolina Hurricanes Edmonton Oilers 3–1 RBC Center, Raleigh, North Carolina First Stanley Cup Finals featuring two former World Hockey Association teams. The Hurricanes became the first Stanley Cup champion to miss the playoffs in the previous season and the following season. This was Rod Brind'Amour's first and only Stanley Cup in his 21-year playing career.
2009[91] Pittsburgh Penguins Detroit Red Wings 2–1 Joe Louis Arena, Detroit The home team won all games of the series, except for game seven. First time the away team won game seven of a championship round, in any major professional sport, since the 1979 World Series.
2011[92] Boston Bruins Vancouver Canucks 4–0 Rogers Arena, Vancouver The home team won all games of the series, except for game seven. Not only does Boston became the first city to win all four major sports championships in the 21st century, but also Vancouver failed to become the third city to win the Stanley Cup after hosting the Olympic Games the previous year.
2019[93] St. Louis Blues Boston Bruins 4–1 TD Garden, Boston St. Louis becomes the last of the five surviving teams from the 1967 NHL expansion to win the Stanley Cup. Jordan Binnington becomes the first rookie goaltender to register 16 postseason wins in NHL history. The road team won five of the seven games of the series, except for games one and four. This is also the first championship for a team based in St. Louis since 2011.
2024[94] Florida Panthers Edmonton Oilers 2–1 Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, Florida Florida won the first three games of the series by a combined score of 11–4. Edmonton rallied back from a 3–0 series deficit by winning the next three games by a margin of two or more goals, forcing a seventh game in the series in which they had the opportunity to overcome the deficit. However, Florida avoided a historic reverse sweep and won the last game of the series at home to become the southernmost team ever to win the Stanley Cup. This was the first game seven of a championship round since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and also marked the first time that the home team had won a game seven of a championship round since the 2013 NBA Finals, which was consequently the last time that a team based in the Miami area won a championship up to that point.

Comebacks

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This table below lists teams that, after being down three games to none, have forced a seventh game.

Further information: List of teams to overcome 3–0 series deficits

More common, and not enumerated here, are teams that have forced and won a seventh game after being down three games to one.

Further information: List of teams to overcome 3–1 series deficits

Successful

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In only ten instances (five in major North American sports leagues) has a team been able to come back from being down 0–3 to win a series:

Series Winning team Losing team Sports league
1942 Stanley Cup Finals Toronto Maple Leafs Detroit Red Wings NHL
1958 Japan Series Nishitetsu Lions Yomiuri Giants Nippon Professional Baseball
1975 Stanley Cup Quarterfinals New York Islanders Pittsburgh Penguins NHL
1989 Japan Series Yomiuri Giants Kintetsu Buffaloes Nippon Professional Baseball
2004 American League Championship Series Boston Red Sox New York Yankees MLB
2010 Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Semifinals Philadelphia Flyers Boston Bruins NHL
2012 Liiga Quarter-finals Espoo Blues KalPa Liiga
2014 Stanley Cup Western Conference Quarterfinals Los Angeles Kings San Jose Sharks NHL
2015 Gagarin Cup Western Conference Finals SKA St. Petersburg CSKA Moscow Kontinental Hockey League
2015–16 PBA Philippine Cup Finals San Miguel Beermen Alaska Aces Philippine Basketball Association

Mike Richards and Jeff Carter are the only players to have been a part of two comebacks from being down 0–3, having played for both the 2009–10 Philadelphia Flyers and the 2013–14 Los Angeles Kings.

Unsuccessful

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In the following fifteen instances, teams were able to force a seventh game in a series after being down 0–3, but lost the final game:

Series Winning team Losing team Sports league
1939 Stanley Cup Semifinals Boston Bruins New York Rangers NHL
1945 Stanley Cup Finals Toronto Maple Leafs Detroit Red Wings NHL
1951 NBA Finals Rochester Royals New York Knicks NBA
1975 Stanley Cup Semifinals Philadelphia Flyers New York Islanders NHL
1976 Japan Series Hankyu Braves Yomiuri Giants Nippon Professional Baseball
1994 NBA Western Conference Semifinals Utah Jazz Denver Nuggets NBA
2003 NBA Western Conference First Round Dallas Mavericks Portland Trail Blazers NBA
2011 Stanley Cup Western Conference Quarterfinals Vancouver Canucks Chicago Blackhawks NHL
2011 Stanley Cup Western Conference Semifinals San Jose Sharks Detroit Red Wings NHL
2014 Liiga Quarterfinals SaiPa JYP Liiga
2015 Kelly Cup Eastern Conference Finals South Carolina Stingrays Toledo Walleye ECHL (ice hockey)
2020 American League Championship Series Tampa Bay Rays Houston Astros MLB
2023 NBA Eastern Conference Finals Miami Heat Boston Celtics NBA
2024 Liiga Quarterfinals Pelicans HIFK Liiga
2024 Stanley Cup Finals Florida Panthers Edmonton Oilers NHL

The New York Islanders are the only team to have twice fallen behind 0–3 and then forced a game seven in the same postseason; in the 1975 Stanley Cup Quarterfinals (which they won) and then the 1975 Stanley Cup Semifinals (which they lost).[95]

Major sports leagues

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The 2004 Boston Red Sox, seen here at the White House, are one of just two team to force a game seven after being down 3–0, and the only team to win a game 7 after being down 3–0.[96]

This table summarizes the above results for the three major sports leagues in North America that play seven-game series:

Sports league Game 7 forced
after down 0–3 		Wins Losses Notes
NBA 4 0 4 Has occurred once in the NBA Finals (0–1)
NHL 10 4 6 Has occurred three times in the Stanley Cup Finals (1–2)
MLB 2 1 1 Has never occurred in the World Series

References

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