Only four teams in NHL history have fallen behind 0-3 in a best-of-seven playoff series and rallied to win it. Just six more won three in a row to force a Game 7.
Stuart Skinner was part of that last near-miss. He backstopped Edmonton to in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against Florida before . Now he is Pittsburgh's goaltender with the Penguins facing the same deficit in the first round against Philadelphia.
"You know it鈥檚 possible," Skinner said after pushed him and his teammates to the brink. "Statistics are fun to look at, but it doesn鈥檛 mean they鈥檙e always right.鈥
The statistics say the Penguins 鈥 and the Ottawa Senators, also 鈥 have a less than 2% chance of pulling it off. The first step in avoiding a sweep comes Saturday with Game 4s in each series.
鈥淭he fact is we鈥檝e got to win a game,鈥 Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 got to be our focus. You can鈥檛 grab three on Saturday. You鈥檝e got to win one.鈥
In the Western Conference, the Dallas Stars visit the Minnesota Wild in the next chapter of that intensely competitive series between Central Division rivals.
鈥淚t鈥檚 truly what playoff hockey is about,鈥 Minnesota coach John Hynes said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a highly emotional time of year. It鈥檚 a great time of year.鈥
Dallas Stars at Minnesota Wild
When/Where to Watch: Game 4, Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET (TBS)
Series: Dallas leads 2-1
The Stars on the Wild with Wyatt Johnston鈥檚 deflection of Miro Heiskanen鈥檚 shot more than halfway through the second overtime in Game 3, another productive power play that has been the difference so far in this series.
The Stars have had 17 opportunities, the most in the NHL this postseason. They have scored six times, including five in the last two games, both wins. The Wild are just 3 for 15 and 1 for 11 over the last two games, missing injured winger Mats Zuccarello since Game 1 when he took an elbow to the head from Dallas defenseman Tyler Myers.
鈥淕uys are staying connected to get the puck down the ice when it鈥檚 contested,鈥 Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said, praising his penalty kill units. 鈥淥verall, in our whole game, we鈥檝e protected the slot better, haven鈥檛 given up as many slot opportunities on the PK or five on five, which bleed into each other, right? It鈥檚 always an emphasis.鈥
The Wild have been adamant they鈥檙e not that far off their game.
鈥淎bsolutely none, no frustration,鈥 right wing Matt Boldy said. 鈥淲e had our chances. We had our looks. When they come, they come.鈥
Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers
When/Where to Watch: Game 4, Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (TBS)
Series: Philadelphia leads 3-0.
Skinner is not the only Pittsburgh player who believes a comeback is possible. Three-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Erik Karlsson called it a great opportunity.
鈥淚t鈥檚 do or die, and now we鈥檙e going to see what we鈥檙e made of,鈥 Karlsson said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an opportunity, and it鈥檚 something that we鈥檙e going to have to embrace and understand that being in this situation, even though we鈥檙e down 3-0 is still a lot of fun and we would have paid a lot of money to stand here today back in October and say this is where we were going to be.鈥
The biggest potential edge for the Penguins is the uncertain status of Flyers goalie Dan Vladar, in the third period Wednesday night. Vladar finished the game, underwent treatment after and has not practiced since, with coach Rick Tocchet calling it maintenance.
鈥淭wo days off is going to help him,鈥 Tocchet said Friday. 鈥淲e'll see how he is.鈥
Vladar has been Philadelphia's best player all season, including this series in stopping 70 of 74 shots. If he's unable to go Saturday night, Tocchet is likely to turn to backup Samuel Ersson, who had the league's worst save percentage during the regular season at .870 and has played just twice in the past three weeks.
Carolina Hurricanes at Ottawa Senators
When/Where to Watch: Game 4, Saturday, 3 p.m. ET (TBS)
Series: Carolina leads 3-0.
The Hurricanes have suffocated the Senators, allowing them just three goals through three games and outshooting them 105-83. Ottawa can be eliminated on home ice, but captain Brady Tkachuk said it would be a great story if he and his teammates overcome the odds and advance.
鈥淧retty frustrating, but we鈥檝e got to find a way,鈥 Tkachuk said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e never quit all season. ... Got to step up to the occasion.鈥
They will have to do it without No. 1 defenseman Jake Sanderson, ruled out because of a concussion following an illegal check to the head from Carolina's Taylor Hall that was penalized with a 2-minute minor.
Also missing Artem Zub, the Senators made the playoffs despite getting battered by injuries on their blue line.
鈥淚f there鈥檚 one thing this group has done all year, it鈥檚 not give up,鈥 defenseman Thomas Chabot said. 鈥淲e stick with it, and that鈥檚 not going to change.鈥
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AP 国产诱惑福利 Writers Dan Gelston in Philadelphia, Dave Campbell in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the Canadian Press contributed.
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AP NHL playoffs: and
