The Edmonton Oilers got the lead in the second period of Game Five and did not let go. With a 3-0 lead entering the game’s final three and a half minutes, the Oilers looked poised to wrest a 3-2 series lead over the Ducks.
Then the Ducks mounted perhaps the greatest comeback in playoff history, scoring three goals in three minutes and one second.
The Oilers’ lead was built off the work of Connor McDavid (one goal, one assist) and Leon Draisatl (one goal). But they sat on that lead as the Ducks grew more and more desperate, pulling goalie John Gibson with three and a half minutes to go.
Then it began. Ryan Getzlaf scored through traffic from deep, then Cam Fowler did the same. Finally, with 15 seconds left in regulation, Rickard Rakell slid a shot under a nest of players in the paint to beat Cam Talbot. It was a controversial goal, but it stood.
No one has ever scored three goals that late to force overtime in the playoffs before. Edmonton GM Peter Chiarelli was crestfallen.
Peter Chiarelli’s reaction to the Ducks’ tying goal was amazing pic.twitter.com/1SnRWUlppn
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) May 6, 2017
Finally, in double overtime, Corey Perry carved across the slot and backhanded the overtime game-winner to cement the victory.
Here’s the whole comeback. It’s a good watch.
Everyone likes a comeback story. This one was a doozy. Before the Ducks began their surge, they had just over a one percent chance of winning according to moneypuck.com.
In other words: it ain’t over the buzzer goes. Got it, Caps?
Headline photo: Harry How
