In best-of-7 MLB/NBA/NHL playoff series 996 Game 1 on 11-12 April 2007, the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Dallas Stars 5-goals-4 in Vancouver, with the game-winning goal occurring 18:06 into the fourth overtime period and ending what amounts to the fourth longest game in best-of-7 format NHL playoff history (and, by current reports, the sixth longest NHL playoff game ever). Never before in a best-of-7 format NHL playoff game had the home team scored so late into overtime; the previous latest home-team goal occurred at 5:43 into the fourth overtime, in best-of-7 MLB/NBA/NHL playoff series 653 Game 6, in which the Buffalo Sabres hosted and defeated the New Jersey Devils 1-goal-nil in their 1994 NHL Preliminary round playoff series. Historically, multiple overtime periods in NHL playoff games have not been kind to the team on home ice: In fact, in best-of-7 format NHL playoff games from 1939 through 2006, home teams in overtime had a game record as poor as 1-12 (.077) as late as 13:53 into the third overtime period. Thus, the Vancouver Canucks not only scored the latest overtime best-of-7 format playoff goal on home ice to date, but also overcame long historical odds to do so.

This feat, however, is not the first noteworthy case of prevailing against long odds by the NHL Vancouver Canucks franchise in best-of-7 NHL playoff series. To date, the Vancouver Canucks are the only MLB, NBA, or NHL franchise thrice to win a best-of-7 format playoff series after trailing in that series 3-games-1. Those three noteworthy comebacks were achieved in best-of-7 MLB/NBA/NHL playoff series 607 (over the Winnipeg Jets in their 1992 NHL Preliminary round series), 656 (over the Calgary Flames in their 1994 NHL Preliminary round series), and 880 (over the St. Louis Blues in their 2003 NHL Preliminary round series). Several other teams have twice completed comebacks from 3-games-1 deficits; only Vancouver has achieved the feat three times. As of March 2007, MLB/NBA/NHL teams trailing a best-of-7 playoff series 3-games-1 had a series record of only 38-407 (.085). Three of those 38 comeback series victories bear the signature of the Vancouver Canucks.

In addition: Through March 2007, the NHL team to trail the latest into a best-of-7 format playoff game but emerge victorious was the Vancouver Canucks. When you are behind by a goal (or more) in the waning seconds of an NHL playoff game, your chances of victory are precipitously bleak. How noteworthy it is then that in best-of-7 MLB/NBA/NHL playoff series 884 Game 1 in Vancouver (in the 2003 NHL Quarterfinals), the Canucks trailed the Minnesota Wild 3-goals-2 with only three seconds left in regulation, but won the game (tying it with two seconds left; winning it 3:42 into overtime). In best-of-7 NHL playoff games from 1939 through 2006, teams trailing by one goal with three seconds left had a game record of 1-631 (.0016); the Vancouver Canucks are the sole victor in that almost-impossible situation. It has happened in the regular NHL season and will likely someday happen in a best-of-7 NHL playoff game that a trailing team will tie a game with only one second remaining in regulation and win it in overtime. Until then, however, the Vancouver Canucks are the team that trailed the latest into a best-of-7 format NHL playoff game and still won the game.

13 April 2007