New Jersey Devils: Best Game 7 Wins In Franchise History
By Nick Villano
The playoffs are in full swing, and the excitement is off the charts. There is nothing in sports like a great Game 7 in the game of hockey. The winner-take-all premise is just unlike anything else. Yes, there are Game 7s in other sports, and football’s playoffs are always winner take all, but there’s something about Game 7 in hockey that seems better than anything else.
There have only been two Game 7s this year so far. Montreal ended the Toronto Maple Leafs’ season in the first round and the Minnesota Wild’s bid to upset the Vegas Golden Knights ended in Game 7. After the New York Islanders beat the Tampa Bay Lightning in overtime on Wednesday night, we are heading to another Game 7 on Friday. They aren’t a constant occurrence, but when they do happen, it’s must-see TV.
The New Jersey Devils haven’t been in many Game 7s in franchise history. Since moving to New Jersey in 1982, the Devils have been in 14 Game 7s. For how often they’ve been in the playoffs, they’ve avoided the dreaded must-win game often.
There are some Game 7 appearances that are absolutely epic. These are the moments that end up in the history books. Fans will tell the story of these games for generations. And if they are in the building? It’s ten times better. The energy that’s in a crowd for Game 7 is unlike anything. If the team is down, fans think there’s a will or a way to come back. There’s no other explanation since it’s do or die.
The Devils have their share of greatness and their share of anguish when it comes to Game 7. Let’s ignore those moments that broke our hearts. Let’s feel happy on a Wednesday. Here are the greatest moments in a Game 7 in New Jersey Devils’ history.