New Jersey Devils: Best Game 7 Wins In Franchise History

The New Jersey Devils pose with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in game seven of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals at Continental Airlines Arena on June 9, 2003 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Ducks 3-0 to win the Stanley Cup. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images/NHLI)
The New Jersey Devils pose with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in game seven of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals at Continental Airlines Arena on June 9, 2003 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Ducks 3-0 to win the Stanley Cup. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images/NHLI)
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New Jersey Devils
Jason Arnott #25 of the New Jersey Devils: (David Leeds /Allsport)

1. 2000 VS. Philadelphia Flyers

So, how can a Stanley Cup-winning victory in Game 7 not be the number one Game 7 performance? When there’s a performance against an arch-rival that saw one of the greatest series comebacks in franchise history. The Devils went down 3-1 in the 2000 Eastern Conference Finals against the Philadelphia Flyers. This was a stacked Flyers team that was looking to cash in on Eric Lindros’s prime. Unfortunately for them, this Devils team was a team of destiny.

Everyone knows the story of the 2000 Devils. It was a stacked roster that had some flaws that needed to be addressed before the playoffs. Lou Lamoriello demoted Robbie Ftorek just weeks before the playoffs started and promoted the great Larry Robinson. The Devils felt like they had new life, and they brought that to the postseason.

They didn’t see an elimination game until the third round. There, they saw three of them. After losing both Games 3 and 4 at home, it looked bleak for Jersey’s Team, but alas there was magic surrounding this team.

The Devils won Game 5 pretty handily. Game 6 was scoreless through two periods before the Devils and Flyers scored a combined three goals in the third. Luckily, the Devils potted two early and held on to force Game 7.

There, a relatively new face who would become a franchise legend really cemented his legacy. Patrik Elias scored the first goal of the game about six minutes into the first period. Keith Jones took a roughing penalty in what would become an out-of-control period. There were a total of five power plays in the first period alone, but only Elias was able to capitalize.

In the second period, a Colin White penalty led to Rick Tocchet tying the game. John LeClair was able to get Tocchet the puck, and both teams went into the third period with a strategy to win the game. Once the two teams came out, the Devils relied on their “A” line. Jason Arnott passed the puck to Elias, and he scored.

Of course, Game 7 also had the famous hit from Scott Stevens on Lindros. Lindros was just coming off a concussion, and he had head injuries all season long. The Flyers were actually fined for withholding information on his head injury. Stevens said it “felt a little tough” playing after seeing Lindros get injured. Still, for the comeback, the rivalry, and the excitement of this game, it’s the best Game 7 experience in New Jersey Devils history.