5 lucky situations that led to deep New Jersey Devils playoff runs

1. Eric Lindros gets knocked out
2000 Stanley Cup Playoffs

There may not be a hit more impactful (pun intended) than Scott Stevens’ hit on Eric Lindros in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. It is considered one of the biggest hits in the history of the NHL. The Philadelphia Flyers are still feeling the impacts today. Lindros’ career started to take a turn from this point. He never played another game for the Flyers. He missed the rest of this game, which likely changed who won the series. And this opened the door for the Devils to stop the Dallas Stars’ push for a repeat.

Let’s start with how the Devils got here. Like the Senators tried to do in 2003, the Devils started the series down 3-1 but forced a Game 7. Brodeur shut the door, refusing to allow more than one goal in each of Games 5-7.

However, the Devils weren’t exactly lighting the lamp with consistency. It was a dogfight in Game 7, and the game was tied deep in the third period (wait a minute, we’ve heard this one already). As it was 1-1 with about 2:30 left, Patrik Elias scored to end the series and complete the comeback.

Is it a guarantee that Lindros would change the course of history if he kept his head up on the Stevens hit? Obviously not, but having a Selke-level superstar who can score at any moment on the ice is a major advantage.