What a Difference 4 Days (and Wins) Make

Last Friday was not a great day to be a Boston sports fan. The Bruins got dominated in Game 4, losing 4-1 and falling behind 3-1 in games to Carolina. To avoid elimination they had to win 3 straight, which didn't seem likely. In NHL history the team trailing 3-1 in a best of seven series came back to win just 20 out of 230 times (8.7%). Meanwhile the Celtics were doing only marginally better. They had already dropped Game 1 at the Garden (handing homecourt advantage over to Orlando) and on Friday they headed down to Florida and got destroyed 117-96 in Game 3 to fall behind the Magic 2-1. But Tuesday night both teams went from clinging to life to taking command in their respective series. The B's won Game 6, their second straight win (combined score: 8-2), to tie their series at 3 games each. They return home for Game 7 on Thursday with new found life and all of the momentum. Now they need just one win to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics were equally successful Tuesday, making an amazing comeback to take Game 5 of their series. Trailing 85-75 with 5:40 to play, the C's outscored Orlando 17-3 down the stretch for a 92-88 win and a 3-2 series lead. Like the Bruins, they now need only one more win to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. It's amazing the difference a few days (and wins) can make.