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Can the Devils, Senators come back from 3-1?

Jacques Lemaire, Brian Rolston

New Jersey Devils Brian Rolston (12) looks on from the bench as coach Jacques Lemaire talks to the referee during the third period of an NHL hockey game Ottawa Senators, Friday, Dec. 18, 2009, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

AP

Tonight could the night that the first two teams (the New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators) get the boot from this year’s playoffs. Historically, a 3-1 deficit is certainly quite the mountain to climb, although many will note that there are active New Jersey Devils players who were part of that series in which Scott Stevens leveled Eric Lindros and the Devils went on a rampage. Jonathan Willis of “Hockey or Die” took a look at the post-lockout winning percentage of teams in various series situations. Here’s what he found.

Lead 1-0: 71.7%
Lead 2-0: 86.5%
Lead 3-0: 100%
Lead 2-1: 65.0%
Lead 3-1: 92.3%
Lead 3-2: 87.9%

The odds are obviously long for both the Devils and Senators, but fans can be excused for spouting Jim Carrey’s “Dumb & Dumber” line:“So you’re telling me there’s a chance?”