RealGM

Two championship series. Two 3-0 leads. Two blowout game four victories to avoid elimination.

Which win was the more emphatic statement, NBA finals game 4 or Stanley Cup finals game 4?

If the Mavericks come back to win, it is them. Could be them comparatively too if they simply make it farther than the Oilers, or in the event of a forced Game 7, make it as far as the Oilers. In this moment though, I will say the Oilers are “less dead” because in hockey we have seen a few reverse sweeps, so winning Game 4 in commanding fashion can be taken more seriously as a signal of what could be to come.

I think the 8-1 is more significant as the "home court gets a win" is more of an NBA thing I think, and there were 3-0 comebacks in NHL in 2010 and 2014. I haven't seen all the finals but I read the Oilers fans claim they outplayed Florida in game 1 and were even or slightly outplaying them in game 3 (But they also have a mediocre goalie while Florida's will make HOF). I thought Florida's roster and style of play made perfect sense as a champion and they have experience losing finals last year.

Still something about Boston with Tatum playing like he is, blowing game 7 against the Heat last year, etc. just "feels right" as a candidate to blow first 3-0. But I have not given them enough credit the whole playoffs. I think if Dallas wins game 5, Boston will close it out in 6.