Last Maple Leafs Playoff Series Win

The Last Maple Leafs Playoff Series Win: A Deep Dive into a Frustrating Franchise History

Introduction:

For Toronto Maple Leafs fans, the words "playoff series win" evoke a complex mix of emotions – pride, frustration, hope, and a deep-seated yearning for the glory days. This post delves into the agonizingly long wait for Toronto Maple Leafs fans, exploring the last time the Leafs won a playoff series, analyzing the context, and examining the lasting impact on the franchise and its fanbase. We'll unpack the details of that victory, explore the subsequent droughts, and consider what lessons can be learned from this historical period. Get ready for a journey through the highs and lows of a storied, yet often frustrating, hockey legacy.

The Drought: Understanding the Magnitude of the Challenge

The last time the Toronto Maple Leafs won a playoff series was in 2004. This fact alone encapsulates the weight of expectation and the enduring frustration felt by generations of fans. It's not just a single game; it's the agonizing accumulation of playoff exits, first-round disappointments, and heartbreaking near-misses that have defined recent Maple Leafs history. To truly understand the current landscape, it's crucial to examine the context of that 2004 victory.

The 2004 Playoffs: A Brief Retrospective

The 2004 playoffs weren't a dominant run. The Leafs, led by Mats Sundin, faced a tough first-round matchup against the Senators. The series was a hard-fought battle, characterized by close games and intense physical play. The Leafs eventually emerged victorious, but the victory was far from a cakewalk. This highlights the fact that even a series win can be a challenging undertaking, especially in the highly competitive world of NHL playoffs. The subsequent rounds proved more challenging, and the Leafs were eliminated by the Philadelphia Flyers in the Conference Semifinals. Despite the eventual loss, that series win against Ottawa provided a brief respite from the extended playoff drought that would follow.

The Post-2004 Landscape: Near Misses and Heartbreak

The years following the 2004 series win have been marked by a frustrating cycle of regular-season success followed by playoff failures. The team has consistently made the playoffs, often finishing near the top of their division, only to fall short in the first round. This pattern has led to increased scrutiny of the team's management, coaching staff, and player performance. Many factors contribute to this ongoing struggle, and understanding those factors is vital for analyzing the team's current state and future prospects.

Analyzing the Repeated First-Round Exits:

The consistent first-round exits are a major point of contention amongst fans and analysts. The reasons are multifaceted:

Lack of playoff experience: The team's core often lacks the experience required to navigate the pressure and intensity of playoff hockey.
Injuries: Key injuries at crucial moments have derailed potential playoff runs in several seasons.
Coaching decisions: Questionable coaching choices in key playoff moments have been widely debated.
Mental fortitude: Overcoming playoff pressure is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. The Leafs have struggled with consistency in this area.
Opponent Matchups: Sometimes, the Leafs have simply faced superior opponents in the first round.

The Psychological Impact on the Franchise and Fans

The extended playoff drought has had a profound psychological impact on both the franchise and its loyal fanbase. The weight of expectation, amplified by the rich history of the Leafs, creates immense pressure. This pressure permeates every aspect of the team's performance, from individual players to the coaching staff and front office. For the fans, the drought has tested their resilience and faith. The emotional toll of repeated disappointments cannot be overstated. It’s not just a sporting event; it’s a cultural phenomenon tied to a city's identity.

The Search for a Winning Formula:

The Maple Leafs have implemented various strategies to break the cycle of playoff failure. This includes:

Roster overhauls: Significant changes to the team's roster through trades, signings, and drafting have been attempted.
Coaching changes: Multiple coaching changes have been made in an attempt to find the right fit for the team's style of play.
Front office restructuring: Alterations to the team's management structure have been implemented to improve organizational efficiency.

However, finding a sustainable solution remains elusive. The continued struggle emphasizes the complexities involved in building a consistently successful hockey team.

The Path Forward: Hope and Expectations

Despite the ongoing challenges, hope remains. The team continues to make adjustments, striving to identify and address the flaws that have plagued them in past playoff runs. A successful playoff run requires a combination of skill, strategy, experience, and mental toughness – elements that the Leafs are continually working to strengthen. The pressure remains immense, but the determination to finally break the curse is palpable.


Article Outline:

I. Introduction: Hooking the reader, outlining the article's scope.

II. The Last Win (2004): A detailed look at the series victory, context, and players involved.

III. The Post-2004 Drought: Analyzing the repeated first-round exits, identifying recurring issues.

IV. Psychological Impact: Exploring the emotional toll on the franchise and fans.

V. The Search for a Winning Formula: Examining the strategies implemented to break the cycle.

VI. The Path Forward: Discussing the hope and expectations for future success.

VII. Conclusion: Summarizing key points and offering final thoughts.


(The detailed content for each point is already provided above in the main body of the article.)

FAQs:

1. When was the last time the Toronto Maple Leafs won a playoff series? 2004.
2. Who did the Maple Leafs beat in their last playoff series win? The Ottawa Senators.
3. How many playoff series have the Maple Leafs won since 1967? Only one (2004).
4. What are the main reasons for the Leafs' prolonged playoff struggles? Lack of playoff experience, injuries, coaching decisions, mental fortitude, and opponent matchups.
5. Have the Maple Leafs made significant changes to their roster and management in recent years? Yes, there have been substantial changes to the roster and management in an attempt to improve performance.
6. What is the psychological impact of the long playoff drought on the team and fans? It's created immense pressure and emotional toll.
7. What are the hopes for the future of the Toronto Maple Leafs? The hope is to break the cycle and achieve sustained playoff success.
8. What lessons can be learned from the Leafs' past playoff failures? The importance of experience, consistent performance, strong leadership, and mental resilience.
9. Where can I find more information on the Toronto Maple Leafs' playoff history? NHL.com, reputable sports news websites, and hockey history books.

Related Articles:

1. The Curse of the Toronto Maple Leafs: An exploration of the historical and superstitious aspects surrounding the team's struggles.
2. Mats Sundin's Legacy in Toronto: A tribute to the Leafs' captain during their last playoff series win.
3. Analyzing the Toronto Maple Leafs' First-Round Exits: A statistical analysis of their playoff failures.
4. The Impact of Coaching Changes on the Toronto Maple Leafs: An examination of coaching decisions and their impact.
5. The Evolution of the Toronto Maple Leafs Roster: Tracking changes in the team's personnel over time.
6. Toronto Maple Leafs Draft Picks: Hits and Misses: Evaluating the team's draft strategies.
7. The Toronto Maple Leafs Fan Experience: A look at the passionate and loyal fanbase.
8. Comparing the Toronto Maple Leafs to Other Historically Successful Teams: A comparative study of team building and success.
9. The Future of the Toronto Maple Leafs: Predictions and Hopes: Speculations and discussions regarding the team's future prospects.


  last maple leafs playoff series win: NHL Official Guide and Record Book 2008 Dan Diamond, National Hockey League, 2007-09
  last maple leafs playoff series win: National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2015 National Hockey League, 2014-10-15 Includes such information as the name of every player who appeared in an NHL game during the 2013-2014 season, their lifetime record, records for retired players, Hall-of-Fame inductees, all star teams, and rule changes for the year.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: '67 Damien Cox, Gord Stellick, 2004-10-08 In 1967 the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup in a stunning defeat of the mighty Montreal Canadiens in Canada’s centennial year. Thirty-nine years later (and counting), no other Leaf team has been able to do it again. As the years pass, the legend grows. The men who were the Leafs in 1967--a scrappy group of aging players and unsung youngsters--were the kings of this universe, the last hockey heroes to skate in the world's most important hockey city. They were the men with the right stuff who enjoyed the perks and privileges that went with it. Sixty-Seven is not just another hockey book about that legendary team, but a unique and total look at the contradictions, the legends, the shame and the glory of '67. Within five years of that '67 victory, two key members of the team, Tim Horton and Terry Sawchuk, would be dead due to alcohol and drug-related issues. The man who had succeeded Smythe as King of Carlton Street, Harold Ballard, was in jail. The seeds of what would become a horrifying pedophile scandal a quarter-century later were being planted. All that had been built up over the course of decades was in the process of being torn down. Sixty-Seven will tell previously untold stories, funny and tragic, from the inside of that unforgettable dressing room. And beyond the story of the team, it will tell the story of the times, a time of innocence before Vietnam and Watergate, the last year of the Original Six-Team NHL, and the last gasp of the hockey dynasty built by the legendary Conn Smythe. The story of Sixty-Seven extends well beyond that of a hockey team that found a way to win.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: Leafs AbomiNation Dave Feschuk, Michael Grange, 2009-08-11 Love them or hate them, they’re the most successful team in professional hockey … just not on the scoresheet. The Toronto Maple Leafs are an exception to every law of the sporting jungle. They miss the playoffs and the sellouts keep coming. They haven’t won a Stanley Cup since 1967, but the earning power of that blue-and-white maple leaf, no matter the chronic woes of the blue-and-white’s power play, never ceases to increase. In this description of failure and prescription for hope, Toronto Star sports columnist Dave Feschuk and Globe and Mail sports reporter Michael Grange draw the illogical roadmap that pinpoints how the once-proud Leafs got lost in the sporting hinterlands, who’s to blame for stranding them there, and how they might extract themselves from this historic mire.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: Straight Shooter Thom Sears, Brad Park, 2012-07-20 The official biography of an NHL legend By the time he retired, Brad Park had surpassed the great Bobby Orr in career assists by a defenseman. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame the first year he was eligible, and later named one of the Top 100 NHL players of all time by The Hockey News, Park will forever be remembered as one of the greatest men ever to take the ice. The first and only authorized biography of Park's life and career, Straight Shooter: The Brad Park Story, delves deeper into his legendary success than any book has before, bringing together exclusive, candid insights from Park himself, as well as interviews with dozens of players, family members, and key figures from the hockey world. Covering Park's early years growing up in Toronto, to his first exposure to the NHL with the New York Rangers and his stellar performance with the Boston Bruins, through the twilight of his career and retirement, the book examines every aspect of his remarkable life in unprecedented detail. Giving hockey fans a full, frank look at the career of an NHL legend—including the challenges Park faced in his personal life, including caring for his physically handicapped son—Straight Shooter is a fascinating look at one of the game's true greats. Offers a fascinating insight into the life of Brad Park, one of the greatest defensemen the NHL has ever seen Covers Park's life in detail, from his time with the Rangers and Bruins to his experiences with Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series Features a Foreword from hockey legend Don Cherry Working closely with Park himself, writer and researcher Thom Sears has created a thorough, authorized biography of one of the NHL's greatest legends and an essential read for hockey fans everywhere.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: The Toronto Maple Leafs Eric Zweig, 2017-10-28 A complete oral history of Canada’s most iconic team, compiled from interviews with some of the biggest names in hockey, then and now. Eric Zweig takes readers through the storied history of the Leafs through the eyes of their players, coaches, managers, and fans.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: The Bruins in 25 Games John G. Robertson, Carl T. Madden, 2023-01-30 Having played more than 7,500 regular-season and playoff games since the franchise's inception in 1924, the Boston Bruins have become an iconic National Hockey League team boasting a sizable fan base well beyond Massachusetts. In a century of spirited play, the Bruins have brought great joy--and great disappointment--to their passionate legions of followers across North America. Twenty-five of these games are presented here, chronologically, in great detail. Most will be known to hardcore followers of the Bruins, others may be on the obscure side. All of them combine to create a tapestry of triumphs, travails, cheers and tears. The book follows the club's fortunes from the early days of Eddie Shore and Tiny Thompson, through the halcyon seasons of the Kraut Line, forward to the dominant renaissance years of the Orr-Esposito 1970s, and into the third decade of the 21st century.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: Toronto Maple Leafs Jim Barber, 2013-09-15 Since its construction in 1931, the Maple Leaf Gardens had seen its share of powerful, memorable moments and held its share of championship glory. But there was something different about this evening of May 2, 1967. This book will be especially facinating for readers interested in hockey or sports. The Toronto Maple Leafs is one of Canada's greatest franchises. From their humble beginnings in the 1920s, to their remarkable Stanley Cup victories of the 1940s and 1960s, to their teambuilding challenges of the 1990s and beyond, the Leafs have a history packed with exhilarating accomplishments and devastating setbacks. This is their story -- the incredible story of a beloved Canadian institution.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: The Toronto Maple Leafs, Ultimate Book of Facts, Stats, and Stories Andrew Podnieks, Nhl, 2015-10-27 The Toronto Maple Leafs Ultimate Book of Facts, Stats, and Stories is the definitive guide to everything you want to know about the Toronto Maple Leafs as they approach their centennial season. From the first puck drop in 1917 right up to the present day, it brings together the monumental games, the Stanley Cup wins, the blockbuster trades, and the many milestones in the club's celebrated history.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: The Devils Wear Bauer (Not Prada) Martin Avery, 2009-03-07 The Unofficial Biography Of Hockey's #1 Bad BoyAnd âOne Of The Sexiest Men Aliveâ: Sean AverySean Avery, the Wings, Kings, Rangers, Stars, Hollywood, Vogue, People, Trash Talk, Hockey Villains, Bad Boys, Brawlers, Agitators, And Something New For The List Of Things You Canât Say On TV
  last maple leafs playoff series win: The Last Good Year Damien Cox, 2019-10-22 Nominated for the 2019 Toronto Heritage Book Award We may never see a playoff series like it again. Before Gary Bettman, and the lockouts. Before all the NHL's old barns were torn down to make way for bigger, glitzier rinks. Before expansion and parity across the league, just about anything could happen on the ice. And it often did. It was an era when huge personalities dominated the sport; and willpower was often enough to win games. And in the spring of 1993, some of the biggest talents and biggest personalities were on a collision course. The Cinderella Maple Leafs had somehow beaten the mighty Red Wings and then, just as improbably, the St. Louis Blues. Wayne Gretzky's Kings had just torn through the Flames and the Canucks. When they faced each other in the conference final, the result would be a series that fans still talk about passionately 25 years later. Taking us back to that feverish spring, The Last Good Year gives an intimate account not just of an era-defining seven games, but of what the series meant to the men who were changed by it: Marty McSorley, the tough guy who took his whole team on his shoulders; Doug Gilmour, the emerging superstar; celebrity owner Bruce McNall; Bill Berg, who went from unknown to famous when the Leafs claimed him on waivers; Kelly Hrudey, the Kings' goalie who would go on to become a Hockey Night in Canada broadcaster; Kerry Fraser, who would become the game's most infamous referee; and two very different captains, Toronto's bull in a china shop, Wendel Clark, and the immortal Wayne Gretzky. Fast-paced, authoritative, and galvanized by the same love of the game that made the series so unforgettable, The Last Good Year is a glorious testament to a moment hockey fans will never forget.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: Too Many Men on the Ice John G. Robertson, 2018-07-26 Entering the 1978-1979 season, the Boston Bruins had been one of the best teams in the National Hockey League for more than a decade. Yet they could not shake the postseason jinx the Montreal Canadiens held over them--the Habs had ousted them in 13 consecutive playoff series going back to 1940s. The Bruins wanted one more shot at their nemeses, after coming up short in both the 1977 and 1978 Stanley Cup finals. They got their chance in the semifinal round. Led by the colorful but embattled coach Don Cherry, the underdog Bruins played seven heart-stopping games. Victory seemed within their grasp but was snatched away with an untimely penalty in the final minutes of game seven. The author looks back at the season from opening night at Boston Garden to the catastrophic conclusion at the Montreal Forum, with detailed accounts of the semifinal games and a post-mortem of the infamous bench penalty.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: The Down Goes Brown History of the NHL Sean McIndoe, 2018 Sean McIndoe of Down Goes Brown, one of hockey's favourite and funniest writers, takes aim at the game's most memorable moments--especially if they're memorable for the wrong reasons--in this warts-and-all history of the NHL. The NHL is, indisputably, weird. One moment, you're in awe of the speed, skill and intensity that define the sport, shaking your head as a player makes an impossible play, or shatters a longstanding record, or sobs into his first Stanley Cup. The next, everyone's wearing earmuffs, Mr. Rogers has shown up, and guys in yellow raincoats are officiating playoff games while everyone tries to figure out where the league president went. That's just life in the NHL, a league that often can't seem to get out of its own way. No matter how long you've been a hockey fan, you know that sinking feeling that maybe, just maybe, some of the people in charge here don't actually know what they're doing. And at some point, you've probably wondered: Has it always been this way? The short answer is yes. As for the longer answer, well, that's this book. In this fun, irreverent and fact-filled history, Sean McIndoe relates the flip side to the National Hockey League's storied past. His obsessively detailed memory combines with his keen sense for the absurdities that make you shake your head at the league and yet fanatically love the game, allowing you to laugh even when your team is the butt of the joke (and as a life-long Leafs fan, McIndoe takes the brunt of some of his own best zingers). The Down Goes Brown History of the NHL is the weird and wonderful league's story told as only Sean McIndoe can.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: Stanley Cup Fever Brian McFarlane, 1992
  last maple leafs playoff series win: The Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club Kevin Shea, Jason Wilson, 2016-10-18 Published in partnership with the Toronto Maple Leafs and officially licensed by the NHL, this is the one and only official Toronto Maple Leafs Centennial publication! The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the most storied franchises in all of sport and without question -- the most recognized team in all of hockey. Through this journey of a hundred years of Maple Leaf hockey, fans will read of ups and downs, triumphs and tears, laughter and laments. This publication tells the Leafs' complete history and introduces fans to coaches, as well as such legends as: Apps and Armstrong, Kennedy and Keon, Broda and Bower, Salming and Sundin, but also players who wore the Blue and White and left far more modest legacies. It takes fans to Toronto's first game, the construction of Maple Leaf Gardens and subsequent move to the Air Canada Centre. It celebrates Toronto's Stanley Cups and Hall of Fame players and demonstrates that through each exciting season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have forever remained our team and enjoyed the incredibly loyal support of a nation of fans. Published in complete partnership with the Toronto Maple Leafs and scheduled to release as the Leafs enter their 100th season, this official centennial publication includes contributions from many of the biggest names in Leaf history. Author Kevin Shea gained unprecedented access to players -- past and present -- as well as team executives to offer this book the most compelling, informed, and accurate portrayal of Toronto's historic hockey team and their important place in both the world of hockey and the culture of Canada. Combined with incredible archival photographs and a truly incredible design, this is the definitive and must have book for fans of the Blue and White.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: H is for Hockey: A NHL Alumni Alphabet Kevin Shea, 2015-08-01 AV2 Fiction Readalong by Weigl brings you timeless tales of mystery, suspense, adventure, and the lessons learned while growing up. These celebrated children’s stories are sure to entertain and educate while captivating even the most reluctant readers. Log on to www.av2books.com, and enter the unique book code found on page 2 of this book to unlock an extra dimension to these beloved tales. Hear the story come to life as you read along in your own book.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: Hockey's Glory Days Dan Diamond, Eric Zweig, 2013-07-16 For 25 years prior to expansion in 1967, big-league pro hockey consisted of only six teams and about 120 players. A document called the C-Form, signed by young, often poor, Canadian boys, could bind a player to one franchise for life, thus insuring a team's future. Intense rivalries brewed, as the game, the rink it was played on, and the equipment players wore evolved. Offenses increased as the curved stick and the booming slap shot became all the rage. Hockey's Glory Days relives these exciting decades, when the Montreal Canadiens made 10 consecutive appearances in the Stanley Cup finals, winning the last five, and when the Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs dominated the '60s. The book features more than 126 player and team photos, plus individual and team statistics for every season from 1949-50 to 1968-69. Hockey's best forwards, goaltenders, and defensemen are profiled. The authors—experts in their field—include photographs and statistics of greats the likes of Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Maurice Rocket Richard, Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, and Jacques Plante. Hockey's Glory Days even includes the best and worst statistics and trivia from this era.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: 100 Things Maple Leafs Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die Michael Leonetti, Paul Patskou, 2020-11-03 Whether you're a die-hard booster from the early days of Conn Smythe or a new supporter of John Tavares and Auston Matthews, these are the 100 things all Maple Leafs fans need to know and do in their lifetime. Authors Michael Leonetti and Paul Patskou have collected every essential piece of Maple Leafs knowledge and trivia, as well as must-do activities, and ranked them, providing an entertaining and easy-to-follow checklist as you progress on your way to fan superstardom. 100 Things Maple Leafs Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die is the ultimate resource guide for true fans.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: The Ultimate Prize Dan Diamond, 2013-07-16 There is no greater reward for a hockey player than winning the Stanley Cup. The Ultimate Prize chronicles the evolution of the sport from the first recorded game played in 1875 to the 2002 Champion Detroit Red Wings. Photographs and statistics of teams, coaches, players, owners, and hockey executives are listed year by year. Facts, legends, and lore will engross the reader. Unique among team sports trophies, the Stanley Cup has been called the people's trophy. It travels the globe making public appearances up to 300 days of the year. The names of the men (and some women!) who have won it are engraved right on the Cup itself. Hockey players of all ages dream not just of winning the championship but of actually hoisting the glittering silver trophy high above their heads. It is one of sport's ultimate icons and perhaps the world's best-known piece of folk art. Included in The Ultimate Prize are chapters on Stanley Cup heroes, top play-off moments, and the history of the Stanley family. Did you know that Lord Stanley never watched a team that won his trophy, nor ever played the game himself? All seven of his sons played hockey as a team and were outstanding athletes. Daughter Isobel Stanley played the game, too. In truth, the Stanley family is every bit as responsible for the Stanley Cup legacy as his Lordship himself. The Ultimate Prize—misspelled player and team names, wrong names, erroneous years won, and even double listing of players. Every hockey fan or sports enthusiast will want a copy of this treasure.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: Next Goal Wins! Liam Maguire, 2012-11-20 Fun, always surprising and a hockey lover's treasure chest of the little-known facts that shaped the game, you cannot Google the stuff that Liam Maguire shares in this entertaining little book. About 30% updated, revised and renewed from Liam’s 2001 trivia collection, What's the Score?, First Goal Wins! includes a foreword by Wayne Gretzky. Liam has scoured the depths of the NHL archives and stats to put together many of these questions and answers, which you can't get from just looking up your favourite player on Wikipedia. What sets his take on hockey trivia apart from the many pretenders out there is the magical connections he builds between the numbers, the players and the game's history. Besides the straight goods, you always get the ultimate And did you know...?
  last maple leafs playoff series win: The Legendary Game - Ultimate Hockey Trivia Tom King, 2010-10-06 Tom has been researching hockey for the past 35 years. Throughout his passion for hockey, The Legendary Game - Ultimate Hockey Trivia includes more than 1000 trivia facts of the history of hockey covering more than 100 years of Canada's favourite sport. This exciting edition chronicals the feats of everybody from the Hall-of-Famers to the infamous. The trivial facts includes everything from the pros to amateurs to international competitions.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: Hockey 365, The Second Period Mike Commito, 2021-09-28 More hockey history for every day of the year! Celebrate hockey history with Hockey 365, The Second Period and be reminded of why you love hockey every day of the year. Whether you are a long-suffering Leafs fan or you cheer for a team that has actually won a Stanley Cup in the last half-century, this compendium will give you a hockey-history fix no matter your allegiance. From the National Hockey League’s humble beginnings to the empty seats of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Mike Commito has gone back into the vault to bring you even more hockey history. So, get ready, the second period is about to begin.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: Tales from the Toronto Maple Leafs Locker Room David Shoalts, 2012-11-01 The glory years for the Toronto Maple Leafs—four Stanley Cups in the 1960s—may be distant memories, but what the team lacks in recent accomplishments is made up for by their history, which is rich in drama, pathos, and, most of all, humor. Figures connected to the Maple Leafs from the 1950s to the present offer their best stories, including some new takes on the team’s legends. Players, coaches, broadcasters, and team executives come together to share a long list of funny anecdotes about their time with the Leafs. Bobby Baun recalls the unprecedented moment in the 1964 Stanley Cup finals when he slammed a game-winning goal into the net while skating on a broken leg. Bob Haggert, a former Leafs trainer, shares his memories of Conn Smythe, the unyielding military man who founded the team. Also telling tales is Jim McKenny, defenseman-turned-forward-turned broadcaster, whose sense of humor is as deft as his skating. Joe Bowen, long the voice of the Maple Leafs on radio and television, is along for the ride, as are Bob McGill, Glenn Healy, Walter Gretzky, and so many more.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: Canadiens Legends Mike Leonetti, Hockey Hall of Fame, 2005-02 Like baseball's New York Yankees and basketball's Boston Celtics, hockey's Montreal Canadiens are the most storied franchise in their sport. They have won the Stanley Cup 24 times-more than any other NHL team. From the early days of Howie Morenz-the Canadiens' first superstar-to the modern era of Saku Koivu, from the dynasty led by Rocket Richard in the 1950s to that led by Guy Lafleur in the 1970s, the Habs have captured the hearts of hockey fans around the world.Canadiens Legends is a lavishly illustrated look at nearly a century's worth of Montreal hockey heroes, from 1907 to 2004. The history of the Habs is brought to life by almost 100 player profiles and more than 300 historic and contemporary photos. This book is a must-have for Canadiens fans and hockey fans everywhere.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: Philadelphia Flyers Encyclopedia David Sherman, 2003-09
  last maple leafs playoff series win: Toronto Maple Leafs Kevin Shea, Paul Patskou, 2011-12-23 Toronto Maple Leafs: Diary of a Dynasty, 1957-1967 chronicles those wonderful seasons when the Toronto Maple Leafs skyrocketed from last place in the NHL to become the powerhouse team of the decade. During the 1950s and 60s the Leafs were always a contender and won the Stanley Cup in three consecutive years (1962-1964), along with an improbable Stanley Cup victory over their archrival, the Montreal Canadiens, in 1967 to close out the era of the original six NHL teams. Of the many books written on the Leafs, this one is unique: Kevin Shea and his writing partners revisit all the important games and moments from each season with astonishing detail based on the broadcasts of Hockey Night in Canada from that decade. There are authentic calls from the broadcast booth, Hot Stove Lounge conversations and detailed descriptions of game-changing goals and late-game heroics that have been obscured by the passage of time -- and the performance of the weaker teams that have followed. Along with unearthed, never-before released interviews from dynasty players, such as Johnny Bower, Dave Keon and George Armstrong to name only a few, the authors reconstruct Toronto's dynasty years with professional accuracy, authenticity and care. This big book will be dear to the heart of every Maple Leaf fan -- a nostalgic journey through hockey history and thus into the history of modern Canada itself.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: Detroit Red Wings Stan Fischler, 2017-11-07 One of the National Hockey League’s “Original Six,” few teams in professional hockey have enjoyed more success than the Detroit Red Wings. In this newly revised edition, Stan “the Hockey Maven” Fischler profiles more than fifty of the greatest characters from this unforgettable franchise. Fans can read about everyone from the legendary Gordie Howe (who was almost killed by a body-check that fractured his skull before he went on to become known as “Mr. Hockey”) to Nicklas Lindström (who became the first European to win the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2002). With a deft pen, Fischler describes the Red Wings' greatest accomplishments from his front-row seat in the press box. Beyond the stats and facts, this veteran sportswriter brings fans off the ice and into the locker room to share a treasure trove of stories and anecdotes from this legendary franchise. Within these pages, fans will taste the adrenaline as the Red Wings rack up eleven Stanley Cup Championships and cheer with the crowd as Pete and Jerry Cusimano toss the first “good luck” octopus onto the ice. Without a doubt, Detroit Red Wings: Greatest Moments and Players is a must-have for any Red Wings fan.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: Scholastic Year in Sports 2018 James Buckley Jr., 2017-11-28 Featuring the top athletes and sports moments from the past year, this is the must-have guidebook for any young sports fan! For sports fans of all ages!The brand new 2018 edition of Scholastic's annual Year in Sports features full-color action photographs throughout, completely updated facts and stats, and a colorful interior design. Read about all of the top athletes, championships, and legends from the major and secondary sports. Featuring all your favorite stars in baseball, basketball, football, and more, this book is perfect for sports newbies, as well as the most devoted fans.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: Coach Rosie DiManno, 2013-10-29 Pat Burns was one of the great NHL coaches. He worked with the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils, and seemed always to enjoy instant success. He capped his extraordinary career by coaching the New Jersey Devils to a Stanley Cup victory in 2003. Cancer--his third bout--finally claimed him in 2010, aged 58. Rosie DiManno, who knew Burns well, has written a revealing, exhilarating and heartfelt account of his life: his childhood as a fatherless, solitary male surrounded by many women, his years as a police officer, his glorious coaching career and his long and characteristically valiant ending. Coach is both the first major biography of Burns and one that, with its revelations, personal insights and riveting prose, is--like the man himself--sure to be both controversial and hard to beat. Rosie DiManno knew, liked and admired Burns, and in the writing of this book has interviewed many, many people from every stage of his life. She is not blind to his less endearing qualities, but seeks to explain them. DiManno reveals a man of contradictions--gruff and crude, bullying and sentimental, and easily wounded. She shows, moreover, a man of hockey. The Burns who rode motorcycles, dressed like a cowboy, and sweet-talked the ladies was, says DiManno, a self-creation. His one indisputable, true talent was for coaching hockey. He was a pure coach. DiManno tells a compelling story and helps us to understand a complex man, one who gave little of himself to the public and yet whose funeral was a spectacle. How did that happen? Who was Pat Burns? Rosie DiManno, who witnessed much of the story, has the answers.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: Heart and Spirit Doug Magwood, 2002 This is a great gift for any hockey fan. Follow the Leafs as they strive for the Stanley Cup. ALL author proceeds from sales will be donated directly to the Renal Department at the Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga, Ontario
  last maple leafs playoff series win: The Handy Hockey Answer Book Stan Fischler, 2015-10-13 Stan Fischler, hockey journalist since 1954 and Lester Patrick Award-winner for contributions to hockey in the United States, covers the sport’s history, its origins, rules, players, and more! Stick handlers without helmets rushing goaltenders without masks on rinks lacking sideboards gives way to a faster game with bigger players and overtime shootouts. The National Hockey League goes from a Canadian and regional sport to one that is watched by more fans throughout North America than ever. Hockey may have changed, but its essence and appeal remain. The Handy Hockey Answer Book, written by hockey historian, broadcaster, author, and self-professed Hockey Maven, Stan Fischler, brings the game to life through exciting game action, vital stats, players, rules, and more. It traces the early spread of hockey, Lord Stanley's involvement, and the birth of the cup, then explains the rules, the equipment, strategies, and positioning, before following the ups and downs of the National Hockey League and its teams and players. From the traditions, all-time cup- and award-winners and record-breakers to the modern game, The Handy Hockey Answer Book answers more than 800 questions on the game, greats, goals, and growing popularity of hockey, including ... Where does hockey come from? What was the Stanley Cup first called? Where did the name “Patrick Division” come from and why are the Patrick brothers important? When was six-man hockey invented and who was its creator? What is a “Zamboni” and after whom was it named? What was the Gretzky Rule? How did the hockey puck develop its present shape? Which is the oldest current NHL team? Why is the term “Original Six” a misnomer? Which Hall of Famer trained on champagne? Who holds the Montreal Canadien’s franchise record for career goals? Who centered Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsey on Detroit’s legendary “Production Line.” Which team was the first to come back from being down 3-0 in a series. Who played right wing on a line with Phil Esposito for the Bruins in the late 60s and 70s? Who was the first European player to lead the league in scoring? What NHL team won and lost the Stanley Cup on the same day? Which hockey player was supposed to be “kidnapped” as part of a scheme to increase attendance at New York Rangers games? Did an NHL club ever play all its “home” games of the Stanley Cup finals on the road? Starting with a Middle Ages game resembling ice golf to the NHL's Original Six to the modern high school, college, and professional games, this is a clear, concise, and illuminating primer to the game of hockey! A glossary of terms and a bibliography for further reading round out this helpful primer on the sport.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: Official NHL Stanley Cup Fact Book, 1997 National Hockey League, National Hockey League Staff, 1996-10
  last maple leafs playoff series win: Oh So Close, Canada! Lamenting Some of the Missed Championships in Canadian Sports History Wee Kp, 2009-02-22 This book looks at some of the Canadian sports teams from the last thirty years that nearly won championships.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: Stellicktricity Gord Stellick, 2011-10-18 From the youngest general manager in NHL history to veteran on-air hockey analyst—Gord Stellick has seen it all, and now tells it all Few have been given the opportunity to be on both sides of the hockey rink—managing the Leafs and the Rangers and then regaling his legion of TV and radio fans with the colourful insider knowledge he's amassed—about blockbuster trades, NHL stars, and the talent that got away. But Gord Stellick has. In an almost forty-year career, he's one of the best known hockey personalities around. And Stellicktricity captures the man, his career as the ultimate hockey insider, and insights and anecdotes on the game he loves so much. Not only is the book crammed with details on hockey greats like Gretzky, Orr, Sakic, and Crosby, his NHL bosses (like Harold Ballard and Punch Imlach), but it also contains an inimitable look at Stellick's colleagues in the media. Destined to become a favourite of hockey fans everywhere, Stellicktricity not only covers every corner of the game of hockey but offers the author's unique view of other sports across North America. Stellick is ubiquitous as a host, colour commentator, and analyst on hockey broadcasts and shows of all kinds in TV and radio The book is loaded with Leafs content and brimming with anecdotes about legendary players, hockey management, and NHL characters (like Bob Goodenow and Wendel Clark) By turns serious and funny, every page of Stellicktricity crackles with the wit and wisdom of a born raconteur—and the hard-headed, real world insights of a man who's lived and breathed the game of hockey for the better part of his life.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: Hockey For Dummies John Davidson, John Steinbreder, 2011-03-21 Gives die-hard fans and newcomers to the sport the inside edge! —Scotty Bowman, NHL's winningest coach and former coach of the Detroit Red Wings Nothing gets by John Davidson. If the first edition didn’t already make you a fan, then this edition will! —Mark Messier, NHL All-Star My dog, Blue, and I ran out to get Hockey For Dummies, 2nd Edition. We give it two paws up! —Don Cherry, former NHL coach and “Coaches Corner” commentator for Hockey Night in Canada ...a must read for all hockey fans! —John Vanbiesbrouck, former goaltender, New York Islanders ...the most comprehensive, easily understood source of hockey history and instruction I've ever come across. Not only was 'JD' a superb player in the NHL, he is also an extremely skilled commentator sharing his knowledge of the game with fans all over North America. From hat tricks to power plays, Hockey For Dummies provides the reader with the wisdom of an expert. —From the Foreword by Wayne Gretzky This updated edition of the bestselling guide to all things hockey is packed with illustrations and play-by-play descriptions, diagrams, and photos of the NHL’s greatest players. It tells you how to: Gear up safely with the right equipment Improve your skills with drills Warm up mentally—and physically—before hitting the ice Respect rules and good sportsmanship Find US and Canadian leagues and camps Former New York Ranger, John Davidson offers you plays only the pros know and tips for playing hockey at any level. And he fills you in on: Hockey ABCs, its origins, positions, gear, rules, and more The complete NHL—explores the various leagues, greatest players, training, and tons of fascinating facts, figures, and priceless trivia The best ways to follow the game from the stands or on TV How the pros do it—includes tips from Gretzky on passing, Messier on winning face-offs, and other star players on how to play like a pro From youth leagues to the secrets of the NHL greats, Hockey For Dummies, is your total guide to this cool sport.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: The Sports Hall of Fame Encyclopedia David Blevins, 2012 Provides a comprehensive listing, including biographical information and statistics, of each athlete inducted into one of the major sports halls of fame.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: The Sports Hall of Fame Encyclopedia Dave Blevins, 2011-12-23 In 1936, the Baseball Hall of Fame was established to honor the legends of the sport. The first inductees were some of the greatest names of the dugout, including Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth. Less than ten years later, in 1945, the Hockey Hall of Fame inducted its first members. The Soccer Hall of Fame was established in 1950, followed by the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959, and the Football Hall of Fame in 1963. In all, more than 1,400 inductees—players, teams, and behind the scenes personnel—have been enshrined in these five halls of fame. The Sports Hall of Fame Encyclopedia is a comprehensive listing of each inductee elected into one or more of these major sports halls of fame. From Hank Aaron to Fred Zollner, this book contains biographical information, sport and position(s) played, and career statistics (when applicable) of each of the more than 1,400 honorees. The book also includes specific appendixes for each shrine, in which inductees are listed alphabetically and by year of induction. Also included are appendixes briefly describing the history of each hall of fame.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: Puckface Rides Rangers Dark Horse Into the Playoffs Martin Avery, 2010-06-13
  last maple leafs playoff series win: The 1960s in Sports Miles Coverdale Jr., 2020-04-27 This book includes the most significant sporting events of the 1960s, covering all the moments that generated tremendous growth in professional and college sports in America during this decade. It features stories such as Roger Maris breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record, Wilt Chamberlain scoring 100 points, and Muhammad Ali beating Sonny Liston. Sports became a national obsession in the 1960s as people tuned in on their new televisions to watch the exploits of some of the most legendary athletes and teams in history. It was the decade of Mickey Mantle, Jim Brown, Bill Russell, Bobby Hull, and Arnold Palmer, the decade when the Celtics dominated basketball, Joe Namath delivered on his Super Bowl guarantee, and the Miracle Mets won the World Series. In The 1960s in Sports: A Decade of Change, Miles Coverdale looks back at what was arguably the greatest decade in sports history, when the sports world of today began to take shape during a very tumultuous period of American history. At the start of the decade, thirteen years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball, major league rosters were still populated mostly by white Americans. The NFL and NBA were struggling financially and were much less popular than college football and basketball. The Olympics were still open only to amateur athletes. But the sports landscape changed dramatically in the 1960s. Coverdale traces this development by covering the significant events and iconic players of the decade, including stars such as Sandy Koufax, Johnny Unitas, Bobby Orr, and Jack Nicklaus. There were great teams and incredible rivalries, and professional and college sports alike expanded and thrived. Featuring over 70 photos of legendary athletes and memorable moments, The 1960s in Sports transports the reader back to a golden age in sports. With additional coverage of important historical events such as the Cold War, Vietnam, and the Civil Rights Movement, this book also reveals how social and political events impacted the sports world, making it an invaluable resource for anyone interested in this significant decade.
  last maple leafs playoff series win: The Annotated Rules of Hockey James Duplacey, 1996 SPORTS This is an official publication of the National Hockey League, with the league's consulting publisher, Dan Diamond, acting as editor. Providing much more than a mere book of regulations, author Duplacey, a hockey historian and former curator of the sport's hall of fame and museum, examines the rules from 1900 to the present. The contents are divided into six chapters, covering the rinks, teams, equipment, penalties, officials, and playing guidelines. An appendix containing the 87 rules governing the game is particularly useful. The text is organized in a user-friendly format, with each rule highlighted in a sidebar with corresponding annotations of actual incidents. Duplacey's compilation provides new insights into the intricacies of professional hockey and is a definitive source for the armchair referee. A worthwhile purchase for public libraries. L.R. Little, Penticton P.L., British Columbia-