1967/2023 Same Calendar Notes Part 1

Thus far in this the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 55th season since their last title and for that matter final round appearance in 1967, the first two games had reverse results from exact dates, in same calendar 1967.

However, the third was the same result as exactly 56 years earlier. 

On Tuesday April 18, 1967, Brian Conacher rifled in two goals as the Leafs beat top ranked Chicago (Black Hawks, now Blackhawks) (3-1) at Toronto in #6, to advance to the Cup final vs 2 time defending champion, Montreal (Canadiens).

In game 1, exactly 56 years later, Tampa Bay (Lightning) ripped the Leafs (7-3) in #1 of their round of 16/preliminary series.

Then on Thursday April 20, the Maple Leafs became the first NHL team in ‘offs play to score and win with 7 goals, one game after losing yielding 7 in the previous one.

A reverse result 56 years earlier when just 2 nights after the semi ended, the final series opened with Montreal “tripling” Toronto (6-2).

On Saturday April 20th’s exactly 56 years apart the Leafs repeated their road win at the Montreal Forum vs the two time champion Canadiens that squared the ’67 final, winning at Tampa vs the Lightning a repeat champion in ’20 and ’21 and a finalist last season. 

“Tor”now leads what is just a round of 16 series, 2 games to 1.