Bruins/Leafs Go 7 Again

Tonight in Boston and to be telecast on ABC, with “localer,” Sean McDonough, a fourth consecutive 7 game series, between the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs, will be completed.

Boston prevailed in the previous such games, all at home (2013, 2018 and 2019) coming back from a 3 goal third period deficit in the last 6 minutes, (in ’13) and winning in overtime, on a goal by a superb player, named Patrice Bergeron. (Picture below).

The Bruins have won 6 straight series from the Leafs, the three maximum games series cited above and three that totaled just one game more than the minimum 12, 4 game sweeps in ’69 and ’74 and a 5 game triumph, in route to a second crown in 3 seasons, in ’72.

Boston and Toronto have just one title in the 50 completed NHL seasons (’73-2023, no season in ’05) since that Bruins, with Bobby Orr crown in 1972, that won by the Bruins in 7 vs the Vancouver Canucks (the 2024 Canucks are into the “quarters” in a non-bubble season, for the first time since 2011, when they lost game 7 of the final round to the New York Rangers — the Rangers, Panthers and Canucks won their regular season “div” titles and will have home advantage vs the Hurricanes, Bruins/Leafs winner and Oilers respectively in the upcoming “quarters,” while “div” winner Dallas (Stars) has been forced into a first round/7th game game, vs defending champion, Las Vegas (Golden Knights). The winner of that tilt, tomorrow will face the 2022 champion, Colorado Avalanche).

Toronto has not reached the NHL final, no less won it, since winning a 4th title in 6 seasons (’62-’64 and ’67), which puts those teams, guided by George “Punch” Imlach in rare, great air.

The Leafs last series win vs the Bruins was clinched in game 7/’59 semis, at Boston, in the then, glorious, 6 team NHL semi-final round. A beyond great, Montreal Canadiens team won the fourth of a record five straight Stanley Cup titles, “5’ing” the Leafs in the subsequent NHL final.

Each team has 8 series wins in this storied ‘offs rivalry. Toronto amassed 4 in non best of 7 series (’33,’35,’36 and ’38) none of which were in title winning seasons. (Note: the ’36 series was the only one of the four that was not a semi-final and was decided in favor of the Leafs by an 8 goals scored to 6 margin).

Toronto won “semis” vs Boston in title seasons thrice within four seasons (’48, ’49 and ’51) and as cited above lost in the final after their last series win vs Boston (’59 semis).

The two other Boston series triumphs vs Toronto occurred in final rounds, in two of the first 3 NHL best of 7 such, in 1939 and 1941.

Patrice Bergeron (#37), pictured and cited above had the game winning overtime goal that capped an also above cited, incredible Bruins’ comeback win in #7 vs Toronto in 2013.

Tyler Seguin (#19) and Brad Marchand (#63) and the only remaining Bruins’ player from the ’11 title team are also pictured.