Toronto Maple Leafs Top 10 Highlight Reel Goals of the Decade
By Alex Hobson
8. James van Riemsdyk vs Boston (May 4th 2013)
This goal came in the 2013 playoffs, which was obviously an extra-emotional time for Toronto Maple Leafs fans everywhere.
Coming back to the show after nine years of missing out, the Leafs would eventually face elimination in one of the most painful losses the team has ever had.
But before that dreadful game, they gave the fans something to cheer about. Like this goal from James van Riemsdyk.
After Jaromir Jagr gives the puck away, Mikhail Grabovski picks it up and cuts across the width of the ice before sending it through three Bruins’ players onto the tape of JVR.
He then spins around while maintaining control of it and tucks is in while falling down.
The excitement surrounding this goal was helped by the fact that it would make the score 4-2 for the Leafs and more or less ice the game for the win, giving the Leafs their first playoff victory since 2004.
7. Mikhail Grabovski vs Boston (February 15th 2011)
This is one of my personal favorite goals, but it’s not just because of the goal itself. It’s because of the backstory.
Grabovski was straight up getting bullied by Zdeno Chara prior to this one.
He takes a hit from Chara and then scores his first of the game. He then takes a second hit from Chara and has trouble even staying on his feet, and what does he respond with? This.
He carries it the length of the ice, splits the D with a one handed deke that brings Dennis Seidenberg to his knees, then roofs it to give the Leafs the lead with one minute left. Talk about getting the last laugh.