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Toronto Maple Leafs Greatest Playoff Moments Since 1967

By Brian Westland

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 2: Ian Turnbull #2 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Los Angeles Kings during NHL game action on March 2, 1981 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 2: Ian Turnbull #2 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Los Angeles Kings during NHL game action on March 2, 1981 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – MARCH 2: Ian Turnbull #2 of the Toronto Maple Leafs.. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 2: Ian Turnbull #2 of the Toronto Maple Leafs.. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images) /

1977-78-Toronto Maple Leafs Defeat the New York Islanders to Advance to Semi-Finals

The 1977-78 Toronto Maple Leafs had their best regular season in over a decade by posting a 41-29-10 season for 92 points.

The Leafs’ core of Darryl Sittler, Lanny McDonald, Tiger Williams, Borje Salming, Ian Turnbull, and Mike Palmateer could complete with any club’s best starting six, and these boys were all in their primes.

The ’78 buds were coached by “Captain Video,” coach Roger Neilson-a sort of 1970s version of the stats-oriented Dubasian hockey man.

Much was expected of the buds that playoff year, and they didn’t disappoint.

After disposing elimination round fodder in the form of the Los Angeles Kings in two straight games in the best of three elimination round, the Maple Leafs moved on to play a burgeoning New York Islanders team that featured up and coming superstars Denis Potvin, Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy and Clark Gillies in the quarterfinals.

The series against the Islanders was a bitter and hard-fought battle that went the entire seven games.

Game seven in Long Island went into overtime, and defenseman Ian Turnbull, who led the Buds in playoff scoring that year, sent a perfect pass to Lanny McDonald who was closing in on the slot.

McDonald zipped a seeing-eye wrist shot past the outstretched leg of Islanders’ goalie Glen “Chico”  Resch for the golden goal and a place in the semi-finals.

By earning a place in the NHL semi-finals, the Leafs had come further than they had during the previous 11 season.

Unfortunately, the Leafs faced a Montreal Canadiens team in the semi-finals that was rounding into one of the greatest dynasties in NHL history.

The Leafs made a valiant effort, but went down in four straight games. Despite the quick semi-final exit, Maple Leafs fans were treated to two playoff series victories and the most exciting hockey seen in the Big Smoke since the summer of love.

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