Maple Leafs & Bruins Add to NHL Game 7 History – Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

In the overtime Boston Bruins 2-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, the two teams added to the rich history of the NHL Playoff Game 7.

With the Bruins' win, this is the first time since 2018 that each of the top three teams from the conference, based on standings, will play in the second round. That year, the top three clubs in the Eastern and Western Conferences played in the eighth round.

The Bruins have won the last seven playoff series against the Maple Leafs, dating back to the 1969 Quarterfinals (4-0 Bruins). They are one of three teams to win seven consecutive playoff series against the same franchise. The others are Montreal Canadiens vs. Bruins (18 from 1946 to 1987) and Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals (seven from 1995 to 2017).

Of all the stats about Game 7, perhaps the most important for the teams is the one they broke tonight, as both teams were looking to end their Game 7 losing streak: Boston is 0-3 since the 2019 Stanley Cup. Cup Final (0-2 at home), while Toronto is 0-5 since the 2013 Conference Quarterfinals (0-3 on the road, all in Boston).

Even before the puck dropped, these two teams were participating in the 195th Game 7 in Stanley Cup Playoffs history. They are also the first franchises in NHL history to require at least a Game 7 in consecutive head-to-head playoff series. The only others to go the distance in at least three straight meetings are the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames (1989 DSF, 1994 CQF, 2004 CQF) and the Capitals and New York Rangers (2012 CSF, 2013 CQF, 2015 R2).

Related: 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Hub

The Bruins and Maple Leafs have already played in more Game 7s than any other franchise, and these contests will be their 31st and 27th, respectively. Both clubs rank among the top four all-time in Game 7 wins: Montreal (15-9 in 24 GP), Boston (15-15 in 30 GP), Detroit (14-11 in 25 GP), and Toronto (12- 14 in 26 GP).

Game 7 Milestones

The Maple Leafs and Bruins have combined to produce the 11th scoreless Game 7 over two seasons in Stanley Cup Playoff history. This continues a trend where since the last tournament was played on Tuesday (NSH at VAN, game 5), the result has been tied or within one goal for 94% of the playing time in all six games (338:54 of 360:00). Only three teams had more goals in that period, with a combined total of 21:06 (EDM: 18:35, TOR: 2:12 & VGK: 0:19).

When William Nylander scored the first goal, it should have been a good sign for the Maple Leafs as the team's all-time leading scorer in Game 7s has an all-time record of 147-47 (.758), including a 4-0 mark in 2023.

Nylander scored his second goal in Game 7 (also 2021 R1). Only four players are with the Maple Leafs: Wendel Clark (six), Alexander Mogilny (four), Dave Keon (four) and Doug Gilmour (three). He became the 15th player to score 20 career goals with the Maple Leafs. Auston Matthews (23) is the only other player on this list.

When the game went to overtime, it was the third straight year that Game 7 of the opening round required overtime, marking the second longest stretch in the last 20 years after the four-year stretch from 2011-2014.

David Pastrnak scored 1:54 into overtime to set the third-fastest Game 7 overtime goal in NHL history. The only teams to score faster were Calgary in the 2004 Conference Quarterfinals (1:25) and Boston in the 1983 Division Finals (1:52).