1997-98 – Two Solitudes

Game 635 – Maple Leafs 4, Canadiens 0

February 28, 1998April 27, 2021 Master Of This Domain

Game 635
Maple Leafs 4, Canadiens 0
Saturday, February 28, 1998
Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario

The Toronto Maple Leafs gave their fans a glimpse of the future last week. And it was a tantalizing glimpse indeed.
Continue reading “Game 635 – Maple Leafs 4, Canadiens 0” →

Game 634 – Canadiens 5, Maple Leafs 1

November 1, 1997April 27, 2021 Master Of This Domain

Game 634
Canadiens 5, Maple Leafs 1
Saturday, November 1, 1997
Centre Molson, Montréal, Québec

When the Montréal Canadiens play the Toronto Maple Leafs, the winners smile a little broader and defeat cuts a little deeper.
Continue reading “Game 634 – Canadiens 5, Maple Leafs 1” →

Preseason Game 36 – Canadiens 2, Maple Leafs 1 (OT)

September 16, 1997February 6, 2021 Master Of This Domain

Preseason Game 36
Canadiens 2, Maple Leafs 1 (OT)
Tuesday, September 16, 1997
Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario

Mike Murphy has changed his mind. He isn’t in the cutting mood just yet.
Continue reading “Preseason Game 36 – Canadiens 2, Maple Leafs 1 (OT)” →

Preseason Game 35 – Canadiens 5, Maple Leafs 5

September 13, 1997January 19, 2022 Master Of This Domain

Preseason Game 35
Canadiens 5, Maple Leafs 5
Saturday, September 13, 1997
Centre Molson, Montréal, Québec

New look Maple Leafs. Same old defensive problems.
Continue reading “Preseason Game 35 – Canadiens 5, Maple Leafs 5” →

JANUARY 5, 2026
Our condolences go out to the family, friends and fans of Hockey Hall of Famer Bob Pulford, who passed away today at the age of 89. A player for sixteen NHL seasons, and then a coach and manager for another 34 seasons, Pulford was best known for his fourteen seasons in Toronto, where he would capture four Stanley Cups (1962, 1963, 1964, 1967) with the Maple Leafs, amassing 91 points in 173 career games against Montreal between 1956-70, also notching 21 points in 37 career playoff games against the Canadiens, tied for the most playoff games played alongside George Armstrong, Tim Horton and Frank Mahovlich.

DECEMBER 21, 2025
After drawing into the Canadiens starting lineup, Sammy Blais has become the 114th player, and second active player (along with Max Domi) to have played with both the Maple Leafs and Canadiens. Blais, who was waived by Montréal to start the season, then played eight games with Toronto before being reclaimed by the Canadiens after Toronto waived him, would become the first player to play for both clubs in the same season (but not as part of a trade) since Chad Kilger suited up for both teams non-consecutively in 2003-04.

DECEMBER 13, 2025
Our condolences go out to the family, friends and fans of Bobby Rousseau, who passed away today at the age of 85. A veteran of fifteen NHL seasons, ten of them in Montréal, Rousseau would capture four Stanley Cups (1965, 1966, 1968 and 1969) and a Calder Trophy with his hometown Canadiens, notching 81 points in 111 career regular season games against Toronto, along with another 19 points in 28 playoff meetings between the rivals.