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April 10: On this day in 1949, Sid Smith of the Leafs became just the second player in NHL history to record a hat trick in a playoff game, all on power-play goals. The record has since been tied several times, but never surpassed. Smith scored all 3 goals in the Leafs 3-1 victory over Detroit in Game 2 of the Finals. He had played just one regular season game during the 1948-49 regular season without a point. The Leafs swept the series enroute to their 3rd straight Cup.
April 10: On this day in 1975, the Leafs tied their best-of-three Preliminary Round series with the L.A. Kings on an overtime goal at 10:19 by right-winger Blaine Stoughton. The Leafs won the series the following night, but were swept by the Philadelphia Flyers in the next round.
April 10: On this day in 1979, the Maple Leafs and the Atlanta Flames played the opening game of their best-of-three preliminary round playoff series. The Leafs won the game 2-1 on the strength of 2 goals by Walt McKechnie in his finest moment as a Leaf player. A second period brawl ensured for some Leaf team records that still stand as of 2008, including most penalties and penalty minutes in a period and a game. The two teams combined for 46 penalties and 219 penalty minutes. The Leafs won the series in two straight games.
April 10: On this day in 1988, the Leaf organization suffered through one of the very darkest days in Leaf history. Unfortunately, at the time, there were 21 teams in the NHL and 16 teams qualified for the playoffs. With a regular season record of just 21-49-10, the Leafs were not ready for the first place Detroit Red Wings. As the Wings mounted up a score of 8-0 in Game 4 of their opening round of the playoffs, frustrated Leaf fans began mercilessly hurling their Leaf jerseys onto the ice along with souvenir pucks and other assorted Leafs debris. The booing and the catcalling was like nothing ever heard before at Maple Leaf Gardens as the fans outwardly exhibited a new level of disgust for their team, venting their frustration for the mediocrity exhibited throughout the 1980's. This night may have been an all-time low point in Leafs history.
