On This Day January 1st.

John Ross Roach

January 1: On this day in 1926, the Toronto St. Pats played their first ever game on New Year's Day. They blanked the Ottawa Senators 3-0. Goalie John Ross Roach earned the shutout for Toronto. John Ross Roach was one of the smallest and most exciting goaltenders ever to backstop in the NHL. As of 2007, the Toronto St. Pats/Maple Leafs have an all-time winning record of 20-12-6 on the first day of the calendar year.

"Toronto Maple Leafs Logo"

"Montreal Maroons Logo"

January 1: On this day in 1930, the Leafs kicked off the 1930's with a 5-3 New Year's Day victory over the Montreal Maroons. In the 10 year period between January 1, 1930 and December 31, 1939, the Leafs compiled a record of W-237, L-168, T-72 for a .572 winning percentage, their best ever in any decade they've been in NHL, including the 1940's and 1960's. The 1929-30 season was the only one of the 1930's in which the Leafs missed the playoffs. They won the Stanley Cup the same season they opened Maple Leaf Gardens in 1931-32 and then made it to the Cup-Final five more times before the decade was out. They also finsihed first in their Division in 4 out of 10 years. The names of Charlie Conacher, Busher Jackson, Joe Primeau, Gordie Drillon and Syl Apps were continually amongst the league leaders throughout the decade.

"The New Year's Day Massacre"

January 1: On this day in 2000, the Leafs were crushed by the Buffalo Sabres 8-1 at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo. Former Leaf coach Pat Quinn referred to the one-sided loss as "The New Year's Day Massacre." Maxim Afinogenov, Stu Barnes and Erik Rasmussen all had a pair of goals for the Sabres. Nevertheless, the Leafs would finish the 1999-2000 season with a record of 45-27-7-3, tying the franchise record of 45 wins in one season set the prior season.

January 1: On this day in 2011, A night of firsts: James Reimer won his first NHL start Saturday as the Toronto Maple Leafs went into Ottawa and embarrassed the Senators 5-1. It was Reimer's first start but second NHL appearance. He played 14 minutes in relief of J.S. Giguere on Dec. 20, stoping all four shots he faced in his debut. Already up 3-0 after the first period, the Maple Leafs added two second-period goals to take a 5-0 lead. Darryl Boyce, playing just his third game in the league, scored his first career goal after Brodeur (Brian Elliott started in goal for the Senators but he was replaced by Mike Brodeur 16 minutes into the first period after allowing three goals on just seven shots) Brodeur made 12 saves. gave up a big rebound off a shot by Kris Versteeg early in the period.