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The rivalry between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs is one of the most storied in the history of the NHL. Known as the “Original Six” teams, these two franchises have been playing each other since the league’s inception in 1917. With countless memorable moments and legendary players, this rivalry continues to captivate fans on both sides of the border.
03 APRIL 2023
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The Red Wings and Maple Leafs have met in over 700 regular-season games, with Detroit holding a slight edge in the all-time series with a record of 295-295-93. However, the postseason is where this rivalry really heats up, as the two teams have faced off in 22 playoff series, with the Red Wings winning 13 and the Maple Leafs winning nine.
One of the most famous moments in this rivalry occurred in the 1993 playoffs, when Detroit’s Steve Yzerman scored a dramatic overtime goal in Game 7 of their first-round series against Toronto. The goal, which came from a seemingly impossible angle, propelled the Red Wings to a 4-3 victory and cemented Yzerman’s place in Detroit sports lore.
But this rivalry is about more than just one memorable goal. For decades, the Red Wings and Maple Leafs have been two of the NHL’s most successful and iconic franchises, with a combined 24 Stanley Cup championships between them. The Red Wings’ dynasty of the 1950s and ’60s, led by the likes of Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay, set the standard for sustained excellence in the league. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs’ glory years of the 1940s and ’60s saw them win a total of 13 championships, with legends like Johnny Bower, Tim Horton, and Dave Keon leading the way.
Despite their historical success, both teams have struggled in recent years. The Red Wings are in the midst of a rebuild after missing the playoffs for five consecutive seasons, while the Maple Leafs have experienced plenty of regular-season success but have yet to advance past the first round of the playoffs in the Auston Matthews era. However, this only adds to the intensity of this rivalry, as both fan bases are hungry for their teams to return to their former glory.
One of the keys to the Red Wings’ recent success against the Maple Leafs has been the play of goaltender Jonathan Bernier. Since joining Detroit in 2016, Bernier has been stellar against his former team, posting a 4-0-0 record with a 1.50 goals against average and .955 save percentage. He will likely be relied upon heavily if the Red Wings hope to continue their recent success against Toronto.
On the other side, the Maple Leafs will look to their talented group of forwards, led by Matthews and Mitch Marner, to generate offense against the Red Wings. Toronto’s power play has been one of the best in the league this season, and if they can continue to click on the man advantage, they could pose a real threat to Detroit’s defense.
Ultimately, this matchup between the Red Wings and Maple Leafs is about more than just two teams facing off on the ice. It’s a clash of cultures, a battle between two of the NHL’s most iconic franchises, and a chance for both fan bases to revel in the rich history of this rivalry. Whether you’re a diehard Red Wings fan or a lifelong supporter of the Maple Leafs, there’s no denying that this matchup is always a must-see event.
As the season progresses and the playoff race heats up, the games between the Red Wings and Maple Leafs will only become more important. Whether these two teams are battling for a playoff spot or simply jockeying for position in the standings, you can be sure that every matchup between these Original Six rivals will be filled with intensity, passion.
