33 Years Ago in Leafland; April 3, 1987

Spring of 1987. The Maple Leafs went on an improbable playoff run. They got to within a game of meeting the mighty Edmonton Oilers in the Campbell Conference Finals. I was a 15 year-old hockey mad kid enjoying the fortunes of my favourite team. What better time than now to look back at this memorable time of my youth and Leafs history.
Detroit Red Wings coach Jacques Demers phoned Leaf coach John Brophy encouraging him to get his team into the playoffs. "He called me this morning and told me 'go out and win, and we'll see you in the playoffs,' " Brophy recounted. "I wished him luck too for the rest of the season, but not for the playoffs." The Leafs would likely draw Detroit in the first round if they do indeed qualify.
Brophy referred to the Saturday night tilt against Chicago as "the million dollar game, when you consider the tickets and money made with a playoff spot."
Leafs scoring leader Russ Courtnall said, "I'm just going to try to take this like any other game. I'm not going to try to come to the rink extra early, or anything. Some guys get too wound up doing that."
In The Toronto Star, writer Frank Orr  made his predictions for the NHL year-end awards, picking as follows;  Hart Trophy-Gretzky, Lady Byng-Joe Mullen, Norris-Ray Bourque, Calder-Luc Robitallie, Vezina-Mike Liut, Selke-Shawn Burr, Adams-Jacques Demers. In the end, he nailed most of the awards, missing barely on the Vezina as Ron Hextall beat out Liut by a vote of 65 to 60 and the Selke which was won by Flyers Dave Poulin, Shawn Burr finished 5th place.
On this Friday evening there was only one NHL game scheduled, Winnipeg visiting Vancouver at the Pacific Forum. Let's check the out-of-town scoreboard. The Jets continued their limp toward the playoffs with a 6-4 loss at the hands of the last place Canucks. After losing to Toronto the previous Sunday in Winnipeg, the Jets lost in overtime in Edmonton and now to the lowly Canucks. Stan Smyl potted the hat-trick, the seventh (and would be final one) of his career as Frank Caprice out-duelled Eldon "Pokey" Reddick in the nets. And that ives me a reason to share the beautiful flow that was Pokey's hair.
Rosters for the upcoming Leafs games against Chicago:

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