Maple Leafs Players Marvel at Sittler's Historic 10-Point Feat Ahead of 50th Anniversary Celebration
The Toronto Maple Leafs are preparing to honour one of the most remarkable individual performances in National Hockey League history. As the team gets ready to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Darryl Sittler's legendary 10-point game, current players are expressing awe at what many consider an untouchable record.
A Record That Defies Modern Hockey Realities
On February 7, 1976, at Maple Leaf Gardens, Sittler achieved what no NHL player has matched since—scoring six goals and adding four assists in a single game against the Boston Bruins. The Maple Leafs' 11-4 victory that night became forever linked with one player's extraordinary performance.
"We'll probably never see that again," said current Leafs captain Auston Matthews, who couldn't contain his laughter when asked to imagine matching Sittler's accomplishment. "You get three or four points and that's a really good night. A hat trick is a good night. A double hat trick is insane. Six and four is insane."
The Statistical Rarity of High-Point Games
The numbers underscore just how exceptional Sittler's performance remains. No NHL player has ever recorded nine points in a game, and only 13 times in league history has a player reached eight points. The most recent eight-point game occurred in 2012 when Sam Gagner achieved the feat with the Edmonton Oilers.
Since Gagner's performance, only Nick Schmaltz has managed seven points in a single game, accomplishing this in 2022 while playing for the Arizona Coyotes. The legendary Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux remain the only players to have recorded eight points in a game twice during their careers.
Current Leafs Put Sittler's Achievement in Perspective
John Tavares, whose career-high is five points in a game, emphasized the difficulty of even approaching Sittler's numbers. "Even in minor hockey, 10 points is a special night," Tavares noted. "Getting six shots on net is a great night, never mind scoring six times. To have that many looks, and then you have a tremendously talented player... The stars aligned and something special was in the air."
Forward Max Domi, who has one five-point game in his NHL career, called Sittler's performance "ridiculous" and suggested anyone achieving such a feat should "go buy a lottery ticket." Domi drew comparisons to Mario Lemieux's famous 1988 game where he scored five goals in five different ways, calling both achievements equally untouchable.
The Human Element Behind the Statistics
Defenceman Jake McCabe, who has gotten to know Sittler in recent years, offered personal insight into the record-holder. "I've gotten to know Darryl a little bit the last couple of years and he's a really down-to-earth guy, a genuine guy," McCabe shared. "I've seen the highlights of that game and it was his night for sure."
Forward Steven Lorentz provided perhaps the most humbling perspective, noting that some players have entire seasons with just 10 points. "I've had 10-point seasons before," Lorentz said with a smile. "Just scoring one goal in the NHL is a privilege. It doesn't come easy. It's no easy task to score a goal, let alone six. And 10 points, a double hat trick against NHL competition, it's unheard of."
A Celebration of Hockey History
As the Maple Leafs prepare to honour Sittler's achievement during their upcoming game, the reflections from current players highlight how the 50-year-old record continues to inspire awe in today's NHL. The celebration serves as a reminder of hockey history and the extraordinary moments that define the sport's legacy in Canada.
The team's acknowledgment of Sittler's historic night comes at a time when scoring has increased in the modern NHL, yet no player has come closer than eight points to matching what the former Leafs captain accomplished half a century ago. This enduring record stands as a testament to both Sittler's talent and the unique circumstances that created one of hockey's most memorable performances.
