Way-back Playback: Darryl Sittler sets NHL record with 10 points

For the Toronto Maple Leafs, the post-1967 era has been comprised of too many heartbreaks and too few magical moments. The once-proud franchise has been sentenced to perpetual mediocrity in a generation of mismanagement and missed opportunities.

But in 1976, Darryl Sittler made Leafs fans temporarily forget their plight by scoring an NHL-record 10 points in a single game against the Boston Bruins.

The Leafs limped into the game with one win in their last seven, and - ironically - autocratic owner Harold Ballard had called out Sittler before the game for a lack of production.

The previous record of eight points, held by Montreal Canadiens legend Maurice "Rocket" Richard, was set in 1944. After the first period nobody thought the record was in jeopardy, as Sittler had just two assists.

In the second, though, Sittler exploded for five points on three goals and two assists. It took just 44 seconds into the third to tie the record, and he broke it halfway through the final period.

Following the game, Sittler told the Toronto Star, "Undoubtedly Mr. Ballard will figure his little blast inspired me to set the record, but it just isn't that way."