#davekeon

Dave Keon knew what was at stake.

In Game 7 of the 1964 Stanley Cup semifinal at the Montreal Forum, the Maple Leafs center delivered one of the most clutch performances in franchise history, scoring a hat trick against the Canadiens to send Toronto to the Final.

His first came early. His second was shorthanded. His third sealed the deal into an empty net with seconds left. Meanwhile, Johnny Bower stopped 38 of 39 shots to preserve the win.

The Leafs would go on to win their third straight Stanley Cup but it was Keon’s night in Montreal that made it possible.

We take a deeper look at this game here: Dave Keon 1964 Playoff Hat Trick

🌀 When Dave Keon Went Off — December 5, 1964

Detroit was the best team in the NHL. Toronto? Just holding steady in 4th. But that night at Maple Leaf Gardens? Dave Keon stole the spotlight.

He didn’t even get a point in the 1st. Then the 2nd and 3rd happened. Final tally: ✔️ 2 goals ✔️ 4 assists ✔️ 6 points total - that’s 12% of his entire season’s production in one game 🤯

Toronto steamrolled the Wings 10-2. Andy Bathgate? 1G, 3A. Terry Sawchuk? Beat his old team with 34 saves. The Buds? Fired 41 shots at Roger Crozier.

On Dec. 2, 1970, Dave Keon didn’t just kill penalties, he terrorized the Kings on the kill. At Maple Leaf Gardens, the Leafs’ captain racked up a hat trick, with two shorthanded goals as the cherry on top.

(see below image for all the details)

📍 1st SHG: 🔹 2nd period, 9:36 🔹 Assisted by George Armstrong 🔹 Scored while Jim Harrison was in the box for elbowing

📍 2nd SHG: 🔹 3rd period, 5:44 🔹 Assisted by Billy MacMillan 🔹 Scored while Paul Henderson was off for tripping

🎩 Hat Trick Complete: 🔹 Even-strength goal at 11:20 of the 3rd 🔹 Assisted by Mike Pelyk + Garry Monahan

The Leafs smoked L.A. 7-0, with Jacques Plante stopping 35 shots for the shutout.

🎯 Bonus Highlights: – Ron Ellis: 2G + 1A – George Armstrong: 2A (final NHL season!) – Just the Leafs’ 7th win in their first 23 games that season

Keon’s SHG total that year? 8 - tied for 1st in the NHL with Boston's Westfall + Marcotte. Career SHG total? 32, putting him right up there with legends like Sakic, Bondra & Clarke.

NHL Hockey Card Legends: Dave Keon [Video]