Throwback Thursday: This week in 1978, Lanny McDonald OT winner advances Toronto Maple Leafs in playoffs

Lanny McDonald had scored some timely goals over his 16-year career. One of his timeliest came on April 29th, 1978, when he buried an overtime winner to eliminate the New York Islanders from the playoffs.

He finished that 1977-78 campaign having scored a then career-high 47 goals adding 40 more assists. His Leafs finished 3rd in the Adams Division and the club was set for a first round matchup with the LA Kings, who they eliminated in two games.

Matched up against the Islanders in round two, the two clubs traded games all the way to game seven. It was there that McDonald played the hero.

At the 4:13 mark of overtime, McDonald found the back of the net giving Toronto the win.

The Leafs went on to play the Montreal Canadiens in the semi-finals and were swept in four games.

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