Fifty years ago, on February 7, 1976, Darryl Sittler etched his name into hockey history with a performance that remains unmatched in the National Hockey League record books. Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs against their rivals, the Boston Bruins, at Maple Leaf Gardens, Sittler scored six goals and assisted on four others, amassing a staggering 10 points in a single game. This feat not only secured an 11-4 victory for the Leafs but also established a record that has defied every attempt to break it in the decades since.

The game itself unfolded as a night of unexpected offensive fireworks. While the Bruins were a perennial powerhouse, what transpired was a display of individual brilliance by Sittler. From the first goal to the tenth point, Sittler showcased a remarkable combination of skill, determination, and puck luck. His sixth goal of the game was particularly memorable, a fortunate deflection off Bruins defenseman Brad Park's leg that Sittler himself described as "magical".

Sittler broke the previous record of eight points in a game, which was held jointly by Maurice "Rocket" Richard (1944) and Bert Olmstead (1954). In the years that have followed, many of hockey's greatest offensive talents, including Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, have attempted to surpass Sittler's mark, but none have succeeded. Only 11 different players have recorded eight-point games, with Gretzky and Lemieux each achieving it twice. Sam Gagner was the most recent player to reach eight points in a game back in 2012. The closest anyone has come since then was Nick Schmaltz with seven points in 2022. The unbreakable record stands as a testament to the uniqueness and difficulty of Sittler's accomplishment.

Darryl Sittler's impact on the Toronto Maple Leafs extends far beyond this single game. Drafted eighth overall in the 1970 NHL Draft, he served as the team's captain from 1975 to 1979 and again from 1980 to 1982. In his first season as captain, he became the first Maple Leaf to reach the 100-point mark. Sittler played 1,096 NHL games over 16 seasons, amassing 484 goals and 637 assists for 1,121 points. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1989. In a tribute to his contributions, the Maple Leafs raised a banner to the rafters of the Air Canada Centre in 2003 bearing Sittler's name and number.

The 50th anniversary of Sittler's historic game is being celebrated by the Maple Leafs. As part of the commemorations, the Maple Leafs honored the milestone during a game against the Buffalo Sabres and Sittler wore the jersey from that game, which was recovered after being lost for many years. According to Sittler, his wife Wendy had a ticket from the game and the numbers on it corresponded to the date and the number of points he scored.

Darryl Sittler's 10-point game remains a symbol of individual excellence and a source of pride for Maple Leafs fans. It serves as a reminder of the magic that can happen on any given night in hockey and the enduring legacy of one of the game's most respected players.