1931–32 Toronto Maple Leafs season

Toronto then won three playoff rounds to win the Stanley Cup, first as the Maple Leafs, and third in the history of the franchise.

Toronto started the season off slowly, going win-less in their first five games, which cost head coach Art Duncan his job.

Having to travel from his home in Winnipeg, Irvin joined the club for the December 1 game after Smythe coached the team to their first win of the season against the Boston Bruins.

Toronto finished in second place in the Canadian Division, behind the Montreal Canadiens, and qualified for the playoffs for the second straight season.

Defenceman King Clancy anchored the blueline, scoring 10 goals and 19 points, while Red Horner provided the team toughness, getting a club high 97 penalty minutes.

In goal, Lorne Chabot had another very solid season, winning a team high 22 games while posting a 2.36 GAA and earning four shutouts along the way.

W. A. Hewitt, sports editor of the Toronto Star, was hired as general manager to oversee all events other than professional hockey.

The Maple Leafs would open the playoffs against the Chicago Black Hawks in a two-game, total goal series.

The second game was played at Maple Leaf Gardens, and Toronto used home ice to their advantage, defeating the Maroons 3–2 in overtime to win the series 4–3, and move to the Stanley Cup finals.

The second game of the series was moved from New York to the Boston Garden due to the circus having been booked for the Rangers home arena.