2014 NHL Winter Classic: By The Numbers

Here's some stats and facts regarding the long rivalry between Toronto and Detroit:

• The teams have met in the regular season 644 times. Detroit leads the career series by the slimmest of margins with a 275-273-93-3 record.
• The teams have met in 23 playoff series. Toronto has won 12 series, Detroit 11.
• Seven times (1936, 1942, 1945, 1948, 1949, 1963, 1964) these two teams faced off in the Stanley Cup final. Toronto won all of those series except 1936.
• The most famous showdown was in 1942 when Detroit blew a 3-0 series lead only to see Toronto win 4 straight elimination games to steal the Stanley Cup.
• A lesser known fact is three years later in 1945 Toronto blew a 3-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup final, allowing Detroit to win 3 straight and force a game 7. Toronto did finally get the job done in game 7, however. 
• The last Stanley Cup final showdown was in 1964. That was the year Bobby Baun scored the OT winning goal in game six on a broken ankle.
• The Wings' advantage in Stanley Cup playoff play is also narrow at 59-57 in 116 all time matches.
• The two teams have not met in the playoffs since 1993 (Toronto won in 7 games). They have only met in the playoffs three times since the NHL expanded from the Original Six way back in the late 1960s.
• The Leafs who have won more Stanley Cup championships. Toronto has won the title 13 times. Detroit has won it 11 times.
• Toronto has appeared in the Stanley Cup final 19 times total, while Detroit has played 24 times.