The series opened at Chicago Stadium with Bob Sauvé getting the start in goal, and the Leafs took an early 1–0 after a goal by Steve Thomas only 3:46 into the game. The Black Hawks tied it up midway through the period on a goal by Doug Wilson, however, Toronto retook the lead before the end of the period on a goal by Wendel Clark, giving the Leafs a 2–1 lead. The teams then played to a scoreless second period. Early in the third, Chicago tied the game on a goal by Darryl Sutter 4:48 into the frame, however, just over a minute later, the Leafs took the lead again on a Gary Leeman goal. Walt Poddubny scored again for Toronto just over three minutes later, giving the Leafs a 4–2 lead. Late in the period, the Leafs Steve Thomas scored his second goal of the game, giving Toronto a 5–2 lead. The Hawks Tom Lysiak scored late in the game, as the final score was 5–3 for the Maple Leafs.
