Photo credit: globalnews.ca
Maple Leafs Edge Senators in Overtime, Take Commanding Series Lead
TORONTO – Max Domi, once a child playing in the Maple Leafs’ locker room during the peak of the Battle of Ontario, has authored a memorable chapter in the rivalry. As the son of former enforcer Tie Domi, he once watched as Toronto eliminated the Ottawa Senators from the playoffs multiple times. On Tuesday, he made his own mark by scoring the game-winning goal at 3:09 of overtime, leading the Leafs to a thrilling 3-2 victory and a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
“Big win,” Domi remarked post-game. “The boys stuck with it and made crucial plays when it mattered.” His goal came off a pass from defenceman Simon Benoit, as Domi maneuvered to the center of the ice and unleashed a shot over the shoulder of Senator goaltender Linus Ullmark, securing the victory for Toronto.
“Unreal,” said Leafs centre John Tavares, highlighting the significance of Domi’s performance for both the player and the team. The Leafs had taken the opening game of the series decisively with a 6-2 score, and now they held a 2-0 series lead for the first time since 2002.
Tavares contributed additionally with a goal and an assist, while Morgan Rielly also found the net. Goaltender Anthony Stolarz was crucial, making 26 saves to keep the Senators at bay. “Just pure jubilation,” Stolarz expressed regarding Domi’s overtime winner, which ignited celebrations among fans and players alike at Scotiabank Arena. “He’s a tremendous teammate, and it’s great to see him rewarded — hopefully, this will be the start of something big.”
For the Senators, Brady Tkachuk and Adam Gaudette managed to score, marking Ottawa’s first playoff appearance in eight years after a long rebuilding phase. Ullmark ended the game with 18 saves in a challenging matchup.
The series will now shift to Ottawa for Games 3 and 4 at the Canadian Tire Centre, with Tkachuk expressing confidence in his team. “We’re looking forward to getting home. Honestly, there’s not one ounce of panic,” he stated.
Domi, who joined Toronto on a one-year contract prior to the 2023-24 season and has since extended his commitment with a four-year deal, has had a season filled with ups and downs. He demonstrated his value in critical moments, reminiscent of his performance in the previous year’s playoff series against the Boston Bruins. “For any player, there are ups and downs,” Rielly noted. “It’s truly a privilege to play alongside someone like him; he embodies the spirit of the game.”
Historically, the Leafs have a strong record when leading a playoff series 2-0 at home, boasting a 10-0 success rate in such situations. This series marks only the second time in ten attempts during the Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner era that Toronto has held a two-game edge in the playoffs.
The Leafs made their mark early in the game, scoring just moments into the first period when Rielly scored off a deflection after Tavares’ puck movement near the net. The team then capitalized on a power play 18 seconds into their first opportunity when Tavares’s shot deflected off Senators defenceman Nick Jensen at 8:20 for Toronto’s second goal.
Following some solid opportunities for the Senators, things tightened up as Ottawa fought back, scoring on a man advantage with Tkachuk redirecting a puck off Brandon Carlo’s skate to cut the deficit at the half. The game saw shifting momentum, with Domi’s eventual heroics coming after Gaudette managed to tie the game late in regulation.
“Max has got a great history here with his dad. A great moment for him,” Tavares concluded, reflecting on the emotional significance of Domi’s goal in the context of his family legacy.
Source
globalnews.ca