TORONTO — Max Domi scored a thrilling overtime goal at 3:09 to lift the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators, securing a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series on Tuesday night. Domi advanced into the offensive zone during the extra period, unleashing his first postseason goal past Ottawa’s goaltender, Linus Ullmark.
“Unreal,” remarked Leafs centre John Tavares. “It’s great for him, great for our team.” Tavares contributed significantly with a goal and an assist, while Morgan Rielly also found the back of the net for Toronto. Goalie Anthony Stolarz stood strong with 26 saves.
“Just pure jubilation,” Stolarz commented regarding Domi’s decisive goal, which sparked lively celebrations inside and around Scotiabank Arena. “He’s a hell of a teammate in the room, and seeing him get rewarded is hopefully just the beginning of something big.”
Brady Tkachuk and Adam Gaudette were the goal scorers for Ottawa, as Ullmark managed to stop 18 Toronto shots. With the best-of-seven series shifting locations, the Battle of Ontario continues in Ottawa for Games 3 and 4 at the Canadian Tire Centre beginning Thursday.
Toronto, who won Sunday’s series opener 6-2, leads a postseason series 2-0 for the first time since 2002. Entering the playoffs for the first time in eight years, the Senators are left searching for solutions as they return home.
“We’re looking forward to getting home,” Tkachuk said. “Honestly, there’s not one ounce of panic.” The Leafs, who dominated Ottawa four times in five playoff matchups in the early 2000s, boast a perfect 10-0 record when they win the first two games of a series at home. This is only their second two-game playoff lead during the Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner era.
After a commanding start in Game 1, where Toronto capitalized on the man advantage with three rapid goals against their less-experienced opponent, they seized another opportunity by scoring 18 seconds into their first power play. Tavares guided a puck into the crease, which deflected off Ottawa defenseman Nick Jensen and in at 8:20, marking Toronto’s fourth shot.
Tensions flared when Stolarz engaged with Senators forward Ridly Greig, who collided with the goaltender towards the end of an Ottawa power play in the second period. The altercation saw coincidental minor penalties being allotted.
This series is historically significant as it is the first NHL playoff matchup featuring two Canadian teams with U.S.-born captains — Ottawa’s Tkachuk and Toronto’s Matthews.
Craig Berube, the Leafs’ head coach and a Stanley Cup winner with the St. Louis Blues in 2019, has taken the helm of an organization eager to end its extensive playoff drought. Pre-game, Berube expressed his thoughts on the Battle of Ontario, noting, “There’s some hatred there, for sure,” the former NHL enforcer from Alberta said, smiling. “It’s pretty good. I enjoy it.”