Max Domi scored at 3:09 of overtime to give the Toronto Maple Leafs a 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators Tuesday, extending their lead in the Eastern Conference First Round series to 2-0. Domi took a drop pass, cut into the slot, and beat Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark with a wrist shot.
The win followed a 6-2 victory for the toronto maple leafs in Game 1, marking the first time since 2002 the club opened the postseason with two straight wins. Game 3 shifts to Ottawa Thursday.
John Tavares contributed a goal and an assist for the maple leafs. Morgan Rielly also scored. Anthony Stolarz made 26 saves in net for Toronto. Senators goals came from Brady Tkachuk and Adam Gaudette. Ullmark stopped 18 shots for Ottawa.
Coach Craig Berube noted the team had a good start, playing aggressively and getting the forecheck going in the first period. The second period saw the Senators gain momentum, outshooting Toronto 13-3. Stolarz said the team had to "weather the storm" during Ottawa's push, focusing on making saves and controlling rebounds.
The Maple Leafs opened the scoring when Rielly redirected a pass from William Nylander early in the first period. Tavares made it 2-0 later in the first with a power-play goal that deflected off a Senators defenseman. The Senators clawed back, with Tkachuk scoring a power-play goal in the second, followed by Gaudette tying the game in the third period.
This season, the Maple Leafs power play has seen significant changes, notably moving to a five-forward unit mid-season. Assistant coach Marc Savard implemented the new look, which included Matthew Knies joining Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, Nylander, and Tavares. The unit saw increased success in the second half of the regular season.
Knies' presence near the net front has created space for the star forwards. Coach Berube praised Knies and Tavares for their work in the "interior of the ice." Tavares and Nylander led the team in power-play goals during the regular season.
Morgan Rielly tied Ian Turnbull for the most playoff goals by a defenseman in franchise history with 13.
Senators captain Brady Tkachuk stated his team retains confidence despite the series deficit. Defenseman Thomas Chabot felt the Senators played well over the final 40 minutes, generating pressure in the offensive zone.
"There’s not one ounce of panic, doubt in this locker room," Tkachuk said.
