Max Domi OT Goal Lifts Maple Leafs Over Senators in Game 2 Thriller

Max Domi scored the biggest goal of his season Tuesday night, burying a wrist shot 3:09 into overtime and lifting the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series. With the victory, Toronto now leads the best-of-seven Battle of Ontario 2-0.

The win didn’t come easy. Despite a strong start and a two-goal lead, the Leafs saw momentum shift before Max Domi sealed it with his first of the postseason.

A Hot Start, Then a Letdown

The Leafs came out sharp. Morgan Rielly struck early, scoring at 3:43 in the first after a centering pass from William Nylander deflected off him. John Tavares added a second goal on the power play, sending a puck off Ottawa’s Nick Jensen and into the net.

Toronto dominated early chances, with goaltender Anthony Stolarz turning aside 10 shots in the first period alone. The Senators struggled to generate clean looks, especially on their initial power play.

Senators Strike Back

Ottawa gained some footing in the second period. Brady Tkachuk, greeted by loud “Brady sucks” chants in Toronto, made it 2-1 on a power-play deflection that squeaked past Stolarz.

Then in the third, Adam Gaudette tied the game with just over five minutes remaining. A Toronto turnover led to a point shot from Tyler Kleven, which Gaudette redirected in front to force overtime.

Domi Delivers in Overtime

In the extra frame, a mistake by Ottawa’s Drake Batherson proved costly. Toronto’s Simon Benoit jumped on the turnover and fed Max Domi, who ripped a high shot past Linus Ullmark to end it.

Domi’s goal not only gave the Leafs the win but also marked a milestone. It was the first time since 2002 that Toronto held a 2-0 series lead.

Stolarz Stays Locked In

Anthony Stolarz was a force again in net. He made 26 saves, including several key stops on Dylan Cozens and Tkachuk during Ottawa’s early power plays. He also had a physical moment in the second period, exchanging shoves with Ridly Greig in front of the crease—a continuation of Game 1’s bad blood.

Stolarz now boasts a 10-0-0 record in his last 10 starts, with a 1.48 GAA and a .947 save percentage.

What’s Next: Senators Return Home

With the series now shifting to Ottawa’s Canadian Tire Centre for Games 3 and 4, the Senators face a must-win situation. This marks their first home playoff game in eight years, but the pressure is on.

Historically, Ottawa is 0-9 when dropping the first two games of a series. Meanwhile, Toronto is 10-0 all-time when winning the first two at home—a stat the Leafs are eager to protect.

A New Era of Rivalry

This matchup also marks an NHL first: two Canadian teams with U.S.-born captains—Brady Tkachuk for Ottawa and Auston Matthews for Toronto—meeting in the postseason.

Leafs head coach Craig Berube, in his first taste of this rivalry, summed it up pre-game: “There’s some hatred there, for sure… I enjoy it.”

Game 3 is set for Thursday night in Ottawa.

How do you see the rest of this series playing out? Can the Senators bounce back at home, or is this Toronto’s year?

More…

• https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/max-domi-scores-ot-winner-as-toronto-maple-leafs-take-2-0-series-lead-over-ottawa-senators-1.2293517
• https://www.nhl.com/video/ott-tor-domi-scores-goal-against-linus-ullmark-6371813721112
• https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/max_domi_ot_goal_puts_maple_leafs_up_2_0_in_series_vs_senators/s1_16454_42090847