Maple Leaf News and Rumors: Domi, Rielly, Stolarz & Tavares – Hockey Writer – Toronto Maple Leaf
Max Domi played the hero Tuesday night, scoring 3:09 in overtime, and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Ottawa Senator 3-2 in Game 2 of the first round playoff series. The goal closed a wild night, Toronto built and lost a 2-0 lead before ending the strong in front of the loud Scotiabank Arena crowd.
Domi's goal rushes from the offensive zone led by Simon Benoit, who heads to Domi. The third line center then surrounds the Senators’ defensive action and snatches a top-notch shelf and crosses Linus Ullmark. The goal sparked wild celebrations on the ice and in the stands. However, the biggest smile comes from Max's father, Tie, who played for the Maple Leafs for 12 seasons (1990, 1995-2004).
Emotional celebrations are more weighted, knowing that the family’s legacy is related to the franchise. Son Max carved his own chapter in Maple Leaf playoff history. Teammate John Tavares woven together: “It’s very useful for him, it’s very useful for our team.”
Project 1: Blue Line of Maple Leaf and Veteran Leadership
Speaking of Tavarez, he also had a big night with a goal and assist. Meanwhile, Blueliner Morgan Rielly added the second goal of the series to continue Toronto’s defenseman jumping into the offense. The team's guards have been a game-changer, bringing the showdown issues for the Senators.
Related: NHL head coach must play more management games in the playoffs
Toronto's power performance exploded again – with only 18 seconds to reach their first chance – when Tavarez passed away from Ottawa's defensive player Nick Jensen and entered the field. The opening goal was followed by Rielly's goal, pushing the Maple Leafs to a 2-0 lead. They need it.
Goalkeeper Anthony Stolarz stopped 26 and offered an additional advantage. After being run by Ridly Greig in Game 1, he took the opportunity to give back to Game 2. Greig “scrambled” in the crease of the second stage, Stolarz stood up and absolutely escalated the Senator's distractor. This was not lost on the teammate for a moment, but shot the maple leaf bench.
Project 2: Stolarz is in a high position, Maple Leafs lead in 2-0 series
Stolarz was once again the best goalkeeper on the ice in Game 2. The 30-year-old is particularly keen in the second stage and needs to be. It was a terrible time for Toronto, without five to five. Without Stolarz's key stop, his team would lose this game. I wrote about Maple Leaf winning ugly in yesterday's post. The second stage is ugly.
Even after a late defensive defeat was forced to overtime, it didn't cover up Straldz's game. Senators tied the game with only five minutes left in the depths of the Maple Leafs’ departure, but their goalkeeper continued to the fort until the Domi’s game winner.
Related: Rising salary cap makes Max Domi's contract easier to manage
Stolarz signed with the Maple Leafs in the offseason because he felt he might get that opportunity in Toronto and he is making the most of his chances. In two games, he is becoming a differentiator for a team that aims to end decades of playoff frustration. So far, so good.
The third item: Domi provides hero type lifting maple leaves in game 2
Domi's game winner took a 2-0 lead for his team. He is famous for his playback, and he chose this shot. He fired a rocket from the post and then collected a pass from defensive player Benoit. It was Domi's first goal in the playoffs, and it also reminded him of the offensive spark that he could bring, even from the six behind.
Related: Maple Leaf’s 3-2 wins to beat Senators
While he doesn’t always play for a long time, if he can continue to lift the team with this timely contribution, he might be the key to the deep maple leaves. Maple Leaf fans must hope Domi is confident that he can continue to improve the secondary score required. If so, Maple Leaf's advance depth could become a real playoff advantage.
Event 4: Rielley heats up in the playoffs, scoring the second consecutive goal
Rielly seems to struggle in the regular season, but raises the game again in the playoffs? The experienced defender scored in Game 2, continuing his strong start in the playoffs. His partnership with Brandon Carlo seems to be a real help. Carlo's full-time defensive power allowed Rielly to jump into the team's offense, where he thrived.
Rielly's goal came on the back door of a slippery assistant in William Nylander's textbook. After a regular season, he scored only 41 points in 82 games, Rielly changed the gears in the playoffs. His offensive intuition gives the Maple Leafs an advantage early in the series. Rielly continues to build his playoff legacy. His second goal brought him to the most defensive players in the team's history.
Event 5: Tavarez stays hot with two points night in Game 2
Tavares continued to lead by example, scoring another goal and assisting the Senator. The former captain of the Maple Leafs now scored four points in the first two games of the series, named Toronto’s top six with consistency and calmness. He has been in the middle of the action for two games.
Related: John Tavares as a troll to give maple leaves
Tavares opened the power play midway through the first stage, launching a low-angle shot that deflected the Senator's defender and entry. With 50 points (25 goals) in 64 games, Tavares has once again proven to be a reliable playoff player. His early offense helped Toronto firmly control Ottawa's third and fourth games.
What's next for maple leaves?
With Tuesday's overtime victory, the Maple Leafs have taken a 2-0 lead for the first time since 2002. This is their strong start to pursue a move beyond the first round – history is around them. When winning the first two games of the playoff series, Toronto was the best 10-0 ever. It also marks the second time in the Matthews-Manner era, where the team started the playoffs with back-to-back victory.
Interestingly, the 2024 battle in Ontario is historic. It was the first playoff series between two Canadian teams led by the U.S.-born captain, with Auston Matthews wearing Ottawa's “C” for Toronto and Brady Tkachuk.
The series moved to Ottawa for Games 3 and 4, with both teams meeting Thursday night. As the family crowd at the Canadian Tire Center cheers, the senators will be desperate to reintegrate into the series. Maple Leaf, on the other hand, will be designed to keep gas on the pedals and tied up in this first-round series.
