In a stunning display of skill and emotion, Max Domi propelled the Toronto Maple Leafs to a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over the Ottawa Senators in Game 2 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series on April 22, 2025. With this victory, the Maple Leafs have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in the series, marking their first 2-0 playoff series advantage since 2002.
Domi, the son of former Leafs enforcer Tie Domi, scored the decisive goal just 3:09 into overtime, sending the Scotiabank Arena into a frenzy. He received a pass from defenceman Simon Benoit, maneuvered to the center, and unleashed a perfect shot past Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark. "Big win," said the 30-year-old Domi after the game. "The boys stuck with it, made some plays that we had to make at the right time."
This moment was particularly poignant for the Domi family, as 21 years earlier, Tie Domi had scored an overtime winner for the Maple Leafs against the Senators in the same playoff round. The symmetry of the situation was not lost on fans and players alike. "Max has got a great history here with his dad," said Leafs captain John Tavares. "A great moment for him."
The game started with Toronto taking an early lead. Morgan Rielly opened the scoring at 3:43 of the first period, capitalizing on a deflection from a pass by William Nylander. The Leafs quickly doubled their lead when Tavares scored a power-play goal at 8:20, deflecting a puck into the net off Senators defenceman Nick Jensen.
However, the Senators fought back. Brady Tkachuk cut the deficit in half with a power-play goal at 15:41 of the second period, sending a pass that deflected off a Leafs defender's skate and trickled into the net. With just 5:13 left in regulation, Adam Gaudette managed to tie the game with a deft deflection, setting the stage for Domi's heroics.
Despite the tense moments and the blown lead, the Leafs maintained their composure. Anthony Stolarz, Toronto's goaltender, made 26 saves, helping the team weather the storm. "Just pure jubilation," Stolarz said of Domi's winning goal. "He's a hell of a teammate in the room, and to see someone like that get rewarded, hopefully it's the start of something big."
The victory was a significant one for the Maple Leafs, who are now 10-0 in playoff series when they take a 2-0 lead at home. It also marks just the second time in the Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner era that the team has held such an advantage in the postseason. The series now shifts to Ottawa for Games 3 and 4 on April 24 and 26, 2025.
Max Domi's journey to this moment has been anything but straightforward. After signing a one-year deal before the 2023-24 season and then re-signing for four more years, Domi faced a challenging 2024-25 campaign, finishing with just 33 points across 74 games. Yet, he has always shown resilience, working diligently on his skills, particularly his shot, during extra practice sessions with teammates like Tavares and development coach Patrick O'Sullivan.
"He works on his craft so much," said Mitch Marner, who has been a teammate of Domi's since their junior days. "He works hard. I'm very happy for him to get a goal (like that)." Domi's extra efforts clearly paid off in this crucial playoff moment, showcasing his ability to shine when it matters most.
The emotional weight of the moment was palpable, not just for Domi, but for the entire team. Morgan Rielly reflected on the significance of Domi's overtime goal, stating, "For him to have that moment in overtime here at home is extremely special for all of us. I can't imagine how he's feeling, but it's a big moment for our team, a big moment in this series."
As the Maple Leafs prepare for their next games in Ottawa, the excitement and anticipation are building. Brady Tkachuk, the Senators' captain, expressed confidence in his team despite the early series deficit. "We're looking forward to getting home," he said. "And honestly, there's not one ounce of panic."
The Battle of Ontario continues, and with the stakes higher than ever, both teams will be eager to assert their dominance in the next matchups. Fans can expect an electric atmosphere in Ottawa as the Senators look to bounce back and the Maple Leafs aim to extend their lead.
In a sport where family legacies run deep, Max Domi has etched his name into the Maple Leafs' history with a moment that will be remembered for years to come. The Domi family connection to the franchise adds another layer of intrigue to this already intense rivalry. As the series progresses, all eyes will be on Domi and the Maple Leafs to see if they can carry this momentum forward.
