MONTREAL — Max Domi has had the privilege of playing for three different original six NHL clubs, but this was the first time he wore a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey in a regular season game at Bell Centre.
He made the most of it by scoring a goal and adding an assist to help his club edge out a 3-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens, a club he spent two seasons with from 2018-20.
"It's so special, I think everyone loves coming to Montreal," Domi said after the game. "To me, the whole organization and the fanbase we're so awesome to me and my family. Two awesome years. I enjoyed every second of it.:
With his father, Tie, in attendance, Domi provided most of the offence for a team that hasn't produced much of it lately. Add to that a lower-body injury to Mitch Marner suffered on Thursday in a 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins, and no practice beforehand, Domi was shifted back to the wing to skate alongside captain John Tavares and Calle Jarnkrok.
Their chemistry was evident. Including Domi's goal that gave Toronto their first lead in the second period... A stretch pass that had him thinking football.
"That was like a Tom Brady pass from Jarny. It might have been like a Randy Moss kind of thing but I just took off," Domi said. "He’s such a smart player… Got a little lucky but we’ll take it."
After the Habs tied the game in the third period, Domi helped set up Tavares' game-winner.
Domi played his first game on the wing since moving to the center position in early November. Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe explained the shuffle of lines as he aimed to help fill the void in wing depth due to Marner's injury. It also created an opportunity for Tavares to move back into the top-six position after being demoted to the third line a couple of weeks ago.
Marner is day-to-day and some clarity on how long they'll be without their dynamic winger will come later in the week. If Domi ends up getting an extended run on the wing, he's fine with it.
"Whatever happens in the future, if we get put together again I’m sure it’ll be great but if not we’ll figure it out," Domi said. "There’s just chemistry in our whole locker now and that’s what you want. Guys are going to hurt. Guys are going to get suspended. Or sick. Whatever it could be. You got to be ready to jump in."
Domi's line was Toronto's best of the four on Saturday with an 81 percent expected goals rating at 5-on-5, according to NaturalStatTrick.com.
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