Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Domi, Rielly, Stolarz & Tavares

The emotional celebration carried even more weight knowing the family legacy tied to the franchise. Son Max is carving out his own chapter in Maple Leafs playoff history. Teammate John Tavares knitted both together: “Great for him, great for our team.”

Item One: Maple Leafs’ Blue Line and Veterans Leading the Way

Speaking of Tavares, he also had a big night with a goal and an assist. At the same time, blueliner Morgan Rielly added his second goal of the series, continuing the trend of Toronto’s defencemen jumping into the offence. The team’s rearguard has been a game-changer, causing matchup issues for the Senators.

Toronto’s power play struck early again—just 18 seconds into their first opportunity—when a Tavares pass deflected off Ottawa defenceman Nick Jensen and in. That opening goal was followed by Rielly’s goal, pushing the Maple Leafs to a 2-0 lead. They needed it.

Goaltender Anthony Stolarz stopped 26 shots and also delivered an extra edge. After being run by Ridly Greig in Game 1, he took the opportunity to give back in Game 2. With Greig “messing around” in the crease late in the second period, Stolarz rose up and absolutely leveled the Senators’ disturber. It was a moment not lost on his teammates and fired up the Maple Leafs bench.

Item Two: Stolarz Stands Tall as Maple Leafs Take 2-0 Series Lead

Stolarz was the best goalie on the ice again in Game 2. The 30-year-old was especially sharp in the second period, and needed to be. It was a horrible period for Toronto, with nothing going five-on-five. Without Stolarz’s key stops, his team would have lost this game. I wrote about the Maple Leafs winning ugly in yesterday’s post. The second period was about as ugly as it gets.

Even after a late defensive lapse forced overtime, it didn’t overshadow Stolarz’s game. The Senators tied the game with just over five minutes left in regulation after a Maple Leafs turnover deep in their zone, but their goalie held the fort until Domi’s game-winner.

Stolarz, who signed with the Maple Leafs in the offseason because he felt he might get this kind of chance in Toronto, is making the most of his opportunity. Two games in, he’s emerging as a difference-maker for a team aiming to end decades of postseason frustration. So far, so good.

Item Three: Domi Delivers OT Heroics to Lift Maple Leafs in Game 2

Domi’s game-winner has given his team a 2-0 series lead. Known more for his playmaking, he chose to shoot this time. He fired a rocket off the post and in after collecting a drop pass from defenceman Benoit. It was Domi’s first goal of the playoffs and a reminder of the offensive spark he can bring, even from the bottom six.

While he doesn’t always play big minutes, if he can continue to lift the team with this kind of timely contribution, he could become a key to a deep Maple Leafs run. Maple Leafs fans have to hope Domi gets a burst of confidence, allowing him to keep putting up needed secondary scoring. If so, the Maple Leafs’ forward depth could become a real postseason advantage.

Item Four: Rielly Heats Up in Postseason with Second Straight Goal

What’s with Rielly, who seemed to struggle during the regular season but is raising his game again in the playoffs? The veteran defenceman scored for the second straight game, continuing his strong start to the postseason. His partnership with Brandon Carlo seems to be a real help. Carlo’s stay-at-home defensive strength allows Rielly to jump into the team’s offence, where he thrives.

Rielly’s goal came on a textbook backdoor tap-in off a slick helper from William Nylander. After a regular season that saw him put up only 41 points in 82 games, Rielly has shifted gears in the playoffs. His offensive instincts have given the Maple Leafs an edge early in the series. Rielly continues to build his playoff legacy. His Game 2 goal ties him for the most postseason goals by a defenceman in franchise history.

Item Five: Tavares Stays Hot with Two-Point Night in Game 2 Win

Tavares continues to lead by example, scoring another goal and registering an assist against the Senators. The Maple Leafs’ former captain now has four points in the series’ first two games, anchoring Toronto’s top six with consistency and poise. He’s been consistently in the middle of the action in both games.

Tavares opened the scoring on the power play midway through the first period, firing a low-angle shot that deflected off a Senators defender and in. With 50 playoff points (25 goals) in 64 games, Tavares is again proving to be a reliable postseason gamer. His early offence has helped Toronto take firm control of the series heading into Games 3 and 4 in Ottawa.

What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?

With Tuesday’s overtime win, the Maple Leafs have taken a 2-0 series lead for the first time since 2002. It’s a strong start in their quest to move beyond the first round—and history is on their side. Toronto is a perfect 10-0 all-time when winning the first two games of a playoff series at home. It also marks the second time in the Matthews-Marner era that the team has opened the postseason with back-to-back wins.

Interestingly, the 2024 Battle of Ontario is historic. It’s the first playoff series between two Canadian teams led by U.S.-born captains, with Auston Matthews wearing the “C” for Toronto and Brady Tkachuk for Ottawa.

The series moves to Ottawa for Games 3 and 4, where the two teams meet on Thursday night. With the Canadian Tire Centre home crowd cheering them on, the Senators will be desperate to claw back into the series. On the other hand, the Maple Leafs will aim to keep their foot on the gas and put a stranglehold on this first-round series.