Here are five takeaways from the Maple Leafs’ victory over the Senators

• All that will be remembered from this game down the line will be Max Domi’s overtime winner, as he took a drop pass from Simon Benoit off the rush, cut through the middle of the ice and ripped home a shot off the post and in, then wheeled away in celebration. Domi struggled badly throughout the contest otherwise, marked by some miscommunication with Oliver Ekman-Larsson on Adam Gaudette’s game-tying goal: Ekman-Larsson dropped the puck behind the net, with Domi already committing to the other side of the ice, and the Senators equalized. Domi turned the puck over twice, Robertson took an untimely high-sticking penalty which directly led to Brady Tkachuk’s power play goal, and Bobby McMann hasn’t been able to find any momentum through two games. The line finished with a 31.5 percent share of the expected goals in just under seven minutes together at 5-on-5 via Natural Stat Trick. I would’ve suggested that Scott Laughton should’ve replaced Domi on the third line, and some would’ve suggested that Domi should be benched. Domi made fools of the pundits in overtime, and while there’s plenty to improve upon, his overtime goal is all that matters as the Maple Leafs take a commanding 2-0 series lead.
• The primary reason why the Leafs are up 2-0 is Anthony Stolarz, who once again outplayed Linus Ullmark. Stolarz was terrific when called upon, and he made several great stops throughout the night, robbing Dylan Cozens on several occasions. He was cool, calm and composed for the most part, but he also took matters into his own hands when Ridly Greig wandered too far into the crease. Stolarz won’t back down from a challenge, you can hear him barking out instructions to the defencemen, and he’s using his huge frame to great advantage throughout the series. It’s also worth mentioning that his rebound control was much better in Game 2, and there were no extraneous chances for the Senators to jam away at. Stolarz wasn’t at fault for either Senators goal, and he remains unbeaten in his past 10 starts dating back to the regular season. As for Ullmark, he was better in Game 2, but he still saved -1.27 goals above expected in all situations, and Stolarz has been clearly superior to start the series. He may not be the elephant in the Senators’ room, but he’s also been nowhere close to the Vezina form he exhibited two seasons ago, and he’ll need to be at his best if this series is going past the weekend.
• Auston Matthews hasn’t scored in the first two games, but he’s doing all the small things well while driving the first line. Matthews was terrific defensively, he pushed himself into high-danger areas offensively, he won several puck battles, while going 15-of-21 in the faceoff circle. Toronto controlled 65 percent of the expected goals when Matthews was on the ice at 5-on-5, and he was a tremendous force, while Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies were tenacious throughout the evening. Marner hit the post early in the first period, and drew a secondary assist on John Tavares’ first-period goal, which gave the Leafs a 2-0 lead. Toronto’s dynamic winger was getting pucks to the net front, and Marner and Knies were both excellent on the penalty kill. It was a strong performance from Toronto’s first line, and when Matthews inevitably starts lighting up the scoresheet, this Maple Leafs team may have another gear in store.
• Morgan Rielly has been terrific throughout the first two games of the series. Rielly scored the game’s opening goal, as William Nylander’s cross-ice pass hit him in the skate, there was no kicking motion, and the Leafs took an early lead. It clearly had an effect on his overall play as Rielly was outstanding in rush scenarios, he facilitated easy exits, he blocked three shots, and Toronto outshot Ottawa 12-3 when he was on the ice at 5-on-5, finishing with a game-best 72.75 percent share of the expected goals. Brandon Carlo is allowing Rielly to play to his full capabilities and it’s paying off, as Rielly has goals in consecutive games and is playing well above the level he showed for the majority of the regular season. Tuesday marked two years to the date since Rielly scored an overtime winner in Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Playoff Rielly is all the way back.
• Although their efficacy waned during the latter two periods in regulation, John Tavares was a force to be reckoned with throughout the contest. Tavares, Nylander and Pontus Holmberg out-chanced the Senators 7-0 during the first period, and put the Senators on their heels. Tavares scored on the power play when he banked a shot off Nick Jensen and in to cap off an outstanding opening frame, and he’s truly elite at getting to the dangerous areas of the ice. Holmberg also earned his minutes on the second line, getting pucks to the net, extending plays, and he drew a key penalty on Artem Zub, where Tavares immediately capitalized. It doesn’t appear as if Berube is going to make any adjustments going into Game 3, as Holmberg is playing stellar playoff hockey in this role, alongside his star linemates.

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