Thanks to John Tavares‘ overtime winner, the Toronto Maple Leafs finally knocked the aging monkey off their backs.
With the win in Game 6 Saturday, the Maple Leafs eliminated the Tampa Bay Lightning and booked a spot in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
After six straight first-round-series losses, in addition to a qualifying-round loss in 2020, the Maple Leafs got past the opening round for the first time since the 2004 post-season.
Joe Nieuwendyk, Ed Belfour and the Leafs defeated the Ottawa Senators in seven games to advance to the 2004 Eastern Conference semifinals, where they bowed out in six games to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Auston Matthews opened the scoring for the Maple Leafs midway through the second period before Lightning captain Steven Stamkos brought the home team level early in the third period.
Tavares scored the series-clinching goal 4:35 into extra time.
The Maple Leafs now await the winners of the series between the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers. Game 7 in that series is set for Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and SN NOW.
