John Tavares scored 4:35 into overtime, and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 on Saturday night for their first NHL playoff series win in nearly two decades.
The Maple Leafs won the best-of-seven matchup in six games, winning three times in overtime on the road and ending an 11-game losing streak in elimination games. They advanced in a series for the first time since 2004, a frustrating drought that included first-round exits in each of the past six seasons.
Meanwhile, the loss ends Tampa Bay’s streak of three straight appearances in the Stanley Cup Final. The Lightning won back-to-back championships in 2020 and 2021, but lost to the Colorado Avalanche in six games last year.
Auston Matthews also scored for the Maple Leafs, past Andrei Vasilevskiy from the top of the right circle at 13:47 of the second half. Tavares added the winning shot, which went past the Lightning goalie after he appeared to deflect a defender’s skid.
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Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (91) celebrates with defenseman Luke Schenn (2) after Tavares scored the game-winning goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during overtime in Game 6 of a series of NHL hockey Stanley Cup first round playoffs on Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Steven Stamkos scored for Tampa Bay, which a year ago rallied from 2-1 and 3-2 series deficits to eliminate Toronto in the first round in seven games.
Two nights after stopping 28 shots to avoid elimination and cut Toronto’s series lead to 3-2, Vasilevskiy was at the top of his game again.
The Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate their victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning during overtime in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first round playoff series on Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
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Toronto goalie Ilya Samsonov was just as good, holding Tampa Bay scoreless until Stamkos positioned himself perfectly in front of the net to grab a rebound at 4:19 of the third period.
Samsonov finished with 31 saves. Vasilevskiy saved 20 of 22 shots.
Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (91) celebrates with right wing Mitchell Marner (16) after Tavares scored the game-winning goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during overtime in Game 6 of a series of playoffs of the first round of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup on Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
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ROUNDS OF THE PENNANT
Toronto forward Michael Bunting returned to the lineup for the first time since being suspended for three games for an illegal head check and interference against Tampa Bay defenseman Erik Cernak during Game 1. He was eligible to return. for Game 5, but coach Sheldon Keefe elects to go with the same lineup for the fourth straight game. Cernak hasn’t played for the Lightning since the series opener.