John Tavares’ overtime winner gives Maple Leafs first playoff series win since 2004

John Tavares scored 4:35 into time beyond regulation, and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 on Saturday evening for his or her first NHL playoff sequence win in almost 20 years.

The Maple Leafs gained the best-of-seven matchup in six video games, successful thrice in time beyond regulation on the street and ending an 11-game dropping streak in elimination games. They superior in a sequence for the primary time since 2004, a irritating drought that included first-round exits every of the previous six seasons.

The loss, in the meantime, ends Tampa Bay’s run of three consecutive appearances within the Stanley Cup Closing. The Lightning gained back-to-back championships in 2020 and 2021, however they misplaced to the Colorado Avalanche in six video games final yr.

Auston Matthews additionally scored for the Maple Leafs, beating Andrei Vasilevskiy from the highest of the appropriate circle at 13:47 of the second interval. Tavares added the winner, which trickled previous the Lightning goalie after showing to deflect off a defender’s skate.

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Toronto Maple Leafs heart John Tavares (91) celebrates with defenseman Luke Schenn (2) after Tavares scored the game-winning towards the Tampa Bay Lightning throughout time beyond regulation in Sport 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Tampa, Fla.  (AP Photograph/Chris O’Meara)

Steven Stamkos scored for Tampa Bay, which a yr in the past rallied from 2-1 and 3-2 sequence deficits to get rid of Toronto within the first spherical in seven video games.

Two nights after stopping 28 pictures to fend off elimination and trim Toronto’s sequence result in 3-2, Vasilevskiy was on prime of his recreation once more.

The Toronto Maple Leafs rejoice their win over the Tampa Bay Lightning throughout time beyond regulation in Sport 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Tampa, Fla.  (AP Photograph/Chris O’Meara)

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Toronto goalie Ilya Samsonov was simply pretty much as good, holding Tampa Bay scoreless till Stamkos positioned himself completely in entrance of the web to knock in a rebound at 4:19 of the third interval.

Samsonov completed with 31 saves. Vasilevskiy stopped 20 of twenty-two pictures.

Toronto Maple Leafs heart John Tavares (91) celebrates with proper wing Mitchell Marner (16) after Tavares scored the game-winning objective towards the Tampa Bay Lightning throughout time beyond regulation in Sport 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Tampa, Fla.  (AP Photograph/Chris O’Meara)

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BUNTING RETURNS

Toronto ahead Michael Bunting returned to the lineup for the primary time since he was suspended for 3 video games for an unlawful examine to the pinnacle and interference towards Tampa Bay defenseman Erik Cernak throughout Sport 1. He was eligible to return for Sport 5, however coach Sheldon Keefe select to go along with the identical lineup for the fourth straight recreation. Cernak has not performed for the Lightning because the sequence opener.