In the high-stakes environment of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, every goal is vital. Teams must capitalize on every scoring opportunity.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have long desired offensive contributions from their defensive players. They achieved just that at critical moments during Game 1 against the Ottawa Senators.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson initiated the scoring for Toronto in the first period, netting a goal with a well-placed wrist shot past Senators` goalie Linus Ullmark.
Later, after the Senators narrowed Toronto`s lead to 4-2 in the third period, Morgan Rielly answered back with his first goal of this year`s post-season.
These two goals from defensemen in a single game already exceed the Maple Leafs` total defensive goals from their entire playoff series against the Boston Bruins last season.
It`s also noteworthy that this is the first time the Leafs have had multiple defensemen score in a single playoff game since a 2001 Eastern Conference semifinal matchup against the New Jersey Devils, ending a drought of 106 post-season games.
Generating offense from the blue line has been a challenge for the Leafs throughout the regular season. They ranked at the bottom of the NHL in defenseman scoring with only 21 goals.