- 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs
In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, scoring is hard to come by, and teams need to capitalize on every opportunity.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have long desired offensive contributions from their defense, and they received just that at critical moments in Game 1 against the Ottawa Senators.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson opened the scoring for Toronto in the first period with a wrist shot that beat Linus Ullmark.
After the Senators narrowed the Maple Leafs` lead to 4-2 in the third period, Morgan Rielly responded with his first goal of the postseason.
With two goals from defensemen, Toronto exceeded their total from last season`s playoff series against the Boston Bruins.
The Maple Leafs had also not seen multiple defensemen score in a single playoff game since the 2001 Eastern Conference Semifinal against the New Jersey Devils, a stretch of 106 post-season games.
Offensive production from the blue line was an area of struggle for the Maple Leafs this season, as they were last in the NHL with only 21 goals from defensemen.
