Domi: Leafs are 'just getting started'

Max Domi lived the Battle of Ontario as a kid when his father, Tie, was a Toronto Maple Leaf. He's enjoying it again, this time as a player.

"It's pretty good," Domi told Sportsnet's Kyle Bukauskas after scoring the overtime winner in Game 2. "But we're just getting started, so it's gonna feel even better as we go."

Domi downplayed his individual impact, rather pointing toward the team overall.

"Every night, there's a different hero in the playoffs," Domi told Bukauskas. "Doesn't really matter who scores, as long as we get the win. Obviously, it's a great play by (Simon Benoit). Shoot the puck, man, anything can happen."

Toronto took a 2-0 series lead over the Ottawa Senators with Tuesday's 3-2 victory. It's the first time the Maple Leafs have held a 2-0 advantage since the first round of the 2002 Stanley Cup playoffs against the New York Islanders. The Leafs lost the next two contests on Long Island in that series but ultimately advanced to the second round in seven games.

Domi is looking ahead to the upcoming contests as the series shifts to Ottawa.

"Those two games are behind us now," Domi told Bukauskas. "It's gonna be a real good test. (The Senators) are a heck of a hockey club, and they're gonna be hungry to play at home in front of their fans for the first time in a few years. They're gonna be buzzing. We gotta match their intensity."

Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly praised Domi's value and the importance of his goal.

"Every day is just a real privilege when you play with guys like (Domi)," Rielly said. "That's why this sport is special, you get to go into battle together, and you learn a lot about one another. Obviously, for him to have that moment in overtime here at home is extremely special for all of us. I can't imagine how he's feeling. A big moment for our team, a big moment in this series."

On the flip side of the matchup, Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk is keeping an even-keeled approach as the Senators return home down 2-0.

"There's not one ounce of panic, doubt in this locker room," Tkachuk said, according to TSN's Claire Hanna. "Just shows how much we're going to need this city, how much we're going to need the CTC to be buzzing. We're looking forward to getting home, and honestly, there's not one ounce of panic."

Senators head coach Travis Green liked what he saw from his group despite the loss and reiterated Tkachuk's sentiment.

"There's no reason to panic," Green said, according to TSN 1200. "We probably deserved a better fate, but that's part of playoff hockey."

Game 3 in Ottawa is Thursday at 7 pm ET.