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Leafs eliminate Lightning in Game 6, advance to 2nd round for first time since 2004

For the first time since 2004, the Toronto Maple Leafs have advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 to win their first-round series in six games.

John Tavares scored the series-winning goal in overtime as his shot deflected off Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh’s skates and into the net four minutes and 36 seconds into the extra period.

Auston Matthews opened the scoring during the second period, wiring a one-timer off a feed from TJ Brodie past Andrei Vasilevskiy and the Maple Leafs took a 1-0 lead into the second intermission.