Max Domi doesn’t care how many times he scores throughout the season, he just wants to help the Toronto Maple Leafs win hockey games.
Domi potted his first of the season against the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday, and while you’d think he’d relish getting over the proverbial hump by finding the back of the net, he told reporters postgame that it’s not going to change the way he approaches each and every contest.
“It doesn’t change anything,” Domi said.
“A win’s a win. Massive win, obviously coming from behind, it’s not easy against a team like that. Got to give them credit, they come out flying. So, felt good to get back into it, obviously a huge win.”
It took Domi 23 games to get his first goal of the season, a year after it took him 22 games to score his first in 2023-24. Domi hasn’t been the only bottom-six forward having issues finding the scoresheet, as his linemate Nick Robertson has also struggled this season. Both Domi and Robertson scored on Sabres netminder Devon Levi on Sunday, as the duo, along with Bobby McMann made up Craig Berube’s third line against Buffalo, and had a huge impact to spark the Maple Leafs’ comeback.
“He looked great, played awesome,” Domi when asked about seeing Robertson also score. “Bobby was awesome too, I think the three of us as a line kind of talked, and decided that obviously our strength is speed and skating. All three of us tried to do that to the best of our abilities, and obviously both of those were obviously flying tonight.”
The Leafs’ newfound third line contributed two goals and six points against the Sabres, giving Toronto some much-needed secondary scoring. Berube was clearly impressed with the McMann-Domi-Robertson trio, and it could inform Wednesday’s lineup.
“They played excellent. I thought that they were way more engaged with their physical play, and how they won puck battles. They did a really good job, that line was excellent tonight.”
Berube and company are hopeful the line continues to click, with the Maple Leafs getting a few days of rest before facing off against the Dallas Stars on the road Wednesday.