Mar 2, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center Max Domi (11) celebrates with the Toronto bench after scoring a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
On his 30th birthday, not only did Max Domi and the Toronto Maple Leafs earn a 6-5 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, but the now-30-year-old buried his first goal in 26 games – since December 20.
It was Domi’s fourth goal of the season as he opened the scoring against the Penguins just 2:15 into the first period. He now has four goals to go along with 20 assists and 24 points in 52 games this season.
“I’ve always said I don’t really care about scoring goals – that’s not why we play – but it was a huge win,” said Domi post-game.
Was it some added birthday luck?
Perhaps, but Domi believes the added help came from something far more meaningful than just a lucky bounce. It wasn’t the usual birthday wishes he might have expected – it was a call from the Great One himself.
“Last night, I got a call from Wayne Gretzky with my Pops, wishing me a happy birthday. I think that was probably the highlight,” explained Domi.
After finding the back of the net in Pittsburgh, Domi dedicated the goal to Gretzky.
“He said, ‘Make sure you shoot the puck; I’ll be watching tomorrow.’ A guy like that – Wayne Gretzky – is the greatest player of all time, and he’s why I play hockey. To get a call from a guy that is literally the best ever, on my birthday, was pretty special. And to pot one, even though it was a complete tap-in – that one was for him. “Super grateful, and like I said, he’s making me so proud to be Canadian,” he added.
Domi’s admiration for Gretzky is not only rooted in the Great One’s legendary playing career but also in the connection the two families have shared over the years. Off the ice, the Domi and Gretzky families have maintained a strong relationship, adding an extra layer of significance to the birthday call.
For the Leafs, it was another hard-fought win, adding to their recent success over the Penguins, with four wins in the last five meetings between the two teams.
“It’s always fun playing against a great player like Sid (Crosby) and Geno (Malkin). I think everyone gets up for the Penguins for that reason. So, it was a big win, ugly, but we found a way,” said Domi.
The club extended its win streak to five games and capped off a perfect four-game road trip. With the victory on Sunday, they improved to 8-1-0-0 in their last nine games, marking their second five-game win streak of the season.
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Knies found the back of the net for Toronto with 0.1 seconds left in the second period of Sunday's 6-5 overtime win in Pittsburgh.
The Leafs now hold a 38-20-2 record, with 78 points, sitting one point ahead of the Florida Panthers for the top spot in the Atlantic Division.
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