Maple Leafs' Oliver Ekman-Larsson takes ownership for Game 2 gaffe

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Oliver Ekman-Larsson took aim at the man in the mirror on Wednesday.

A gaffe by the veteran Maple Leafs defenceman — a drop pass behind the Leafs net that Max Domi couldn’t retrieve in time — resulted in the second Ottawa Senators goal in Game 2 on Tuesday, one that sent the game to overtime.

Before Domi could get to the puck, it was scooped up by Sens forward Tim Stutzle, who got it to Tyler Kleven at the point. Kleven’s shot was deflected by Adam Gaudette and Ottawa’s first shot of the third period hit the back of the Leafs net with just over five minutes remaining in regulation.

“I don’t think that’s Max’s fault,” Ekman-Larsson said. “I think I have to take the blame for that. That’s probably not a play that I should make at that time of the game. But I told him, ‘Hey, you better go and score now.’

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“That’s what this group does. We back up each other. It’s fun to see Maxie getting a goal there and a big one for us.”

Domi finished a terrific play when he fired a shot past Sens goalie Linus Ullmark at 3:09 of overtime, giving the Leafs a 3-2 victory and a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

“There are a few of us guys that are more local guys that could imagine that feeling,” Steven Lorentz said. “We’re all super happy for him. Benny made a great rush too.”

Domi, whose preference to pass is no secret, scored just eight goals in 74 regular-season games.

Said Calle Jarnkrok, tongue-in-cheek: “It was fun to see and fun to see (Domi) shoot for once too.”

tkoshan@postmedia.com

X: @koshtorontosun