In the biggest games, the best players are counted on to step up.
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ superstars had no problem doing so on Sunday night against the Ottawa Senators to open the NHL playoffs with a Battle of Ontario victory by a 6-2 margin.
The Big 4, as some have dubbed them, combined for three goals and six assists in the win.
Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander all found the back of the net themselves.
Marner and Auston Matthews each dished out two assists. Tavaras and Nylander each had one helper.
MORE: Maple Leafs-Senators somehow get 12 penalties on one play
All told, it was a quirkily dominant Maple Leafs showing against the Senators.
Ottawa actually outshot Toronto, 33-24. The Senators outhit Toronto, 56-30.
But the Maple Leafs in part took advantage of six power-play chances by converting three into goals. They killed both Senators man-advantage opportunities.
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The Senators finished the game with 36 penalty minutes, compared to 16 for the Maple Leafs.
Linus Ullmark made just 18 saves in net for Ottawa, while Anthony Stolarz made 31 stops for the Leafs.
Ottawa will get a chance to turn things around if it can keep five players on the ice.
But Toronto will head into the rest of the series feeling mighty dangerous. With its top players playing like some of the best in the world, the Maple Leafs will be tough to beat.
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