0:13 "SCOOOORES!! John Tavares! They finally caught lightning in a bottle!" CC sounded so emotional after this call because he knew it was historic.

7 years ago, John Tavares scored an 2OT goal against the Florida Panthers for the New York Islanders in game 6 of the first round, winning a playoff series for the first time in 23 years Tonight, John Tavares scored an OT goal against the TB Lightning for the Maple Leafs in game 6 of the first round, winning a playoff series for the first time in 19 years... how history repeats itself

He broke the Islanders playoff curse in 2016. Now he did it for Toronto in 2023.

I witnessed history today! The most loyal fans in hockey finally got rewarded after a generation of heartbreak.

I still shed a tear when I see this. I’ll never forget that day. The day the leafs broke the curse and the day I had my first Stella Artois. My dad, his friend and I went to our regular spot in Mississauga. We got a decent table that had a TV in view so we could watch the game. As per usual, we wore our jersey’s to support the leafs. We ordered dinner and watched the game. I remember gripping the table watching this game. I was so nervous. When it went into OT, I was praying for a win. When Tavares went to on to win the game for the leafs, I never actually saw the puck go in. All I saw was the white leaf jerseys raise their arms in pure happiness. I screamed “OH MY GOD” at the top of my lungs. The whole bar cheered and screamed. I hugged my dad with tears in my eyes and said “I’m having a Stella Artois”. I scared the crap out of my dad’s friend with my loud scream, but all was good. The owner of the bar, a fellow leaf fan, bought a round of shots for everyone, and I partook. After we finished, we drove my dad’s friend home, who lived in downtown Toronto. While driving, Scotiabank Arena, the CN Tower and every other building with RGB lights were blue in honour of the victory. It was so beautiful. When we dropped off my dad’s friend, we decided to drive along Front St, Bay St, and all the other downtown roads to see what was happening. You could tell that everyone was happy. People honking their horns celebrating, and even one guy in the back of a pickup truck waving a massive leaf flag driving up Bay St. I even rolled the window and yelled “Round 2 Baby” at the top of my lungs to a group of people in leafs attire. They cheered on in response as my dad honked the horn to join in with me. We continued along until we headed for home. I slept like a baby that night, full of pure happiness. The next day I woke up, woke my dad up, went to church to thank God, and then went downtown to St Lawrence Market for a pork back bacon on a bun sandwich. That they remains vivid in my mind. I will never forget it. I witnessed history that day. Heck, even the TTC tweeted that subway service will be slightly slower due to increased volumes after the game because of all the happy drunk people. I will forever be a leaf fan. Go leafs go!

I cannot believe this is even real rn. Congrats Leafs. Go Leafs Go!!

As an Avs fan, I was thrilled when we broke our second round curse last year. I can't imagine how good Leafs fans feel, it has to be a greater feeling. Enjoy it.

As a Blackhawk fan, I find great joy in this win for the Leafs. In 2009 the Hawks had no cups in my lifetime, by 2015 they had three.

With the way he’s played all series, it’s so awesome Knies got the primary assist

Congrats to Leafs and their fans. Can't wait to see Dangle's reaction.

As a Habs fan, I truly respect The Maple Leafs for that one! They battled soooo hard and they hunted for that playoff win for 19 years. They truly deserve it and I hope them the best for the rest of the playoffs!

I'm a Habs Fans but I'm also always happy when a canadian hockey teams wins a series. ❤

Finally a fresh team in the playoffs. This is exciting. As a habs fans, rooting for you in this playoffs!

Already a legendary goal, add it to the Leafs history books. So pumped for them. Amazing. They earned it after all of these years.

TIME TO CELEBRATE, LEAFS FANS! 🎉

you can tell how much pressure this team had by their reactions and celebration after the goal .... wicked finish and great commentary

No skin in the game really but.... this was a special, once in a lifetime magical goal to watch. You could see in real time John Tavares willing it. Sometimes it is just fated to be.

Congratulations to the Leafs and their fans. A long time coming. As a Flames fan who watched a disappointing season with Calgary, I really wanted Toronto to win this one. Enjoy it Leafs fans. It's your time.

Bruins fan here saying congrats to the Leafs. Trading for Ryan O'Rielly was huge. Samsanov was stellar in goal and this years Leafs proved they could win tough/close games unlike the past when they wilted. This years Leafs are hungry and focused and that is bad news for tomorrow's game 7 winner of the Bruins/Panthers series. Hard to believe the long dry spell this team had given their history, being an Original 6 team and their great fan base. Nice to see the celebration outside the arena.

I’m drunk af but I promise this this the greatest night of my life atm

As a Panthers fan, thank you Toronto for taking the Bolts down, and congrats on ending your playoff drought! Feels good to be the one Florida team still alive. Hopefully we’ll meet in the second round.

“They finally caught lightning in a bottle!” What an all time call by Chris Cuthbert.

Congrats to the Maple Leafs from a Vancouver Canucks fan! Cheers!

Watching from Sweden, 6 years of staying up til 4 am every single playoff game! Finally!!! It is DONE! Now I have even more sleepless nights of leaf hockey to look forward to! Go leafs go💙

leafs fans reliving this moment right about now

As a Boston fan I say to you leafs fans congratulations. Seriously. FINALLY! Now let's hope we meet you in the 2nd round. We're not doing so good right now 😢

As an avid leafs fan for the past 35 years, I can say that this feels really good

That kid knies on the ice for all 3 o.t winners

Too bad the camera man screwed up by recording Morgan Rielly skating instead of Tavares celebrating. :(

I am on my way to the Emergency room. My heart cannot take it. In absolute SHOCK - Signed a Leafs fan.

I live at Yonge/Charles. Can hear the party all the way up here.

As a bruins fan! Congratulations maple leafs well deserved 🤝🏻

I can watch this all day and night and not get tired of it! Enjoy the moment and let's get the next 12 wins!!

Way to go JT! Happy for you... Good job Leafs (Matthews was a force in this game) .From perhaps the very ONLY NYI fan that has never harboured bitterness against Tavares.

Bruins fan here, happy for the Leafs and their fans. Man, the reaction of Keefe and Dubas was awesome !! I can't imagine the pressure of coaching and GMing (and playing) in Toronto. If my B's can survive today it will be a corker of a series with the Leafs.

What a goal, Johnny Toronto for the series WIN.

I watch this til this very day and jus smile everytime man😢

legendary call on the goal

Bruins fan congrats to you guys

The signing of Samsonov looks pretty good right now. He deserves a lot of credit for the win.

THEY DID IT! GREAT GAME!

this is why commitment feels so good! finally congrats boys

Teenage leafs fans can finally enjoy a playoff series win. Congrats!!

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS VIDEO FOR SO LONG. THE LEAFS HAVE DONE IT!!!!!

What a sequence there by Tavares. He pretty much created that space and opportunity all by himself.

Not a leafs fan but boy am I happy for leafs nation!

Great series. Still got a lot of hockey boys. Let's go Leafs!!!!

Awesome feeling. Stress free now. Gives us all a few days to regroup and get ready for round 2. Go Leafs Go

🎉🎉 Tiempo de fiesta Toronto 🎉🎉

Amazing stack of players Finally a great win 💪🏆

good fight both sides TB did great, been waiting since 2004 for this. well done boys.

one of the biggest sensations in modern sports. The Toronto Maple Lrafs survived a first round in the play offs. A bit of miracle, can you smell it?

John Tavares, how cool was he...i think Coach saw that move coming.🎉🎉🎉

Lets goOOOOOOOO! 🍁😢 Feels good to be a stress free Leafs fan for a little bit, but theres still lots of hockey left. So proud of the boys tonight GLG!

Congratulations to the Toronto Maple Leafs and their fans for finally winning in the playoffs for the first time since 2004. The Captain, John Tavares coming through on the best goaltender in the league in Vasilevskiy. This was a great team effort to win this series and to win 3 games in Tampa Bay, all in OT. Toronto against either Boston or Florida is going to be a great series.

This is just unbelievable FINALLY ITS BEEN DONE. JUST SO HAPPY. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS GO LEAFS GO

Such a great effort great tenacious play. Hope every Leaf follows his example

i cried and almost passed out because of this... i waited so long.

The excited reactions of Keefe and Dubas and seeing the team truly celebrating a win piling on each other is amazing. Been waiting many years to see this.

I can’t wait to see Steve’s reaction. He’s been so miserable and I can’t wait to see a happy Steve Dangle at the end of a series

Way to go lads. Nice to get a good bounce once in a while. Continued success. G.L.G!!!

I'm a habs fan. But I have no problem being a temporary leafs fan! I'll say something I thought I would never say in my life. Go Leafs go! Bring back to cup to Canada!

Finally for now they gained a little respect. Now we just need Toronto and Edmonton too meet in the finals.

Wow, last time this happened, I was in grade 5! Thanks to the Lightning and their fans for a great series. Go Leafs!

Congrats Leafs-fans! Happy for ya!

Well played both team work

2 GREAT Canadian Captains giving it their all. Doesn’t get any better (Now that Captain Serious is without a team for 23/24 even tho he led the league in FO % Wins!)

Congrats Toronto!! Thanks for knocking out Tampa! Enjoy round 2! - an Avs fan

That was an amazing win

Excellent work video 🏑🏒💪👍♥️🌷

Outstanding performance

I'm a Leafs fan, and this was one day after my birthday! Best late birthday present I could ever ask for!

Amazing victory 🙌❤

The biggest congratulations leafs 18 years wow unbelievable I just don’t know what to say just wow and congratulations lotS and lots and lots of love From Canada 💙 🤍

Mathew Knies is busting his ass for this team. The guy creates magic.

JT was a ghost since game 2, but boy oh boy did he show up when it mattered! Lets GOOOOO!!!

Greatest night of my life.

Toronto just might build statue of Tavares just for that goal! Awesome to see them break the drought.

Torontooooo...Love from Slovenia❤

...so many youngins here so excited about the Leafs going to the 2nd round. I remember as a kid, they would do it often in the early 90's and 2000's. Players like Gilmour, Clark, Potvin, Sundin, Cujo, Belfour... I could go on and on about those great teams. I just want to see them win the cup. If they can make it past the next round, I think they will do it. I say that because I've been watching hockey long enough to know it's much harder to exit the first round today. Back then, it was 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, etc... That's the way it should be. Today it could be 2 vs 3 eliminating each other. But, I digress. Go Leafs Go!!!

19 years are a long time. People were either born, or graduated, or found a job, or got married, or given birth, or retired. Finally, the Leafs are in the second round!

thanks for spoiling the moment

Captain, my Captain.

Li don’t really like the leafs (fans) but seeing the coaches reaction, the GMs reaction I really can appreciate how much this franchise has been through and I can sympathize. I hope the leafs win.

so glad i was in toronto to see this, a moment ill never forget for the rest of my life

Brilliant performance 👏

Still get chills watching this

Was thinking of cappies prior winning goal to beat the clock and this time he did it with style🎉Congratulation's😊 and good luck in round #2!***

John Tavares and breaking Florida hockey fans' hearts with a series winning goal for a team that hasn't done so in 15+ years. Name a better duo.

Tavares worked for that one! AWESOME!!!

I screamed so loud when he scored this winning goal, my eyes got watery & i was so exited, i ran down the stairs and told the people in the living room what just happened... didnt really get a reaction from them, they just blew it off thinking I'm crazy.

Bill Burr: 'You could make the argument that Leaf fans are the best sports fans in the world." We're finally moving on, Leafs Nation!!

Already a legendary goal

My Golly!! The Leafs finally did it! And of course it’s JT that wins it

“Overpaid” “Why’d they Sign him?” “Dubas should be fired for getting Tavares” Is all erased as he scores their biggest goal in 20 years.

Talk about a Captain type play showing up at the exact right time. He was not trying to go back to Toronto for game 7 the way he held that puck, got it back & seemed to just will the puck in the net. 👏🏼

Mesmerizing❤

I WANT TO FEEL THIS AGAIN TONIGHT

YES!!!! YES YES YES!!!! WHAT A WAY TORONTO!!!! SO HAPPY FOR YOU GUYS!!!! WHAT A WAY TO WIN THE SERIES IN OT!!!! (Rangers fan)

what a nice pass too!