Maple Leafs legend Tie Domi ecstatically celebrates son Max Domi's poetic Game 2 overtime winner against Senators

As the Toronto Maple Leafs are having their way with the Ottawa Senators in a playoff series once again — the first post-season matchup between the two Highway 401 rivals in 21 years — fans of both sides must feel like they've entered a time machine. Especially with another dude named "Domi" doing some big-time damage.

For Sens fans, it's been a nightmare start to the Battle Of Ontario reboot. But for lovers of the Blue and White Leafs, the vibes couldn't be better as the series shifts back to the Nation's Capital with the Buds holding a 2-0 series lead.

The Maple Leafs and Senators have met four times in the playoffs during a five-season span from 2000 to 2004, with the Leafs emerging victorious in each and every series.

Even amongst the big names in Maple Leafs lore like Mats Sundin, Gary Roberts, Darcy Tucker, Curtis Joseph, Ed Belfour and others, Leafs legend Tie Domi remains one of the most popular Toronto athletes of that era. Not necessarily for his ability to put the puck in the net, but rather his aptitude for putting bodies to the ice.

But on Tuesday it was another Domi, Tie's son, Max, who played hero for the Maple Leafs — just less than two decades after his father played his final game for the franchise. It couldn't be more poetic for Leafs fans as the younger Domi picked up a drop-pass at the top of the circle from Toronto defenceman Simon Benoit, cut to the middle of the ice and, after a couple nifty moves, ripped one of the blocker-side posts and went in for a thrilling overtime-win, to give Toronto the 2-0 series lead.

Getting the goal in, in just his second playoff game versus the Senators as part of the Leafs franchise, Max also tied his father's scoring output of one (1) goal from his 24 "Battle of Ontario" playoff games in the early-mid 2000's.

For the elder Domi, his son's electric tally from Game 2, will likely remain etched in memory for decades to come. Tie looked like he was absolutely ecstatic after Max tickled the twine to end it in overtime and give Toronto its first 2-0 series lead since way back in 2002.

The jubilation shown by both Tie and Max following the overtime snipe was as raw, real, and authentic as it gets, but the younger Domi was quick to downplay the moment — at least publicly — as he credited his teammates for putting him in the position to succeed.

He appeared to be selfless like his father, who was known to stand up for his teammates at the drop of a hat during his playing days, albeit in a more "fist-full" manner.

“Every night there’s a different hero in the playoffs, doesn’t really matter who scores as long as you get the win,” Max said postgame. “Obviously, it was a great play by Benny [Benoit]. Shoot the puck, anything can happen.”

Though Max downplayed what the goal meant to him, the enormity of the moment was not lost on his teammates.

“You couldn’t be happier for him. He’s worked his ass off all year. For us, he’s a great two-way player. He’s a helluva teammate in the room. And to see someone like that get rewarded, hopefully it’s the start of something big for him this playoffs," said Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz after Game 2.

Toronto blueliner Morgan Rielly also couldn't contain his excitement for his teammate as he praised Domi after the game, calling it a “privilege” to play alongside Max.

“For [Domi] to have that moment in overtime here at home is extremely special for all of us. I can’t imagine how he’s feeling. But it's a big moment for our team, a big moment in this series. And, you know, he’ll downplay it in terms of what he was able to do for us tonight, but ultimately, it’s a huge play,” Rielly said.

For fans, the Game 2 winner was a chance to reminisce and reflect on how much both, Tie and Max Domi, mean to the Maple Leafs franchise, while embracing how cool it is to see the younger Domi following in his father's footsteps.