Tavares’ winner sparks Maple Leafs to first NHL playoff series win in 19 years

• Tavares' OT goal gives Maple Leafs series win over Lightning
• Toronto looking to break NHL's longest title drought (55 years)

John Tavares scored 4:35 into overtime, and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 on Saturday night for their first NHL playoff series win in nearly two decades.

The Maple Leafs won the best-of-seven matchup in six games, winning three times in overtime on the road and ending an 11-game losing streak in elimination games. They advanced in a series for the first time since 2004, a frustrating drought that included first-round exits each of the past six seasons.