Chris Tanev of the Maple Leafs enjoys home city Playoffs against Ottawa

Key Highlights:
-The Maple Leafs beat Detroit 4-3 in OT.
-Chris Tanev is ready for the playoffs in his hometown.
-The Leafs face the Senators on April 20 at 7 p.m.
As the clock ticked to the end of the regular season, Toronto Maple Leafs fans were exhilarated from within their homes, for within that moment, the team orchestrated a dramatic overtime win against the Detroit Red Wings. For Chris Tanev, defenseman for the team, home now became a broader term as the memory of the match and the outcome will now define what was long overdue for him — a playoff run finally in his hometown. The Maple Leafs are already in play with their first opponents, the Ottawa Senators, promising to be one for the ages in what qualifies to be another Battle of Ontario, for the record, top of the Atlantic Division and certainly not under 52 wins, 26 losses, and 4 ties for the 2011-12 regular season.

Chris Tanev was finally getting the opportunity to embrace everything about playoff hockey in Toronto, and he could hardly contain himself. Living all those years in the city, he has simply watched all the excitement around that big square called Maple Leafs Square and felt the pulse of the city during playoff time. Now, he finds himself in the center of it- not just a fan but one of the key players in the whole thing. Reflecting on the series to come, Tanev declared Toronto the "Mecca of hockey" and was highly excited about facing Ottawa in the first round.

Toronto brought the drama. The Leafs came up with a goal in the final minute, then two more in overtime, stealing a game against Detroit by the score of 4-3. Myers and Tanev, who equalized with just two seconds left in regulation, scored the goals. Scott Laughton sealed the win just 56 seconds into overtime, completing the turnaround.

The team's depth showed well as Auston Matthews and Philippe Myers also found the back of the net. Goaltender Joseph Woll made 31 stops, as the Detroit attack was led by Alex DeBrincat, Austin Watson, and Justin Holl. Tanev, who tallied in this match, summed up the contest and what lies ahead in one sentence: the regular season is done- it's now a real tough one.
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April 20 ushers in the beginning of the postseason, and the Leafs will once again set their sails in a pursuit toward a deeper run, which will be crucial in terms of Chris Tanev's coming-of-age leadership, showcasing both on and off the ice. With this keeping pace with his hometown team, there aren't going to be so many eyes on this defender and his team to rise to the moment.