'I'm Not Used To It, That's For Sure': Simon Benoit Embracing Attention After Maple Leafs Overtime Contributions Against Senators

As time passed after Simon Benoit's overtime-winner for the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 3 against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, his phone continued filling up with messages cheering him on.

The 26-year-old has played an integral role in Toronto's last two overtime goals. In Game 2, the defenseman intercepted a puck in the Maple Leafs' end before jumping up in the rush and finding Max Domi, whose goal gave Toronto a 2-0 series lead.

48 hours later, Benoit found himself in an identical position: on the ice during a decisive moment in overtime.

Auston Matthews won the faceoff back to Benoit, who fired a shot through an assemblage of players in front of Ottawa's net. Benoit's shot found its way to the net, beating Linus Ullmark and putting Toronto up 3-0 in the series.

SIMON BENOIT! OVERTIME WINNER! 🚨

THE LEAFS ARE UP 3-0! pic.twitter.com/fCxQ7iSlBS

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) April 25, 2025

"I don't score much goals, so I would say yeah," said Benoit after Game 3, when asked if it's the biggest goal of his life. The second-biggest goal of his life? "Probably peewee or something," he added with a smile.

"It's fun. In the playoffs, it's not always the same guys. It's fun when other guys get a good goal because it's so hard to score in the playoffs, so getting that goal was pretty exciting."

'I Don't Score A Lot Of Goals': Leafs Take 3-0 Series Lead As Simon Benoit's Heroics Put Senators on the RopesKANATA, Ont. — After scoring the Toronto Maple Leafs' game-winning overtime goal against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, Simon Benoit took the news conference podium and was asked if it was the biggest goal of his life?

What's it been like for Benoit — and his phone — throughout the days following his overtime-winning goal?

"A couple [messages], that's for sure," he laughed on Saturday morning.

"A lot of people support me, which I really appreciate, and it means a lot to me. It’s fun to see that old teammates, old coach, old friends, they still keep track of what you’re doing out there, so it’s fun."

When asked if he had a favorite message from the loads that he received, Benoit said, "They’re all good. It’s all good. All love."

Nick Cousins, Senators Issued Fines For ‘Unsportsmanlike Conduct’ In Game 3 Warmups Against Maple LeafsThe NHL has officially handed out disciplinary fines following a pre-game incident in Game 3 of the Battle of Ontario first-round playoff series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators.