The Maple Leafs, Better Late Than Never, Finally Win a Playoff Round

The Maple Leafs celebrated after beating the Lightning in Game 6 on Saturday to advance to the second round of the N.H.L. playoffs. Toronto outscored Tampa, 23-21, in the evenly matched series.Credit...Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesTORONTO — The square outside the empty N.H.L. arena that is home to the Maple Leafs was jammed and jumping like a mosh pit on a damp, cold — even for the Canadian springtime — Saturday night.

Far south in Tampa, Fla., center John Tavares scored in overtime to end an excruciating stretch of playoff futility for the Maple Leafs. Kyle Dubas, the team’s general manager, who has long been criticized for persisting with his underachieving roster, exploded to his feet in his…