In the whirlwind of the NHL regular season, it’s easy for players to go unnoticed, even when they’re playing their hearts out. That’s been the case for Simon Benoit of the Maple Leafs. He’s not the guy who’s always in the spotlight, but he’s been solid as a rock on Toronto’s blue line this season.

In Game 2 and then again in Game 3 against the Ottawa Senators, Benoit is finally getting the recognition he deserves. He registered an overtime assist on Max Domi’s game-ending goal in that game. In Game 3, he scored the overtime winner—a moment that felt huge for him and was a perfect reward for all the hard work he’s put in.

A Huge Moment for Benoit

After the game, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube couldn’t hide his excitement. “It’s always great when a guy like that scores a big goal,” Berube said. He was thrilled to see Benoit grab a moment. “Benny’s been huge for us defensively. He’s hard to play against and does all the little things right, so it’s nice when guys like him get rewarded with a big goal.”

Benoit’s defensive play often goes unnoticed because it’s not flashy. He’s tough to play against, always blocking shots and doing the little things that keep the team solid defensively. But when the game was on the line in overtime, Benoit stepped up to score the game-winner. It was the perfect moment to put an exclamation mark on all the quiet work he’s doing during the regular season.

Benoit’s Season of Growth

Benoit’s season wasn’t without its bumps. He had a rough start, playing some and sitting some. He was in and out of the lineup. However, when he found his game, removing him from the lineup was hard. One reason is Benoit’s positive attitude. As he said after the game, he’s just having fun playing hockey.

Still, he’s worked on his game, and the learning curve has been high. Berube gets it.  “All players go through ups and downs,” Berube said. That said, “Benny stayed focused and kept working hard, which really paid off for him.”

Benoit’s journey wasn’t just about hockey. He faced personal challenges, too. He has recently adjusted to life as a new dad. But through it all, he stuck to his game. That’s being tough in the defensive zone, blocking shots, and doing the dirty work that the Maple Leafs need.

Benoit’s journey with the Maple Leafs has been about hard work, perseverance, and staying positive through all the ups and downs. After all the effort he’s put in behind the scenes, his overtime goal in Game 3 was a well-deserved moment in the spotlight.

Maple Leafs Need More Blue-Liners Like Simon Benoit

The Maple Leafs are fortunate to have a player like Benoit. He shows up every game and does the little things to help the team win. His growth this season shows that the players who don’t always get the headlines can still make the most significant impact when it matters most.

His overtime goal in Game 3 was the stuff of Maple Leafs history.

Related: Will Game 3 Define the Maple Leafs vs. Senators Series?