The Ottawa Senators continued to make a strong push in the Battle of Ontario, defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0 in Game 5 of their first-round playoff matchup on Tuesday. With this victory, the Senators cut their series deficit to 3-2. A stellar performance by goaltender Linus Ullmark, who made 27 saves, marked the first playoff shutout of his career.
Early in the game, Thomas Chabot and Dylan Cozens secured a 2-0 lead for the Senators. Chabot scored his first-ever playoff goal at 3:46 of the second period with a point shot that found its way past Toronto's goaltender Anthony Stolarz. Cozens later added to the lead, scoring short-handed at 8:24, capitalizing on a 2-on-1 break. Ottawa sealed the game with empty-net goals from Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk, both of whom also contributed two assists for a three-point performance.
Despite a promising start in the series, the Maple Leafs struggled to find their rhythm against the resilient Senators. After taking an early 3-0 lead in the series, thanks to a 6-2 win in the opener and back-to-back overtime victories, Toronto now faces the pressure of potential elimination. The Leafs have a dismal record of 1-13 in possible series-clinching games during the Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner era, with their only win coming against the Tampa Bay Lightning two years ago.
Game 6 of this intense matchup is scheduled for Thursday at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, further raising stakes for the Maple Leafs as they seek to avoid becoming only the fifth team in NHL history to lose a series after leading 3-0.
The Senators' victory in Game 5 follows a hard-fought 4-3 overtime win in Game 4, which marked their first playoff victory since 2017. This victory has injected life into their playoff campaign, making it evident that they are not conceding the series without a fight. The Senators utilized a well-coordinated team effort, demonstrating effective offensive play and solid defense, amplified by Ullmark's outstanding goaltending performance.
As the game progressed, the tension mounted, especially as the Maple Leafs began to push for an equalizer. However, despite a flurry of opportunities, including a significant chance from Steven Lorentz on a 2-on-0 break, the Leafs were unable to capitalize. Ullmark's sharp saves and the Senators' defensive plays continually thwarted Toronto's attempts to regain control.
Throughout the clash, both teams experienced a variety of scoring chances, emphasizing the high stakes of postseason hockey. The Leafs briefly saw a power-play opportunity after Ridly Greig's penalty for tackling Mitchell Marner, but it was the Senators who struck during this period, further demoralizing the Leafs as Ottawa scored short-handed for the second consecutive game.
As excitement builds for the decisive Game 6, the Senators aim to continue their momentum and even the series while the Maple Leafs look to bounce back and close out the series. With the past history of playoff struggles looming over Toronto, the upcoming match promises to deliver high tension and critical plays, as both teams battle for their postseason lives.
