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Senators Continue Strong Play with Victory Over Maple Leafs

TORONTO – In a thrilling matchup on Saturday, goaltender Linus Ullmark took to the ice mid-way through the second period, but moments later found himself flat on his stomach after an unfortunate mistake. This blunder allowed Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews to score into an empty net, yet the Ottawa Senators showcased resilience in their response.

Amid a season where they have faced challenges, head coach Travis Green has emphasized focusing on the present. This approach appears to be paying off, as the Senators recovered quickly and pushed for a significant playoff push.

Ullmark later redeemed himself, delivering an impressive performance with 21 saves in a 4-2 victory against Toronto, marking the Senators’ sixth consecutive win and a clean sweep over their provincial rival this season.

“I gotta work on my dangles a little bit,” Ullmark jokingly commented on his earlier mishap, reflecting his lighthearted approach to the game. “Not a good toe-drag.”

Following his slip-up, Ullmark remained solid, making critical stops, including two against John Tavares late in the game, and effectively managing a Leafs power play during the third period.

Coach Green downplayed the significance of Ullmark’s error, stating, “Really didn’t affect anyone. That’s something we’ve talked about all year. Whether it’s after a game or during a game, don’t change things just because they’re not going exactly how you want if you’re playing well.”

Shortly after the Maple Leafs’ initial goal, David Perron leveled the score at 2-2, and Claude Giroux secured the win with a power-play goal, benefiting from a deflection off Toronto defenseman Chris Tanev.

Dynamic Performance from the Senators

Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson emphasized the team’s versatility: “We’re finding different ways to win. We can play a skill game, we can play a tough game. We’re ready for anything.”

After a prolonged rebuilding period since reaching the Eastern Conference Final in 2017, the Senators seem to have turned the corner. Green, who took over the coaching role last May, stressed the importance of focusing on the present rather than past struggles. “The past is what it is. You live in the present, think about tomorrow, and learn from what happened today. We’ve done a good job,” he remarked.

Currently, Ottawa occupies the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, sitting just four points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Atlantic Division. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs fell to third, hindered by the Lightning’s superior number of regulation wins.

Sanderson cautioned that despite their strong position, the team must remain grounded: “The standings are tight. But at the same time, we can’t get too high, we can’t get too confident. Just focus on the next task.”

Ullmark, in his inaugural season with Ottawa, expressed that the team feels less complacent with their recent success compared to prior stretches. “I’m just happy to contribute,” he said. “It’s been a fun ride so far.”

Focus Amid Trade Rumors

Prior to the game, Mitch Marner addressed the media for the second time since reports emerged that the Leafs had approached him to waive his no-movement clause for a potential trade involving star winger Mikko Rantanen. Ultimately, Rantanen was traded to the Dallas Stars, where he secured an eight-year, $96-million contract extension.

Reflecting on the situation, Marner stated, “Hockey-wise, it’s nothing. I’m just out here playing hockey with these guys, and I’m enjoying that.”

A New Chapter for Cozens

In a notable trade on deadline day, Ottawa acquired center Dylan Cozens from the Buffalo Sabres, in exchange for fellow center Josh Norris. The 24-year-old expressed his excitement about playing in Canada: “I always wanted to play in Canada at some point. I’m happy to be here.”

When asked why playing in Canada was important to him, Cozens simply replied, “Because I’m Canadian. It makes me want to play in Canada a little more … I couldn’t be happier.”

As the season progresses, the Senators aim to build on their recent momentum and maintain their focus as they push for a playoff spot.

Source
globalnews.ca