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Senators Face Tough Loss in Overtime Against Maple Leafs
TORONTO – The Ottawa Senators faced a familiar set of challenges in their second playoff match against the Toronto Maple Leafs, reminiscent of their struggles in the opening game of the series. Despite a notable recovery after the first intermission that led the game to overtime, the Senators were unable to score and fell 3-2 in a hard-fought contest, putting the Maple Leafs ahead 2-0 in this best-of-seven series.
“I really liked the way we played tonight,” remarked Senators head coach Travis Green. “It was a big step for our group.”
After suffering a significant 6-2 defeat in Game 1, Ottawa appeared lackluster and defensive in the opening period of the rematch, with goaltender Linus Ullmark struggling early on by conceding two goals on the first four shots fired by the Maple Leafs.
Morgan Rielly set the tone for Toronto’s offense by scoring at 3:43. Shortly after, John Tavares took advantage of a power-play situation to extend the lead to 2-0 just 18 seconds after Senators defenseman Artem Zub received a tripping penalty.
However, the Senators found their rhythm in the second period, displaying greater energy and tenacity. Ridly Greig effectively agitated the Maple Leafs, and a fortuitous moment occurred at 15:41 when Brady Tkachuk’s backpass inadvertently deflected off Brandon Carlo’s skate and slid into the net. This goal rejuvenated the Ottawa squad.
Ottawa maintained pressure throughout, culminating in Adam Gaudette’s goal at 14:47 of the final period, tipping in a shot from Tyler Kleven to even the score and quiet the raucous Toronto crowd.
“I don’t think they had many grade-A chances,” Tkachuk commented. “It was a tight checking game, and it comes down to overtime.” He acknowledged the unpredictability of playoff hockey, where critical moments can hinge on fortunate bounces.
In the stats department, Ottawa outshot Toronto 28-21 and led with 44 hits to Toronto’s 25. However, the Maple Leafs excelled in blocking shots, managing an impressive 32 to the Senators’ mere 6.
“We spent a lot of time in their zone,” Green observed. “We give their team credit; they blocked a lot of shots. It’s typical playoff hockey. But to play a road game like that was very encouraging for our team.”
Looking ahead, the Senators recognize the uphill battle they face as the series transitions to the Canadian Tire Centre for Games 3 and 4. Historically, Ottawa has struggled in playoff series from this position, holding a 0-9 record after falling behind 0-2. In contrast, Toronto has an unblemished record of 10-0 in best-of-seven series after taking the first two games at home.
“We’re excited to play in front of our fans,” Gaudette stated. “We have a loud building, and it’s going to be tough for them to come in and play.”
If necessary, a fifth game will take place on April 29 in Toronto. As the Senators gear up for their next challenge, they remain optimistic about their performance and potential for a strong rebound.
Source
globalnews.ca