Photo credit: globalnews.ca
Senators Stave Off Elimination with Game 5 Victory
TORONTO – The Battle of Ontario continues as the Ottawa Senators refuse to be sidelined.
In a commanding performance, Linus Ullmark secured his first playoff shutout, making 27 saves while leading the Senators to a 4-0 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, narrowing their series deficit to 3-2.
Early in the game, Thomas Chabot and Dylan Cozens put Ottawa ahead 2-0. Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk further solidified the win with empty-net goals, as both Tkachuk and Stutzle notched two assists for a standout three-point night.
In contrast, Anthony Stolarz managed 15 saves for the Maple Leafs, who faced mounting pressure as they attempted to secure their place in the playoffs.
Historically, only four NHL teams have managed to emerge victorious after falling behind 3-0 in a series: the 1942 Leafs, 1975 Islanders, 2010 Flyers, and 2014 Kings.
Looking ahead, Game 6 is set for Thursday at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa.
Despite Toronto’s previous success against Ottawa, winning four out of five playoff matchups in the early 2000s, the team has struggled in potential series-clinching scenarios. Under the leadership of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, the Maple Leafs have now dropped to a disheartening 1-13 in such games since the 2018 playoffs, with their only win coming against the Tampa Bay Lightning two years ago.
The opening game of the series saw the Leafs overpower the Senators with a 6-2 win, followed by two back-to-back overtime victories that placed Toronto in a commanding 3-0 lead. However, the Senators broke through with their first playoff win since 2017 in a thrilling 4-3 overtime match on Saturday, offering renewed hope for their fans.
Ottawa ignited the scoreboard early in the second period, when Chabot’s point shot found its way through a crowd and past Stolarz, marking the defenceman’s first playoff goal.
As the game progressed, the Leafs displayed signs of disarray, a stark reminder of their past struggles, including a significant collapse in the 2021 playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens. The tension in Scotiabank Arena mounted as Toronto sought to regain their momentum. Ullmark showcased his skills with a crucial save against a close-range chance from Marner, while Senators forward Fabian Zetterlund came close to scoring, hitting the side of the net as Stolarz scrambled to recover.
A missed opportunity arose for the Leafs when Steven Lorentz failed to convert on a 2-on-0 breakaway with Calle Jarnkrok, leaving Toronto trailing.
Stolarz made a critical stop on Tkachuk early in the third period, keeping the Leafs in contention. The tide turned when Ridly Greig was penalized for an unnecessary tackle on Marner, leading to a power-play opportunity for Toronto. However, the Senators capitalized on the situation when Cozens scored a short-handed goal on a 2-on-1 play at 8:24, exploiting the Leafs’ five-forward setup.
As the clock wound down, Matthews found the post once again, echoing his earlier near-misses in the series. Stutzle ultimately sealed the deal with an empty-net goal with 2:51 remaining.
Earlier in the game, Ottawa almost capitalized on a chance when a puck was cleared off the goal line by Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly. John Tavares had a breakaway but was thwarted by Ullmark’s quick reflexes. Both teams had opportunities on the power play, but the momentum continued to sway.
In terms of player updates, Matthews managed to play despite taking a rest day prior to the game due to an undisclosed upper-body injury.
Notably, Senators forward Claude Giroux marked a significant career milestone, participating in his 100th playoff game. Previously part of the 2010 Flyers squad that overcame a 3-0 series deficit against the Boston Bruins, Giroux continues to add depth to the Senators’ lineup with a career total of 29 goals and 55 assists across playoff games.
Source
globalnews.ca