Well you know the saying, you’re not in trouble until you lose on home ice. With the series now 3-0, the Leafs are confident and the Sens are in trouble. The Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs have played a very intense 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff first-round series to this point. You know this by the fact the two most recent games took extra time to decide. It clearly shows that this Ottawa Senators group, led by captain Brady Tkachuk are close to really moving over the proverbial hump. However, the high-end skill of the Leafs is difficult to handle at the best of times. Isn’t it ironic, that it is a rugged defenceman, Simon Benoit, at 1:19 of overtime, who’s point shot finds its way in.
Leafs Lead Best-of-Seven Series Three-Games-to-None Over the Ottawa Senators
This has been a very tight series at times through the first three contests. The pace of the game isn’t necessarily faster. But everyone is necessarily finishing hits. There’s an element of not wanting to giveaway puck possession.
The Senators skate well and matchup strong against the Leafs. Tim Stutzle is a big part of that game for the Senators. However, this matchup is tilted in a way, given the obvious injury to Tkachuk. He took a cross-check in the lower back and immediately went to the dressing room. On the other hand, he was on full display when he did tie the game with just over eight-and-a-half minutes to go.
That’s really how close this series has been to this point. When the Sens battled back in Game 2 to tie the game at two-a-piece, the Sens had shifted the momentum of the entire series. Conversely, with Benoit’s winner tonight, just like Max Domi‘s on Tuesday evening, the series took two turns of dimes, but has shifted to the Leafs favour each time. Three times, if you consider their dominance in the 6-2 result from Game 1. The Leafs have been in control of the series, for the most part, since that time.
All the Leafs big name players have shown up thus far. If you look at the Core 4, along with Morgan Rielly, the Leafs are getting it done. Their best players have been better than Ottawa’s best players. Mitch Marner has also been firing on all cylinders for the Leafs. Just like the turnover on the point pass that led to Marner’s first goal in Game 1, it started early and hasn’t let up. He continued that with a nifty one-touch pass on Auston Matthews first of the postseason.
There’s Hope, Albeit Small in Sens Land
The Sens have virtually run out of chances. They needed Linus Ullmark to steal them one. Game 3 was probably that game, and the Sens goal scoring just couldn’t get it done. Big saves by Ullmark, such on that on Bobby McMann and William Nylander in the first period, were a sign he came to play.
In terms of players for Ottawa, Tim Stutzle is having a tough series at times. His speed showed through in Game 3 at the friendly confines. Maybe he can be a difference-maker, and help get the Sens back in this series on Saturday night. It isn’t likely, down three-games-to-none, but hey, it is the Leafs after all.
Ottawa knew they would be in tough in this series against the favourite Toronto Maple Leafs. However, they do have many positive takeaways. Even as they’re down three zip, and it is hardly the time for cliches.
One of the Sens positives has been their 5-on-5 play, even in the blowout of Game 1. If it wasn’t for three quick power play goals by the potent leaf offence, the game might have had a much different storyline. Game 2, where the Sens again fell behind, they were able to show strong resiliency, and battle back to force the extra frame. If not for a few plays working out differently, the results could have been much different in the series. It could’ve shifted it immensely.
For the Toronto Maple Leafs, when they have been successful, they have been playing a smart strategy. Additionally, they have been solid at executing their game plan. Head coach Craig Berube brings a well-designed playoff orientated game to the table. They have used the fact that their top-end talent has been executing on, as we know, a high level of eifficiency. Maybe that’s what Ottawa needs to get over the hump.
So far, for Toronto, it has been a winning formula with Anthony Stolarz between the pipes. They now have an opportunity to sweep the Sens. This has been a great learning experience for Ottawa, will they be quick enough under studies and battle back four straight? Unlikely, but for a team with Jake Sanderson, Brady Tkachuk, and Linus Ullmark, expect the unexpected. The series could be far from over.
Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers – Imagn Images
The post Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators Mid-Series Recap appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.