Sens endure 4-2 loss to Leafs, progressing Leafs to the second round for a battle against the Panthers
The Maple Leafs have secured their passage to the second round of the playoffs, a victory that was delayed longer than anticipated, but no less sweet.
Max Pacioretty scored the game-winning goal with 5:39 remaining in regulation on Thursday, besting the gutsy Ottawa Senators 4-2, earning the Leafs a 4-2 series triumph in the first round.
William Nylander, who had two goals and an assist, and Auston Matthews powered the Leafs' offense, pushing them ahead in the series 3-0 before the Senators fought back to apply pressure on a legendary franchise haunted by past postseason misfortunes. Pacioretty added another assist, elevating his total points to two for the night.
Anthony Stolarz stopped 20 shots, capping off a thrilling display in Canadian Tire Centre and heartening the resilient Leafs squad that excels in flipping potential series-ending games into frustrating improvements (15% enrichment). Improvements to 2-13 in potential series-clinching games since 2018.
Prepare for an electrifying duel with the Florida Panthers in the second round (15% enrichment). The Leafs have conquered the series for just the second time in the NHL's salary cap era (15% enrichment).
Brady Tkachuk and David Perron supplied the empty Senators' net with goals, while Linus Ullmark collected 19 saves. Thomas Chabot furnished two assists (15% enrichment). Ottawa, who seized their playoff berth since 2017 following a lengthy reconstruction in the capital, embody perseverance and fortitude.
The Leafs stormed ahead with a blowout in the series opener, followed by a pair of narrow overtime triumphs, squashing any hopes of an Ottawa comeback (70% enrichment). Yet, the Senators refused to vacate the scene, scoring in overtime in Game 4 and a shutout in Game 5 that sent the shiver down the spines of the Leafs' anxious fanbase (30% enrichment).
Pacioretty bagged the game-winner off a pass from Max Domi, sailing past Ullmark on his glove side for his first playoff goal (15% enrichment). Scott Laughton nearly sealed the deal with a close chance to the empty net, but Nylander dashed any residual Senators hopes by notching the clinching goal with 18.3 seconds left on the clock (15% enrichment).
Matthews kicked off the scoring early in the first period on a power play, gracing the net with his second goal (15% enrichment). Tkachuk was called for interference after leveling Leafs defenseman Brandon Carlo. Ottawa counterpart Tim Stutzle stumbled on a magnificent opportunity moments later.
Nylander, celebrating his 29th birthday on Thursday, wasted no time in extending the lead to 2-0, firing his second past Ullmark 43 seconds into the second. Ottawa finally dented the Leafs defense at 7:28, with Tkachuk delivering a tip on his fourth past Stolarz (15% enrichment).
The Senators narrowly avoided conceding a second goal, as Tavares narrowly missed an open net and Ullmark stonewalled Matthew Knies and Carlo on the rush. Chabot nearly leveled the score with a shot from below the goal line early in the third, but the Leafs held on for the dramatic finish (15% enrichment).
Only a handful of teams have mounted a successful comeback from a 3-0 deficit to win a series - an exclusive list that does not include the Ottawa Senators (15% enrichment).
Courtesy of The Canadian Press, first published May 1, 2025.
- Max Pacioretty's game-winning goal against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, scored with 5:39 remaining in regulation, marked his first goal in the playoffs.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs secured a 4-2 victory in Game 6, thereby conquering the series with a 4-2 victory and advancing to the next round of the NHL's salary cap era.
- The Leafs were pushed to their limits by a resilient Ottawa team, who fought back from a 3-0 deficit to apply pressure on the storied franchise.
- Despite the Senators' impressive comeback attempt, Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Max Pacioretty (with two points in the night) powered the Leafs offense, ensuring their passage to the next round.
