OTTAWA – The Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t wrap up their first-round playoff collection Saturday night time, however they nonetheless really feel assured returning dwelling for Sport 5 on Tuesday.
Down 3-0 within the best-of-seven collection, the Ottawa Senators staved off elimination because of Jake Sanderson’s dramatic extra time winner and a 4-3 victory over the visiting Leafs.
The Leafs had a possibility to place the sport away in extra time after Drake Batherson took a double-minor for high-sticking, however have been unable to take benefit on the prolonged energy play.
For the primary time within the collection Toronto’s particular groups weren’t a distinction maker. Ottawa scored on the facility play and whereas short-handed.
“I feel, clearly, we had numerous probabilities,” mentioned Toronto’s Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who scored at 14:31 of the third interval to tie the sport at 3-3 and power OT. “We had an influence play that we may have performed some harm however they killed it off.”
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Ekman-Larsson admitted there are some things the Leafs might want to clear up heading into Sport 5, however general likes the best way his staff has performed.
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Regardless of the missed alternative to comb the collection, Leafs coach Craig Berube has full confidence in his membership.
“I assumed our staff performed extraordinarily exhausting, did numerous nice issues, you realize,” mentioned Berube. “We gave up 4 photographs in two durations. I imply, I assumed we defended exhausting, performed exhausting.”
The Senators had only one shot on purpose within the second and have been held to a few within the third.
Berube added that he thought his staff “did numerous good issues that simply didn’t work out (Saturday).”
The Leafs discovered themselves with out John Tavares for the facility play in extra time after he took successful from Ottawa’s Artem Zub. There was no penalty on the play. Tavares missed almost 10 minutes of the additional interval, however ultimately returned.
“Clearly, it affected it, he’s an enormous a part of our energy play,” mentioned William Nylander. “I assumed we have been nonetheless in a position to get some appears to be like and, I imply, perhaps may have with a fortunate bounce on our facet acquired one in there, however that’s the way it goes.”
Nylander admitted he didn’t see the play wherein Tavares was shaken up, however was involved together with his teammate’s absence.
“Like, I had no clue what it was,” he mentioned. “Like I didn’t know, if it was no matter, however it was good to see him come again and that he’s feeling good.”
The groups can have an additional time off between video games. The Leafs don’t really feel like there’s a lot to vary as they appear to complete the collection on dwelling ice.
“We put ourselves in an excellent spot right here,” Matthew Knies mentioned. “So yeah, on to the subsequent one. We’re gonna take a look at what we will do higher. And, you realize, it’s been shut video games, three overtimes. It’s nice hockey on the market, you realize. I’m positive it’s enjoyable to look at. And, yeah, so we’re simply excited to get again after it.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed April 26, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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