Overtime was deemed necessary once again for the Toronto Maple Leafs as unlikely hero Simon Benoit pushes Ottawa to the brink of elimination. The final score in the first game in Ottawa is 3-2 in single overtime.

Period I

Trouble brewing before the opening puck-drop as video evidence is surfacing of Senators forward Nick Cousins shooting a puck at Leafs’ goalie Anthony Stolarz by the penalty box boards. Probably a fine will come from this. Don’t expect it to be much more drastic measures out of Parros and Player Safety.

Five minor penalties between the Ontario clubs; three to the visitors; two to home squad; Sens outshoot Leafs 8-7.


Period II

Claude Giroux opened the scoring from a Nylander trip. The powerplay goal is his first postseason goal since May 2022, when he was with Florida. Jake Sanderson and Drake Batherson had the apples on the opening goal; the team’s first lead of the series. This would last for six minutes and 53 seconds.

Matthew Knies tied the game from a Batherson high sticking minor. The top line winger’s second of the series was supported by William Nylander and Mitch Marner.

Period III

Auston Matthews got the go ahead goal on the road for the captain’s first of the playoffs. Marner earned his fifth assist of the postseason; Morgan Reilly got his first.

Brady Tkachuk brought the game back to even with nine minutes remaining in regulation. Giroux and Tyler Kleven had the helpers.

Overtime

Simon Benoit got the winner a minute and 20 seconds into the frame for his first career playoff goal from Matthews.

Goaltenders

Anthony Stolarz saved 26 of 28 shots against for a 0.929 save percentage.

Linus Ullmark saved 18 of 21 shots for a 0.857 save percentage.

Players to Watch

William Nylander had his third assist of the playoffs and fourth point in the first three games of the series.

Jake Sanderson believes the team is “right there.” Optimism at its finest. Sanderson recorded his first career playoff point on the opening goal from Giroux.

Sens’ Three Stars of the Game
1. Brady Tkachuk — goal (1)
2. Claude Giroux — PPG (1)
3. Jake Sanderson — assist (1)

Game Four
Saturday night might be the end of this series in Ottawa at 7pm EST on TBS, TruTV, and MAX.

Editors Note

Back to back OT predictions. Senators keep pushing the Maple Leafs to extra time but cannot get the job done.

TOR — 3

OTT — 2

OT

More to come…

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