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The Ottawa Senators extended their playoff hopes with a 4-3 overtime win against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.
The result trimmed Toronto’s first-round series lead to 3-1 as the teams prepare for Game 5 at Scotiabank Arena on Monday.
Jake Sanderson scored the game-winning goal at 17:42 of overtime, firing a wrist shot through traffic that beat Anthony Stolarz.
Ottawa’s special teams made a major impact for the first time in the series, scoring both a power-play goal and a short-handed goal while holding Toronto scoreless on four power-play opportunities.
The Senators opened the game strong on Saturday, with Tim Stutzle and Shane Pinto putting Ottawa ahead in a span of five minutes midway through the first period.
John Tavares and Matthew Knies answered for Toronto before David Perron’s third-period goal gave Ottawa the lead again. Oliver Ekman-Larsson tied it late in regulation, but Sanderson had the final say in overtime.
After the game, Senators captain Brady Tkachuk addressed the team’s mindset.
"I think what’s going to be important is we’re not playing for a couple days," Tkachuk said. "It doesn’t have to kill yourself thinking about that game.
"For me, I’m just going to enjoy some family time, get my mind off hockey for a bit, and just enjoy being with my family."
Looking ahead to another must-win situation in Game 5, Tkachuk underlined the importance of staying focused while expecting a "desperate" Maple Leafs team.
"Just focus on the next game. Can’t think too long-term," Tkachuk said. "It’s going to be the biggest, hardest game that we’re ever going to play in—Game 5 in their building.
"They’re going to be desperate and want to win at home. Can’t overlook that. Just focus on winning your shift, winning your matchup, and go from there."
Ottawa Senators center Brady Tkachuk (7) screens Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz (41) in game at Canadian Tire Centre.Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Tkachuk emphasized the need to avoid overthinking the series balance as the Battle of Ontario continues.
"I think that’s important—not get too stressed out, not overthink anything," Tkachuk said. "When the time comes, we’ll all be ready."
Game 5 is scheduled for Monday night in Toronto as the Maple Leafs try to earn their second win since 2018 in a potential series-clinching game.
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The result trimmed Toronto’s first-round series lead to 3-1 as the teams prepare for Game 5 at Scotiabank Arena on Monday.
Jake Sanderson scored the game-winning goal at 17:42 of overtime, firing a wrist shot through traffic that beat Anthony Stolarz.
Ottawa’s special teams made a major impact for the first time in the series, scoring both a power-play goal and a short-handed goal while holding Toronto scoreless on four power-play opportunities.
The Senators opened the game strong on Saturday, with Tim Stutzle and Shane Pinto putting Ottawa ahead in a span of five minutes midway through the first period.
John Tavares and Matthew Knies answered for Toronto before David Perron’s third-period goal gave Ottawa the lead again. Oliver Ekman-Larsson tied it late in regulation, but Sanderson had the final say in overtime.
After the game, Senators captain Brady Tkachuk addressed the team’s mindset.
"I think what’s going to be important is we’re not playing for a couple days," Tkachuk said. "It doesn’t have to kill yourself thinking about that game.
"For me, I’m just going to enjoy some family time, get my mind off hockey for a bit, and just enjoy being with my family."
Looking ahead to another must-win situation in Game 5, Tkachuk underlined the importance of staying focused while expecting a "desperate" Maple Leafs team.
"Just focus on the next game. Can’t think too long-term," Tkachuk said. "It’s going to be the biggest, hardest game that we’re ever going to play in—Game 5 in their building.
"They’re going to be desperate and want to win at home. Can’t overlook that. Just focus on winning your shift, winning your matchup, and go from there."
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Ottawa Senators center Brady Tkachuk (7) screens Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz (41) in game at Canadian Tire Centre.Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Tkachuk emphasized the need to avoid overthinking the series balance as the Battle of Ontario continues.
"I think that’s important—not get too stressed out, not overthink anything," Tkachuk said. "When the time comes, we’ll all be ready."
Game 5 is scheduled for Monday night in Toronto as the Maple Leafs try to earn their second win since 2018 in a potential series-clinching game.
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Related: Senators' Brady Tkachuk Uses Red Sox in Defiant Message to Maple Leafs
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