Ottawa, Canada – In a thrilling twist of fate, Ottawa Senators dashed Toronto Maple Leafs’ hopes by clinching a resounding 4-0 victory in Game 5 of their playoff series on April 29, 2025. After going down 3-0 in the series, the Senators have now forced a Game 6 at home, keeping their playoff dreams alive for at least another 48 hours.
The match saw an intense start that remained scoreless through the first period. However, Thomas Chabot broke the deadlock early in the second, firing a precise shot from the blue line that found its mark. Dylan Cozens expanded the lead with a shorthanded goal midway through the third period, capitalizing on a breakaway. Brady Tkachuk sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the closing moments, further asserting the Senators’ dominance.
Linus Ullmark was the star of the game, making an impressive 29 saves and earning his first playoff shutout. “We played a really good road game,” said Senators coach Travis Green. “Ullmark’s performance was not surprising; we have full confidence in him.”
Star forward Brady Tkachuk expressed belief that the Senators have injected doubt into the Leafs’ minds. “I think so,” Tkachuk stated. “Our season has been on the line the last two games. Our mindset is to give everything we have out there.”
Despite having a roster filled with elite talents, Toronto’s key players faltered in Game 5. Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and others failed to register any points, a lack of execution that left fans frustrated. “That’s unacceptable,” admitted Matthews. “The execution at times wasn’t there.”
The Leafs struggled on special teams, going 0-for-7 on power plays since Game 4. Coach Craig Berube highlighted critical turnovers as a turning point, proclaiming the need for sharper execution in offensive plays. “We got to be more direct on our power play,” Berube said.
As Game 5 progressed, the anxiety among the Leafs became palpable. With each passing shift, the Senators capitalized on Toronto’s pressured mistakes. By the middle of the third period, the Leafs had lost the crowd’s support, leading to visible frustration amid boos.
Defensively, Jake Sanderson stood out for Ottawa. His expert play thwarted many scoring chances, proving pivotal in keeping the Leafs at bay. Natural Stat Trick asserted that neither Matthews nor Marner succeeded significantly against Sanderson, further emphasizing the Senators’ strong defensive strategy.
Brady Tkachuk wasn’t just a key contributor offensively but also made history as the first Senators player to record three points in a game while his team faced elimination. “We kept playing our game,” Chabot remarked about their strategy. “We found ways to score at the right time.”
For the Leafs, time is running out. They will need a solid recovery ahead of Game 6 scheduled for May 1 in Ottawa. Veteran defender Chris Tanev remains optimistic despite losing two consecutive games. “We’re up 3-2 in the series; I think we’re fine,” he said.
Mitch Marner remains realistic, admitting that the pressure is inherent in the postseason. “We had our looks but didn’t capitalize on them,” he mentioned. As tensions rise, both teams look forward to an intense showdown in what promises to be a thrilling Game 6.
