- Ottawa extends winning streak to six games with 4-2 victory over Toronto
- Giroux’s power-play goal proves decisive in third straight win against Maple Leafs
- Ullmark’s 20 saves and defensive discipline key to divisional success
- Maple Leafs drop fifth of six games, jeopardizing playoff positioning
The Ottawa Senators continued their late-season surge with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, marking their sixth consecutive win in a crucial Atlantic Division matchup. Claude Giroux broke a second-period deadlock with a power-play marker that caromed off Toronto defenseman Chris Tanev, showcasing Ottawa’s improved special teams execution. The Senators’ calculated aggression saw them convert 25% of power plays during their win streak, a 12% increase from their season average.
Linus Ullmark delivered another stalwart performance between the pipes, turning aside 20 of 22 shots including six high-danger chances. Ottawa’s defensive corps limited Toronto’s elite scorers to just 0.87 expected goals at even strength, executing a neutral-zone trap that disrupted the Leafs’ transition game. This strategic adjustment has become a hallmark of interim coach Jacques Martin’s system, reducing opponents’ scoring chances by 18% since February.
The victory carries significant playoff implications, pulling Ottawa within four points of Toronto in both the Atlantic Division and wild-card standings. With Tampa Bay’s recent 6-2 rout of Boston, the Senators now control the Eastern Conference’s first wild-card position. This Ontario rivalry showdown underscores the growing importance of divisional matchups, where Ottawa has collected 68% of their total points this season.
Auston Matthews’ third-period goal briefly reignited Toronto’s hopes, but the Leafs’ ongoing defensive lapses proved costly. The team has allowed 3.8 goals per game during their 1-5 slump, with penalty-kill efficiency dropping to 74% in March. Interim coach Craig Berube faces mounting pressure to stabilize Toronto’s blue line before Monday’s critical matchup against Calgary.
The Senators’ three-game season sweep of Toronto marks their first such feat since 2016, highlighting the franchise’s resurgence. Ottawa’s 12-3-1 record since March 1 represents the NHL’s second-best points percentage (.813) during that span. As the team prepares for Tuesday’s clash in Montreal, their blend of veteran leadership and young talent positions them as legitimate playoff contenders in the Eastern Conference.