Round 1 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Ottawa Senators began at Scotiabank Arena against the Toronto Maple Leafs with losses in Game 1 and Game 2. After two games in Toronto, the series shifted to Ottawa.
Even with being in an 0-2 series hole and history against them, Thursday night was special for the Senators as it was the team's first home playoff game in Canada's capital since May 23, 2017. On a night Sens fans have waited long enough to see playoff hockey in Ottawa, it would be another dagger in overtime to break hearts.
The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 3-2 in overtime in Game 3 at Canadian Tire Centre to take a commanding 3-0 series lead. The Battle of Ontario has been a nightmare for Ottawa and its fans in the playoffs.
After a scoreless first period, Claude Giroux got Sens fans loud by scoring a 5-on-3 powerplay goal 1:38 into the second period. Giroux's goal helped the Senators get their first lead of the entire series, but it was short lived when Matthew Knies scored a powerplay goal under seven minutes later to tie the game at one.
WAVE THOSE TOWELS!!#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/5gZdnvqroC
— X - Ottawa Senators (@Senators) April 25, 2025
After being heckled by the Sens fans all throughout the game, Auston Matthews scored 32 seconds into the third period to give the Maple Leafs a 2-1 lead. When the Senators appeared to be down, the captain came through when needed.
With 8:38 remaining in regulation, Brady Tkachuk sniped a shot past Anthony Stolarz to tie the game at two to send the Sens fans into a frenzy. Loud "Brady" chants followed for the beloved captain. For the second consecutive game, overtime was needed and another 3-2 final would be set.
Ottawa had momentum on its side with Tkachuk scoring a late third period goal, but it wouldn't be the case in overtime as Game 3's overtime lasted shorter than Game 2's overtime. At 1:19 of overtime, Simon Benoit scored the overtime winner for the Maple Leafs past Linus Ullmark.
SIMON BENOIT WINS IT FOR THE LEAFS!!! pic.twitter.com/s57inifTs2
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 25, 2025
The Senators now have their backs against the walls with being down 0-3 in the series. Only four teams in NHL history have ever came back to win a series after losing the first three games of the series. Now, it's a challenge the Senators must embrace.
Game 4 of the series will remain in Ottawa on Saturday night with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. If the Senators lose Game 4, they are eliminated and swept out of the 2025 playoffs. If the Senators win, a Game 5 will be needed back in Toronto.