When the Ottawa Senators fell in the first three games in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs to the Toronto Maple Leafs, it appeared the season ending in a sweep was likely, but then things have turned over the past two games.
After back-to-back wins in Game 4 and Game 5, the series needed a Game 6 back in Ottawa. Senators captain Brady Tkachuk predicted a Game 6 in Ottawa would happen and expected "pure insanity" from Sens fans in Game 6. With their backs against the wall at home again to fight off elimination, but the Senators couldn't find a way in the final minutes.
The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 4-2 in Game 6 at Canadian Tire Centre to end the first round series. The loss ended the 2024-25 season for the Senators.
With 1:10 remaining in the first period, the Maple Leafs got a powerplay goal from Auston Matthews to make it 1-0. Then just 43 seconds into the second period, William Nylander extended the lead to 2-0. Even down two goals early into the second period, the Senators refused to quit thanks to their captain.
Tkachuk scored on a tip-in less than seven minutes later after Nylander's goal. Tkachuk's goal was his fourth of the seires. With the score 2-1 after 40 minutes, the Senators needed to make a play. It would be a newly signed veteran to provide the presence.
With 7:20 remaining in regulation, David Perron scored a sick backhand goal past Anthony Stolarz to tie the game at two. Sens fans were in a frenzy at Canadian Tire Centre thinking momentum was all on their side. Then, it wasn't.
Max Pacioretty scored his first goal of the series past Linus Ullmark with 5:39 remaining to give the Maple Leafs a 3-2. The goal sucked the energy out of the building. Pulling Ullmark was Ottawa's last ditch effort to tie the game, but it wasn't meant to be. Nylander scored an empty-net goal for his second of the game to ice the series.
The series win improves the Maple Leafs to 5-0 all-time against the Senators in the playoffs. Even in defeat, some would look at this season as a success for the Senators.
Not many people would've expected the Senators to make the 2025 playoffs after not making it since 2017. However, the Senators proved doubters wrong and showed what they were made of. At the end, Sens fans gave their team a loud ovation before the team left the ice for the final time. Tkachuk was the last to leave the ice.
Now the Senators head into the off-season. Plenty of decisions will need to be made including who to re-sign, draft, trade and more.
The 2024-25 season is officially over, and the focus is on for next season. Two guaranteed games are scheduled in Quebec City in September when the Senators play two preseason games. One against the New Jersey Devils and one against the Montreal Canadiens.