Senators get rough welcome to 2025 playoffs; drop Game 1 to Maple Leafs 6-2

For the first time since May 25, 2017, the Ottawa Senators were playing a game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Senators' first playoff game since 2017 came against the hated Toronto Maple Leafs.

Heading into Game 1, the Senators were eager to continue their season dominance in the Battle of Ontario. The Senators swept the three-game season series against the Maple Leafs this season, but Game 1 was a rude awakening.

The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 6-2 in Game 1 of the first round in the 2025 playoffs at Scotiabank Arena to take a 1-0 series lead. The good news for the Senators is that it's a seven-game series.

In the first period, Toronto got its fans going. In a span of 5:09, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Mitch Marner each scored a goal to give the Maple Leafs a 2-0 lead. Marner's goal came on a breakaway after a Senators defensive let down.

Ottawa appeared to have had the momentum at the end of the first period. With 3:42 remaining in the period, Drake Batherson scored to cut the deficit to 2-1 to record his first career playoff goal. But, Toronto was able to get momentum back on its side in the second period.

Toronto got a pair of powerplay goals from John Tavares and William Nylander to take a 4-1 lead in a span of 3:12. Marner and Tavares each entered the series with immense pressure, and the two of them were able to score a goal that put Toronto up by two goals in the game.

Exactly four minutes into the third period, Ridly Greig scored his first career playoff goal to cut the deficit to 4-2, but then Morgan Rielly scored 45 seconds later to put the Maple Leafs back up by three goals.

Rielly's goal happened after Matthew Highmore attempted to block the shot, but it took a bounce and went in the net. Matthew Knies added another powerplay goal to make it 6-2 with under seven minutes remaining.

Anthony Stolarz would outduel Linus Ullmark by making 31 saves to earn the Game 1 win. For the sixth time, Ullmark allowed in at least four goals in 10 career playoff starts. It was the second time Ullmark allowed in six goals in a playoff game. Ullmark finished Game 1 by allowing in six goals on 24 Maple Leaf shots on goal.

Marner recorded a three-point game. Nylander and Tavares each recorded one goal and one assist. Auston Matthews recorded two assists. The Maple Leafs' top offensive players were too much for Ottawa to handle in Game 1.

Game 2 of the series will remain in Toronto on Tuesday night with a 7:30 p.m. ET puck drop.