Senators keep season alive with Sanderson's Game 4 OT winner against Maple Leafs

As Saturday night arrived, the Ottawa Senators had their backs against the walls. After falling 3-2 in overtime on Thursday night to the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 3, the Senators fell into an 0-3 series deficit. Overcoming an 0-3 deficit isn't an easy task.

Even with an 0-3 hole, Senators captain Brady Tkachuk remained positive by mentioning the 2004 Boston Red Sox after the Game 3 loss. Game 4 was a must win for the Senators or they would be swept in round one of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. In a game the Senators needed to have to keep their season alive, a young defenseman raised his game even higher.

The Senators defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime in Game 4 at Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators win now forces a Game 5 back in Toronto.

When trailing 0-3 in a series, teams will come out desperate. In the first period, the Senators took advantage when playing on special teams.

Tim Stutzle scored a powerplay goal 9:03 into the game to give the Senators a 1-0 lead. Then 5:08 later, Shane Pinto scored a shorthanded goal.

The goals by Stutzle and Pinto were not only their first career playoff goals, but it was the first time the Senators had led by two goals or more in the series. However, the first period momentum ended when John Tavares scored a goal in the final minute to make it a 2-1 game. It was Tavares' third goal of the series.

In the second period, another Maple Leaf scored his third goal of the series. After Ottawa turned the puck over in the offensive zone, Matthew Knies scored to tie the game at two past halfway through the second period. Ottawa recorded just one shot on goal in the entire second period. With the game tied at two after 40 minutes, a huge third period awaited.

Sens fans were buzzing again when David Perron tipped in a pass from Artem Zub to give the Senators a 3-2 lead 7:22 into the third. But once again, the Senators couldn't protect a lead. With 5:29 remaining in regulation, Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored to tie the game at three. Ekman-Larsson's goal came a few minutes after Linus Ullmark made his biggest save of the series on Max Pacioretty.

For the third consecutive game, overtime would be needed. The Senators had lost the past two games in overtime, but were attempting to make the third time be the charm.

Drake Batherson was called for a double-minor for high-sticking 4:37 into overtime, but Linus Ullmark and the Senators penalty kill unit stood tall and killed off the four-minute Maple Leaf powerplay. Late in the final minutes, the Senators called game.

With 2:18 remaining in the first overtime, Jake Sanderson scored the game-winning goal for his first career playoff goal to send the Ottawa fans into a frenzy. Sanderson kept the Senators' season alive with the biggest goal so far of his career.

Game 5 of the series will be back in Toronto on Tuesday night at Scotiabank Arena. Just like Game 4, the Senators need to win to keep their season alive.