This past Sunday was the first preseason game of 2025 for the Ottawa Senators. The game resulted in a Senators 4-3 regulation loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Tonight, it was a rematch between the Senators and Maple Leafs. The only difference was this time the game was played in Toronto. In the second game, another one goal game would happen, but the result from Sunday would be a different one.
The Senators defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime at Scotiabank Arena.
Just like on Sunday, more first period struggles happened for the Senators. Linus Ullmark allowed in three first period goals on Sunday against the Maple Leafs.
This time, it was Leevi Merilainen who had first period struggles. Merilainen allowed in two first period goals. Auston Matthews scored the first goal of the game under 4.5 minutes in. With under two minutes remaining in the first period, Bobby McCann scored a powerplay goal.
Merilainen was better in the second period with stopping all 11 Maple Leaf shots on goal in the period. Merilainen was done after two periods of play and finished with 23 saves. Hunter Shepard took over in goal to start the third period.
The Senators' offense was struggling through two periods to break the ice. That was until Fabian Zetterlund scored a shorthanded goal to cut the deficit to 2-1. With recording an assist on Zetterlund's goal, Donovan Sebrango has recorded an assist in back-to-back games against the Maple Leafs.
With under 3.5 minutes to play, the Senators got a powerplay opportunity to tie the game. With 2:02 remaining in regulation, Shane Pinto scored a goal to tie the game at two. Overtime would be needed for the Senators and Maple Leafs to determine a winner, and it wouldn 't last long.
Pinto scored his second goal of the game in overtime to win it for the Senators. Pinto's goal happened 16 seconds into overtime.
The Senators are now 1-1-0 to begin the 2025 preseason after their two games against the Maple Leafs.
The Senators won't play another preseason game until Sunday afternoon when they face the New Jersey Devils at Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Quebec. Puck drop is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.
Sunday is the first of two preseason games for the Senators in Quebec City. The Senators will be the designated home team for both of their games against the Devils on Sunday and against the Montreal Canadiens two days later. The announcement of the Quebec City games this past January brought some controversy among the Senators about thoughts of a potential move, but the games will be played.