Apr 20, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs ahead Mitch Marner (16) checks Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson (85) in the course of the second interval of recreation one of many first spherical of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Enviornment. Obligatory Credit score: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Pictures The Ottawa Senators have a major technique Tuesday evening in Recreation 2 of their first-round playoff sequence with the host Toronto Maple Leafs: Keep out of the penalty field.
The Senators allowed three power-play objectives Sunday whereas falling 6-2 to the Maple Leafs in Recreation 1. Billed because the Battle of Ontario, it will not be a lot of a duel if the Maple Leafs proceed to have a person benefit.
“We undoubtedly have to remain out of the field. I am going to say that,” Senators coach Travis Inexperienced mentioned. “I assumed there have been a pair calls they did an excellent job promoting.”
Mentioned Senators captain Brady Tkachuk: “It is clear as day what the problem was. We took too many penalties, they scored and that is the sport. We have to be extra disciplined. In order that’s on us.”
Self-discipline, poise and good goaltending had been three qualities Toronto confirmed in Recreation 1, whereas Ottawa didn’t.
The Senators admitted to some early-game nerves Sunday. They’ve fewer gamers with postseason expertise, and it confirmed when Toronto took a 2-0 lead at 12:18 of the primary interval on a objective from Mitch Marner.
“I assumed the primary 5, 10 minutes, we had been a bit nervous, which might be to be anticipated,” Inexperienced mentioned. “We have now loads of guys who have not performed within the playoffs, however five-on-five, I appreciated our recreation.”
Toronto coach Craig Berube hopes to lean into his crew’s assured strategy.
“It is essential to have composure,” Berube mentioned. “There’s loads of ups and downs, loads of issues go mistaken, issues go proper, and self-discipline is essential.”
Ottawa minimize the result in 2-1 earlier than the top of the primary interval earlier than the Toronto energy play took over by going 3-for-6. Ottawa was 0-for-2 on its power-play possibilities.
“The ability play has been rolling for some time,” Berube mentioned. “They’re doing an excellent job. For me, it is about getting pucks to the online with numbers on the web.”
The Senators additionally will want higher in web after Linus Ullmark was outplayed by the Maple Leafs’ Anthony Stolarz, who was making his first profession playoff begin.
Ullmark may very well be a key if the Senators are to profit from the teachings discovered from Recreation 1.
“Kudos to us for staying disciplined,” mentioned Stolarz, who made 31 saves. “Guys know the way bodily the playoffs are and the way it’s a must to hold your composure. So, our guys deserve loads of credit score for doing that.”
Stolarz, who was given the time without work from follow Monday, may need modified Recreation 1 when he stopped Tkachuk on a breakaway one minute into the second interval. The possibility got here after Toronto defenseman Morgan Rielly’s giveaway, with the save preserving a one-goal lead.
Ullmark ended up making 18 saves in Recreation 1.
“There’s some issues (to work on),” Ullmark mentioned. “There is a high-skill crew on the opposite facet. We’re simply going to should refocus on the following one. It is only one recreation.”
Marner, who has been criticized for his postseason play previously, had a objective and two assists within the opener.
“Simply to start out off with a win is nice, however we have now to look ahead to the following one,” Marner mentioned. “It will be even tougher to win the following one and we’re going to look to determine how we are able to even be a bit higher Tuesday.”
–Area Stage Media
