The Battle of Ontario continues, with the Ottawa Senators hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs for Game 3 on Thursday night.
The Leafs have a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. But with the teams now heading to Ottawa, which is hosting a playoff game for the first time in eight years, expect the home crowd to give the Senators the edge.
Then again, it's not like history has been on Ottawa's side in this one-sided battle.
So far, the story of the series has been the play of Toronto's Anthony Stolarz, who has outperformed Ottawa's Linus Ullmark in net. The Leafs' power play, which has potted five goals, has also been something that the Senators have been unable to have an answer for.
While Toronto's Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares have combined for four goals in two games, Auston Matthews is still searching for his first goal. Meanwhile, Max Pacioretty is expected to draw into the lineup for the first time in two months.
Ottawa is not expected to have any lineup changes.
Heart Over Hype: Playoff Hockey Finally Returns to Ottawa On Thursday Night The wait is over.
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Also, be sure to check out our post-game Playoff Frenzy Live video, where Michael Traikos and Emma Lingan breakdown Game 3.
— Settle Down (@KBrown3366) April 24, 2025
First Period
End of the 1st period — No score, Ottawa outshooting Toronto 8-7.
1:18 — Uh-oh, the Leafs and their No. 1-ranked power play is going on the man-advantage after Tkachuk takes an elbowing penalty.
3:31 — Nylander with (yet another) breakaway. He elects to wind up and blast a slapper, but Ullmark with the huge save.
Nylander winds up on the breakaway
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) April 24, 2025
good first pass from Holmberg pic.twitter.com/LNjPPYYOTt
4:28 — Big save by Ullmark on Bobby McMann; The Sens goalie, who was heavily criticized for his play in Game 1, has been much better as the series has gone on. Probably needs to steal one if Ottawa hopes to have a chance.
6:47 — Max Domi continues his strong play in this series. Just drove to the net hard with the puck, paying the price in the process.
11:37 — Much more physical tonight than the previous two games. Just ask Nylander, who was tackled to the ice by Nylander (no call on the play).
'I Can't Say Enough About Matthew Knies and JT In Those Areas': Maple Leafs Explode For 3 Power-Play Goals To Down Senators In Game 1The Toronto Maple Leafs exploded for three power-play goals against the Ottawa Senators in a 6-2 victory in Game 1 of their first-round series in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
15:04 — Tkachuk draws a hooking penalty, so Ottawa goes on a 4-on-3 PP. Big opportunity for the Sens, who have yet to score a power play goal.
17:15 — First big test for Linus Ullmark, as Pontus Holmberg gets a clean look from the right side. Still no score.
19:08 — It didn't take long for the hatred to heat up, as Tkachuk and Tanev go at it.
20:00 — And here go, Game 3 under way!
No one does the anthem better than the legendary Lyndon Slewidge, who was part of the last Battle of Ontario.
Loud Go Sens Go chants and booing when Toronto came out. It’s early but they seem to have done a somewhat good job keeping Leafs fans to a minimum. pic.twitter.com/VszxtO6q1L
— David Alter (@dalter) April 24, 2025
Let the pre-game match-ups begin! Sportsnet analyst Derek Lalonde says that the Matthews line will get a "healthy dose of Shane Pinto."
The crowd inside Canadian Tire Centre sounds electric.