In a commanding performance, Ottawa blanked the Toronto Maple Leafs 4–0 at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday night to force Game 6 in their first-round Battle of Ontario playoff series. The win cuts Toronto’s series lead to 3–2.
Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark recorded the first playoff shutout of his NHL career, turning away all 27 shots he faced. Thomas Chabot opened the scoring early in the second, followed by a short-handed goal from Dylan Cozens in the third. Tim Stützle and Brady Tkachuk each added empty-net goals and picked up two assists apiece for three-point nights.
Despite a strong start in the series with a 3–0 lead, Toronto failed to capitalize on back-to-back chances to clinch the series. They are now 1–13 in potential series-clinching games during the Auston Matthews–Mitch Marner era, with the lone win coming against Tampa Bay in 2023.
Ottawa’s resurgence began in Game 4, where they secured a 4–3 overtime win. Tuesday’s effort marked their first playoff shutout since 2013 and another step in their quest to become just the fifth team in NHL history to come back from a 3–0 series deficit.
Toronto had several chances, including a breakaway by John Tavares and a late power play, but couldn’t solve Ullmark. Anthony Stolarz made 15 saves in the loss.
Game 6 is set for Thursday night at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, where the Senators will look to extend the series to a deciding Game 7.