Game 3 of the NHL playoff series between the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs brought the energy and drama fans expected. Back on home ice for the first time in eight years, the Senators gave everything they had, but it wasn’t enough. The Maple Leafs took a 3-2 win in overtime, putting Ottawa on the brink of elimination with a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
First Period: A Tight Start in Front of a Loud Ottawa Crowd
The energy was high as the puck dropped at Canadian Tire Centre. With fans roaring from the opening minute, the Senators started strong and outshot the Leafs 8-7 in the first period. There were some early chances at both ends, but neither team found the net. Goalie Linus Ullmark looked sharp, making key saves after being heavily criticized for his performances in the first two games.
Second Period: Goals, Penalties, and Growing Tension
The second period was action-packed. Ottawa finally scored its first power-play goal of the series when Claude Giroux fired a screened shot past Anthony Stolarz, giving the Senators a 1-0 lead.
Toronto responded with their own power-play goal — Matthew Knies netted his second of the playoffs to tie it up. The Senators nearly took the lead again, but Stolarz stopped Dylan Cozens on a breakaway. It ended 1-1, with Ottawa leading 18-14 in shots.
Captain Brady Tkachuk gave fans a scare when he briefly left the ice after a hard hit but later returned, still appearing to be playing through some discomfort.
Third Period: Big Names, Big Moments
Just 32 seconds into the third period, Auston Matthews scored his first goal of the playoffs off a great pass from Mitch Marner, giving Toronto a 2-1 lead.
Ottawa didn’t give up. Despite Tkachuk possibly battling a groin injury, he came up clutch again. With 9:38 left, he tied the game 2-2 on a wrist shot that beat Stolarz on the short side.
That sent the game into overtime for the second straight night.
Overtime: Benoit Sends Toronto Up 3-0
In overtime, the Leafs sealed the win quickly. At 18:41, defenseman Simon Benoit blasted a point shot through traffic. The puck sailed past Ullmark, giving the Leafs a 3-2 win and a commanding 3-0 series lead.
With Game 4 coming up on Saturday, the Senators now face the nearly impossible task of trying to make a comeback in a series where they’ve been outplayed and outmatched, especially in goal and on special teams.
Ottawa’s return to playoff hockey was filled with hope and heart, but Game 3 ended in heartbreak. Despite the support of an electric home crowd and key performances from their captain, the Senators find themselves in deep trouble. Toronto’s power play, goaltending, and top-line players are proving too much to handle. Game 4 is now a must-win for Ottawa — or their season will be over.
