The Toronto Maple Leafs have finally done it! In Game 6 of their playoff series, they beat the Ottawa Senators 4-2 and advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. It’s the first time they’ve made it past the first round since 2023—and only the second time since 2004, which was also the last time they played against the Senators in the playoffs.
Leafs Avoid Collapse, Seal the Series
The Leafs were under pressure after nearly blowing a 3-0 series lead. But on Thursday night at the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata, Ontario, they pulled it together when it mattered most. Auston Matthews opened the scoring with a power-play goal, and William Nylander made it 2-0 soon after.
The Senators fought back, though. Their captain, Brady Tkachuk, scored by tipping a shot into the net, cutting the Leafs’ lead to 2-1. Then, in the third period, David Perron tied the game 2-2 by bouncing the puck off Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz’s head—a lucky but smart move.
But the tie didn’t last long.
Max Pacioretty Steps Up
Just over a minute after Ottawa tied the game, Max Pacioretty scored to put Toronto back in the lead. It was his first playoff goal since 2021 when he was with the Vegas Golden Knights. After dealing with injuries, he now has one goal and one assist in four games this post-season. His last regular season game was back in February.
Ottawa tried everything to equalize again, even pulling their goalie in the final minute for an extra attacker. But Nylander scored an empty-net goal to finish the game and the series.
Leafs Set to Face Panthers Again
Next, the Maple Leafs will face the defending champions, the Florida Panthers, in the second round. The Panthers, who finished third in the Atlantic Division this season, knocked out the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games.
Interestingly, when Toronto beat the Lightning in 2023, they also faced Florida next—and lost in six games. The Panthers then went on to reach the Stanley Cup Final, where they were defeated by the Vegas Golden Knights.
Senators’ Season Ends
The Ottawa Senators now head home after their first playoff appearance since 2017, when they made it to the Eastern Conference Final. Brady Tkachuk led the team in scoring this series with four goals and three assists. Auston Matthews also had a strong series for the Leafs, scoring two goals and adding five assists for a total of seven points.
The Maple Leafs’ Game 6 victory was full of emotion, tension, and key performances. They avoided what could have been a painful collapse and now move on with hopes of doing better than last year’s second-round exit. With tough opponents like the Florida Panthers ahead, the road won’t be easy—but the Leafs have shown they’re ready to fight.
