© Dan Hamilton [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/5688a2d8-acb1-4ece-9173-2512a91f46e2.jpeg] © Dan Hamilton 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 [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/the-senators-have-faith-in-ullmark-now-he-has-to-reward-that-faith] 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. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/why-the-maple-leafs-arent-worried-about-auston-matthews-lack-of-goal-scoring-in-series-against-senators]Meanwhile, Max Pacioretty [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/this-is-why-im-here-after-a-nearly-3-month-wait-max-pacioretty-brings-experience-to-maple-leafs-ahead-oo] 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 [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/40322a73-63ca-42ef-992c-aa0a8222d825.jpeg] Heart Over Hype: Playoff Hockey Finally Returns to Ottawa On Thursday Night The wait is over. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators/game-day/heart-over-hype-playoff-hockey-finally-returns-to-ottawa-on-thursday-night] This story will be updated throughout the game. Make sure you refresh the page, so that you are receiving the up-to-date version of this story. Also, be sure to check out our post-game Playoff Frenzy Live video, where Michael Traikos and Emma Lingan breakdown Game 3. OVERTIME 18:41 — TORONTO GOAL, 3-2: Simon Benoit with the overtime winner on a point shot that puts the Leafs up 3-0 in the best-of-seven series. Game 4 is on Saturday and this one looks like it's done. It's over. Here we go, OT! I'm picking Max Pacioretty and Dylan Cozens for the possible winner. THIRD PERIOD End of the 3rd period: Tied 2-2, shots are 20-18 for Senators … off to overtime, we go! It looks like we're heading to overtime … again. 9:38 — OTTAWA GOAL, 2-2: I take that back. Tkachuk, who may still be injured, ties the game on a wrist shot that beats Stolarz on the short side. It sure looks like Tkachuk is still nursing some type of injury/ailment, which is about the worst possible news for the Senators (aside from potentially being down 0-3 in this series) For those counting at home, the Big 4 of Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Tavares have combined for 5 goals and 18 points in 3 games. 19:28 — TORONTO GOAL, 2-1 — 32 seconds into the period, No. 34 gets his first of the playoffs on a beauty pass from Mitch Marner. SECOND PERIOD End of 2nd period — score is tied 1-1, shots are 18-14 for Ottawa Stutzle is too talented a player to be diving all over the place. Really wish he'd just erase that element from his game. 7:20 — Minor scare for the Sens, as Tkachuk briefly goes off after getting squeezed out along the boards by Morgan Rielly. Tkachuk is back on the ice, but keep an eye on this, because the Sens captain missed time after injuring his groin at the 4 Nations Face-Off. 11:29 — TORONTO GOAL, 1-1: Once again, the Leafs power play connects. This time, it is Matthew Knies with his second goal of the playoffs to tie the game. The parade to the penalty box continues. This time, it's the Leafs going on the power play. Ouch. When will Ottawa learn? 16:12 — Sens nearly make it 2-0, but Stolarz stops Cozens on a breakaway. Seeing some chatter that Leafs fans believe Greig dove on the Nylander tripping penalty that setup the Giroux goal. That's laughable. Say what you want about Greig and his play in this series, but it was clearly a trip. 18:22 — OTTAWA GOAL, 1-0: Claude Giroux beats Stolarz with a screened shot on the power play. For the first time in this series, the Sens have the lead. 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. 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 1 [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/af363e99-d511-47dd-ab73-c0d29c4e01a6.jpeg] '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 1 The 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. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/i-cant-say-enough-about-matthew-knies-and-jt-in-those-areas-maple-leafs-explode-for-3-power-play-goals-to-down-senators-in-game-1] 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. 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.
