With a chance to sweep a playoff series for the first time since 2001, also against the Ottawa Senators, the Toronto Maple Leafs know better than to get ahead of themselves.
The Leafs held a full morning skate Saturday ahead of their evening matchup with Ottawa in Game 4 of the Battle of Ontario first-round series. Up 3-0, Toronto has four opportunities to close it out, but the message from inside the locker room is not to think about the finish line but rather to focus on the task at hand.
“We gotta play our best game of the series,” John Tavares said after practice. “The last one is always the hardest to get. We talked about having to get better and better every game when it gets tougher and tougher. So, no doubt, we still have to clean up some things and execute a little better. Today’s a challenge, we’re excited, it’s a great opportunity.”
In the ‘Core Four’ era, this group has experienced its share of playoff heartbreak. Toronto has advanced past the first round just once, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games during the 2023 postseason. Never has this core been in a position to close out a series in a sweep – something they’re aiming to achieve tonight at Canadian Tire Centre.
With other first-round matchups still ongoing and Game 5 not scheduled until Tuesday in Toronto, finishing the series early could give the Leafs some valuable rest heading into Round 2. Still, Tavares emphasized the team isn't looking past Saturday night.
“You play every game to win,” he said. “So, whatever comes after that, you deal with it then. I think the challenge today is trying to go out there and get a win. We know the circumstances around the game, so first and foremost, have a good morning and prepare for tonight. Know what we need to do to be ready to play, and obviously, go out there and execute. Obviously, we want to get the result and being able to finish the series off today would be great. That’s where the focus is.”
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Despite the 3-0 series deficit, Ottawa has made the Leafs earn their victories, especially in the last two contests. The Senators pushed Games 2 and 3 to overtime, scoring late third-period goals both times to extend the games. This is Ottawa’s first playoff appearance since 2017, and they aren’t about to just roll over.
“I think we’re feeling confident about our game. We know this is going to be a tough game; they’re going to come out with their best game of the year,” defenseman Simon Benoit said. “We just have to be ready, bring the game to them, and have a good outcome.”
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Finding ways to win, the Leafs are playing a playoff-style of hockey, and they don’t plan to alter their approach on Saturday.
“I don't think there's a different approach,” said head coach Craig Berube pre-game. “Each individual on the team needs to focus on their shift, what they need to do, and the process of it all. They're going to push hard like they have every year. It's no different today. We just have to focus on what we need to do. Each individual, your battles, your compete, puck management, keep playing how we've been playing.”
One aspect that has shifted to the forefront is centered on maintaining composure. Throughout the lineup (and behind the bench), this has been a key message during the series. Forward Scott Laughton, appearing in his first postseason run in Toronto, says the team will continue to have that mindset ahead of Game 4.
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“I think we’ve kept it pretty light so far. Focused on what we can do in the first period to get us going. We’ve talked about it all series of just staying composed and playing good structurally, and we’ll continue to do that, have some fun with it,” said Laughton. “These opportunities are pretty special to be a part of, and we’ll continue to do that, just take it a step at a time.”
Ottawa will be desperate, but Toronto has the chance to rewrite its own narrative on Saturday night.
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