The Ottawa Senators returned from the NHL's three-day holiday break with a performance they'd likely prefer to forget, dropping a 7-5 decision to the arch-rival Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night. The loss at Scotiabank Arena on Hockey Night in Canada marked a disappointing start to the latest chapter of the Battle of Ontario.
A Slow Start Proves Costly
The Senators appeared sluggish out of the gate, a lack of urgency that would haunt them for the first two periods. This was the first regular-season meeting between the teams since the Leafs eliminated the Senators in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on May 1. Any hopes that the playoff history would fuel a strong start for Ottawa were quickly dashed.
The game took a decisive turn for the worse in the second period, leading to a significant change in net. Starting goaltender Linus Ullmark, who had been 4-0-1 in his previous five starts, was pulled before the midway point of the frame. He surrendered four goals on just 14 shots, including a career 13th goal against from Toronto's Auston Matthews at 7:28. The final straw was Bobby McMann's tap-in at 3:28 that gave Toronto a 3-2 lead, a goal where Ullmark seemed to lose sight of the puck entirely.
A Late Rally Falls Short
Trailing by three goals entering the third period, the Senators finally found their spark. Tim Stützle extended his point streak to nine games with a goal at 5:05, and Drake Batherson scored his seventh of December a mere 14 seconds later to pull Ottawa within a goal. Jordan Spence also found the back of the net in the frame, joining Ridly Greig and Nick Cousins on the scoresheet.
However, the comeback bid was ultimately snuffed out. Morgan Rielly scored for Toronto to widen the gap, and despite Spence beating Leafs goalie Joseph Woll later in the period, John Tavares sealed the 7-5 victory with an empty-net goal. The late push was a case of too little, too late for a team that had dug itself too deep a hole.
Looking Ahead After the Loss
The defeat extends Ottawa's winless streak to two games, following a 3-2 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres earlier in the week. It also marks Ottawa's first regular-season loss to Toronto since December 7, 2023. For a team in a tight playoff race, these are precisely the kinds of points they cannot afford to let slip away.
Coach Travis Green's timeout at 8:32 of the second period, with his team down 5-2, underscored the frustration. The Senators' defensive play left both Ullmark and his replacement, Leevi Merilainen, who allowed a goal on the first shot he faced, under constant pressure from high-quality Toronto chances. The message from the team post-game was clear: a full 60-minute effort is non-negotiable moving forward.
