OTTAWA — It`s always appealing to root for the underdog.
This is the mindset the Ottawa Senators are adopting as they head into Game 1 against their rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
`It`s no secret that we are seen as the underdogs in this series,` stated coach Travis Green. `Naturally, we hope this can work to our advantage.`
Pressure can be both a privilege and a burden.
Consider this: when you`re competing and expected to win, what happens?
You might feel your palms get sweaty, your heart race, and your muscles tense up. However, the situation is different when you feel you have nothing to lose.
`To be completely honest, I believe Toronto is under more pressure than we are right now, for sure,` Jake Sanderson mentioned at practice on Saturday. `Being the underdog, I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily ‘nice,’ but it does relieve some pressure, allowing us to just go out and play without feeling like we have everything to lose.”
While we don`t need to focus on Toronto`s past playoff disappointments, any sports psychologist would agree that athletes often perform better when pressure is reduced.
Teams favored to win can certainly overcome the pressure, and sometimes raw talent prevails. There’s no doubt that the Maple Leafs are expected to win this series, but that`s why the games are played.
`Obviously, this is our first time in the playoffs, but we have defeated Toronto before,` said Shane Pinto. `I know it was in the regular season, but we don`t dwell on that. We believe in our game, and with Linus Ullmark in net, we always have a good chance to win.`
Entering the first Battle of Ontario in 21 years, the Maple Leafs carry the weight of past playoff failures, while the Senators are the fresh faces on the playoff scene. This dynamic is significant to a degree. It would be a major upset if the Senators won the Stanley Cup without playoff experience, but winning a single round is achievable.
It is possible, and it has happened before.
`There will definitely be a learning curve,` Sanderson acknowledged. `We`d be lying if we said otherwise, as we haven`t been in this position before. In contrast, many players on Toronto`s roster have playoff experience year after year.`
Which situation is preferable: playoff inexperience or playoff anxiety?
The next couple of weeks will reveal the answer.
Another Tkachuk Injury Concern
The status of Brady Tkachuk’s health may be an ongoing concern throughout Ottawa’s 2025 playoff run. Tkachuk has faced a series of injuries since the 4 Nations Face-Off, including during Thursday’s final regular-season game. He returned to play but left again as a precaution after taking a high stick. Unfortunately, during Saturday`s practice, Tkachuk was high-sticked again, causing brief alarm.
Fortunately for Senators fans, Tkachuk is alright. The Senators will need a fully effective Tkachuk to stand a chance against the Maple Leafs.
“I think he’s going to be a force,” Sanderson commented.
Ottawa’s Strategy to Defend Against Toronto’s Potent Offense
Toronto boasts significant offensive talent with players like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares.
While regular-season games don`t provide the complete picture, the Maple Leafs only managed to score three goals in their three games against the Senators this season, although Matthews was absent for one of those games.
Without the advantage of the last line change for Ottawa in away games, it will be crucial for Tim Stutzle and Dylan Cozens to be defensively responsible when matched against Toronto’s top offensive players.
`This isn`t a new situation. Not having last change in away playoff games is standard,` Green mentioned. `We are planning accordingly and feel confident. These players regularly face tough matchups on the road. Often, opposing teams will deploy their checking lines or top lines against Timmy’s line, so he is accustomed to this; it won’t be anything unusual.`
Nevertheless, Green intends to use the line of Ridly Greig, Shane Pinto, and Michael Amadio against Matthews’ line whenever possible.
`Obviously, we need to defend effectively,` Pinto explained regarding neutralizing Matthews` line. `Ridly is good at getting under their skin a bit. That’s likely our approach. They are top players and will create chances, but we need to minimize those. We just need to defend well and play our game; we trust in our game.`
This season, the Greig-Pinto-Amadio line started 45 percent of their shifts in the defensive zone, compared to the Senators’ top line with Tkachuk, Stutzle, and Claude Giroux, which started in the defensive zone only 20 percent of the time.
If Pinto’s line can effectively manage Matthews’ line, Ottawa will be in a strong position to overcome their rivals. Statistically, this line has an expected goals against rate of 2.31 per 60 minutes at five-on-five, making it one of the top defensive lines in the league.
