Ottawa — Well, isn`t this unfolding in a fascinating way?
The series between the Senators and the Leafs is now guaranteed to last for at least six games, and the atmosphere surrounding both teams has undergone a dramatic transformation. The emotions and momentum in this playoff “Battle of Ontario” seem to be shifting as if guided by unseen forces.
Where will the momentum swing next?
The beauty of a playoff series played over seven games is the ample opportunity for genuine drama to unfold, allowing teams space for improvement or, conversely, for performance to decline.
Had this been a best-of-three first-round series from the 1970s era of the NHL, it would likely be over by now. Goaltender Anthony Stolarz might currently be celebrated as a series hero, instead of facing questions about seemingly harmless shots that find their way past him.
The requirement to win four games serves as a significant test of a team`s character, and the longer format provides an opportunity for a team to recover after a challenging start. The Maple Leafs have notably allowed Ottawa to overcome a daunting 3-0 series deficit, even failing to capitalize on a crucial four-minute power play in overtime during Game 4.
For the Senators, from a narrative standpoint, they couldn`t have dug themselves into a deeper hole if this were a script for a sports drama on a streaming service like Netflix.
Many observers anticipated this series would extend to six or seven games, but did anyone foresee the specific, dramatic twists and turns it has taken?
