2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs
In a playoff series, the difference between winning and losing is razor-thin.
The Ottawa Senators learned this lesson the hard way on Tuesday night, dropping Game 2 in overtime by a score of 3-2 to the Toronto Maple Leafs, putting them in a 2-0 hole in the first-round series.
“We probably deserved a better fate tonight, but that`s part of playoff hockey,” commented coach Travis Green.
The game started with familiar struggles, as the Maple Leafs jumped to a 2-0 lead less than 10 minutes in. Yet, the Senators deserve praise for their comeback effort, pushing the game to overtime and largely outplaying Toronto throughout the contest.
Despite the 2-0 series deficit, captain Brady Tkachuk declared, “There`s not one ounce of panic or doubt in this locker room.”
While Tkachuk`s sentiment is noted, the Senators clearly have fundamental issues that require urgent attention as the series heads back north.
Despite holding advantages in shots and scoring opportunities, the Senators` Game 2 loss stemmed from costly errors made by key players Drake Batherson and Thomas Chabot. Throughout the series, these two have struggled, contributing more negatively than positively.
Coming into the season, Chabot and Batherson were known primarily for their offensive talent, with defensive improvement being a focus. While they showed growth defensively during the regular season, these gains appear to be fading in the playoffs. For the second consecutive game, their errors directly contributed to the Maple Leafs scoring the opening goal.
