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4 takeaways from Leafs-Senators Game 4: Power play blip, careless penalties lead to Senators victory
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Photo credit: © Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Alex Hobson
Apr 27, 2025, 06:00 EDTUpdated: Apr 27, 2025, 00:27 EDT
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A sweep would have been oh so fitting. The Toronto Maple Leafs were up 3-0 over the Ottawa Senators in their first round series and headed into Game 4 with a chance to sweep a team in the playoffs for the first time in 2000-01. Their opponent? Also the Senators.
But, like everybody expected they would, the Senators came to play in Game 4. Despite a valiant effort from the Leafs, including overcoming a 2-0 deficit and tying the game with a couple of minutes to play in the final frame, the Senators stole an overtime win and gave their home crowd something to cheer for.
Ironically enough, it was the first time in the series the Leafs outshot the Senators. It was also the first time in the series that Senators netminder Linus Ullmark was the better goaltender. Anthony Stolarz would probably like to have a couple of the goals he allowed back, but he wasn’t the reason they lost the game. Ultimately, a couple of crucial mistakes and failure to capitalize on opportunities was their devil on Saturday night.
Here are 4 takeaways from the Leafs’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Senators in Game 4.
  • The biggest takeaway, for me, was the first legitimate stumble we’ve seen from this team’s power play since the playoffs began. The Leafs entered the game 5-for-9 on the power play in the series so far, and the end result was 0-for-4 with the man advantage including a shorthanded goal from Shane Pinto and a missed opportunity to capitalize on a double minor opportunity in overtime. The power play is a big reason they entered the series up 3-0, so running into a speed bump with their biggest advantage against a team playing for their lives explains the loss pretty easily. The decision to run with Morgan Rielly on the point after Tavares left the game for a little bit following an elbow to the head didn’t prove to work for them, but they shouldn’t be one player away from a good or bad power play. It has to be better next game, plain and simple.
  • Max Domi had a heroic moment in this series, but his penalty that led to Ottawa’s power play and subsequent game-opening goal was a perfect example of the type of thing he needs to get out of his game. After a good start to the game by the Leafs, Domi lined up in the face-off circle with Shane Pinto, and after a fake drop of the puck, he swiped at him and took a penalty. It was a careless thing to do considering play wasn’t on, and it cost the Leafs a goal and gave the Sens a momentum boost. Like the power play, it’s something Domi and the Leafs will need to limit next game.
  • It was easily Anthony Stolarz’s worst game of the series, but by no means is it grounds to pivot to Joseph Woll for Game 5. It’s tempting when you consider Woll’s performance after entering the series down 3-1 to Boston, but that was one year ago with a different team against a different opponent. Stolarz has earned every right to bounce back from his game, and knowing his ability to stay calm, cool, and collected, his mental game shouldn’t be in question here. He has been one of if not the Leafs’ MVP in this series so far, and one bad game shouldn’t get in the way of anybody’s judgement for Game 5, especially with two days off in between.
  • If the Leafs opt to make any lineup changes for Game 5, it feels like a perfect opportunity to get Nick Robertson back into the lineup. Max Pacioretty had a good game on Thursday night for Game 3, but was less effective tonight outside of a high danger scoring chance that saw Linus Ullmark rob him. Robertson has shown a knack for making an impact after sitting for a couple of games, and what better setting to do that in than at home with an opportunity to advance to the second round?
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