The stage is set for Game 3 in the Battle of Ontario Thursday night, as the Ottawa Senators ready themselves to host the Toronto Maple Leafs, who hold a 2-0 series lead. It’s the first playoff action at the Canadian Tire Centre since 2017, and with their backs up against the wall, the Senators are sure to come out guns-a-blazing.

With that in mind, they’re also well aware of how their lack of discipline affected them through the first two contests. Toronto’s power play has been red hot to start the postseason, with four goals on the man advantage through Games 1 and 2.

Speaking after the Senators morning skate Thursday, head coach Travis Green addressed his team’s undisciplined style of play as one of the key things they need to clean up headed into this all-important match.

After Game 1 saw the Senators take the lion’s share of the game’s penalty minutes with 38 across their roster, they had only 4 in Game 2. Still, Artem Zub’s second period tripping penalty proved costly, as John Tavares netted another power play marker for Toronto en route to their overtime win. With how the Leafs are clicking on the man advantage, the Senators would be smart to try not to give them those opportunities.

The press conference got off to a bit of a tense start, with Green responding to a question on what his message is to his team with a simple, “Play better.” Pushed on his lineup for tonight, he also abruptly said he wasn’t going to give much information on his line combinations.

While he tries to maintain a mostly neutral demeanour on his team being down in the series, it’s no wonder he’d be frustrated after sweeping the season series against the Maple Leafs and now struggling to find that first win. With the series shifting to Ottawa, Green says his roster is ready to use the energy to fuel them.

“They will, they’re gonna be excited,” said Green. “You’re always excited in the playoffs when you play at home. Much like Toronto, you could tell there was a lot of juice in their game to start the game. The crowd is loud. You grow up watching playoff hockey, it’s fun too, it’s exciting, and that can’t be forgotten. So I’m not worried about our guys embracing it.”

Puck drop at the Canadian Tire Centre is at 7 pm eastern tonight.