Senators Avoid Elimination With Game 4 Overtime Win

The Maple Leafs cut their deficit in half at 19:05 when John Tavares tipped a William Nylander shot past Ullmark for his third goal of the series. Ottawa slightly outshot Toronto 10-9 as the first came to an end.

The opening 10 minutes of the second period played out similarly to the game’s opening 10. After a scoreless first half, Matthew Knies fought off Artem Zub for a breakaway chance, and he beat Ullmark up high for his third of the series at 10:12. Mitch Marner picked up the only assist on the game-tying goal, and his sixth of the series.

Both the Senators and Maple Leafs had one power play apiece, but both failed to capitalize on the man advantage. Toronto dictated play for the majority of the period and outshot the Senators 9-1 as both teams headed to the third tied at two.

With their season on the line, the Senators began the third period on a mission. After spending the majority of the first seven minutes in Toronto’s zone, Perron redirected a feed from Zub past Stolarz to give the Senators a 3-2 lead at 7:32. Adam Gaudette picked up the secondary assist on the go-ahead goal. 

Perhaps the biggest save of the series for Ullmark came with under eight minutes to play when he sprawled across the crease to rob Max Pacioretty and preserve the one-goal lead. Less than two minutes later, Ullmark was unable to stop a snapshot from Oliver Ekman-Larsson off a cross-zone feed from Nylander, and the Maple Leafs squandered the third Ottawa lead of the night at 14:31.

Both teams continued to exchange chances for the final five minutes of regulation, but none resulted in a game-winning goal, so the Battle of Ontario needed overtime for the third straight game. Toronto generated seven shots and held Ottawa to just three as the Maple Leafs looked to move on to the second round, and the Senators fought to send the series back to Toronto for Game 5.

Overtime began with a high-sticking double minor on Drake Batherson when he struck Chris Tanev in the face and drew blood. Toronto’s power play was missing Tavares, who went to the Maple Leafs’ dressing room after being hit with an elbow from Zub while battling in front of the net. The Sens were able to kill off the four-minute infraction and keep their season alive.

After over 17 minutes of back and forth, tension-filled play, Sanderson lobbed a shot from the point that floated all the way past a screened Stolarz and into the net for the game winner at 17:42. Sanderson’s first career playoff goal won the game for Ottawa and kept the Senators alive for at least one more game.

Toronto now holds a 3-1 series lead, and Game 5 will be on Tuesday (April 29) in Toronto.