Senators Stave Off Elimination, Defeat Maple Leafs 4-0 in Game 5

The Ottawa Senators staved off elimination with a shutout victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs, forcing a Game 6 in their playoff series. Goaltender Linus Ullmark was instrumental, making 27 saves and earning his first postseason shutout, while Thomas Chabot and Dylan Cozens both netted their first career playoff goals. Despite leading the series 3-0, the Maple Leafs have now lost two consecutive games, reviving concerns about their struggles to close out series, as reflected in their 1-13 record in potential series-clinching games since 2018. The Senators, aiming to become just the fifth NHL team to overcome a 3-0 series deficit, have grown in confidence as the series returns to Ottawa. Toronto's offensive core, including Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, has faced mounting pressure as their post-season frustrations continue. Ottawa's defensive play and opportunistic scoring have shifted momentum, setting up a high-stakes Game 6.