Maple Leaf News and Rumors: OEL, Tavares, Stolarz & Nylander – Hockey Writer – Toronto Maple Leaf
In a dramatic back-and-forth battle, the Ottawa Senators staved off elimination Saturday night with a thrilling 4–3 overtime victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 4. The win, sparked by a long-range wrist shot from defenseman Jake Sanderson, kept Ottawa's postseason hopes alive and set the stage for a cruel Game 5 back in Toronto.
Related: 3 gains from Maple Leaf's 4-3 OT Losing to Senator
Sanderson's 17:42 overtime winner (starting from the left board) emanated in heavy traffic and found the upper right corner, beating Maple Leaf goalkeeper Anthony Stolarz. The victory marked Ottawa's first playoff victory since the 2017 Eastern Conference Finals, winning after two consecutive overtime losses in Games 2 and 3. This is the first postseason opportunity for the Maple Leafs to eliminate Ottawa in 2001, and it is a missed opportunity. With season 3-1 of the series, the action moved to Toronto and returned to Toronto for Pivotal Game 5.
Oliver Ekman Larsson's goal kept the Leafs in Game 4 when he exploded the third cycle equalizer from William Nylander's smooth cross-axis ice. His second playoff goal (his second playoff) put Maple Leaf level 3-3 late in the regulation and showed exactly why the veteran defense is still so valuable in the back end.
Now heading into four playoff games, Ekman-Larsson scored two goals in six and continued to record big minutes while anchoring the blue line. Last year, his combination of experience and offensive upwards allowed the Maple Leafs to lead completely and stably, and his combination of experience and offensive upwards led him to a 29-point regular season and Stanley Cup victory if they intend to work in depth. His calming approach and big shots are an important part of Toronto's playoff push.
Second: John Tavares prompts a third home goal in four games
John Tavares continued to lead by example in the 2025 playoffs, scoring his third goal in four games in Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss. The veteran's forward now has five points in the series and has run a strong 74-point regular season momentum in the playoff spotlight. His goal later in the first phase helped keep the Maple Leafs behind early. He has been a steady producer throughout the playoffs.
Related: Former Maple Leaf Nikita Zaitsev's career: From Russia to NHL & Back again
Tavares will be a free agent this offseason and is not playing like someone is thinking about his next contract – he is like his former captain, focusing on helping the Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup. Tavares scored intact and his leadership, as always, proved that he is still a key part of any championship puzzle.
Event 3: Anthony Stolarz fights overtime loss on Maple Leaf
Anthony Stolarz scored 17 saves in Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss. But this is a game where the statistics series doesn't tell the whole story. While four goals of 21 goals weren't his sharpest outing, the towering goalkeeper stayed strong all night in heavy traffic and the game winner had little chance, an overtime champion to beat his tall gloves.
Despite the losses, Strars has remained steady in his first playoffs. Maple Leaf still led the 3-1 series before returning to Toronto for Game 5, with a chance to close it. If the crease remains in his form, Stolarz will seek a quick rebound and help push the maple leaves into the second round.
Project 4: William Nylander's attack in the maple leaf
William Nylander expanded his playoff point straight to four games on Saturday, recording two assists in the Maple Leafs’ defeat. Although he didn't score, he scored six points in four games (including assists). Nylander's production style has changed, but he has made the team consistently attack and has found ways to contribute even if the scoreboard doesn't tilt Toronto's way.
Related: The chemistry of Marner, Matthews and Maple Leafs does not only happen
Nylander is now second on the team, behind Mitch Marner (7 points) and continues to show his value as one of the most dynamic playmakers in the Maple Leafs roster. Nylander's ability to create scoring opportunities will be a key factor in trying to end the series as the Maple Leafs prepare for a 5-point game at home.
What's next for maple leaves?
The series moved to Toronto for Game 5, and the Maple Leafs will have another chance to end the first round and avoid giving the Senators another lifetime. Ottawa is still playing football and will enter the game with new beliefs. Can they become the fifth team in NHL history, returning from a 3-0 series deficit? The 2014 Los Angeles Kings was the last NHL team to complete the feat.
Ironically, it was one of four teams in the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1942, a story book reminding the unpredictability of playoff hockey. Neither of these benches will lose this history. For the current maple leaf, the message is clear: the work is done before the momentum begins to shift.
