> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Recap: Leafs calmly beat the emo Senators - URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/recap-leafs-calmly-beat-the-emo-senators/ - Published: 2025-04-21T01:53:38.000Z - Updated: 2025-04-21T01:53:38.000Z - Description: Power play, Stolie, fourth line, top line. Who says this isn't a complete team? - Author: Cathy Squires - Tags: Game Coverage, Maple Leafs Playoffs ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2025/04/GpA6Z3qXcAAm0ti-1-.jpg) ### First Period It took almost four minutes for the first Shot on Goal. Everyone was getting their hard hits in first. Nick Robertson checks, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. But he doesn't hit as hard as Matt Knies. > setting the tone early [pic.twitter.com/lbchXpF3fi](https://t.co/lbchXpF3fi?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914095194988831027?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > Nicky Bobby! [pic.twitter.com/sypndE2BDR](https://t.co/sypndE2BDR?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914095555858620856?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Notice below how not near the net the Leafs are. One line got in close consistently in this period, and it wasn't the Matthews line. I expected them to face the toughest checking and effective defence, though. > Matthews has the first Leafs shot of the game > > good race and chip from Knies to move the puck around [pic.twitter.com/q0iCLmJGQr](https://t.co/q0iCLmJGQr?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914096530148991224?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) The fourth line, however... they got to play. > Laughton gets the primary > > First 24/25 playoff goal is from a d-man [pic.twitter.com/PStqhkujig](https://t.co/PStqhkujig?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914099135734521958?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) **1-0 Leafs** No luck on this one: > Jarnkrok was that close to making it 2-0 > > it was right on the line! [pic.twitter.com/9VmQlRrhvd](https://t.co/9VmQlRrhvd?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914099760803225884?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Mr. Bombastic: > Benoit drops Cozens [pic.twitter.com/7pujYBesK0](https://t.co/7pujYBesK0?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914100539945582863?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) You sometimes have to make your own space: > MITCH MARNER 🚨 > > BREAKAWAY GOAL! IT'S 2-0! [pic.twitter.com/DHdwUKtdNb](https://t.co/DHdwUKtdNb?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914101002468253788?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > Matthews grabs the puck and sends Marner [pic.twitter.com/BIMMhHwwcN](https://t.co/BIMMhHwwcN?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914101633908138298?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) **2-0 Leafs** Anthony Stolarz had some issues with rebound and puck control: > gotta clean this up [pic.twitter.com/N26nqltot4](https://t.co/N26nqltot4?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 20, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914104060149383598?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) And he didn't get a lot of help there either. **2-1 Leafs** When they can get there, it goes in there. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2025/04/20242025-30111-5v5.png) Senators with 56% Corsi and 43% Expected Goals. Shift chart shows the third line playing very little and someone on line one or two scoops up some of the Robertson or Bobby McMann shifts. ### Second Period > huge breakaway save from Stolarz on Tkachuk [pic.twitter.com/sNb6ktPiQu](https://t.co/sNb6ktPiQu?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 21, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914110438008123697?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) First penalty call: > boarding call on Stutzle [pic.twitter.com/oBUNo8i19X](https://t.co/oBUNo8i19X?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 21, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914110664286847341?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) That was quick: > how to score a PPG in 9 seconds: > > win the draw, score the goal [pic.twitter.com/HhmxLBy5mo](https://t.co/HhmxLBy5mo?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 21, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914111385388147198?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) **3-1 Leafs.** Ridley Greig with the cross-check in the corner: > another angle [pic.twitter.com/VVqfKFkPOJ](https://t.co/VVqfKFkPOJ?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 21, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914112783488352463?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) This was called as a major so the automatic review could take place, but it was reduced to two minutes. This was also two minutes: > Gaudette is called for cross-checking [pic.twitter.com/gAZbKM99Tq](https://t.co/gAZbKM99Tq?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 21, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914113232047898821?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) The Leafs had a five-on-three, but they didn't need much of it. > WILLIAM NYLANDER 🚨 > > 5-ON-3 PPG! [pic.twitter.com/U0llqH5UM0](https://t.co/U0llqH5UM0?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 21, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914113672122663376?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) **4-1 Leafs.** > Nylander is called for hooking [pic.twitter.com/wAUaYxxGYn](https://t.co/wAUaYxxGYn?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 21, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914116491051409422?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) You could clearly see him say, "That was soft," on the way to the box. > Batherson is called for tripping [pic.twitter.com/FRGaUVTJ91](https://t.co/FRGaUVTJ91?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 21, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914119360047698231?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) At the same time Scott Laughton got into it with Brady Tkachuck, so they both went to the box. All of this happened with 13 seconds left in the period, so the power play for the Leafs will open the third. Midway through this period Max Domi and Pontus Holmberg switched places. It might be that with a lead, Craig Berube wants some more defence on a line that hasn't been good. Or it might be that Domi has actually made about one useful pass all game. Not his best night by any means. The Tavares line has been checked very effectively by Shane Pinto et al. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2025/04/20242025-30111-all.png) In All-Situations, you can see that the Senators aren't getting anywhere near the net. This is a best case scenario outcome for the Leafs so far. Ottawa outshot the Leafs in that period, and I'm not going to be surprised if they do in the third as well. But it barely matters when their quality of shooting is so bad and the Leafs power play has locked down a good lead. > The [#leafs](https://twitter.com/hashtag/leafs?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) have scored more PP goals in 28 minutes against the [#sens](https://twitter.com/hashtag/sens?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) than they managed in the entire first round against Boston last spring. > > — Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) [April 21, 2025](https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1914112978917433728?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) ### Third Period The Leafs power play never really got setup. Matthew Highmore proving his worth on the PK. Shortly after the Leafs took a penalty they didn't have to serve. Greig scored. > Ridly Greig makes it 4-2 on the delayed penalty call [pic.twitter.com/sBJGk78ACE](https://t.co/sBJGk78ACE?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 21, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914125883608048068?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) **4-2 Leafs.** Morgan Rielly decided to try scoring like it's 1985\. It worked. > from a defensive zone start to a 5-2 goal > > Rielly from Robertson [pic.twitter.com/8e4ISRRD9n](https://t.co/8e4ISRRD9n?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 21, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914126854295785675?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) **5-2 Leafs.** Good play by Robertson here. Linus Ullmark had been very bad this game. At this point, the Leafs were not putting three forwards deep in the offensive zone, but they were letting two guys get below the goal line. The Leafs are still the Leafs even when they turtle a little. The Senators had a lot more quality to their shooting in this third period, however. The Senators with another cross-checking penalty, and Dylan Cozens also got a misconduct at the same time for something unreported. > Batherson is called for cross checking [pic.twitter.com/BuuWuVd2m8](https://t.co/BuuWuVd2m8?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 21, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914130391113339176?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > MATTHEW KNIES 🚨 > > THE FANTASTIC FIVE WILL NOT BE STOPPED! [pic.twitter.com/ByR4aWtWQk](https://t.co/ByR4aWtWQk?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 21, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914130827530866992?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) **6-2 Leafs.** And almost immediately the Senators took a high-sticking penalty. The wheels have come off for Ottawa. > Kleven is called for high-sticking [pic.twitter.com/0wX6ViXZ83](https://t.co/0wX6ViXZ83?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 21, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914131536133210171?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Ekman-Larsson knocked Greig down who bowled into Stolarz, who is fine. Ottawa with a power play with three minutes to go which comes to nothing. Big scrum at the end of the period between the Domi third line and some Senators. The usual bruisers. > its getting fiery towards the end of the game [pic.twitter.com/uKqOG0dGWp](https://t.co/uKqOG0dGWp?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [April 21, 2025](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1914134077537394850?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) The ref gave roughing minors to everyone on the ice save the goalies. Four-on-four the result. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2025/04/20242025-30111-all--1-.png) At the 3 minute mark. Final score was 6-2 Leafs. The Leafs just played their game tonight whenever they had a chance. Did they win the Corsi battle? Nope. And they didn't do a lot better at Expected Goals, either. But their three strengths all fired: Stolie, the power play, the talent of the skaters. Bright spots: OEL looked fine. Jake McCabe was back! Robertson, Laughton and Järnkrok. Worries: The second line is going to get flattened by the Ottawa second line unless they get some checking power. The Leafs still can't essay a zone exit with confidence.