Thomas Chabot: “It’s Going to Take Our Best Game” as Senators Look to Extend Series in Toronto

After three straight overtime games, the mighty Battle of Ontario shifts back to Toronto on Tuesday night. The Ottawa Senators kept their season alive with a 4–3 overtime win over the Maple Leafs on Saturday, as Jake Sanderson netted the game-winner with a floating wrist shot from the left point.

Apr 26, 2025: Thomas Chabot (72) passes the puck in game four of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

The Senators, who managed just two goals in each of the first three games, are hoping their four-goal performance in Game 4, capped by Sanderson’s seeing-eye shot, signals a turning point around Toronto’s net.

Anthony Stolarz was on the heater of his life at 11-0, but that’s over now, and Stolarz has a penchant for being streaky. Since February, he’s gone 4-0, 0-4-1, 11-0, and now 0-1. The Sens would love to see him hit another cold spell.

Another Hail Mary stat for Ottawa may lie in Toronto’s recent playoff history. Since 2017, the Leafs have won just one postseason series and hold a 1–12 record in closeout games.

More tangibly, Ottawa also got a much-needed boost on special teams. Their penalty kill, which had struggled earlier in the series, went a perfect four-for-four in Game 4. That effort included a short-handed goal by Shane Pinto, and a season-saving overtime kill while Drake Batherson sat out for four minutes.

The power play even won the day, going 1 for 2, featuring a gorgeous one-timer by Tim Stutzle for his first career playoff goal.

Both teams should come into Game 5 well-rested following a rare two-day break between games. The early going may resemble the physical tone set in Game 1, when both sides came out with the energy of a big dog that hadn’t been walked in a while.

“We want to be a physical team,” coach Travis Green told the media on Tuesday. “That’s part of how we play, and you hope that it has an effect as the series goes on. But I think both teams will have a lot of juice in their game tonight with a couple of days off. It’s going to be a great hockey game.”

Defenseman Thomas Chabot, the longest-serving active Senator, celebrated the first playoff win of his career on Saturday, but knows more will be required in Game 5.

“It’s going to take our best game, simple as that,” Chabot told the media. “Obviously, a big win in front of our fans last game, but you know what, you just got to focus on today.

“I’ve said it multiple times, but we’re facing a very talented team, they play good at home, so it’s going to take our best game.”

On the injury front, forward Ridly Greig was shaken up again in Game 4 after a collision near the end boards. He left the game for a few moments, but wasn’t gone long. He missed practice but is expected to suit up tonight.

The Senators are hoping to become just the fifth team in NHL history to overcome a 3-0 series deficit to win a playoff series, but no one in Ottawa’s locker room cares to talk about that. They’re squarely focused on Game 5 and nothing else.