This series with the Ottawa Senators has the Leafs struggling to close it out. That’s 13 defeats in the last 14 attempts to close out a playoff series after getting beaten 4-0 at home Tuesday night. Toronto Maple Leafs’ best players, Matthews, Marner, and Knies, had a terrible night. They didn’t score, and they were on the ice for all four goals scored against them.
Although Berube is stubborn in keeping his lineup together for Game 6, he still has faith in his guys. Meanwhile, Ottawa has come alive. Down 3-0 in the series, they’ve won 2 in a row and now have a real one on their hand. Their goalie, Forsberg, completely shut down Toronto’s offense last game, while players such as Tkachuk and Stützle are stepping up.
Right now, the Senators are riding the momentum with the home crowd behind them for Game 6. With nothing to lose, they become all the more dangerous against a Leafs team that appears pretty nervous about blowing a series.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators Potential Lineups | Game 6
The Leafs took a 3-0 series lead and won very comfortably in those first three games. But, the last laugh came in Game 4 when Ottawa came back to win in overtime, and the Senators enjoyed rolling on in Game 5 with a 4–0 shutout.
In the last two games, Toronto’s top line of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and Matthew Knies failed to provide offense and was on the ice for all of Ottawa’s goals in Game 5. The Senators are finding their rhythm, though, with Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk playing major roles. Linus Ullmark was also solid in the Ottawa goal as he recorded the shutout to keep Ottawa’s playoff hopes alive. Now Ottawa is riding on a 3-2 momentum, but Toronto still holds a chance to win Game 6.
Toronto Maple Leafs—Projected Lineup
Forwards:
- Matthew Knies – Auston Matthews – Mitch Marner
- Pontus Holmberg – John Tavares – William Nylander
- Bobby McMann – Max Domi – Max Pacioretty
- Steven Lorentz – Scott Laughton – Calle Järnkrok
Defensemen:
- Jake McCabe – Chris Tanev
- Morgan Rielly – Brandon Carlo
- Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Simon Benoit
Goaltenders:
- Anthony Stolarz (starter)
- Joseph Woll​
Special Teams:
Power Play Units:
- Unit 1: Matthew Knies, John Tavares, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews
- Unit 2: Max Pacioretty, Max Domi, Bobby McMann, Morgan Rielly, Oliver Ekman-Larsson​
Penalty Kill Units:
- Unit 1: Pontus Holmberg, Mitch Marner, Jake McCabe, Chris Tanev
- Unit 2: Scott Laughton, Matthew Knies, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Brandon Carlo
Ottawa Senators – Projected Lineup
Forwards:
- Brady Tkachuk – Tim Stützle – David Perron
- Claude Giroux – Ridly Greig – Drake Batherson
- Nick Cousins – Shane Pinto – Michael Amadio
- Matthew Highmore – Zack Ostapchuk – Adam Gaudette​
Defensemen:
- Jake Sanderson – Artem Zub
- Thomas Chabot – Travis Hamonic
- Tyler Kleven – Nikolas Matinpalo
Goaltenders:
- Anton Forsberg (starter)
- Leevi Meriläinen
Injured Players:
- Linus Ullmark (back)
- Jacob Bernard-Docker (high ankle sprain)
- Noah Gregor (lower body)
- Josh Norris (upper body)
- Nick Jensen (undisclosed)
Power Play Unit 1:
- Brady Tkachuk – Tim Stützle – Claude Giroux
- Alex DeBrincat – Thomas Chabot
Power Play Unit 2:
- Josh Norris – Drake Batherson – Mathieu Joseph
- Jake Sanderson – Artem Zub
Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and Morgan Rielly are the key players to look for. The Toronto Maple Leafs will have to lead offensively, and Rielly will have to contribute on both the offensive and defensive sides.
Anthony Stolarz will need to rebound in goal for a tough Game 5. Tim Stützle and Brady Tkachuk are crucial components to the Ottawa Senators’ offense, as Stützle adds the creativity and Tkachuk the physical presence. Also important for Ottawa is goaltender Linus Ullmark, who stopped everything in his path last time out.
