Zak MacMillan: Stanley Cup Post-Game Two Battle of Ontario Overtime was necessary for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Max Domi to extend the series lead to 2-0 over the Ottawa Senators in the Battle of Ontario.

It goes without saying that game 3 is a MUST win.

History says that the home crowd will be LOUD and Sens win. It will be game 4 that I will be carefully watching - along with how they play game 3. Ullmark has to be MUCH better at home. He has a chance to regain his confidence and demonstrate that whether they win or lose, he isn't just a regular season goalie. The Sens have made a HUGE investment in him. He is the largest cap in between the pipes they've ever had. The other good thing is the Sens don't have to travel outside Ottawa the next 6 days. Plenty of time for Tkachuk, Jensen and anyone else to get good rest and take care of injuries or things nagging them.

My prediction is if Sens win both home games, Sens win the series. Leafs in 5 if Sens only win 1 home game.

Having significantly more shots and more hits in both games is a good sign... Just need to actually bury the shots, but that was an issue all season.

I complained on another thread about Stolarz getting away with 3 penalties before the call, and what in the heck Grieg was given...

.....but......

....the Sens got away with a non-call on the over the glass call.

So...even stevens??

Playoff penalties are always frustrating (any team). There's zero consistency. Keep your stick on the ice and don't worry about what you can't control.

So I tend to agree with some of what is being said here by Sens fans. If Sens don’t win both games 3 and 4 at home, get most likely lose the series.

High counts of shots and hits are good relatively speaking. You might have to hit more if you have the puck less. Also Sens have taken 7 penalties to Leaf’s 5 so far in this series.
As far as shots are concerned, teams like Toronto and Florida are content to clog the slot and keep the shots coming from the outside as those are low danger.

Lastly this season Ulmark put up his 3rd worst SV% of his career and 4th worst GAA. His best seasons were behind Bostons then stout defence…but even in those seasons his playoff numbers were not good.
I realize Stolarz and Will don’t have much of a resume either….but this has to be worrisome if you’re the underdog and down 2 games in the series.

I complained on another thread about Stolarz getting away with 3 penalties before the call, and what in the heck Grieg was given...

.....but......

....the Sens got away with a non-call on the over the glass call.

So...even stevens??
- GrimmdaGoalie

Did it go very clean? I thought it nicked the glass but didn't really see the replay so could be wrong.

Did it go very clean? I thought it nicked the glass but didn't really see the replay so could be wrong.
- david22

The Leafs threads are all over it, lol

As much as I want them to win the series, I want them to win a game at home. Learning to win the playoffs is hard. They learned hard lessons Game 1. Fixed some stuff, did better Game 2.

All I want to see (and have wanted to see over the last 7 years or so) is improvement.

Having said all that...I'd be really happy to see an arena full of Sens fans for once when they face Toronto. Be really disappointed if season ticket holders (who got first crack and then the ability to buy extra tickets for Ottawa Sens fans - non transferrable) sold their tickets.

I complained on another thread about Stolarz getting away with 3 penalties before the call, and what in the heck Grieg was given...

.....but......

....the Sens got away with a non-call on the over the glass call.

So...even stevens??
- GrimmdaGoalie

they reviewed it twice and checked video review, it hit the glass.

It goes without saying that game 3 is a MUST win.

History says that the home crowd will be LOUD and Sens win. It will be game 4 that I will be carefully watching - along with how they play game 3. Ullmark has to be MUCH better at home. He has a chance to regain his confidence and demonstrate that whether they win or lose, he isn't just a regular season goalie. The Sens have made a HUGE investment in him. He is the largest cap in between the pipes they've ever had. The other good thing is the Sens don't have to travel outside Ottawa the next 6 days. Plenty of time for Tkachuk, Jensen and anyone else to get good rest and take care of injuries or things nagging them.
- AlfieisKing

Loud with repeated cheers of GO LEAFS GO............

Loud with repeated cheers of GO LEAFS GO............
- prock

Bet? Naw..... they'll have many more Sens fans

I think it will be a good split of fans on both sides. should be electric. Go Leafs Go. hope for a good action packed game.

Much like others have said. Ullmark has to step up, but they’re doing good things. Keep shooting, keep hitting.

I haven’t checked the blocked shots, but the leafs must have had a crazy amount. People constantly repeating that the Sens didn’t get a shot for 13 min in the third missed that they had possession for most of that, shots just kept getting swallowed up.

Early lead is crucial.

Loud with repeated cheers of GO LEAFS GO............
- prock

The return of Pr!ck! Good old pr!ck, showing up right on time.

I think it will be a good split of fans on both sides. should be electric. Go Leafs Go. hope for a good action packed game.
- systemtool

Not a split..probably something like 70/30 or 60/40. It’s something the Sens are used to.

Can’t wait!

Much like others have said. Ullmark has to step up, but they’re doing good things. Keep shooting, keep hitting.

I haven’t checked the blocked shots, but the leafs must have had a crazy amount. People constantly repeating that the Sens didn’t get a shot for 13 min in the third missed that they had possession for most of that, shots just kept getting swallowed up.

Early lead is crucial.
- CooCooKaChoo

The first goal would definitely be a confidence boost for the Sens. Leafs do a good job defending the lead and are used to getting outshot.

I know Brady’s not 100, but he needs to have a big game.

Ullmark, like you said has to outplay Stolarz. We need the goalie who essentially shut the door on the red wings season.

to think 3 canadian team might be swept out of the first round (OTT, MTL, EDM) but give credit were its due, at least MTL and OTT are not getting blow out in their games, so far, like EDM is.

to think 3 canadian team might be swept out of the first round (OTT, MTL, EDM) but give credit were its due, at least MTL and OTT are not getting blow out in their games, so far, like EDM is.
- Mithos

Didn't Ottawa get blown out first game? Wasn't as close as Edmontons first game just by checking the scores

Didn't Ottawa get blown out first game? Wasn't as close as Edmontons first game.
- systemtool

you sir are correct, my bad. only MTL has not gotten blown out yet.

you sir are correct, my bad. only MTL has not gotten blown out yet.
- Mithos

I think all 3 still have lots of fight left, especially with home ice coming up. I'd be surprised if more than one team got swept. Should be fun seeing it all play out

I think all 3 still have lots of fight left, especially with home ice coming up. I'd be surprised if more than one team got swept. Should be fun seeing it all play out
- systemtool

The game to watch tonight (other than Toronto @ Ottawa, of course) is Florida @ Tampa.

If Florida can grab both away games to start the series, it's a serious uphill climb for Tampa.

I feel like the Sens will win game 3. Gotta think all the angst of not having playoff hockey at home for year will connect with most of the players for an excellent effort. I think Batherson line has a huge game and that Ullmark won’t be perfect but will be good enough. I would like to see Chabot force some more point shots offensively rather than timidly try to find the perfect pass.

The building should be rocking. Will be interesting to see the fan split in the stands. I am not sold that some season ticket holders are not Leaf fans to begin with but will be disappointing if people gave/sold tickets to Leaf fans when tickets to the general public were hard to come by.

I feel like the Sens will win game 3. Gotta think all the angst of not having playoff hockey at home for year will connect with most of the players for an excellent effort. I think Batherson line has a huge game and that Ullmark won’t be perfect but will be good enough. I would like to see Chabot force some more point shots offensively rather than timidly try to find the perfect pass.

The building should be rocking. Will be interesting to see the fan split in the stands. I am not sold that some season ticket holders are not Leaf fans to begin with but will be disappointing if people gave/sold tickets to Leaf fans when tickets to the general public were hard to come by.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Interestingly, there are not a ton of resale seats left on Ticketmaster. Definitely less than were still there in the morning on game day for game 2.

And prices are pretty much the same as they were for game 2 in Toronto.

I'm not sure what that means in terms of your question, though: did Leafs fans buy up tickets in advance, before they made the trip?

Interestingly, there are not a ton of resale seats left on Ticketmaster. Definitely less than were still there in the morning on game day for game 2.

And prices are pretty much the same as they were for game 2 in Toronto.

I'm not sure what that means in terms of your question, though: did Leafs fans buy up tickets in advance, before they made the trip?
- Atomic Wedgie

It will be interesting. I feel the fact that the Senators haven’t had a playoff game at home in 7+ years should mean there are a few more eager beaver Sens fans nabbing tickets than usual. However, the market it what it is, so bound to be a good number of Leaf fans.