Coming off a loss in a big game to the Florida Panthers, there was a lot to look forward to in a Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators matchup that matters. One team is fighting for a playoff spot, while the other is fighting to get their game right for the playoffs.
Was the extra day of rest all the Leafs needed to bounce back? Could the Leafs embrace their new forward lines and bounce back into the win column? Could they answer the call and stop the advances of a desperate team in the Senators?
These three questions get the same answer: No.
What stood out the most in the 4-2 loss for Toronto was the difference in urgency. Yes, Ottawa needs this game more than Toronto does, but I was hoping to see the Leafs ignite the competitiveness instead of being the ones to respond to it. The Sens were playing heavy in their own end and along the boards while the Leafs relied too much on stick checking instead of getting the body on the opposition. David Perron’s goal is a perfect example of that.
The team looked disconnected and disorganized, and worst of all, they looked passive. The team’s two goals were from an individual effort, and a Linus Ullmark mistake. The penalty kill gave up a goal on its only opportunity, and the power play only managed a single shot. Ullmark was outstanding for Ottawa, but he was not the only reason why the Leafs lost.
There are no moral victories in this one. The Leafs get a final team grade of D+.
Unit reports
Matthew Knies — Auston Matthews — Max Domi: B
The new top line was the only trio to stay intact for the whole game and were executing well on their chances. The line got some good luck off Matthews’ goal to regain the lead 56 seconds after Jake Sanderson tied it. Good on Domi to keep the pressure on Ullmark and luckily he didn’t knock the net off.
Third-period changes
Marner wound up back with Matthews and Knies in the third. He didn’t add to his shot total, and although he stopped Greig’s empty net attempt, the overall play did not improve.
Steven Lorentz — Pontus Holmberg — Nick Robertson: B
This fourth line can work long term. Tonight was a big opportunity for Holmberg in Kämpf’s spot to prove he can be a better option at 4C. It was also a good chance for Robertson to show he can bring more offence to the bottom six and the vision is there. Robertson did a good job opening himself up for shots and set up a nice play for Holmberg himself. He wound up getting an assist on William Nylander’s goal after taking a shot on Ullmark seconds before, getting the rebound and keeping it in the zone before the end of his shift.
They weren’t perfect together as Ottawa’s fourth line had the majority of the chances against them at five-on-five, but it’s a unit that can work, especially if Robertson buries those opportunities.
Third-period changes
Calle Järnkrok was dropped down to the fourth line but the trio still put together some good shifts in the final 10 minutes of the third. Holmberg and Lorentz had looks on it.
Bobby McMann — John Tavares — Mitch Marner: D
Both Marner and Tavares had Grade A chances in both periods. Marner forced Ullmark to make a good save from the slot while Tavares shot high on an open net. The line really started to fall in the second, with McMann throwing five hits without any shots or shot attempts.
Tavares had some of the better looks in the third, but still couldn’t connect on any of them.
number of chances for Tavares
good keep from Matthews pic.twitter.com/t2LGQSKHs8
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) March 16, 2025
William Nylander — Scott Laughton — Calle Järnkrok: D
This line had nothing going for them offensively and spent the majority of their shifts in the defensive zone in the first, and shot attempts were 0-9. Nylander finally got on the board in the second period off a great individual effort while Järnkrok and Laughton struggled to get anything on net.
WILLIAM NYLANDER 🚨
37th of the season! pic.twitter.com/NcBSXodaZA
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) March 16, 2025
Laughton had a bit of a chaotic rush in the first, resulting in him crashing into Ullmark and trying to spark the team with a fight after Ottawa made it 3-2.
Third-period changes
Laughton started the final period in between Nylander and Marner but wound up leaving the game after taking Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s stick to the face.
Laughton went to the dressing room after taking a stick to the eye pic.twitter.com/RzaqoQAnzk
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) March 16, 2025
Defence player reports
Brandon Carlo: B
Carlo was the only plus defender on the ice. His positioning in the system is improving, but he still finds himself in awkward spots. It was encouraging to see some offence from the pair though. Carlo got his first assist as Leaf on Nylander’s goal and had two hard shots on goal in the third.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson: B
Ekman-Larsson played 23:48 tonight, the majority of that (23:24) at 5v5. The majority of his starts were in the offensive zone. Another one of his penalties also became a goal against. Was it a penalty? Who knows.
Morgan Rielly: B-
Some of Ottawa’s odd-man rushes and goals came off Rielly’s stick. The Perron goal was not only the game winner, but a dagger for the team. Some of Ottawa’s odd-man rushes and goals came off Rielly’s stick. The Perron goal was not only the game winner, but a dagger for the team.
David Perron ties it again pic.twitter.com/Q9nb2Hyb2L
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) March 16, 2025
Jake McCabe: B-
The Senators got some quality chances off McCabe’s pinches. He took advantage of the Sens focusing on Matthews to get two scoring chances on Ullmark though both were stopped.
Chris Tanev: B-
This was a season-low in ice time for Tanev at 16:21. He had some good one-on-one moments with pressure down below the goal line and unfortunately, Ottawa’s game tying goal on the power play came off his stick.
Anthony Stolarz: B+
Back to back starts for Stolarz and he came up big in the first with the odd-man rushes the Sens were getting. Adam Gaudette likely makes it 1-0 after Matthew Highmore’s shot created a perfect rebound. I thought his timing on the Perron goal was slower than we’ve seen but Stolarz matched Ullmark’s performance and kept the Leafs in it.
Game Score
What’s next for the Leafs?
The Leafs will be donning their St. Pats jerseys for their game Monday night against the Calgary Flames (7:30 PM on Prime).
(Photo: Dan Hamilton / Imagn Images)
