Maple Leafs vs Senators: Toronto Survives Late Push in Thrilling NHL Preseason Battle
The NHL preseason is officially underway, and the rivalry between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators is already delivering fireworks. In a high-energy leafs game, Toronto jumped out to an early lead and then held off a furious late rally from the Sens to secure a 4-3 victory. Fans watching through Sportsnet and inside Canadian Tire Centre witnessed a contest that had all the drama of a playoff clash despite being an early tune-up.
Leafs Score Early to Set the Tone
The leafs score sheet lit up quickly as Toronto wasted no time finding the back of the net. Calle Jarnkrok scored less than a minute into the game, sparking a dominant first period. The Leafs added two more goals in the opening frame:
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Nick Robertson found space to double the lead.
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William Villeneuve followed up with another strike to make it 3-0.
The early surge highlighted Toronto’s offensive depth and gave the visitors complete control of the first 20 minutes.
Senators Fight Back in the Sens Game
The Sens game turned around in the second period when Ridly Greig broke through to give Ottawa life. Toronto quickly responded with Matthew Barbolini’s tally, but Ottawa kept applying pressure:
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Arthur Kaliyev added another in the second to close the gap.
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Olle Lycksell scored in the third, making it a tense 4-3 game.
Despite heavy pressure late, the maple leafs managed to fend off Ottawa’s push and escape with the win.
Goaltending Decisions and Performances
Goaltending played a central role throughout this matchup, with both teams rotating netminders as part of the NHL preseason evaluations.
| Team | Goalie | Saves | Goals Allowed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Vyacheslav Peksa | 16 | 2 | Solid showing, controlled game |
| Ottawa Senators | Linus Ullmark | 5 | 3 | Rough start, pulled early |
| Ottawa Senators | Artur Akhtyamov | 16 | 1 | Strong in relief |
| Ottawa Senators | Mads Sogaard | — | — | Entered late for minutes |
The maple leafs leaned on Peksa, who stood tall in key moments, while the Senators’ rotation highlighted both weaknesses and potential future stability.
Leafs Prospects Making an Impression
Beyond the veterans, this leafs game offered a glimpse into the organization’s depth. Players like Robertson, Barbolini, and Easton Cowan were given significant opportunities. Their performances will be closely watched as Toronto finalizes its roster. The leafs score sheet reflected contributions from both established names and emerging prospects.
Historical Rivalry Between Maple Leafs and Senators
The maple leafs vs senators matchup is one of the NHL’s most storied rivalries. Just months ago, Toronto and Ottawa met in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with the Leafs winning the series in six games. Regular season results favored the sens, but postseason resilience belonged to Toronto.
This preseason meeting was another chapter in the “Battle of Ontario,” reminding fans why this rivalry remains one of the most entertaining in hockey.
What’s Next for Toronto and Ottawa
Both teams will meet again in their home-and-home NHL preseason series, giving coaches more chances to evaluate lineups. For the Leafs, maintaining momentum and ironing out defensive lapses will be crucial. For the Senators, building on their comeback efforts could spark optimism as the season approaches.
