The Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves at a pivotal juncture in their playoff journey, having failed to close out the Ottawa Senators in a recent matchup, resulting in a gut-wrenching 3-2 series score. Coach Sheldon Keefe highlighted the inherent difficulties in closing out a series, an issue that has haunted the Leafs for years. This latest defeat was emblematic of their struggles; a power play opportunity turned disastrous when Auston Matthews committed a turnover, leading to a short-handed goal by the Senators.

The pressure mounts as the Leafs' stars, particularly Matthews, struggle to find their rhythm, with Matthews tallying just one goal in six games. Adding to the Leafs’ troubles is the strong performance of Senators’ goalie Linus Ullmark, who showcased his Vezina-winning capabilities, indicating that the Leafs have their work cut out for them if they hope to advance. The psychological edge now seemingly rests with Ottawa, who are free from the burden of expectation, while the Leafs grapple with the fear of another playoff collapse.