Senators edge Maple Leafs 4-3 in OT, cut series deficit

The Ottawa Senators kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime in Game 4 of their first-round series, cutting Toronto's lead to 3-1. Defenseman Jake Sanderson scored the game-winning goal in overtime with a wrist shot from the blue line, after the Senators had previously blown a 2-0 lead. Tim Stutzle and Shane Pinto each scored their first playoff goals to give Ottawa an early advantage, but Toronto rallied with goals from John Tavares, Matthew Knies, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson to force overtime. The Senators survived a critical four-minute penalty kill in overtime before Sanderson's winner, marking Ottawa's first postseason victory since 2017. Game 5 will take place in Toronto, with Ottawa needing to continue their comeback to avoid elimination. Only four teams in NHL history have overcome a 3-0 series deficit to win.