Toronto Maple Leafs capitalize on Ottawa Senators' playoff inexperience in commanding 6-2 win

As much as the Ottawa Senators made their postseason debut after a seven-year hiatus, it was apparent that their inexperience in the playoffs would not hold up against the Toronto Maple Leafs' finely tuned older core.
Ottawa Senators head coach Travis Green acknowledged his team battled nerves early, and those nerves immediately translated into damaging penalties. In a critical stretch of the second period, Tim Stützle, Ridly Greig, and Adam Gaudette committed undisciplined penalties that gave the Toronto Maple Leafs close to seven consecutive minutes on the power play.
“We definitely have to stay out of the box. I’ll say that,” Travis Green said. “I thought there was a couple calls they did a good job selling.”
The Senators were being whistled for a staggering 36 minutes, more than double the 16 minutes whistled to the Maple Leafs. That margin gave Toronto time and room to develop confidence and rhythm, which was evident in a surgical performance at both ends of the ice.

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube credited his team's poise and preparedness, adding that their experience kept them on track despite Ottawa's efforts to unsettle them.
“It definitely helps,” Berube said. “(Knowing) what to expect and how to keep your team composed and calm and talk about the things that come up in games and series, shift to shift, all that stuff.”
Goaltender Anthony Stolarz, in his first-ever playoff start, was solid as a rock despite a wobbly first period. The 30-year-old turned aside 31 shots and recorded key stops on Brady Tkachuk and Shane Pinto to maintain momentum in Toronto's favor. Forward 22-year-old Matthew Knies topped all Maple Leafs in ice time — a reflection of the coaching staff's confidence in the rookie during pressure situations.
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Game 1 exposed a brutal contrast between a battle-tested challenger and a roster still getting used to playoff grit. With Game 2 coming up, the Senators must change gears quickly if they are going to remain competitive in the Battle of Ontario. For the Ottawa Senators, Game 2 presents an opportune moment to display improvement, maturity, and grit. Otherwise, this series may be over as fast as it started.