NHL playoffs every day: Senators defeat Maple Leafs, Hurricanes defeat Devils – The Athletic

The Stanley Cup Playoffs deliver drama every year, but the 2025 postseason has already etched unforgettable moments into NHL lore—and we’re not even through the first round. The Eastern Conference has given fans two wildly different series with equally compelling narratives. On one end, the Ottawa Senators made their long-awaited return to the playoffs and battled valiantly against their archrivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs, in a renewed “Battle of Ontario.” On the other, the Carolina Hurricanes reminded everyone why they were a top-seeded powerhouse, dispatching the New Jersey Devils in five hard-fought games.

As the dust settles and the second round looms, we take a deep dive into both series—what happened, what it means, and what’s next.

For the first time since 2017, the Ottawa Senators returned to the postseason. Though their rebuild took longer than expected, the payoff came in a surprise run that energized Canada’s capital. Their reward? A first-round date with the heavily favored Toronto Maple Leafs, a team with championship aspirations and offensive firepower to match.

But this wasn’t just any playoff series—it was the first Battle of Ontario in over two decades, a throwback to the early 2000s when the Leafs owned the matchup and broke Senators hearts year after year. Many wondered if Ottawa could reverse that historical narrative.

Toronto made an early statement. Mitch Marner tallied a goal and two assists, while Auston Matthews and John Tavares each lit the lamp in a blowout win at Scotiabank Arena. Ottawa appeared overwhelmed by the moment, and goaltender Linus Ullmark looked shaky in his first playoff start for the Senators.

A better showing from Ottawa ended in heartbreak. After clawing back from a 2–0 deficit, Tim Stützle tied the game late in regulation. But in overtime, Max Domi found twine with a quick wrist shot, giving Toronto a commanding 2–0 lead.

The series shifted to Ottawa, but the results didn’t. Another tightly contested game went to overtime, and this time it was Simon Benoit—yes, the defenseman—who played hero for the Leafs. Despite strong defensive play, Ottawa’s offense continued to sputter in key moments.

Facing elimination, the Senators delivered. Claude Giroux, playing in what could be his final NHL postseason, scored twice, but it was Jake Sanderson’s overtime blast from the point that kept Ottawa alive. The Canadian Tire Centre erupted.

Now it was real. Linus Ullmark turned in a performance for the ages with a 29-save shutout, and Ottawa looked like a team transformed. The Leafs couldn’t find answers for the Senators’ renewed energy and disciplined neutral zone play.

Back in Toronto, the Maple Leafs closed the door. Auston Matthews scored twice, and William Nylander added the dagger on a breakaway in the third period. Though Ottawa had won respect, Toronto advanced.

For the Maple Leafs, the series offered a mix of warning signs and encouraging trends. Matthews and Marner were dynamic, and Stolarz filled in admirably in goal after Ilya Samsonov’s late-season injury. However, Toronto’s inability to close the series in Game 5 and their reliance on overtime raises questions about consistency heading into their next round against the Florida Panthers.

As for the Senators, this postseason was a validation. Head coach D.J. Smith finally saw his roster, a blend of youth and veteran grit, go toe-to-toe with a heavyweight. The performances of Stützle, Sanderson, and Shane Pinto proved that Ottawa’s core is legitimate.

The Battle of Ontario is no longer a relic—it’s alive again.

While the Ottawa-Toronto series offered drama, the Carolina Hurricanes handled business with ruthless efficiency. Their five-game win over the New Jersey Devils wasn’t without tense moments, but it showed why Carolina remains one of the league’s most dangerous teams.

Logan Stankoven, the rookie phenom, announced his playoff debut with a two-goal effort. Carolina controlled pace and possession, suffocating the Devils in the neutral zone.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored the game-winner, and Frederik Andersen was rock solid between the pipes. The Devils struggled to generate high-danger chances, and Carolina’s penalty kill went a perfect 3-for-3.

In one of the best games of the playoffs so far, Simon Nemec scored in double overtime to steal a win for New Jersey. The Devils’ top line—Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier—was finally clicking. For a moment, the series felt like it might shift.

Andrei Svechnikov erased any momentum the Devils had. His hat trick was a masterpiece of power and precision. Carolina led 3–1 in the series, and New Jersey again looked a step slow.

This was Carolina’s statement game. Down 4–1 late in the second, the Canes stormed back. Sebastian Aho scored the equalizer in the final minute of regulation, and in double overtime, Brent Burns wristed a shot past Akira Schmid to seal the series.

Rod Brind’Amour’s squad is a testament to structure and stamina. They roll four lines, play with speed and edge, and adapt mid-game as well as any team in the NHL. This series reinforced Carolina’s resilience, and their depth on both ends of the ice is championship-caliber.

With the win, they now face the Washington Capitals in a second-round series that promises old-school physicality and postseason pedigree.

A rematch of last year’s playoff thriller. Toronto will look for revenge after Florida embarrassed them in 2024 with a shocking sweep. The Panthers, led by Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov, have the edge in grit—but Toronto may now have the mental fortitude they lacked a year ago.

Washington turned heads by dismantling the New York Rangers in five games. But the Hurricanes are faster, deeper, and more structured. Ovechkin still looms as a threat, but Carolina’s blue line—led by Burns, Slavin, and Skjei—should contain him.

X-Factor: Goaltending. If Frederik Andersen stays hot, the Capitals will be hard-pressed to win more than a game or two.

The NHL playoffs are a roller coaster of passion, precision, and unpredictability. For Canadian fans, Ottawa’s return to relevance and Toronto’s ongoing quest offer hope and heartbreak in equal measure. In Carolina, business as usual means efficient dismantling of opponents, even when adversity hits.