Welcome back to the Battle of Ontario, one we almost didn’t have. This is our NHL Predictions from Last Word on Hockey as we take a look at the first-round Eastern Conference 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs series between heated rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators. The Leafs hold a commanding three-games-to-one lead as the series shifts back to Toronto for Game 5. Just who will take the series, find out our thoughts, next.
NHL Predictions With the Ottawa Senators at the Toronto Maple Leafs from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario
TV: Sportsnet, CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada, TVA Sports, ESPN
7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Eastern Conference Round One Playoff Series: Toronto 3 – Ottawa 1.
When you really think about it, Game 5 might be the best chance for the Leafs at winning the series. Another way to look at it is, the longer the series goes on, the higher the Sens probability of winning. Currently, Ottawa is listed around +900. However, if Toronto can’t get it done on home ice in Game 5, going back to Ottawa for Game 6 will be no easy task for the Leafs. Then, Game 7 comes down to a coin flip. Those Ottawa series odds will have dipped much close to +200, if not better. So, who prevails in yet another chapter of the, always competitive, Battle of Ontario.
One Potential Ottawa Senators Difference-Maker from the Backend
From an Ottawa Senators perspective on this series, Tyler Kleven is really coming into his own. He is a tough and physical defenceman, always a good trait for a defensive defenceman. But also, he has a hard slapshot from the point, is a smooth, powerful skater, and can make offensively-minded plays with the puck. He brings a lot to his game. So naturally, as defenders take longer to mature and plus the added layer of complexity with Kleven’s all-around potential, it makes sense his development has been a work-in-progress. In any sense, if the Sens are to make noise in this series still, he is an imperative part of their complete roster. Sen fans might point to a couple plays in particular. Kleven clearing one off the line or lowering the big Ka-Boom!
What About the Leafs Dominance
In some ways for our NHL Predictions, up 3-1, it can be tough to deny. The Kleven discussion kind of leads us to the Toronto Maple Leafs strengths. One of them is their depth on defence. Jake McCabe, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, these guys are the reason why the Leafs are a very well-constructed roster. The Sens will be in tough, and look no further than their performance in Game 4. The fact that they needed to win, and nearly blew it a couple times, rather than a convincing, multi-goal, home ice victory for example, is one reason why the Leafs might just end this one tonight. Having OEL sneak in to open space and have Nylander feed a beautiful cross-seam pass, just seemed to easy. Especially when it comes late in the third of a must-win game.
So, just what are some reasons each team will win Game 5. For starters, the Core 4 for Toronto has combined for 24 points through four games. If the Sens can’t learn how to deal with their sustained and highly-potent attack, they could be in trouble. However, as we have seen, the Sens have lots of speed and are able to make the one-on-one checks to keep the Leafs at bay. They still have Linus Ullmark back there, keeping things under control. Just like he did on the 4-minute power play in overtime of Game 4. If the Sens can skate hard and hope to dictate the pace, they have a shot in this one.
NHL Predictions Sens and Leafs Game 5
How can we possibly decide? The Leaf supporters having been saying Leafs in 5. We will give it to them for Game 5. But, as we’ve hinted, if this goes six, we are seriously considering shifting to the Sens in 7.
Game 5 Final Score Prediction: Toronto 3 – Ottawa 1.
Continuing with the theme of going with the crowd, check out this four-leg parlay. Any time goal scorers Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Brady Tkachuk, along with our proposed Leaf moneyline, it is paying +1690. It’s win-win.
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Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
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