The Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs will meet Tuesday in Game 5 of their best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Puck drop at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto is set for 7 p.m. ET.

After jumping out to a commanding 3-0 series lead, the Maple Leafs were unable to complete the sweep in Game 4. The Senators, playing on home ice, secured a dramatic 4-3 overtime victory, forcing the series back to Toronto.

Each of the last three games in the series has been decided by just one goal — all of them going to overtime. Games 2 and 3 were tight, low-scoring affairs (both ending 3-2 in favor of Toronto), while Game 4 showcased Ottawa’s resilience as they avoided elimination.

What happens if the Ottawa Senators lose to the Toronto Maple Leafs?

If the Senators fall to the Maple Leafs on Tuesday, their 2024 NHL season will officially come to an end. The winner of the series will move on to the next round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Shane Pinto #12 of the Ottawa Senators celebrates his first period goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during Game Four of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre on April 26, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

What happens if the Ottawa Senators beat the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Should Ottawa pull off another victory, the series would tighten to 3-2, extending the matchup and sending it back to Canadian Tire Centre for Game 6. The first team to win four games out of seven advances to the next round.

What happens if the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs tie?

In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, if a game is tied after the standard three 20-minute regulation periods, teams will play sudden-death overtime. This involves a 15-minute intermission, followed by continuous 20-minute overtime periods, switching sides at the start of each. The team that scores first in overtime wins the game.