Who Won the Toronto Hockey Game Last Night? Latest NHL Results

The Toronto Maple Leafs secured a hard-fought 4-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators in last night’s NHL regular-season clash at Scotiabank Arena, snapping a two-game losing streak and keeping their playoff hopes alive in the tight Central Division race. The win marked the Leafs’ third consecutive home victory, with key contributions from Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, who each recorded a goal and an assist in front of a raucous home crowd.

How the Leafs Turned the Tide in the Third Period

Down 2-1 entering the final frame, Toronto flipped momentum with a pair of goals in the first five minutes of the third period. Matthews capitalized on a loose puck in front of the net to tie the game at 2, while Marner’s backhand shot beat Ottawa goaltender Anton Forsberg five minutes later to put the Leafs ahead for good. The Senators, missing top defenseman Jakob Chychrun due to injury, struggled to generate sustained pressure in the third, managing just three shots on goal after the intermission.

Fans celebrating as Auston Matthews scores the tying goal for Toronto against Ottawa

What This Win Means for Both Teams’ Playoff Pushes

For Toronto, the victory keeps them within a single point of the Winnipeg Jets for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. A regulation win also boosted their regulation-plus-overtime record to 28-19-8, a crucial metric for tiebreakers. The Senators, now 31-25-6, remain in playoff contention but slipped to fourth in the Atlantic Division after the loss. Their next challenge comes Saturday against the division-leading Boston Bruins, a team they’ve split their last four meetings with.

Key Takeaways for Leafs Fans

Depth scoring matters: Beyond Matthews and Marner, rookie winger Fraser Minten added an insurance goal in the third, while goaltender Joseph Woll stopped 28 of 30 shots to earn his 12th win of the season.
Special teams impact: Toronto’s power play, operating at 22.1% this season, went 1-for-4 last night but generated several high-danger chances, including a Matthews shot that hit the post late in the second period.
Defensive resilience: Despite allowing the game’s opening goal, the Leafs’ blue line limited Ottawa to just 18 even-strength shots, a season low for the Senators.

What’s Next for Toronto?

The Maple Leafs face a daunting three-game road trip starting Thursday in Colorado, where they’ll take on the league-leading Avalanche. A strong finish to this stretch could solidify their playoff position, while a slump risks falling behind the idle Edmonton Oilers, who currently hold the final wild-card spot. Fans can tune in to Sportsnet or NHL Centre Ice for Thursday’s game, with puck drop scheduled for 9:00 PM ET.

How to Follow the Playoff Race in Real Time

For those tracking the Leafs’ playoff push, the NHL’s official standings page and apps like theScore or ESPN provide live updates, including tiebreaker scenarios and upcoming schedules. Keeping an eye on goal differentials and regulation wins—two areas where Toronto has improved recently—can help gauge their chances as the season winds down.