1. Washington's Tom Wilson is the closest thing to being the perfect power forward. He's big, tough, an enforcer and scorer. The Capitals go nowhere without him.

2. The closest thing to a Rangers version of Wilson is Will Cuylle. He's 6-3, 210 pounds and loves to mix it. We also know for sure that he can score.

Successful NHL Coaches The Rangers Should StudyThe most successful coaches in the NHL right now are do not belong to the Rangers

3. Maple Leaf fans are even more nervous than their Blueshirt counterparts. After the Senators shut out Toronto last night, Leafs panic suggested that the favorites were down 0-3 in the series; not up 3-2.

4. The more Kris Knoblauch coaches Edmonton to comeback victories, the more it hurts Rangers fans who realize he could have been behind the Blueshirt bench.

5. One of Chris Drury's endless mistakes was bypassing Knoblauch in Hartford and opting for Peter Laviolette.

6. Don't be surprised if Lavvy winds up in Vancouver which would be a  big Jim Rutherford mistake if he goes that route.

7. The Devils wasted Jacob Markstrom's super goaltending last night in Raleigh. The four-minute penalty taken by Dawson Mercer in the second OT was just too tough to kill.

8. Still, kudos to New Jersey. The team hung tough despite the absence of three regular defenseman as well as top scorer Jack Hughes up front.

9. Considering how GM Chris MacFarland built the Avalanche for a long playoff run, it's hard to believe that Dallas could knock the Avs right out of the box tonight.

10. Pity the Capitals if they lose at home tonight to Montreal. Playing with house money, Marty St.Louis has his team poised for an astonishing comeback.

With news breaking yesterday that Rick Tocchet will not be returning to the Vancouver Canucks next season, speculation now turns to who could replace him. As it stands, some frontrunners for this job are former Edmonton Oilers Head Coach Jay Woodcroft and current Abbotsford Canucks Head Coach Manny Malhotra. Let’s take a look at some other more-experienced NHL coaches who could replace Tocchet in 2025–26. 

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Not Mike Sullivan 

While speculation about Mike Sullivan joining the Canucks ran at an all-time high on Monday when he and the Pittsburgh Penguins parted ways, Vancouver’s President of Hockey Operations, Jim Rutherford, confirmed otherwise during Tuesday’s press conference. 

“I know my good friend, Mike Sullivan, does not want to leave the east. He’s a real good family man. I talked to him yesterday, not about coming here, but talked to him when he left Pittsburgh, and I know he wants to stay in the east.” 

Peter Laviolette 

With experience as an NHL Head Coach since the 2001–02 season to now, Peter Laviolette could easily be in consideration for the role of Canucks Head Coach. He parted ways with the New York Rangers on April 19, only two seasons after joining the team. Laviolette got his start as an NHL Head Coach with the New York Islanders before ending up with the Carolina Hurricanes for five seasons. Rutherford was the Hurricanes’ General Manager during all five of these years. Together, the duo won a Stanley Cup in 2006. 

“We had some success together. I like him as a person and a coach. Haven’t got that far yet, but certainly having someone you’re familiar with helps,” Rutherford said of his experience with Laviolette. He later specified that Patrik Allvin would be the one primarily dealing with the next Head Coach, meaning they would have to find someone he would fit best with. 

“I wouldn’t want to take him off the list at this point. He’s had a lot of success in the league, and it’s a good name.” 

While Laviolette is a popular name that Rutherford is familiar with, realistically, the way he coaches may not fit with the Canucks’ future. Laviolette’s aversion to playing younger players — something that came up during his time with the Rangers — won’t work well with a depth system filled with youth.  

Gerard Gallant

Another former Rangers Head Coach, Gerard Gallant’s last NHL coaching gig was during the 2022–23 regular season. Since then, he has coached a 2024–25 Team Canada roster to a semifinal loss during the Spengler Cup. His coaching record has been impressive as of late, with his past three coaching stints resulting in points percentages of .583, .601, and .662. 

“I’m waiting, I’m hoping, you know, if something comes up,” Gallant said in an interview with NHL.com back in January 2024. “Obviously, I’d like to be coaching again in the National Hockey League but we’ll see. I haven’t talked to anybody, and I’m not waiting by the phone. If the phone rings, I’ll be very happy, but I’m not sitting, waiting.” 

Stylistically, Gallant has been referred to as a players coach, with former Rangers Captain Jacob Trouba emphasizing that “He’s a guy that players respect [ . . . ] and enjoy playing for.” However, one issue that has popped up for him during his four tenures as an NHL Head Coach is that he has been outcoached when his team needs it. Whether this would impact the 2025–26 Canucks or not is something that is yet to be determined — after all, most of Gallant’s downfalls have stemmed from difficult playoff losses. With that being said, Gallant could be a great coach to help the Canucks get back on their feet after such a lopsided season. 

Jay Woodcroft

As mentioned, Woodcroft is yet another favourite to become the Canucks’ next Head Coach based on bets from PlayNow.com. His first stint as an NHL Head Coach was with the Oilers, where he coached for around a year and a half. Before this, he was the Head Coach of Edmonton’s AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. Early on in his NHL coaching career, he spent three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings as a Video Coach and seven with the San Jose Sharks as an Assistant. 

Like Gallant, Woodcroft has faced issues regarding coaching adaptability. This is something that would likely come into play more-so in playoffs rather than the regular season, but at the end of the day, Vancouver wants to be a postseason team — not a regular season one. Woodcroft may be better suited for a younger team like the Chicago Blackhawks rather than the Canucks. 

John Tortorella

This would be the most chaotic option for the Canucks, and is definitely the most unlikely on this list. John Tortorella spent one season with Vancouver, 2013–2014, and was let go after it despite signing with the team for five years. Regardless of how he was perceived, former Canucks such as Kevin Bieksa have spoken positively of his coaching style. 

Since departing from the Canucks, Tortorella has split time with the Columbus Blue Jackets (2015–2021) and the Philadelphia Flyers (2022–2025). Throughout the 2024–25 season, he had made headlines for benching some of the Flyers’ young stars — something that isn’t unexpected of him. Tortorella’s coaching style is aggressive and long-standing, as his NHL Head Coach career spans 22 seasons. 

As successful as Tortorella’s coaching may be in some locker rooms, Vancouver is probably not the best fit for it next season. The Canucks are coming off a very unsteady season, with many players’ futures with the franchise still up in the air. Their best bet for success is to bring someone in who can help stabilize the room with familiarity. 

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There have been only 22 head coaches in the history of the Pittsburgh Penguins, with Mike Sullivan serving as the most recent and longest-tenured coach from 2015 to 2025. As expected, Sullivan has coached the most games, winning the most and losing the most. 

Overall, all 22 head coaches have won more than ten games, and every one of them has lost at least 20. Moreover, 13 coaches have compiled a winning record, and 16 of them have led the Penguins in the playoffs. 

Today, we will look at the top 10 winningest coaches in Pittsburgh history, which dates back to 1967. 

10. Ken Schinkel (83-92-28) 1973-1977

Ken Schinkel was the third Penguins head coach, succeeding Hall of Famer Red Kelly, who was the team's winningest coach with 90 victories from 1970 to 1973. However, Schinkel didn't run the bench for four consecutive seasons; instead, he split his time from 1972 to 1974 and again from 1975 to 1977, with Marc Boileau serving as head coach for 151 games from 1973 to 1976.

9. Ken Constantine (86-64-35) 1998-2000

Kevin Constantine took over the Penguins following Mario Lemieux's first retirement in 1997. He still had Jaromir Jagr in his lineup, but the club didn't advance past the second round during his tenure, and he lasted only 25 games into the 1999-2000 campaign.

8 Possible Replacements For Mike Sullivan As Penguins Head CoachWith the shocking news that the Pittsburgh Penguins and longtime coach Mike Sullivan have mutually agreed to part ways, it comes as no surprise that one of the first talking points is who will be the one replace him.

8. Bob Berry (88-127-25-28) 1985-1987

Bob Berry arrived in Pittsburgh in 1985 after spending three seasons with the Montreal Canadiens. Despite having a 19-year-old Lemieux in the lineup, the Penguins won a total of 88 games over three seasons at the helm, never finishing higher than fifth in the division.

7. Red Kelly (90-132-52) 1970-1973

As an eight-time Stanley Cup champion, Kelly was the second head coach in Penguins history and became the first one to win over 90 games. Moreover, Kelly was the first bench boss to lead the franchise to the playoffs, a six-game first-round loss to the St. Louis Blues. 

6. Johnny Wilson (91-105-44) 1977-1980

In only 240 games, Johnny Wilson established the franchise record for most head coach wins with 91. Additionally, he helped the Penguins to the playoffs in two of his three seasons, becoming the first to lead them to back-to-back appearances in 1979 and 1980.

5. Scotty Bowman (95-53-16) 1992-1993

Scotty Bowman was already a legend when he came to Pittsburgh to serve with Bob Johnson in 1990. After taking over for Johnson in late 1991, Bowman guided the Penguins to their second consecutive Stanley Cup title. Then, in 1992-93, he guided the franchise to its first 100-point campaign, while establishing an NHL record for 17 straight wins. Bowman also set a record with 56 wins, the most in a single season.

4. Michel Therrien (135-105-32) 2006-2009

At the time of his employment, from 2006 to 2009, Michel Therrien became only the second head coach in Penguins history to win over 100 games, finishing his tenure with 135 wins. Despite having Sidney Crosby on his bench, Pittsburgh didn't win the Stanley Cup in 2008, and he was fired before the club returned to the 2009 Final to win it all.

3. Eddie Johnston (232-224-60) 1980-1983, 1993-1997

Eddie Johnston was the Penguins' winningest coach for a long time, compiling 232 wins over two tenures, each lasting three and a half seasons. Despite his time as head coach, Johnston will always be remembered for his tenure as general manager, from 1983 to 1988, when he drafted Lemieux first overall in 1984. 

2. Dan Bylsma (252-117-32) 2009-2014

In only five seasons, Dan Bylsma became the Penguins' winningest coach, surpassing Johnston's record by 20 victories. He won the Stanley Cup in 2009 and helped Pittsburgh to the 2013 Eastern Conference Final. Moreover, Bylsma is the only head coach in team history to compile two 50-plus win seasons, giving him the franchise record for highest points percentage at .668.

1. Mike Sullivan (409-255-89) 2015-2025

It will take a special head coach to surpass Sullivan as the winningest coach in Penguins history. Not only did he surpass Bylsma's record by 157 victories, but he is also the only coach to win 300 and 400 games. Meanwhile, Sullivan coached 753 games, surpassing Bylsman's total by 352 games, an equivalent of four and a half seasons. 

Revisiting Mike Sullivan's Milestone Wins With PenguinsMike Sullivan is the winningest coach in Pittsburgh Penguins history, finishing his ten-year tenure behind the bench with a 409-255-89 record in 753 games. Those totals don't include his postseason numbers, which are 44-38 in 82 games, including two Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and 2017.

Considering Sullivan ranks 15th all-time in NHL history for wins with a single franchise, and is the only head coach to lead the Penguins to two Stanley Cup titles, his legacy in the Steel City is almost untouchable. 

The NHL coaching carousel got a whole lot more interesting on Tuesday when it was announced by the Vancouver Canucks that head coach Rick Tocchet decided not to return to his position for the 2025-26 season. 

“I'm choosing to move on from the Vancouver Canucks,” Tocchet said in a statement. “Family is a priority, and with my contract lapsing, this becomes the opportune time. While I don't know where I'm headed, or exactly how this will play out for me over the near term, I feel like this is the right time for me to explore other opportunities in and around hockey."

Rick Tocchet's Agent Speaks On Why The Canucks Former Head Coach Decided To Leave Vancouver Tuesday was a shocking day for the Vancouver Canucks organization as head coach Rick Tocchet decided to depart the club and look for a different opportunity. While the Canucks did have an option on Tocchet's contract for next year, they elected not to use it. In the end, Tocchet spent two and a half seasons with the organization, guiding them to Game 7 of the second round last year, while also winning the 2024 Jack Adams Award. 

Tocchet's departure from the Canucks came just one day after it was announced that the Pittsburgh Penguins and coach Mike Sullivan had mutually agreed to part ways. With Vancouver and Pittsburgh now both in the market for new coaches, they are two of eight current teams in need of a voice behind the bench.

It was reported by TSN's Pierre LeBrun Tuesday that five teams had already checked in on Sullivan. Even if the former Penguins' coach is the frontrunner for most teams, Tocchet will still be in high demand.

And this begs the question: Would Tocchet be a fit for the Penguins?

The 61-year-old coach has a long history with Pittsburgh. He won a Stanley Cup with the franchise in 1992 and was behind the bench as an assistant coach for the Penguins' back-to-back championship runs in 2016 and 2017. 

He also has a great relationship with Sidney Crosby and many of the Penguins' veterans, and he is notoriously good with young players - which is something that POHO and GM Kyle Dubas will certainly be looking for in any new hire.

However, that doesn't necessarily mean he is the man for the job.

Yes, Tocchet is well-known as a great coach and - like Sullivan - is highly respected in coaching circles around the league. He has seen head coaching stints with the Arizona Coyotes and the Canucks, and he won the Jack Adams Award in 2024 after leading Vancouver to a Pacific Division title. 

There have been some ups and downs, but his body of work at the NHL level has been mostly positive. That much is clear.

But Dubas and the Penguins - in the midst of a rebuild - are putting their primary focus on player development. They appear to want a coach who has gone through stages of development and has a proven track record of success at developmental levels. 

“We'll have deep questions as we go through the process on what their experience has been developmentally,” Dubas said. "Sully had that. Sully was in player development with [the Chicago Blackhawks], he coached in the American League, an [NHL] assistant coach...that's something I think, especially now in the salary cap era, you have to be developing your own guys."

'I Started To Think That It May Just Be Time': Takeaways From Kyle Dubas's Press Conference Regarding Departure Of Mike SullivanOn Monday, Pittsburgh Penguins’ president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas shook the hockey world when he announced that head coach Mike Sullivan would not be returning to coach the Penguins in 2025-26.

He added: "It'd be tough for me personally to go with somebody that has no record or real passion for development. Those are becoming fewer and fewer in that brethren of coaching right now, so it will be a vital component, for sure."

This can be read into a number of different ways, but it seems more likely that Dubas is going to target someone along the lines of a Spencer Carbery or a Jim Hiller - now head coaches of the Washington Capitals and Los Angeles Kings, respectively - who possesses a great track record at the AHL level or collegiate and junior levels and, perhaps, does not have a ton of NHL experience.

In other words, some like a Todd Nelson - head coach of the AHL's Hershey Bears - or David Carle - head coach of the University of Denver - are more likely candidates.

If Tocchet comes knocking at the door, Dubas and the Penguins will surely answer. But whether or not they open the door - and whether or not Tocchet would be even be open to the undertaking in Pittsburgh - is a different story.

8 Possible Replacements For Mike Sullivan As Penguins Head CoachWith the shocking news that the Pittsburgh Penguins and longtime coach Mike Sullivan have mutually agreed to part ways, it comes as no surprise that one of the first talking points is who will be the one replace him.

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EDMONTON – When there is a fit, you stick with it.

The Edmonton Oilers know that feeling.

The team has certainly felt like the match of Mattias Ekholm and the organization is the work of divine intervention. However, they aren’t the only team that feels similarly about a new addition to the roster.

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Mikko Rantanen didn’t stick around, but the other major player who came over to the Carolina Hurricanes in the blockbuster deal with the Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks looks to have found a place to roost.

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Earlier Wednesday morning, Taylor Hall signed a three-year extension with the Hurricanes. The team was fresh off a series-winning game against the New Jersey Devils. They eliminated their opponents in five games.

Hall has been rock solid this playoff, recording three points in five games. His one goal kickstarted the Hurricanes offense on Tuesday night. They were down 2-0 going into the second period, but Hall’s goal brought them to life.

The #Canes have signed forward Taylor Hall to a three-year contract extension ✍️

Details » https://t.co/TOm9Vn8ruHpic.twitter.com/NjdBnk0yGj

— x - Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) April 30, 2025

He is currently in the final year of a four-year contract paying him $6 million. Hall and the Hurricanes agreed to a contract paying him $3.116 million.

In 31 regular season games, Hall recorded 18 points while playing 15:27 a game. The Hurricanes will play against the winner of the Montreal Canadiens-Washington Capitals series.

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Scott Laughton hopes his line, alongside Calle Jarnkrok and Steven Lorentz, can find a goal sooner rather than later.

The Toronto Maple Leafs' fourth line has been a mainstay for head coach Craig Berube throughout their series against the Ottawa Senators. They've been Toronto's most consistent forechecking line, outchancing and outworking their opposition on a nightly basis.

Berube started the trio, whose minutes suggest they're more of a third line than fourth, in the first and third periods of Toronto's 4-0 loss to Ottawa in Game 5, which he's done with past groups.

In 2019, Berube started his fourth line in three of the seven games during the Stanley Cup Finals against the Boston Bruins. For this Maple Leafs team, though, their fourth line has helped set the tone for the game. They'll need that again entering Game 6.

"I think we can have that mentality more as a team for sure," Berube said Wednesday before heading to Ottawa.

'All I Hear Around Here Is Core, Core Core': Maple Leafs' Craig Berube Wants Whole-Team Contribution Ahead of Game 6 Against SenatorsThe Toronto Maple Leafs core players may be feeling a bit of pressure after the Ottawa Senators kept the entire club off the scoresheet in a 4-0 win in Game 5 of their best-of-seven series. 

The Lorentz, Laughton, and Jarnkrok line has combined for 36 hits in this series, the most of Toronto's four lines, and that's why they've had so much success against the Senators.

"You have to have that work mentality and that checking mentality," added Berube. "Checking’s not just playing defense. Checking is offense. You check for your chances. You get on the inside. You work and hound.

"It creates turnovers from the other team. It creates chaos for the other team. We can do a better job of that as a team."

‘We’ve Got To Be More Direct’: Maple Leafs’ Power Play Stalls, Surrender Another Short-Handed Goal As Special Teams Struggle In Game 5 LossThe Toronto Maple Leafs’ special teams were a struggle in their Game 5 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night. 

One area that hasn't come from the fourth line, however, is goals. Laughton and Jarnkrok were a part of Toronto's first tally of the series from Oliver Ekman-Larsson, but have since gone cold.

It's not from a lack of trying, that's for certain.

The line understands they haven't produced offensively and are hoping that with how they're playing, a bounce will eventually go their way.

Why The Maple Leafs' Confidence In Anthony Stolarz Hasn't Faltered After Back-To-Back Losses To SenatorsAs Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot fired a shot from the point in the second period of Game 5, Anthony Stolarz did his best to track the puck. But he couldn't see anything until it was too late.

"I think we can provide a little bit more offense for us, but at the same time, still do our job and make it hard for them," Laughton said, as he revered his linemates.

"I thought both those guys were really good last night. Just trying to help them out where I can and be good on the forecheck and create some momentum for our team to the shifts we get."

Laughton had 24 playoff games under his belt before arriving in Toronto in March. He enjoys this time of year. The 30-year-old didn't have to say it, given that you can see it through his play in this series.

It only gets tougher from here on out, though. The Senators have played well throughout the last two games of the series, which they've won to force a Game 6 back in the Nation's capital.

‘No One Expected It To Be Easy’: Morgan Rielly, Maple Leafs Focused On Regrouping After Back-To-Back Missed Opportunities To Close Out SenatorsWith the Battle of Ontario tightening up, Morgan Rielly and the Toronto Maple Leafs are doing their best to remain composed following consecutive missed opportunities to eliminate the Ottawa Senators in their first-round playoff series.

Aside from eliminating the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2023, the Maple Leafs haven't capitalized on ending their opponents' season. However, with another elimination game on Thursday, will it be different?

Laughton says, "Embrace [the pressure]," so we'll see.

"It’s the best time of year, up 3-2 in the series in a good spot here. Going on the road, these guys have been good on the road all year and ever since I came here," he added.

"Every bounce counts. Every inch on the ice. We’re going to have to fight for it, we know it. But it’s going to be a lot of fun and I think we’re all excited for it."

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With the Battle of Ontario tightening up, Morgan Rielly and the Toronto Maple Leafs are doing their best to remain composed following consecutive missed opportunities to eliminate the Ottawa Senators in their first-round playoff series.

After dropping Game 4 on the road and suffering a 4-0 shutout loss at home in Game 5 on Tuesday night, the Leafs are headed back to the Canadian Tire Centre for Game 6 on Thursday – still holding a 3-2 series lead, but fully aware that the Senators have gained some momentum.

On Wednesday morning, defenseman Morgan Rielly spoke to reporters at the team’s media availability, saying the club is in good spirits ahead of another important game on Thursday. 

“Everyone is doing great. I think all the guys have been great. That comes and goes over the course of a season. I think in moments like this or in the past in playoff series, it kind of brings you together,” Rielly explained.

“When you face a little bit of adversity and you hope it brings the best out of people. It's a good challenge. I mean, we expected it to be challenging. No one expected it to be easy. So, again, we're up in a series, and we're in a position where we have a chance to regroup and refocus and go out there and play some good hockey," he added.

Toronto is now 1-13 in elimination games since 2018, a stat that has continued to worsen and seemingly hung over the core group’s playoff narrative. But as the 31-year-old believes, the adversity is having the opposite effect, bringing the Leafs together rather than tearing them apart.

'All I Hear Around Here Is Core, Core Core': Maple Leafs' Craig Berube Wants Whole-Team Contribution Ahead of Game 6 Against SenatorsThe Toronto Maple Leafs core players may be feeling a bit of pressure after the Ottawa Senators kept the entire club off the scoresheet in a 4-0 win in Game 5 of their best-of-seven series. 

Regardless, a regroup is necessary after two straight losses in potential elimination games. Despite outshooting the Senators 27-19 in Game 5, the Leafs failed to generate many high-quality chances as they were blanked on home ice. 

They’ve now been outscored 8-3 across the last two games and haven’t scored a power-play goal since Game 3, going 0-for-7 over the last two contests. To make matters worse, they’ve allowed a short-handed goal in each of the last two games as a lack of execution has arisen on special teams.

“Lots of areas (to improve). Breakouts, forechecks, the whole thing, just about managing the game. I always say, at the tip of the spear, it's execution. And then from there, it goes into being competitive, structure and whatnot. But I think it's just about executing. I think that the D have our areas of focus, gaps, breakouts, all that stuff, all those cliches, and the forwards kind of have their areas. So it's important that we just look at everything and, I mean, use today as a day to kind of refocus, regroup, and just get ready to play some hockey,” said Rielly.

‘We’ve Got To Be More Direct’: Maple Leafs’ Power Play Stalls, Surrender Another Short-Handed Goal As Special Teams Struggle In Game 5 LossThe Toronto Maple Leafs’ special teams were a struggle in their Game 5 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night. 

For a team long criticized for its inability to close out in crunch time, the pressure is mounting. 

Yet, one area that’s led the charge is Toronto’s defensive corps. As a defensive unit, the Leafs ranked last in goals from defensemen in the regular season, but in the playoffs, they have stepped up and produced offensively throughout the series with five goals from Rielly (2), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (2), and Simon Benoit (1). Though the offense has dried up in the moment, Rielly harped on rediscovering that success heading into Game 6. 

“I think if you look at our group and how we want to generate offense as D we want to get pucks in, we want to get opportunities off rebounds. Again, when I talk about execution off breakouts, that often leads to carrying the puck up the middle of the ice. So, there are lots of areas that we've got to improve on. Creating offense would be one,” said Rielly. “So for us, we have all the faith in the world and our guys and our structure. And, I mean, like I said, we're going to use today to refocus and just be ready to play tomorrow.”

'That's An Easy Decision For Me': Maple Leafs Miss 4-Minute Overtime Power Play, Squander Chance to Sweep SenatorsKANATA, Ont. — The Toronto Maple Leafs were afforded a golden opportunity to complete a four-game sweep of the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. 

The former first-round pick expects the Canadian Tire Centre to be “rocking” on Thursday, with the Senators having a chance to even the series and send the game to a winner-take-all Game 7. 

And for good reason. 

Ottawa is playing like a team with nothing to lose. In their first postseason appearance since 2017, the Senators have clawed their way back with opportunistic hockey, and they’ve now beaten Toronto five times in eight meetings this season, including a regular-season sweep. Despite their lack of playoff experience, they’ve had the Leafs’ number.

“They're playing great. They're playing hard. It's been a close series the whole way through. Again, that's what we expected,” said Rielly. “It's pretty much par for the course. Both teams are competing. Both teams are doing their best to execute. It's been tight. It's been very competitive.”

'I Don't Think There's Any Panic': "Maple Leafs Miss Another Series-Closing Opportunity in Frightening Déjà Vu'It was that familiar feeling of tension that Toronto Maple Leafs fans at Scotiabank Arena have felt before. The crowd went silent when Dylan Cozens finished off a 2-on-1 opportunity to give the Ottawa Senators a 2-0 lead midway through the third period in Game 5. Reality set in, when Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk scored empty-net goals to defeat Toronto 4-0 and force a Game 6 at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on Thursday.

Toronto's locker room includes players with championship pedigree, including head coach Craig Berube and former Florida Panthers additions in Anthony Stolarz, Steven Lorentz, and Ekman-Larsson. Rielly, who has three points (2G, 1A) in five games this series, says their presence has helped steady the group as the players “lean on each other” in these moments.

“It's nice to have experience. In times like this, you're just trying to lean on each other,” Rielly explained. “It's fun, though. I mean, this is why you play. It can be nerve-wracking at times, but that's where the joy comes in, and it's very competitive, and you're doing what you love, and the stakes are high. So we're going to try to enjoy it and really come together and play well.”

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