Ottawa pulled off a 5-2 road win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on February 28, 2026, snapping the Leafs’ momentum and handing them a third straight loss. Drake Batherson and Dylan Cozens each scored twice, while Thomas Chabot chipped in with a goal and an assist as the Senators improved to 29-22-8. Toronto fell to 27-24-9.
How the game turned
Toronto struck first when Morgan Rielly finished a crisp sequence created by Auston Matthews, giving the home side an early lead. That advantage didn’t last. Ottawa quickly seized control with waves of pressure, building a dominant middle period that produced four unanswered goals and effectively decided the game.
Batherson opened the scoring and later added another, and Cozens’ two tallies — one coming on the power play — underscored Ottawa’s depth scoring. Chabot’s playmaking set up several chances and helped tilt the ice in Ottawa’s favor. The Senators’ second-period push was especially brutal: heavy shot volume and sustained zone time forced Toronto onto its heels and swung momentum decisively.
Goaltending and a momentum swing
Netminding became a storyline. Ottawa’s starter made a series of key saves through the second period, while Toronto’s Joseph Woll, after allowing multiple goals, was replaced late in the stanza by Anthony Stolarz. Stolarz stopped every shot he faced in relief, but the goalie change couldn’t halt Ottawa’s surge. Linus Ullmark finished with 21 saves for the Senators, credited with the victory.
Third-period drama
The final frame grew chippy. A skirmish in front of Stolarz led to several penalties and a 10-minute misconduct to Max Domi, draining Toronto’s ability to mount a sustained comeback. Those infractions, and the timing of Ottawa’s power-play opportunities, helped the visitors protect their lead.
What it means next
This result gives Ottawa a confidence boost and steadies its position in a tight stretch of the schedule. For Toronto, the game exposed lapses in defensive coverage, inconsistent goaltending response and an issue with discipline that cost them time and momentum. Tactical fixes are straightforward: cleaner zone exits, tightened gap control, and fewer needless penalties. The most immediate metric to watch will be special-teams performance in the coming games.
Standout numbers and context
– Final score: Ottawa 5, Toronto 2
– Multi-goal nights: Drake Batherson (2), Dylan Cozens (2)
– Thomas Chabot: goal and an assist
– Toronto scorers: Morgan Rielly, William Nylander
– Records: Ottawa 29-22-8, Toronto 27-24-9
Subplots and crowd moments
During the first TV timeout the Leafs honored their three Olympians. Oliver Ekman-Larsson and William Nylander received warm applause; Auston Matthews — fresh off Olympic gold with Team USA — was met with a mix of boos and cheers before the crowd warmed up. Matthews did extend his assist streak to six games, though his goal drought now stretches to seven contests.
Looking ahead
Ottawa heads west to face the Edmonton Oilers next, while Toronto returns home to host the Philadelphia Flyers. Both clubs will have quick chances to respond: Ottawa to keep rolling, Toronto to shore up lapses and try to stop the slide. Coaches will be making lineup and tactical adjustments based on what showed up on the ice — particularly in the second period when the Senators’ depth and pressure proved decisive.
