The Maple Leafs’ season ended the same way so many of their nights did — flat, frustrating and without much to show for it.
Toronto dropped its final game 3-1 to the Ottawa Senators, a fitting finish to a frustrating year. With Ottawa resting several regulars and already looking ahead to the playoffs, and the Leafs simply trying to get through the final night, the latest edition of the Battle of Ontario lacked the usual intensity.
The Senators opened the scoring on the power play at 6:04 of the first period. Claude Giroux found Drake Batherson alone in front, and Batherson buried it past Dennis Hildeby to make it 1-0.
Ottawa doubled the lead at 18:32 of the second when Warren Foegele snapped a wrist shot from just outside the circle over the glove of Hildeby to make it 2-0.
The Leafs finally got on the board at 8:11 of the third. Jacob Quillan drove the net and, while colliding with Senators goaltender James Reimer, managed to shovel the puck across to William Nylander, who backhanded it into the open side for his 30th goal of the season.
That was as close as Toronto would get.
Dylan Cozens iced the game with an empty-netter at 19:54, sealing the 3-1 Ottawa win and bringing the Leafs’ season to a merciful end after seven straight losses.
