The Toronto Maple Leafs closed out their first-round playoff series against the Ottawa Senators with a 4-2 win in Game 6 on Thursday night.
The Senators pushed the series to six games after falling behind 3-0, but Toronto prevailed to reach the second round for the second time in 21 years.
As the handshake line formed following the final horn, cameras spotted Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews sharing a few words with his Senators counterpart, Brady Tkachuk.
“I just told him he’s a great competitor, a great leader,” Matthews said. “They’re gonna be back. They’re a good team, a young team.
”I got nothing but respect for him. I’ve known him a long time. He’s a great person and a great player.”
Tkachuk and Matthews with big respect. #GoSensGo
Matthews said he told Brady that he’s a wicked competitor and he knows the Sens will be back. pic.twitter.com/t5CxaWF3BM
— Everyday Sens (@EverydaySens) May 2, 2025
Tkachuk, who made his playoff debut this series after 512 regular-season games, finished the postseason with seven points in six games. He recorded four goals and three assists, including a second-period deflection in Game 6 that cut the Maple Leafs’ lead to 2-1.
Matthews, meanwhile, matched Tkachuk’s overall production with seven points, including two goals and five assists. The Leafs captain also added his name to the score sheet on Thursday’s series-clinching victory.
The game itself was tightly contested down to the final seconds in regulation.
Matthews opened the scoring on the power play late in the first period. William Nylander added Toronto’s second goal just 43 seconds into the second period.
Ottawa rallied to tie the game 2-2 with goals from Tkachuk and David Perron before Max Pacioretty restored Toronto’s lead with under six minutes to go.
Nylander, who nearly missed the game due to a pre-game lineup-sheet error, sealed the win with an empty-net goal.
The Maple Leafs will face the Florida Panthers in the second round, while Tkachuk and the Senators enter their offseason after getting eliminated in what was their first playoff appearance since 2017.
Related: Brady Tkachuk’s ‘Devastating’ Message After Maple Leafs Eliminate Senators
Related: Senators Coach’s Strong Message to Brady Tkachuk After Game 6 Loss