The pressure was on Auston Matthews when the Toronto Maple Leafs got a third chance to eliminate the Senators on Thursday night in Ottawa. The top-line centre and face of the franchise rose to the occasion.

"It was a solid game by everybody," said coach Craig Berube. "I think our captain led us."

Matthews scored the opening goal in a 4-2 win, which clinched Toronto's second playoff series victory since drafting the Arizona native in 2016.

The Leafs improved to 2-13 in potential close-out games in the Matthews era. That poor record with a chance to eliminate an opponent has been a source of criticism and consternation in Toronto. Matthews, in particular, took heat after a minus-four performance in a 4-0 loss in Game 5 on Tuesday.

"All that stuff on the outside, it’s in one ear, out the other," Matthews insisted.

Matthews' goal on Thursday came on the power play and snapped an ugly 0-for-30 run on the man advantage in potential elimination games dating back to 2018. Berube had urged his players to take a more direct approach on the power play after going 0-for-7 with two shorthanded goals allowed in the last two games.

Matthews heeded the message. After receiving a pass from Mitch Marner at the top of the offensive zone, he skated toward the net and fired a low change-up past Senators goalie Linus Ullmark, who had peeked the wrong way around Matthew Knies.

"I thought Kniesy was screening the goalie really well," Matthews said. "I just tried to get it in there, and luckily it found its way through."

Per NaturalStatTrick.com, shot attempts favoured the Leafs 15-10 with Matthews on the ice in 5-on-5 play on Thursday.

"Work ethic and competitiveness the whole game, high end," Berube said of Matthews' performance. "I don't know what his face-off percentage is right now, but it's high. I didn't see him lose too many draws. Starts there, and just heavy, physical work, competing. Touched all areas of the game for us in a good way: PK, power play, obviously scored a big goal. He led the way."

Matthews helped the........

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