In a nail-biting clash in Ottawa, the Toronto Maple Leafs clinched an exhilarating 3-2 overtime victory against the Ottawa Senators, taking a commanding 3-0 lead in their playoff series. The hero of the night, Simon Benoit, unleashed a powerful slap shot just 1:19 into overtime, sealing the win for the Leafs.

"I just lifted both of my arms and didn’t move," Benoit recounted, still feeling the adrenaline of the moment. "I saw all those guys coming towards me. It was a good feeling." Benoit’s overtime goal came after a clever setup by star center Auston Matthews, who won a crucial faceoff, allowing Benoit to strike from the left point.

Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube praised Benoit’s performance, highlighting his defensive prowess and resilience: "Benny’s played extremely well for us defensively, and does all those little things that make a big difference."

This victory follows another nail-biter from Tuesday, where Toronto also triumphed 3-2 in overtime with Max Domi's early goal. The intensity continues this Saturday as Game 4 shifts back to Ottawa.

Despite the setback, Ottawa's coach Travis Green vowed his team wouldn’t back down. "We’re not going to lay down or go away. We’ll be ready to play," he declared, rallying his players for the upcoming challenge.

During the game, key performances stood out: Matthews and Matthew Knies added to the Leafs' score, while goaltender Anthony Stolarz made 18 vital saves. For Ottawa, Brady Tkachuk and Claude Giroux each found the net, with Linus Ullmark stopping 17 shots.

The action-packed match saw a rollercoaster of emotions as Tkachuk equalized for Ottawa with a wrist shot from the high slot late in the third period. Matthews had initially put the Leafs ahead with a quick goal early in the third, showcasing Toronto's relentless offensive pressure.

With the stakes higher than ever, fans can expect intense battles as the series approaches its next chapter!