Leafs Oust Senators

2004 Playoffs

"I'm going five-hole," Nieuwendyk said. "I'm not expecting it to go in, but you never know. Late in the period, I'm just trying to get the puck on the net,"

"That's a great team over there. They've been awfully close the last few years and I think we're very fortunate to get through this series."

Leafs were helped by a shaky performance by Patrick Lalime in the Sens' net. He let in three goals on 11 shots and was replaced by backup Martin Prusek at the start of the second period.

"It's not the way you want it to end," Lalime said. "They were both bad goals."

The Senators lost for the fourth time in five years in the opening round of the playoffs. Ottawa is 0-4 in Game Sevens and has lost every postseason series against Toronto.

"We stuck with it," said Leafs goalie Eddie Belfour, who improved had three shutouts in the series. "We have a never-say-die attitude and home-ice advantage was huge for us."

"This whole series, he was outstanding," Toronto coach Pat Quinn said. "I mean, he was the difference. There were lots of times when the Ottawa team was better than us and he made the difference in those games."