The Ottawa Senators faced a heartbreaking defeat against their archrivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs, losing in overtime after a season filled with promise and excitement. With the city buzzing about their return to the playoffs after an eight-year absence, the Senators fell behind in the series, now down three games to none. Despite a valiant effort in front of a roaring crowd, the Senators were unable to capitalize on opportunities, with captain Brady Tkachuk expressing hope for a comeback reminiscent of historic sports comebacks. The city's atmosphere shifted dramatically as fans grappled with disappointment.

As the Senators prepared for Game 4, they faced the daunting challenge of overcoming a significant deficit against a formidable opponent. The Leafs' dominance in faceoffs and the Senators' untimely mistakes, such as a fine imposed on Nick Cousins for unsportsmanlike conduct, continued to haunt the team. Despite Claude Giroux's emotional return to scoring after a long drought, the Senators needed to harness the energy of their supporters and channel it into a decisive performance to keep their playoff hopes alive.