Maple Leafs Even Series

Alexander Mogilny of the Toronto Maple Leafs saw it coming.

A day after saying he had an inkling he’d score a big goal, Mogilny provided the game-winner in Sunday’s 4-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators, forcing a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.

The deciding game is Tuesday night in Toronto. It will be the second seventh game for the Maple Leafs, who beat the New York Islanders in the first round.

It was another remarkable performance for the banged-up and weary Maple Leafs.

They are not only playing without six regulars, including captain Mats Sundin (broken wrist), but also haven’t had more than one day off between games in over three weeks.

“Nobody believed in us, but here we are on the road, shorthanded again, and we found a way to get the job done,” Mogilny said.

As for the team’s mind-set, he added with a smile: “Well, we said we’re going back [to Toronto] anyway. We might as well bring those guys with us.”

Gary Roberts continued his prolific postseason production, with two goals and an assist and Bryan McCabe also scored for Toronto.

Mogilny ended a five-game goal drought a day after he told reporters, “I’ve got a feeling it’s coming. I’ve just got a feeling that something good will happen soon.”

From deep in the Ottawa end, Radek Bonk’s pass through the middle hit off teammate Martin Havlat’s skate. Toronto’s Travis Green got to the loose puck, and slipped a pass to Mogilny, who was alone behind the defenders.

Turning toward the net, Mogilny snapped a shot that beat goaltender Patrick Lalime on the stick side to break a 3-3 tie 4:28 into the third period.