As the NHL playoffs heat up, the long-standing rivalry between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators is reigniting for the first time in over two decades. On April 20, 2025, the two Ontario teams kicked off their playoff series, with the Maple Leafs hosting the Senators for Game 1. The stakes are high, and the excitement is palpable as fans gear up for what promises to be a thrilling matchup.
Ottawa Senators head coach Travis Green, who has been at the helm of the team this season, acknowledged that the media has largely favored the Maple Leafs to win the series. “With the way media is today, you don’t have to,” Green explained. “There’s no secret that, you know, most of you in the room probably picked Toronto to beat us. But in saying that, we have a lot of belief in our group. And still got to play the games.”
The Senators are entering the playoffs with a chip on their shoulder, eager to prove the doubters wrong. Green, who participated in the ‘Battle of Ontario’ as a player over 20 years ago, reflected on the intensity that comes with such a rivalry. “It was fun. A lot of fun. Hopefully, it’s fun again,” he said, underscoring the excitement that surrounds this historic matchup.
As both teams prepare for the increased intensity of playoff hockey, Green emphasized the importance of teamwork. “We don’t rely on one player, two players. You know, I think we’re a team. We need everyone to play well,” he stated. This sentiment is particularly crucial as the Senators have several players making their playoff debuts, including goaltender Linus Ullmark.
Ullmark, in his first season with the Senators after joining from the Boston Bruins, is ready to face the Maple Leafs. “No, I’ve now played for three teams that all have major rivalries with Toronto – Buffalo, Boston, and now Ottawa,” he remarked. “It’s always fun. The Battle of Ontario is the closest thing I’ve experienced to the ‘Battle of Västernorrland’ growing up with MoDo and Timrå.”
Throughout the regular season, Ullmark has found success against the Maple Leafs, winning all three meetings and allowing just two goals on 50 shots. “For us, it’s all about doing what we managed to do during the season – neutralizing them as best we can,” he noted, highlighting the importance of limiting the Leafs' scoring chances.
On the other side of the ice, the Maple Leafs are looking to capitalize on their deep roster, which features stars like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander. Head coach Craig Berube has assembled a lineup that he believes can compete at the highest level. Anthony Stolarz is set to start in goal for the Leafs, marking a critical moment in his career as he steps into the postseason spotlight.
Berube has made some interesting choices in his Game 1 lineup, notably placing Max Domi on the second line alongside Tavares and Nylander. This decision comes with its risks, as Domi finished the regular season with the highest giveaway rate among Leafs players. “There’s things I like and there’s things I don’t particularly like all the time,” Berube commented on the decision. “For me, it’s about them managing the puck more than anything.”
Meanwhile, the Senators are riding a wave of momentum after dominating the season series against Toronto, outscoring them 9-3. This success has given them confidence heading into the playoffs, especially as they look to avenge past playoff defeats. Green’s squad has been committed to a team-first mentality, and Ullmark’s strong performances will be key to their hopes of advancing.
As the rivalry reignites, both teams are acutely aware of the stakes. Green pointed out the elite talent on the Leafs, stating, “You know, we’re talking about elite players in the NHL. Those can come up a lot. So we’re going to have our hands full.” The Senators will need to execute their game plan effectively to keep the high-powered Leafs at bay.
With the playoffs in full swing, the atmosphere in Toronto is electric. Fans are eager to see if the Maple Leafs can break their streak of poor performances in Game 1s, as they have struggled historically in opening playoff games. Since 2017, the Leafs have only managed to win one of their last nine playoff openers, a statistic that weighs heavily on the minds of the players and coaching staff.
Despite the odds, the Senators are determined to make their mark in this series. Ullmark expressed his excitement for the challenge ahead, stating, “I think it’s extra motivating and inspiring to go up against players of that caliber. Those are the games you want to win the most – and the ones that are the most fun to play.”
As the puck drops for Game 1, all eyes will be on the ice as the Senators and Maple Leafs battle for supremacy in the Battle of Ontario. Both teams are ready to leave it all on the ice, with the hopes of their cities resting on their shoulders. Will the Senators continue their dominance, or will the Maple Leafs finally break through and claim victory in their playoff opener? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the excitement of playoff hockey is back, and it’s going to be a thrilling series.
