The Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators are set to clash in the Eastern Conference First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, marking a highly anticipated matchup known as the Battle of Ontario. The Maple Leafs, who finished the regular season with a record of 51-26-4, secured the Atlantic Division title with a decisive 4-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on April 15, 2025. This win not only solidified their position but also granted them home-ice advantage in the best-of-seven series against the Senators, who enter the playoffs as the first wild card from the Eastern Conference with a record of 44-30-7.
Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews expressed excitement about the upcoming series, stating, "Yeah, it'll be cool. I mean, it's been a long time. Obviously, they're a good young team. They're hungry. They've taken steps as well. So, I think it's going to be great. It's going to be fun. It's good for hockey. Obviously, it's going to be intense. So, I think we're looking forward to it." His enthusiasm reflects the heightened stakes and the long-standing rivalry between the two teams.
On the other side, Senators forward Drake Batherson shared similar sentiments, noting, "It's awesome. I mean, we'd be happy with anyone, but I feel like everyone wants the Battle of Ontario. So, they're going to get it and it should be a good one." This sentiment resonates with fans who are eager to see these two teams face off in the playoffs.
The Maple Leafs have been a playoff fixture, qualifying for the postseason in each of the last nine years. However, they have struggled to advance, securing only one series victory during that span. Last season, they faced a heartbreaking exit in the first round, losing in seven games to the Boston Bruins. This year, they hope to change their fortunes against a Senators team that last made the playoffs in 2017, when they reached the conference finals before falling to the Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games.
Leading the charge for the Maple Leafs is forward Mitch Marner, who has had a standout season, amassing a career-high 100 points through 80 games, including 27 goals and 73 assists. Following closely behind is William Nylander, who has recorded 84 points, leading the team with 45 goals in 81 games. The depth of the Maple Leafs' roster is evident, with other notable contributors including John Tavares (38 points), Matthews (32 points), Matthew Knies (29 points), and Bobby McMann (20 points).
In goal, the Maple Leafs have relied on Joseph Woll, who holds a record of 26-14-1 with a 2.72 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage over 41 games. Anthony Stolarz has also been a valuable asset, boasting a record of 21-8-3, a 2.14 GAA, and a stellar .926 save percentage, along with four shutouts in 34 games.
On the Senators' side, the offensive firepower comes from Tim Stutzle, who has tallied 76 points (23 goals, 53 assists) in 81 games, and Batherson, who has contributed 65 points (24 goals, 41 assists) in the same number of games. The Senators are eagerly anticipating the return of Brady Tkachuk, who has been sidelined since March 30 due to an upper-body injury but has still managed to collect 55 points (29 goals, 26 assists) in 71 games.
In net, Linus Ullmark has been a key player for Ottawa, posting a record of 24-14-3 with a 2.67 GAA and a .911 save percentage over 43 games. Anton Forsberg has also seen action, with an 11-12-3 record and a 2.72 GAA in 30 games. Furthermore, Leevi Merilainen, who was assigned to the American Hockey League in February, has had an impressive record of 8-3-1 with a 1.99 GAA and .925 save percentage in 12 games.
Interestingly, the Senators have had the upper hand in the regular season series against the Maple Leafs, going 3-0-0, outscoring Toronto 9-3. Stutzle has been particularly effective, contributing two goals and one assist, while Claude Giroux and Thomas Chabot have each added to the scoring with three points apiece. Ullmark was dominant in net against Toronto, recording two wins and allowing just two goals on 50 shots, which translates to a .960 save percentage, including a shutout in a 3-0 victory on November 12, 2024.
Despite their regular-season success against the Maple Leafs, Stutzle remains cautious, acknowledging, "Obviously they're a very good team over there. They make a lot of great plays. They make it hard on you through the neutral zone and their D-zone. So, we got to be ready for that. We'll do our scouting and figure out ways that we can work around it." This highlights the respect both teams have for each other as they prepare for the playoff battle.
The postseason history between these two teams is notable, with the Maple Leafs having won all four previous playoff series against the Senators. Their last meeting in the playoffs was in 2004, where Toronto emerged victorious in seven games in the conference quarterfinals. As the two teams gear up for this year's series, the anticipation is palpable among fans and players alike.
As the playoffs approach, the excitement is building, and the Battle of Ontario promises to deliver thrilling hockey. With both teams boasting talented rosters and a fierce rivalry, fans can expect an intense series filled with drama and high stakes. The first game of the series is set to take place soon, and single-game tickets for the Senators' home game will go on sale on Thursday, April 17, 2025, allowing fans to witness this historic matchup firsthand.
