The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs are officially here, and the excitement is palpable as the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare to face off against the Ottawa Senators in the highly anticipated "Battle of Ontario." The first round of this thrilling postseason is set to kick off on April 19, 2025, and fans are buzzing with anticipation for what promises to be an electrifying series.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, having clinched the Atlantic Division title with a decisive 4-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on April 15, 2025, will enjoy the advantage of home ice in this best-of-seven showdown. This marks the Leafs' first division title since they topped the all-Canadian North Division during the 2020-21 season, a significant achievement for a team that has made the playoffs for nine consecutive years but has struggled to advance past the first round.
In the recent win against Buffalo, the Leafs showcased their offensive prowess, with goals from Steven Lorentz, Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, and Nick Robertson. Notably, Marner reached the 100-point milestone for the first time in his career, while Matthews celebrated his 400th career goal. Goalie Anthony Stolarz was instrumental in the victory, making 36 saves to earn his fourth shutout of the season, extending his career-best winning streak to eight games.
As the Leafs gear up for their clash with the Senators, they are not just facing a rival; they are confronting a team that has shown recent momentum. The Senators, who secured the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference with a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Flyers on April 13, 2025, will bring their own firepower to the ice. While the Leafs have dominated their playoff history against Ottawa, winning all four previous series meetings, this season has seen the Senators sweep the regular-season series, winning all three matchups.
For the Maple Leafs, key players such as Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and Auston Matthews will be crucial in the upcoming series. Marner's 100 points and Matthews' 400 career goals underscore their importance to the Leafs' success. Additionally, the return of defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who is expected to be ready for the playoffs after recovering from an upper-body injury, will bolster Toronto's defensive lineup. Coach Craig Berube expressed confidence in Ekman-Larsson's ability to contribute, stating, "I expect [Ekman-Larsson] to play, but you never know. He’s tough. He’ll play through things."
On the other side, the Senators will look to their stars, including Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson, to lead the charge. The potential return of captain Brady Tkachuk from injury could also be a game-changer for Ottawa. The goaltending matchup will play a pivotal role, with the Leafs relying on Stolarz and Joseph Woll, while the Senators will counter with Linus Ullmark and Anton Forsberg.
This playoff series is not just about the present; it’s a chapter in a long-standing rivalry. The last time these two teams met in the playoffs was in 2004, when the Leafs emerged victorious in a seven-game series. Historically, the Leafs have had the upper hand in postseason encounters, but the Senators will be eager to rewrite that narrative and capitalize on their recent success against Toronto.
The stakes are high as the series approaches. The Maple Leafs, despite their playoff struggles in recent years, are entering the postseason with a strong 12-2-1 record, including a remarkable stretch of eight wins in nine games, outscoring opponents 28-12 in that span. This newfound defensive discipline under Berube's coaching is a departure from the high-scoring games of previous seasons, and players like Steven Lorentz have acknowledged the shift in style. "It might not be as exciting when you win the game 2-1 rather than 7-6, but that’s championship hockey, and that’s what it takes if you want to play into June," Lorentz noted.
As the Maple Leafs prepare for their first playoff series against the Senators since 2004, the anticipation builds. Fans are eager to see if Toronto can finally break through the first-round barrier that has haunted the franchise for nearly two decades. With the playoffs starting on April 19, the excitement surrounding the "Battle of Ontario" is sure to reach a fever pitch.
In addition to the Leafs and Senators matchup, the NHL playoff brackets feature several other compelling first-round series, including the Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues, Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild, Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche, and Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers. The Eastern Conference also sees the Florida Panthers facing off against the Tampa Bay Lightning, adding to the playoff drama.
Fans can catch all the action of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+, starting April 19. The full schedule will be released soon, but one thing is certain: this year’s playoffs promise electrifying hockey and unforgettable moments. The stage is set, the teams are ready, and the rivalry is reignited. Who will emerge victorious in the Battle of Ontario? Only time will tell.
