
The Toronto Maple Leafs are formally set on a collision course with the Ottawa Senators within the first spherical of the 2025 NHL playoffs.
The Leafs’ 4-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres sealed the first-round matchup that includes the Battle of Ontario.
The final time the Leafs and Senators confronted off in opposition to each other was in 2004. In that collection, the Leafs bounced the Sens in seven video games within the first spherical.
22 years later, the Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators meet once more. This time, the Leafs enter because the second seed within the Japanese Convention after profitable the Atlantic Division. The Senators enter the 2025 NHL playoffs as the primary wild card workforce.
Regardless of the numerous hole separating each groups within the standings, the Leafs can unwell afford to underestimate the Senators. Ottawa swept the season collection in opposition to the Leafs this season, taking all three video games between the 2 golf equipment.
The Senators blanked the Leafs 3-0 on November 12, gained 2-1 on January 25, and notched a 4-2 win on March 15. All three video games had been comparatively shut regardless of Ottawa outscoring Toronto 9-3. Ottawa additionally outshot Toronto 89-79 in these three video games.
It’s price stating that the common season is one factor. The playoffs are a very totally different beast. Simply because the Senators gained the regular-season collection, doesn’t imply they’ll sweep the playoff collection.
The Leafs have a 16-8 edge over their provincial rivals within the postseason, outscoring them 57-42. Instances change, nevertheless, so it might be the Senators’ time to lastly bounce the Leafs within the postseason.
One other first-round exit on the playing cards for Toronto Maple Leafs

The opportunity of yet one more first-round exit looms on the horizon for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Senators have traditionally been a troublesome squad for the Maple Leafs to play in opposition to. As such, the Senators have the perfect likelihood to upset the next seed of all first-round matchups within the 2025 NHL playoffs.
Nonetheless, each golf equipment enter the postseason on comparatively totally different paths. The Leafs have turned up the juice down the stretch, using a four-game profitable streak after beating the Buffalo Sabres 4-0 on Monday night time.
Toronto is now 8-1-1 of their final 10 video games and may get loads of assistance on the blue liner as injured defensemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Jake McCabe return from accidents.
The Senators, however, are 6-2-2 of their final 10 and registered a 4-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night time. The Senators have cooled off down the stretch after making a powerful run that landed them within the first wild card spot this season.
Each golf equipment have yet one more recreation remaining on their common season schedules. Each video games are inconsequential within the closing standings. However the matchups will assist set the tone for a playoff matchup greater than 20 years within the making.