For the primary time in additional than 20 years, the Battle of Ontario rivalry between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators will unfold as soon as once more within the NHL playoffs.
In securing the Atlantic Division title and Japanese Convention’s second seed, Toronto will face Ottawa, which went undefeated in opposition to the Leafs within the common season.
The final time these two rivals performed within the playoffs was in 2004 when the Leafs knocked off the Senators in a seven-game first-round win.
Enjoying in that collection was ahead Darcy Tucker, who instructed International Information Thursday that followers who have been too younger or weren’t even alive on the time are in for a deal with.
“Ottawa and Toronto each being in Ontario makes for rivalry and it’s one thing that the followers totally get pleasure from,” he mentioned.
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“It’s going to be one thing that each cities embrace and there’s going to be a variety of various things that go on throughout the course of the following couple of weeks that followers are going to get pleasure from within the collection.”
‘Can’t wait to humble them’
Whereas the date of Recreation 1 hasn’t been launched but, followers on either side aren’t losing time buying and selling jabs on social media.
“I’m sorry Sens followers however the Leafs are going to throttle you,” X person @leafsfaan wrote Wednesday afternoon.
“The quantity of conceited, obnoxious and disrespectful Leafs followers I’ve seen on Twitter and on this metropolis is completely disgusting,” X person @Arjun_AJB15 wrote Wednesday afternoon.
“They haven’t gained a Cup since 1967 and but they suppose they’ll gloat and be cocky. Can’t wait to humble them.”
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Whereas the event marks Ottawa’s first playoff look in eight years, the Leafs have now made the post-season for 9 consecutive years. Nevertheless, success has been exhausting to return by.
‘I believe we’re ready’
Toronto is carrying the load of advancing previous the primary spherical simply as soon as — a 4-2 collection win over Tampa Bay in 2023 — in its previous 9 post-season appearances.
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What’s giving Leafs followers optimism, nonetheless, is that their crew is taking part in a extra accountable defensive type underneath new coach Craig Berube. Additionally, the Leafs are driving a 12-2-1 run heading into the playoffs.
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With 263 objectives, Toronto is closing in on ending its ninth straight season ranked among the many NHL’s high 10. The Maple Leafs additionally enter their closing regular-season sport Thursday ranked tenth within the NHL in permitting 226 objectives. Solely twice over the previous 9 seasons have they completed with a greater rating.
“I believe we’re ready,” captain Auston Matthews mentioned after Tuesday’s 4-0 win in opposition to the Buffalo Sabres.
“Clearly, we will’t change what’s occurred previously. I believe you put on that.… So I really feel actually assured on this group. I believe we put in a variety of work over the season. Clearly, incomes the division (title) here’s a large step for us. However we simply wish to proceed to push ahead.”
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In the meantime, the Senators have been coming off a 5-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 8 after they noticed the Montreal Canadiens had crushed the Detroit Purple Wings 4-1, which formally allowed Ottawa to punch its ticket to the playoffs.
Senators head coach Travis Inexperienced was a member of the 2001-02 Leafs crew that beat the Senators in seven video games within the Japanese Convention semifinals.
Now Inexperienced will get to expertise the rivalry from a special vantage level, and this time round, he and Daniel Alfredsson, the Senators’ assistant coach, might be on the identical crew.
As a participant, Alfredsson by no means skilled beating the Leafs in a playoff collection, which ought to solely add to the crew’s motivation.
A lot of the present roster have been simply youngsters the final time the 2 groups met within the playoffs, however they’re excited to begin a brand new chapter of the Battle of Ontario.
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“It’s superior,” ahead Drake Batherson mentioned.
“I imply, we’d be proud of anybody, however I really feel like everybody desires the Battle of Ontario they usually’re going to get it and it needs to be one.”
Groups rolling out fan experiences
When the playoffs start, the Leafs might be reigniting their tailgates outdoors Scotiabank Enviornment for each house and away video games.
Tailgates will characteristic reside leisure on stage, particular appearances, a DJ, prizes, meals and beverage stations, the Actual Sports activities Attire merchandise truck and extra. The tailgate will open two hours earlier than the sport and shut on the finish of the second intermission.
Followers attending should register for a free cell go to entry the playoff tailgates. Passes can be found on the Leafs cell app at 1 p.m. ET the day earlier than every confirmed sport and every fan can register for as much as two non-transferable passes per sport.
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In Ottawa, the CIBC Purple Zone will open one hour earlier than doorways open on the Canadian Tire Centre. It’s going to characteristic the Sens Beer Backyard, reside leisure, picture stations, video games and face portray.
The NHL playoffs formally start Saturday.
— with information from The Canadian Press and The Related Press
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