2025 Stanley Cup Playoff Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators

Finally.

On April 20, 2004, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated their cross-province rivals the Ottawa Senators at the Air Canada Centre 4-1 in game seven of the first round of the playoffs. It was the fourth time the teams had met in five seasons and the fourth win for Toronto. 

20 years passed without a rematch. The Senators continued to contend for two years after the lock-out while the Leafs sputtered. When the Sens got back into the postseason conversation in the early-to-mid-2010s, the Leafs were rebuilding and by the time the Leafs finally returned to regular playoff contention the Sens were starting a spiral that would keep them in the basement for seven seasons. 

The wait is over. The Battle of Ontario is on, and both teams have ample reason to think they'll come out on top.

For the Leaf