Playoff Flashback: The Leafs and Sens reignite a 20-year rivalry

The NHL playoffs are just around the corner, and the match-ups are set. With the final regular season games taking place this week, let's look at some of the most anticipated first-round matchups!

Leafs Historic Season

With the Toronto Maple Leafs' 4-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres, they clinched the Atlantic Division title for the first time in their franchise history. Along with this milestone, Mitch Marner reached a new career high of 100 points, and Auston Matthews scored the 400th goal of his career. Anthony Stolarz, who was starting in the net for this game, got his 3rd shutout in his last five starts. The Toronto Maple Leafs are heading into the playoffs hot. With every milestone reached, it seems this team is finally finding its rhythm. Will this hot streak carry into the playoffs? The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to face the Ottawa Senators, who have not made a playoff appearance since 2017. 

The Battle in Ontario 

The Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs have not faced each other in the playoffs since 2004. When it comes to playoffs, fans would hate for the Leafs to repeat history, but in this case, it may be something all fans are praying for. In 2004, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators met in the quarter-finals, and Toronto won the series 4-3. Unfortunately for the Leafs, they have not been successful in the regular season against Ottawa; they have fallen short every match-up. While this has been a great season on the road for the Leafs, where they have secured a franchise record of 25 on-the-road wins, they have gotten home-ice advantage for the first round.

Leafs Captain Auston Matthews is at the top of his game, while Brady Tkachuk, Captain of the Ottawa Senators, has been out of commission since March 30th. Brady is a driving force and game changer for any team he is on, whether it was his appearance in the Four Nations or his leading of 29 goals in the regular season with the Senators; his absence leaves an impact. Brady has been seen practicing with the team in a no-contact jersey and should make an appearance in the first-round playoff match-up. 

In The Crease Showdown

Not only have Toronto's leaders reached incredible milestones this season, but their goalie tandem, Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll, have been thriving in their crease in recent games. Anthony Stolarz has had 3 shutouts in his last five starts and will leave the regular season with a .926 save percentage. Joseph Woll, who is projected to start in their game against the Detroit Red Wings, has a .909 save percentage and has only added to his highlights these past couple of games. 

Across the ice for this playoff run, we have Linus Ullmark in his first season with the Sens, coming from Boston. In Boston, Ullmark was a part of his goalie tandem with Jeremy Swayman. During the 2023-2024 playoff stretch, Boston had their alternating goalie starts until Swayman was favored and took over for their remaining time in the playoff series before being eliminated. After their season concluded, Ullmark was traded to Ottawa while Swayman signed an 8-year contract with Boston. This may look like Ullmark got to the short end of the stick, but it seems he is the one-half of the old goalie tandem that will be in the playoffs this season, as the Boston Bruins were eliminated. Ullmark started a majority of the games this season, he achieved a .911 save percentage and 4 shutouts, and again won more than half of his starts. 

20 years in the making

The Battle in Ontario will be one for the books as we have a match-up we have not seen for two decades. Both teams are looking great and are picking up heat as they head into the playoffs, but only one can move on. Who will be the first-round exit for the 2024-2025 Stanley Cup playoffs? 

Tune in Sunday April 20th as The Leafs Take on the Sens on home ice at Scotiabank arena @7pm for Game 1.