The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin with a fierce renewal of the Battle of Ontario as the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Ottawa Senators in Game 1 of their first-round series at Scotiabank Arena. This marks the first postseason meeting between the provincial rivals in over two decades, and both teams enter with high stakes and heightened intensity. Toronto, the Atlantic Division champions with a 51–26–4 record, has surged into the playoffs on a four-game winning streak, securing home-ice advantage and boasting one of the league’s most potent offensive cores. Led by the dynamic duo of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner—both coming off milestone seasons—the Leafs present an explosive threat in the offensive zone, especially with their lethal power play and improved defensive structure. Matthews, who reached the 400-goal mark, and Marner, who registered his first 100-point campaign, are playing at their peak just as the games matter most. Between the pipes, Anthony Stolarz has emerged as a surprise difference-maker down the stretch, with back-to-back shutouts and an eye-popping .950 save percentage in his last eight games, earning a perfect 8–0–0 record over that span. The Maple Leafs enter with confidence, structure, and momentum, but they’ll need every ounce of that against a Senators team hungry to spoil the party. The Ottawa Senators, 45–30–7 in the regular season, claimed the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Under head coach Travis Green, the Senators have evolved into a disciplined, defensively sound team that relies on structure and accountability rather than star power. Linus Ullmark has been the team’s backbone, providing elite goaltending and helping Ottawa finish in the top 10 for fewest goals allowed this season.

While their offensive numbers don’t jump off the page—ranking just 22nd in goals scored—they’ve found success by frustrating opponents with tight-checking hockey and capitalizing on mistakes. The team’s ability to cover the puck line in four of their last five road games against Toronto reflects just how competitive they’ve been in this rivalry, and they’ll enter Game 1 looking to keep things close and seize their opportunities. Ottawa’s strength lies in its ability to play close, grinding games, which makes them a dangerous matchup for high-octane offenses like Toronto’s, particularly if Ullmark can replicate his regular-season form under playoff pressure. While the Senators may not match the Leafs in star power, they bring the kind of grit and goaltending that can flip playoff series when the margins are razor thin. Overall, this Game 1 clash is more than a statistical showdown—it’s a narrative-driven, emotionally charged opening to a series steeped in history, fueled by contrast in playing styles, and amplified by playoff stakes. The Leafs enter as the clear favorites, powered by their elite scoring and a goaltender in peak form, but they’re also carrying the weight of postseason expectations and past letdowns. The Senators, playing with the freedom of an underdog and a chip on their shoulder, have the tools to make this series a war of attrition. If the pace leans toward wide-open play, Toronto could run away with it, but if Ottawa can muck things up and neutralize time and space, this could be one of the tighter, more unpredictable first-round matchups. Expect fireworks, physicality, and passionate fan bases on both sides in what promises to be a memorable chapter in Ontario hockey lore. Game 1 sets the tone, and both teams know that how they start may determine how far they can go.