Hate. A verb. According to dictionary.com, hate is defined as "to dislike intensely or passionately; feel extreme aversion for or extreme hostility toward; detest."
To some people, hate can be viewed as a strong word. But, when you say the three words "Toronto Maple Leafs" to the Ottawa Senators and their fans, hatred for the Maple Leafs will always be there for the Senators' biggest rival.
The hatred between the two teams will only grow stronger because the two teams will meet each other this Spring.
Sens to open against Leafs in first round of 2025 playoffs
For the first time since 2004, the Battle of Ontario will happen in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. After the Maple Leafs defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-0 tonight, the Senators and Maple Leafs will now clash in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
History is on the Maple Leafs' side between the two teams in playoff history. The Senators and Maple Leafs have clashed four times against each other in the playoffs. Every series ended with the same result with the Maple Leafs winning the series. The last time the two teams faced off in the playoffs, the Maple Leafs defeated the Senators in seven games in the first round of the 2004 playoffs.
However, the Senators have a new sense of confidence 21 years later heading into the fifth all-time playoff meeting between the two teams. Over the past two seasons, the Senators have owned the Battle of Ontario. The Senators have won six of the last seven meetings against the Maple Leafs.
Against the Maple Leafs this season, the Senators swept the three-game season series. Two of the three wins came in Toronto. In the three games combined, the Senators outscored the Maple Leafs 9-3.
This season, the Senators clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2017. With not many core players on the roster having playoff experience, it could potentially hurt the Senators as the Maple Leafs' core has playoff experience. But, inexperience can create hunger to knock off a division winner like the Maple Leafs.
The Senators will have the tough task of defending the Maple Leafs' top offensive players on the roster. From Auston Matthews, to Mitch Marner, to William Nylander, to John Tavares and to Matthew Knies. But, the Maple Leafs haven't matched up well against the Senators' defense and goaltending this season with only scoring three combined goals in the three meetings this season.
All of Ontario will be buzzing when the puck drops for Game 1 of the series in Toronto. While the Maple Leafs will have home ice advantage for the series, the Senators have shown this season that they're not intimidated playing at Scotiabank Arena.