Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators Rivalry

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 02 February 2024

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

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Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators – One of the Fiercest NHL Rivalries

• History & Previous Meetings
• Toronto Maple Leafs’ Memorable Moments
• Toronto Maple Leafs’ Recent Form and Moments
• Ottawa Senators Memorable Moments
• Ottawa Senators Recent Form and Moments

Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators hold the Battle of Ontario rivalry in the National Hockey League (NHL). The teams compete in the Atlantic Division and face off three to four times every season, per the current scheduling.

The top NHL rivalry began in the late 1990s. Toronto Maple Leafs plied their trade in the Western Conference, while Ottawa Senators featured in the Eastern Conference from 1992 to 1998. However, both teams aligned in the same conference and division after Toronto moved into the Eastern Conference’s Northeast Division.

History & Previous Meetings

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators faced off for the first time on October 20, 1992. The teams met in the NHL playoffs for the first time in 2000 to take their rivalry to a new height.

Toronto Maple Leafs’ Memorable Moments

In February 2020, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators played one of the best games in the Battle of Ontario rivalry. The Leafs goaltender, Curtis Joseph, displayed his brilliance in the match, featuring several fights and memorable moments. Thanks to the effort, the Leafs clinched a 5-0 victory, proving why betting on the NHL can be quite unpredictable.

Game 6 of the 2002 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators displayed an intense match-up. Toronto won the game 3-0 to force a Game 7. Again, Joseph played a pivotal role in the match, making 29 saves to shut out the Senators.

The Leafs won Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in April 2004, defeating the Senators 4-1. The victory helped them to advance to the playoffs, marking a critical win for Toronto.

The arch-rivals also faced off in the Centennial Classic in February 2017. The match is remembered for its memorable goals as the Leafs beat the Senators 4-2 in a unique outdoor setting.

On January 15, 2019, star player John Tavares hit all four goals to guide the Leafs to a 4-0 victory over the Senators. It was a dominating display from Tavares and a memorable individual effort.

Toronto Maple Leafs’ Recent Form and Moments

The Toronto Maple Leafs are featuring in their 102nd season of the NHL in 2023-24. The Leafs will look to improve their 50–21–11 record in the ongoing season and avenge their five-game loss to the Florida Panthers in the Second Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Leafs have started the season on a positive note, winning four matches and losing two out of the six matches played, to be placed at the third spot. They will look to win their first Stanley Cup since 1967.

Brad Treliving took over the role of General Manager on May 31, 2023, after Kyler Dubas resigned from the position at the end of the 2022-23 season.

Ottawa Senators Memorable Moments

The Ottawa Senators won Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals 4-3 in overtime to complete a series sweep on May 3, 2000. Shawn McEachern scored the game-winning goal in double overtime, and the Senators advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals.

In Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals on April 20, 2002, the Senators defeated the Maple Leafs 3-0. The Senators goaltender Patrick Lalime made 32 saves to secure the series victory and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

On April 18, 2004, the Senators won Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals 2-1 in overtime to force a Game 7. Martin Havlat scored the overtime winner to extend the series and create an exciting atmosphere for the fans.

In the 2017 playoffs between the arch-rivals, the Senators defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round. Former Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf scored the game-winning goal against his former team to make the moment particularly memorable.

The teams also faced off for an outdoor game at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on February 15, 2020. The Senators won 4-3 in a shootout, adding to the significance of the historic game.

Ottawa Senators Recent Form and Moments

The 2023-24 season marks the 32nd season for the Ottawa Senators in the NHL. The Senators entered the season with an ownership change from the estate of the late Eugene Melnyk to a group of investors led by Michael Andlauer.

The team could not come to terms with Alex DeBrincat and traded him to the Detroit Red Wings, getting back Dominik Kubalik prospect Donovan Sebrango. The Senators picked up goaltender Joonas Korpisalo and forwards Vladimir Tarasenko and Zack MacEwen in free agency.

The Senators are in the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division after winning three matches and losing as many. They have not qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the last six seasons.