First meeting | October 20, 1992 [1] |
---|---|
Latest meeting | February 10, 2024 |
Next meeting | November 12, 2024 |
Statistics | |
Meetings total | 168 |
All-time series | 84–68–3–13 (TOR) |
Regular season series | 73–55–3–13 (OTT) [2] |
Postseason results | 16–8 (TOR) |
Largest victory | OTT 8–0 TOR October 29, 2005 |
Longest win streak | OTT W7 |
Current win streak | OTT W2 |
Postseason history | |
|
The Battle of Ontario (French : Bataille de l'Ontario) is a National Hockey League (NHL) rivalry between the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Both teams compete in the Atlantic Division and with current NHL scheduling, they meet three to four times per season. Games between the teams are often televised nationally on Hockey Night in Canada . The rivalry has been described as one of the NHL's top rivalries. [3]
the Strongest Rival to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Ottawa Senators.
Games between Toronto and Ottawa ice hockey teams date back before the founding of the NHL. In 1891, the original Senators defeated the Toronto St. George's to win the Ontario ice hockey title. In February 1904, the original Ottawa Senators, aka the 'Silver Seven', defeated the Toronto Marlboros in a Stanley Cup challenge. The Senators were founding members of the National Hockey Association (NHA) in 1910 and Toronto teams joined the NHA two years later. In 1917, the Toronto NHA franchise was turned over to the NHL and joined the Senators as one of the founding teams of the NHL. After the original Ottawa NHL franchise relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, as the Eagles in 1934, [4] [5] With the coming of television broadcasting of NHL games in the 1950s, Ottawa-area NHL hockey fans became fans of other NHL teams. A Toronto-Ottawa sports rivalry continued between the Argonauts and the Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
The current Senators entered the NHL in 1992, but the rivalry between the two teams did not begin to emerge until the late 1990s. From 1992 to 1998, Toronto was in the Western Conference and Ottawa was in the Eastern Conference, which meant that the two teams rarely played each other. However, before the 1998–99 season, the conferences and divisions were re-aligned, and Toronto was moved into the Eastern Conference's Northeast Division with the Senators, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres.
This was a Strong Rival in Different Conferences.
The rivalry reached new heights in 2000, as the teams met for the first time in the playoffs with the Maple Leafs dispatching the Senators in six games. Some Maple Leafs fans saw this as revenge, since the Senators' Marian Hossa accidentally clipped the Maple Leafs' Bryan Berard in the eye on March 11, ending the young defenceman's season and almost his career. [6] [7]
The next season, they met again in the first round as Ottawa entered the playoffs ranked second in the conference and the Maple Leafs seventh. [8] While the Senators were expected to defeat the Maple Leafs, especially since they had swept the regular season series against them, the Maple Leafs swept the series in a major upset instead; Ottawa did not score their first goal of the series until 16:51 of the third period in the third game. [9] [10]
In 2001–02, the teams met in the playoffs for the third-straight year. The two teams were evenly matched, and the Maple Leafs managed to win the second-round series in the full seven games and advance to the conference finals. One notable incident occurred late in game five when Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson hit forward Darcy Tucker in a questionable hit-from-behind,which did not draw a penalty. Seconds after hitting Tucker, he scored the game-winning goal. [11]
In 2002–03, the rivalry hit an all-time high when Darcy Tucker attacked the Senators' Chris Neil, who was sitting on the bench. This resulted in numerous players exchanging punches before order was restored. Tucker, Neil and Shane Hnidy all received fighting majors and game misconducts for the same incident. After the game, Tucker claimed Neil spit on him, an allegation which Neil denied. The NHL board looked into this claim and concluded that Tucker's allegation was false. Tempers remained frayed, especially with 1:23 to play, when Toronto's Tie Domi went after Magnus Arvedson and threw several punches at Arvedson. Video evidence showed Arvedson spearing Domi just prior, awaiting the faceoff. Domi received a roughing minor, instigator minor, fighting major, misconduct and game misconduct. Arvedson did not get a penalty on the play. Suspensions were announced a few hours after Tucker and Domi appeared at NHL head offices in Toronto for a hearing. Tucker was suspended for five games, without pay, after it was determined that Neil did not spit at Toronto's bench. Domi was suspended for three games, also without pay. A total of 163 minutes in penalties were called in the game. [12]
On January 6, 2004, the Maple Leafs were playing a game against the Nashville Predators, when Leaf captain Mats Sundin's stick broke on an attempted shot at the blue line and he threw it away in disgust. Instead of hitting the glass, the stick accidentally went over and into the crowd. The NHL reacted by giving him a one-game suspension. [13] The game he was suspended for was a game against the Senators in Toronto. During the game, Daniel Alfredsson's stick broke, and he immediately faked a toss of his stick into the stands. This caused an uproar with the Maple Leafs, in part since they also lost the game 7–1. Alfredsson dismissed the Maple Leafs' reaction, calling it an over-reaction. This incident added to the rivalry, and Maple Leafs fans would boo Alfredsson at every opportunity for the remainder of his career. [14]
Ottawa and Toronto matched up in the playoffs for the fourth time in five years in 2003–04. Alfredsson guaranteed a victory after the Maple Leafs took game five to lead 3–2. He delivered on his promise in game six, but Ottawa goaltender Patrick Lalime turned in a lacklustre performance in the series finale, allowing two soft goals to Joe Nieuwendyk and the Maple Leafs to win the series. [15] [16]
In 2005–06, the two teams nearly met again in the playoffs, but the Maple Leafs missed qualifying by two points. As the Senators clinched the top spot in the Eastern Conference, the Maple Leafs claiming eighth position would have ensured a first-round match-up. [17] The Senators largely dominated the season series by winning seven of the eight games (including three routs of 8–0, 8–2 and 7–0). [18]
In 2006–07, the Maple Leafs failed to qualify for the playoffs, finishing in ninth position, and thereby missing for a second consecutive year. [19] Meanwhile, the Senators made it to the Stanley Cup Finals and became the first Ontario-based team to reach the NHL's championship series since the Maple Leafs' most recent title four decades prior. [20] The Senators won the season series 5–1–2. [21]
The 2007–08 season was characterized by a share of lopsided victories by the two teams against each other, for example, wins of 5–0 and 8–2. [22] The Maple Leafs failed to make the playoffs for the third-straight season, this time by 11 points. Ottawa finished in seventh place in the conference after a 15–2 start and leading the league at one point, barely making it into the playoffs. [22] The Senators were swept 4–0 in the first round by the Pittsburgh Penguins in a rematch of the previous year's series. [23]
The 2008–09 season was a poor one for both teams, with the Senators finishing eleventh and the Maple Leafs twelfth in the Eastern Conference. This marked the first time that both Ontario teams failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs since the Senators joined the NHL in 1992.
The 2009–10 season saw the Senators finish fifth in the conference and face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the playoffs, while the Maple Leafs finished last in the conference and failed to make the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year. The Maple Leafs won the season series, however, 4–2. [24]
The 2010–11 season was a poor one for both the Ontario teams. Despite the Maple Leafs posting its best regular season record since the 2006–07 season, the team missed the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season. Meanwhile, the Senators finished with a record of 32–40–10 and missed the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. The 74 points put up by the Senators was the lowest total put up since the 1995–96 season. The season series was tied 3–3. [25]
The 2011–12 season saw Ottawa hosting the 59th NHL All-Star Game. A franchise-high five Senators were elected to the team – Daniel Alfredsson, Milan Michalek, Erik Karlsson, Jason Spezza and Colin Greening represented the Senators. Meanwhile, Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul and Dion Phaneuf represented the Maple Leafs. Senators defenceman Erik Karlsson ended the season with 78 points and won the Norris Trophy. The Senators finished eighth in the Eastern Conference and qualified for the playoffs, while the Maple Leafs once again failed to qualify for the seventh consecutive season. The season series was again tied 3–3. [26]
The 2012–13 season was cut short by the lockout, which delayed opening day until January 19, 2013. The Maple Leafs and Senators met five times in the 48-game season, with the Maple Leafs taking the season series 4–1. Toronto finished the shortened season in fifth place in the conference and clinch their first playoff spot since 2004, while Ottawa finished seventh. The Senators matched up against the Montreal Canadiens in the first round. They took the series in five games before falling to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round. The Maple Leafs lost in game seven against the Boston Bruins and failed to pass the first round. [27]
The 2013–14 season saw both Ontario teams miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2010–11 season. The Maple Leafs and Senators met four times in the 82-game season, two of which were decided in shootouts. The Maple Leafs took the season series 3–1. The Senators would finish 11th with 88 points, and the Maple Leafs finished in 12th place with 84 points. [28]
The 2014–15 season saw the Senators finish seventh in the Eastern Conference with 99 points, securing the first wildcard playoff position. The Maple Leafs failed to make the playoffs finishing last in with 68 points. On October 22, 2014, the game between Maple Leafs and Senators was postponed due to the 2014 Ottawa shootings. It was rescheduled for November 9, in which the Maple Leafs won 5–3. The Maple Leafs took the season series 3–2, two games were settled in OT/SO. [29]
The 2015–16 season ended with the Senators sweeping the season series 4–0 over the Maple Leafs. The Senators finished fifth in the Atlantic Division and eight points out of playoff contention. The Maple Leafs had a season finishing last in the league. On February 9, 2016, there was a rare trade between the two division rivals. The trade saw Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf, Matt Frattin, Casey Bailey, Ryan Rupert, and Cody Donaghey traded to Ottawa for Jared Cowen, Milan Michalek, Colin Greening, Tobias Lindberg, and a second-round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. [30]
The 2016–17 season proved to be a successful season for both teams. The Maple Leafs came into the season loaded with rookies, while the Senators were a mix of young and veteran players. In the season opener, Ottawa and Toronto faced each other. The Maple Leafs' rookie centre Auston Matthews scored four goals in his NHL debut, but the Senators prevailed 5–4 in overtime. Ottawa won 3–1 in the season series. The Senators and Maple Leafs surprised many, as Ottawa finished second in the Atlantic, while Toronto grabbed the second wild card spot in the playoffs. Toronto fell short to the Washington Capitals in game six of the first round. Ottawa continued their postseason run all the way to the second overtime of game seven of the Eastern Conference finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins (beating the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers). [31]
After the 2018–19 season, the Maple Leafs and Senators made another major trade. The Maple Leafs traded Nikita Zaitsev, Connor Brown, and prospect Michael Carcone to the Ottawa Senators for Cody Ceci, Ben Harpur, prospect Aaron Luchuck, and a third-round pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. [32]
For the shortened 2020–21 season, the two teams played each other nine times in the North Division as the NHL temporarily realigned the divisions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [33] [34] On February 15, 2021, Toronto blow a 5–1 lead against Ottawa, losing 6–5 in overtime. Nick Paul of the Senators started the comeback with a shorthanded goal. In the third period, Artyom Zub scored his first NHL goal on a breakaway after exiting the penalty box. Connor Brown later scored just after a power play, and Evgenii Dadonov tied the game with two minutes to play with Ottawa goalie Marcus Hogberg on the bench for an extra attacker. In the overtime, the Maple Leafs nearly scored, however, Dadonov made a save while in the crease, then was set up on a breakaway. Dadonov scored to win the game 6–5. [35] This comeback marked the first win by Ottawa after trailing by four goals at any point in a game. [36]
The Ottawa Senators, officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference and play their home games at the 18,652-seat Canadian Tire Centre, which opened in 1996 as the Palladium.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The club is owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, a company that owns several professional sports teams in the city, while the team's broadcasting rights are split between BCE Inc. and Rogers Communications.
Daniel Alfredsson, nicknamed "Alfie", is a Swedish-Canadian former professional ice hockey player and Assistant Coach for the Ottawa Senators. He spent 18 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), primarily with the Senators. He also briefly played for the Detroit Red Wings before his retirement in 2014.
Jason Rocco Anthony Spezza is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre and current assistant general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. Spezza played 19 career seasons in the NHL from 2002 to 2022.
Magnus Karl Olof Arvedson is a Swedish former professional ice hockey left winger who played 7 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks. He also competed in the men's tournament at the 2002 Winter Olympics. He is currently the head coach of Bofors IK in the Swedish HockeyAllsvenskan.
The 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs, the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL), began on April 9, 2003, following the 2002–03 regular season. The playoffs concluded on June 9, 2003, with the New Jersey Devils defeating the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in seven games.
The 1995–96 Ottawa Senators season was the fourth season of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). This season was plenty of change for the club. The club changed coaching staffs twice, changed their general manager and moved into the new Palladium arena in Kanata. The team again finished last in the league, even though they knocked the defending Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils out of playoff contention in the last game of the season, allowing the Tampa Bay Lightning to clinch the playoff berth at the expense of the Devils.
The 1999–2000 Ottawa Senators season was the eighth season of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). This season saw the Senators drop in the standings, as they finished with 95 points, down from the 103 they registered the previous season. They finished second in the Northeast Division and sixth in the Eastern Conference. They qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the fourth straight season.
The 2005–06 Ottawa Senators season was the 14th season of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). After one of their franchise-best regular seasons, finishing with 113 points, the Senators made it to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, in which the Buffalo Sabres eliminated Ottawa in five games.
The 2007–08 Ottawa Senators season was the 16th season of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Senators started strongly in the regular season, but the team slumped after Christmas, and just barely qualified for the playoffs. The slump caused the Senators to fire John Paddock, who was in his first season as head coach. The Senators lost in the first round, losing in a sweep by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The 2003–04 Ottawa Senators season was the 12th season of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). This season would see the Senators again finish with over 100 points, finishing with 102, but this was good for only third in the tightly-contested division, as the Boston Bruins would have 104 and the Toronto Maple Leafs 103. Ottawa would meet Toronto in the first-round of the playoffs for the fourth time, where the Maple Leafs would win the series 4–3 to end the Senators' playoff hopes. Ottawa would fire head coach Jacques Martin after the playoff round.
The 2001–02 Ottawa Senators season was the tenth season of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). This season saw the Senators place third in the Northeast Division, with 94 points. In the playoffs, they upset the Philadelphia Flyers in five games, limiting the Flyers' high-powered offence to just two goals for the franchise's second playoff series win. This led to a second round series with the Toronto Maple Leafs, in which the Sens lost in a tense seven-game affair.
The 1998–99 Toronto Maple Leafs season was the franchise's 82nd season. Two moves occurred this season. First, the club moved from the Western to the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). Secondly, the club moved from Maple Leaf Gardens to the new Air Canada Centre. Toronto qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals before losing to the Buffalo Sabres.
The 1994–95 Toronto Maple Leafs season was Toronto's 78th season in the National Hockey League (NHL).
The 2005–06 Toronto Maple Leafs season was the 89th season of the franchise, 79th season as the Maple Leafs. This season marked the first time since the 1997–98 season that the team did not make the playoffs.
The Canadiens–Maple Leafs rivalry is an ice hockey rivalry between the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs, two professional ice hockey clubs in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Canadiens and Maple Leafs are the league's oldest teams, with the former established in 1909 and the latter in 1917. Both clubs compete in the Atlantic Division of the NHL's Eastern Conference.
The 2013–14 Ottawa Senators season was the team's 22nd season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The 2013–14 season was the first season of a re-organization by the NHL of its divisions. Ottawa was placed in a new Atlantic Division with the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs. The Senators failed to qualify for the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Nicholas Paul is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). A left winger, he was selected by the Dallas Stars in the fourth round, 101st overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
The Maple Leafs–Red Wings rivalry is a National Hockey League (NHL) rivalry between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings. The rivalry is largely bolstered because of the proximity between the two teams, with Toronto and Detroit approximately 370 kilometres (230 mi) apart, connected by Ontario Highway 401, and a number of shared fans in between the two cities. The teams both compete in the Atlantic Division and with current NHL scheduling, they meet three or four times per season.