Senators vs Maple Leafs: A Battle for Ontario Hockey Supremacy




The rivalry between the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs is one of the most intense and storied in the NHL. The two teams are located just two hours apart in Ontario, Canada, and their fans are passionate and vocal. The rivalry dates back to the early days of the NHL, and has been fueled by a number of factors, including geography, history, and player movement.
One of the things that makes the Senators vs Maple Leafs rivalry so special is the close proximity of the two teams. The two cities are just two hours apart by car, and many fans of both teams have friends and family members who support the other team. This close proximity means that there is a lot of trash talk and friendly banter between the two fan bases.
Another factor that has contributed to the rivalry is the history between the two teams. The Senators and Maple Leafs have met in the playoffs on several occasions, and some of those series have been particularly heated:
  • In 1993, the Senators upset the Maple Leafs in the first round of the playoffs, winning in seven games.
  • In 2004, the Maple Leafs defeated the Senators in the Eastern Conference Final, winning in seven games.
  • In 2017, the Senators defeated the Maple Leafs in the first round of the playoffs, winning in six games.
These are just a few of the many memorable playoff series between the two teams. The intensity of these series has only served to fuel the rivalry between the two fan bases.
Finally, the rivalry between the Senators and Maple Leafs has also been fueled by player movement. Over the years, a number of players have played for both teams, including:
  • Daniel Alfredsson
  • Chris Neil
  • Curtis Joseph
  • Tomas Kaberle
  • Jason Spezza
These players have all played a significant role in the rivalry between the two teams, and their defections from one team to the other have only served to intensify the rivalry.
The Senators vs Maple Leafs rivalry is one of the most intense and storied in the NHL. The two teams are located just two hours apart in Ontario, Canada, and their fans are passionate and vocal. The rivalry dates back to the early days of the NHL, and has been fueled by a number of factors, including geography, history, and player movement.