Overview
- Game 1 of the first-round series between the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs begins Sunday at Scotiabank Arena, marking the Senators' first playoff appearance in eight years.
- Ottawa's roster features key players like Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson, Shane Pinto, and Jake Sanderson making their NHL playoff debuts, alongside veteran leadership acquired during their rebuild.
- Toronto has named Anthony Stolarz as its starting goaltender for the series opener, his first career playoff start, following a strong regular season performance.
- The Senators swept the Maple Leafs 3-0 in the regular season despite finishing 11 points behind Toronto in the standings.
- This series reignites the historic Battle of Ontario, with playoff tensions high as Toronto seeks to advance past the first round for just the second time in nine seasons.