A generation after it began, the Battle of Ontario reignited in Game 1 between the Maple Leafs and Senators. And just as it went back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Leafs got the better of the Senators.
The Leafs’ dominant 6-2 win marked just the third time this Leafs core has won a series opener in 10 tries. And that’s fitting: this team looked quite different from recent iterations come playoff time. They stifled the Senators, whose lack of playoff experience showed up in taking needless penalties.
Of course, there’s plenty of hockey left in this matchup. But if Game 1 is any indication, this has the potential to be a short one.