Rebirth of The Battle

Don't look now, but there's a bona fide Battle of Ontario brewing.

Been a while, right? Several seasons have passed since games between the Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators inspired a whole lot of interest, let alone the spite and tension that was in the air a decade ago when playoff competition took the Ontario rivalry to a new level.

Now, with the Sens shocking the NHL with their strong first half performance, and with the Leafs in the Eastern Conference playoff fight but still trailing their provincial cousins, the two clubs meet at the ACC next Tuesday with a little more than two points on the line.

The Leafs have to deal first with the Sabres in Buffalo and the first place New York Rangers, while Ottawa has to visit the Rangers and Montreal Canadiens, and also meet the Winnipeg Jets in the nation's capital on Monday 24 hours before taking on the Leafs.

So sure, we're getting a little ahead of ourselves.

But after the Senators pounded weakening Pittsburgh last night and the Leafs shut out Buffalo for their fourth straight win, the scenario of a big game between the two clubs next week shifted into focus. Ottawa, after finishing 11 points behind the Leafs last season, now leads Toronto by three points, having played two more games so far.

The Sens, along with Florida in the east and St. Louis in the west, are the surprise of the league. The difference is that while the Panthers spent their brains out to bring in established veterans to get to the salary cap floor, while the Blues were supposed to be a team capable of fighting for a post-season berth, almost all prognosticators inside and outside of Ottawa saw this season as one long, miserable ride for a hockey club that seemed likely to be the worst in Canada.

Instead, only the Vancouver Canucks are better than Ottawa so far, and Paul MacLean has to be there neck-and-neck with Ken Hitchcock of the Blues and Florida's Kevin Dineen as a coach-of-the-year favourite. Not only are the Sens doing well in the standings, but MacLean has coaxed a comeback season out of Jason Spezza and seen players like Milan Michalek and Erik Karlsson enjoy breakout campaigns. The play of youngster Mika Zibanejad for the gold medal-winning Swedes at the recent world junior hockey championships has Ottawa fans excited that a new star may be on the way.

In Toronto, improved depth at every position suddenly has impressive youngsters like goalie James Reimer, defenceman Jake Gardiner and winger Matt Frattin unable to get playing time or even in the lineup as injured players file back. Nik Kulemin may finally be coming to life, Jonas Gustavsson is on a roll in net and the combination of Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul has been lethal all season.

There's a lot of hockey to go, and quite frankly, it's hard to imagine the Eastern Conference playoffs without Pittsburgh and Washington. Tampa Bay seems to have fallen right out, maybe Buffalo and Montreal, too, opening up room for young, resurgent teams like Ottawa and Toronto that weren't in the post-season picture a year ago.

The Leafs and Sens have met three times this season, with the Sens winning twice. Neither game was particularly spicy. Maybe that will change next week.

 

 

 

Comments

[con]

great article Damien!

[Paul]

..of course being a "dinosaur" l would still like to play Chicago and Detroit a whole lot more than Ottawa...its a Ont. rivalry because the media say so!..oh sure there has been some bad blood but thats not all what makes up a "rivalry".
Its back and forth playoff wars..and thats just one-sided to date.

[Tree]

Good article, as I think more attention needs to be paid to what's going on with these 2 teams. If both teams keep on their current pace, I would expect the last 3 games will be very entertaining.

One quibble, though: Spezza is not having a 'comeback' season at all. He's been slightly better than a point a game player for his entire career, so this is just another typical season for him. His point totals from the past 2 years suffered due to the number of games he missed, but he was still close to a point a game through the injuries as well. The only difference we're seeing now is he is staying healthy. Ever since Clouston put a emphasis on Spezza's defensive play, the guy's been great for Ottawa. He's among the most underrated players in the game.

[K]

Diehard Sens fan here. Hockey is a lot more interesting when there is pride on the line, and it's a lot better when both teams are good! Go Sens Go, but here's hoping the Leafs make it interesting.

[Johan]

Did the Battle of Ontario really die? Maybe in Toronto... As a Leaf fan living in Ottawa, let me tell ya, it never died. Its still a regular occasion for the local Sports Radio broadcaster to take a shot at the Leafs. At every Sens game, even if the Leafs are NOT involved, you'll have a few dozen Sens fans wearing Sens jersey with the name "LEAFSUCK" on the back donning the #67. Ottawa fans have a big time obsession with the Leafs in these parts!

[Phreak]

being a Sens fan living in Toronto (from Ottawa) for 10 years now.. the battle is still big here.. yes the leafs own the Sens in the couple of play off seriers.. but Ottawa has gone further int he play offs in the last 15 years then the Leafs and has had more reg season success then the Leafs as well in the same 15 year span.. and I no doubt The Sens will reach the and Win the Cup years before the Leafs.. I get comments daily (due to my sens flag on my truck) I have even had a family in a mini van kids and all give me the one finger salute while driving on the 401.. haha it reall is all in great fun and i,m hoping Toronto gets a second team (Hamilton or even right in north part of toronto) that way we can have a 3 way ... haha

[Bryan Johnson]

Decent article. I wouldn't call it the Battle of Ontario anymore. But I do enjoy watching these teams play when there are no excuses for players missing. Both teams are healthy and both clicking fairly well against some decent teams. I do hope both make the playoff as it gives us more Canadian choices when playoff time comes around.

[Thomas Bergbusch]

Many people in the Ottawa area predicted this outcome. Our predictions were based on the belief that Gonchar and Kuba would stabilize the defence (Kuba, having recovered from last year's leg injury, which greatly reduced his effectiveness on his return; Gonchar, because McLean promotes the type of play that suits his game and because he is always better in the second year of his contract. We also noted that goal scoring was not a problem last year, after Spezza's return from injury and once we called up the youngsters from Bingo. It is only outside of Ottawa that folk are surprised.

[Nik Culoman]

Damien, is that you??? Really did I catch a small compliment towards the Leafs in this article?? Didn't think you had it in you, but I guess now that they are winning it would help to sell papers to compliment one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now.

Damien, you are all over the place, when it suites you, this team is burned to the ground and when it suites you....You drop some small compliments. Just admit it, Burke and Co. have done a great job to rebuild this franchise........Agree that since the GM of the Leafs doesn't jump when you ask him to, that this team is also better for it as well.

[Jimmy]

You really have to agree with "Tree" here,. Spezza is not having a "comeback" season. In a league where roughly only 20 players avg a PPG, he has done it for his entire career. Definatley one of the leagues most underappreciated players. Also, St. Louis is not suprising to anyone who follows hockey outside of Toronto. This is a deep team that was stalled by injuries and rejuvinated by Hitchcock, but they are where many people suspected. I don't believe Ottawa can keep this up. They are playing way, way, way above their heads, and PGH and Washington will definatley make the playoffs. I think NYR being at or near the top of the league is the biggest suprise of the year. Also, Floriad wont make the playoffs, Washington will be third in the east and Florida will finish well back of the pack. I called it that Buffalo would suck. Ville Leino? Christian Erhoff? The day those signings were announced, I denounced them as the stupid moves they were/are. The Leafs will only get better. This is a team destined for greatness, with an absolutly amazing core group of players. Look for Macdaddy, Grabbo and Lombardi to finsih up the year with other teams.

[Jim Jack]

Good for Ottawa. I don't see how that franchise is ever going to accomplish anything. They are playing way over their heads and it will come back to haunt them. Leafs in my opinion are actually under achieving given their goaltending and PK issues. Leafs have depth at every position and are poised to become perennial contenders. Sens will fall to earth soon.

[DarcyTucker]

Ottawa ... Ottawa ... somewhere north of Steeles, right?

[kw]

I never thought i'd be thinking about Ottawa/Toronto in the playoffs this year.

Ottawa has way more veteran playoffs experience. It'll be fun to watch, but Ottawa would come away the victor.

[Gary A]

be a lot better if Orr and Carkner where both playing..but only Carkner will be that game and that sucks for fans

[Basshat]

Living in the GTA, I find it quite amusing to see the number of Leaf fans claiming that only Ottawa is obsessed with the rivalry, while they are busy bashing the Sens and the city in every way imaginable. Sure it's only Ottawa that's obsessed...sure. The only difference is that people in Ottawa seem to be honest enough to admit it.

[Ken Chevis]

Damien, interesting "discussion" with Burke on Wednesday night.
On the subject.

There once was a guy named Phaneuff
Whose play on defence is a bluff
His game's way too porous
To capture the Norris
But Burke thinks he has the Right Stuff

[Steelyman]

being a leaf fan living in Otwa the past 6 years has been tough, your article is right on , the battle of Ont has always been on especially in Otwa. Fans here really hate the Leafs and there isn't a day that goes by without a 1967 , a Leafs suck or paving Yonge st joke. Hell even the jumbotron in Scotia Bank flashs Leafs suck ! Well the joke will soon be on the Sens & their fans , I see the Leafs as having more depth & talent than the Sens. A playoff series would be great , no Domi or Tucker to stir the pot. but we will do fine , Go Leafs Go !