We are at that time of year where I absolutely root for the Leafs to finally win the Cup again (since the Blackhawks obviously can't), only to be bitterly disappointed -- usually in Round 1. If there's one thing left in my sports life that I'd like to be in person for, it would be in Toronto right after a Cup win just like being on the North Side of Chicago after a Cubs WS win. I do think the Leafs will get to at least Round 2 this time, but the "Battle of Ontario" should be an entertaining and likely long series. Ottawa swept the RS series, but the Bulls swept the RS series vs. the Heat and we saw what little that mattered.

It's time for the Leafs to slay this Ottawa dragon after not beating the Sens since December, 2023. Not to mention advancing to the Cup finals for the first time since 1967; Toronto thinks Craig Berube, who worked Stanley Cup magic before with the Blues in his first season in charge, might be the man. We know about the Matthews-Marner-Taveras axis of firepower, but Toronto is more solid in goal than it's been in years with either Anthony Stolarz or Joseph Woll viable alternatives for Berube. Whereas the Leafs have been losing to playoff-seasoned teams in recent postseasons, Ottawa is a newcomer, and even with Brady Tkachuk apparently available, the Sens' struggles to score five-on-five likely proves their undoing. Play Maple Leafs on Puck Line