It’s been more than two decades since the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators squared off in a Stanley Cup Playoff series. But on Sunday night, that changes, as the rivalry is renewed in the latest edition of the Battle of Ontario.
For veteran defenseman Chris Tanev, he’s ready to get going.
“It’s fun, it’s exciting. Emotions build throughout the day, and get to the rink tonight and just get ready to go,” said Tanev after Sunday’s optional skate.
The 35-year-old is set to make his playoff debut in a Leafs jersey after signing a six-year, $27 million contract with Toronto last summer. Tanev brings postseason experience, 60 career playoff games across a 15-year NHL career, as well as a hard-nosed, shot-blocking style that’s made for the intensity of the playoffs.
He finished sixth in the NHL with 189 blocked shots over 75 regular-season games this year, while adding three goals and 15 assists for 18 points.
Ahead of Sunday’s game, Tanev says the club is preparing for a physical, highly intense series against a hungry Senators team making its first playoff appearance since 2017.
“They’re going to be ready to go,” said Tanev. “They’re going to be working extremely hard, and I don’t think experience is going to matter too much tonight. I know their coach well, and I know they’re going to be ready to play, ready to check and play extremely hard."
'Now The Real Fun Starts': Maple Leafs Taking Inward Approach To Preparation Against Senators In Playoffs
Toronto will have two days of preparation before the Battle of Ontario begins on Sunday.
Ottawa may be short on playoff reps during their current era of players, but they come into the series after a strong regular season that earned them their first postseason berth in eight years. It's also the first time these two teams have met in the playoffs since 2004, adding even more energy to the opening-round matchup.
“That's a good team over there; they've earned every right to be in the playoffs the way they played this year and what they've accomplished,” said head coach Craig Berube. “We've just got to be ready for what's going to come with them. That team's going to come hard, and they're going to push. They've got a lot of good players over there. They play a good disciplined style of game. That's what I'm focused on.”
'Got To Quiet The Noise': Craig Berube Reveals What He's Learned The Most Since Becoming Head Coach of the Maple Leafs
Craig Berube is set to embark on his first Stanley Cup Playoffs as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. One day before his team takes on the Ottawa Senators in a best-of-seven first-round series, Toronto's bench boss was asked what he's learned the most about coaching the club.
Berube, who led the Cinderella story of the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup in 2019, brings championship pedigree and a no-nonsense approach to a Leafs group that has lacked playoff success. Tanev believes that Berube’s presence behind the bench will be a major difference.
“He knows what it takes to get the job done,” Tanev said. “It’s a long grind, shift-by-shift, so many emotions just throughout periods and throughout games, let alone a series. We’re just going to do our best to stay composed and stick to the process that’s got us to where we are right now.”
“We’ve talked about what we want to do and what we expect them to do. We’ll be prepared tonight and execute our game plan as best as we can, and be a confident group. Make plays and hopefully use the home ice, the crowd, the building, and the energy to our advantage,” he added.
'He's A Guy We Really Count On': Maple Leafs' Oliver Ekman-Larsson Will Play In Game 1 Against Senators
After cheekily hinting on Saturday he'd be ready to go, Oliver Ekman-Larsson is officially in Toronto's Game 1 lineup against the Ottawa Senators.
The Leafs have advanced past the first round just once since 2004, and have struggled to translate their regular-season success to the postseason. With Game 1 on the horizon, the club looks to change their past in the latest chapter of the Battle of Ontario beginning on Sunday.
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