Mar 15, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig (71) lands a punch on Toronto Maple Leafs forward Scott Laughton (24) as they fight in the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

John Tavares has fond memories of watching the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Ottawa Senators in the early 2000s.

Just a few years before being drafted first overall into the NHL in 2009, Tavares watched the Leafs and Senators trade hostilities in the 'Battle of Ontario'.

"I remember (Joe) Nieuwendyk's goal, watching that," Tavares said, reflecting on Toronto's Game 7 victory over Ottawa in the 2004 first-round series. "I think Cujo (Curtis Joseph) running into the ref or the linesman there. So the intensity I thought was pretty unbelievable".

The two teams squared off four times in the postseason between 2000 and 2004, creating some epic moments. Tie Domi was part of those teams, and his son, Max, will get to experience that rivalry in the playoffs for the first time.

Part of the series' charm is the dedication of the well-traveled Leafs fans, who will undoubtedly make the trip to Ottawa for road games.

"I think that's going to be key," Domi said. "Obviously, going into a tough building like Ottawa, it's going to be nice to have some support there. But at the end of the day, it doesn't matter. Every game is going to be tough. It's going to be an absolute war".

This upcoming series reignites a natural hostility already established between the teams. Who could forget when Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly was suspended for five games after crosschecking Senators forward Ridly Greig in the head following the player's slapshot into an empty net?

Report: Maple Leafs Defenseman Morgan Rielly's 5-Game Suspension Appeal to Commissioner Gary Bettman to be Heard In-Person on Friday Rielly was suspended five games by the NHL's Department of Player Safety for a cross-check to the head of Ottawa's Ridly Greig.

While it's doubtful past incidents like the Rielly-Greig one will resurface, the three intense contests between the clubs this season make it clear they don't like each other, and much will be on the line.

"I think it's just kind of natural intensity just because it's the playoffs and there's more at stake," Rielly said. "You look around at the other matchups, they're all going to be very intense and they're all going to be very competitive. That's what you get this time of year. And that's what makes it fun".

'Good For Hockey': Leafs And Senators Will Be Hungry In The Battle Of Ontario's Newest Chapter There might not be an NHL first-round series with more built-in emotion than the Battle of Ontario between the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Senators' entry into the playoffs was somewhat unexpected this season; it's their first playoff appearance since 2017. They are clearly the underdog of the series, despite beating Toronto in all three regular-season contests this season.

"That's a very good team over there," Berube said of the Senators. "It's a young team that's grown together. They added some veterans, but overall they're a good hockey team with a lot of good skill on the front end and the back end, and they play a gritty game. It'll be a tough series"

'It's Going To Be An Absolute War': Maple Leafs Prepare For Intense Battle Of Ontario Playoffs Series Against Senators