The Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators are dealing with off within the first spherical of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Toronto received its division for the primary time since 2002, and Ottawa is within the playoffs for the primary time since 2017. The Battle of Ontario was an early-2000s staple, and they’re squaring off for the primary time since 2004. Earlier than the Maple Leafs and Senators begin their collection, we have now our daring predictions prepared.
That is the ninth consecutive playoff look for the Maple Leafs, however they’ve received just one collection in that stretch. With Mitch Marner and John Tavares on expiring contracts, this may very well be the top of the period. The Senators are within the precise reverse place, returning to the playoffs simply as their core enters its prime. There can be no love misplaced between these rivals with a lot stress on each squads.
Can the Maple Leafs lastly make a deep run? Or will the Senators announce their playoff return with an enormous upset? We’ve the daring predictions able to go for this first-round matchup.
Mitch Marner will smash playoff struggles with free company pending
The Maple Leafs’ playoff struggles have been nicely documented since Tavares joined the workforce in 2018. Whether or not it’s forcing a Recreation 7 and collapsing on the highway like final 12 months, or shedding a 3-1 result in a far worse workforce like they did in 2021, they’ve misplaced in each manner. Mitch Marner has been the goal of many followers’ ire throughout the drought, with simply 11 targets in 57 video games. He’ll put all of that to mattress on this collection, main the Maple Leafs in scoring.
Marner is recent off his first 100-point season, main the Maple Leafs with 75 assists and 102 factors. Carrying the stress of a Toronto playoff collection has at all times been robust for the Ontario native, however he must cease that storyline. He might not get the Mikko Rantanen-type payday if he disappears but once more within the spring.
Marner is simply too proficient a participant to have this playoff black cloud hanging over his head. If he’s going to remain in Toronto, smashing the playoff questions earlier than getting a large payday could be useful. If he’s leaving, proving himself in April will assist set a excessive watermark for wingers.
Brady Tkachuk thrives in a playoff setting
The Senators final made the playoffs in 2017 with star gamers Mark Stone, Erik Karlsson, and JG Pageau. They traded all of their priceless belongings within the following years, accumulating draft picks to construct their core. This offseason, they added Linus Ullmark to the fold and took off. The Senators are led by Brady Tkachuk, who can be a thorn within the facet of the Maple Leafs all collection lengthy.
Tkachuk got here to the NHL straight out of junior hockey, so followers didn’t get to see him play within the playoffs in faculty or the AHL. His first six years within the league didn’t finish within the playoffs. So when he suited up for Workforce USA within the 4 Nations Face-Off again in February, it was a brand new feeling for him. He thrived, scoring large targets all match for the Individuals.
Tkachuk will lead the Senators in scoring on this collection. He led the workforce with 29 targets within the common season and can proceed to attain within the postseason. In three video games in opposition to the Maple Leafs this 12 months, he didn’t rating. However that pattern will cease within the playoffs.
The Maple Leafs will beat the Senators in seven video games
On paper, the Maple Leafs are much better than the Senators. They completed 11 factors forward of their provincial rivals this season, have playoff expertise, and have a Stanley Cup-winning coach. Even with their points within the first spherical in earlier years, it’s exhausting to choose in opposition to the Maple Leafs. The Senators will power Recreation 7, as a result of Toronto at all times performs in Recreation 7, however they may win it on house ice.
This is able to be one of many least shocking upsets of the primary spherical due to Toronto’s historical past. If it does get to Recreation 7, the air can be heavy in that constructing for the deciding sport. With the period probably ending this summer time, they must make a deep run. This would be the 12 months the Maple Leafs make a playoff run.
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