The stage is set as the <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/combinations">Toronto Maple Leafs</a> prepare to host the Ottawa Senators for <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/stolarz-projected-start-game-2-ottawa-senators-toronto-maple-leafs-winning-lines">Game 2 Tuesday night. </a>
Just one game in, the new era Battle of Ontario is already delivering the <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/taking-the-hit-to-make-the-play-leafs-demonstrate-practical-toughness-in-game-1">physicality and intensity</a> promised, in the first playoff showdown between these rival groups since the early aughts. Game 1 saw 52 penalty minutes handed out between the two teams, <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/auston-matthews-rejects-travis-green-embellishment-game-1-win-ottawa-senators">accusations of embellishment</a> from Ottawa head coach Travis Green, and Ridly Greig involved in another messy cross-check, promising only more drama to come as the series unfolds.
Speaking after practice Tuesday morning, Toronto head coach Craig Berube said that <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/berube-thoroughly-won-coaching-matchup-game-1-pressures-ottawa-senators-travis-green">after that first playoff tilt,</a> he finally understands what the Battle of Ontario is all about.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Craig Berube says he&#39;s started to gain more of an appreciation for what the Battle of Ontario is all about.
&quot;There&#39;s some hatred there, for sure, and it&#39;s pretty good. I enjoy it.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/b46qJFjbjS">pic.twitter.com/b46qJFjbjS</a>
&mdash; Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) <a href="https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1914698633749946560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Despite a commanding 6-2 win over the Senators in Game 1, there&#8217;s still little reason to think this will be an easy series for Toronto. Ottawa swept the season series against the Leafs, only allowing an average of a goal per game. If they can get disciplined and find their defensive structure, they have the potential to frustrate the Leafs again. With that in mind, Berube says his team is bracing for the energy Ottawa is primed to bring in Game 2.
&#8220;We&#8217;ll get a good push from the Senators,&#8221; <a href="https://x.com/sunhornby/status/1914700540048461947">said Berube.</a> &#8220;They&#8217;re going to be better. We might not get all the power plays we had last game. The start is crucial.&#8221;
Toronto&#8217;s Game 1 win was <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/john-tavares-highlights-physicality-power-play-improve-game-1-win-ottawa-senators">highlighted by three power play goals</a> from their top unit, and while it&#8217;s refreshing to see the special teams firing on all cylinders, the Leafs may get less opportunities on the man advantage if the Senators can play more disciplined hockey. Knowing that, Berube is well aware Toronto has to be ready to capitalize from the jump, without counting on their special teams to offer a boost.
With Sunday night&#8217;s win, Craig Berube became the first Maple Leafs coach to win their Stanley Cup Playoffs debut at the helm of the team since Dan Maloney in 1986. While it sounds unbelievable, it&#8217;s a testament to the structure Berube has built in his first year with the team, and what they have the potential to accomplish if they keep playing his aggressive and resilient style of hockey.
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The stage is set as the <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/combinations">Toronto Maple Leafs</a> prepare to host the Ottawa Senators for <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/stolarz-projected-start-game-2-ottawa-senators-toronto-maple-leafs-winning-lines">Game 2 Tuesday night. </a>

Just one game in, the new era Battle of Ontario is already delivering the <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/taking-the-hit-to-make-the-play-leafs-demonstrate-practical-toughness-in-game-1">physicality and intensity</a> promised, in the first playoff showdown between these rival groups since the early aughts. Game 1 saw 52 penalty minutes handed out between the two teams, <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/auston-matthews-rejects-travis-green-embellishment-game-1-win-ottawa-senators">accusations of embellishment</a> from Ottawa head coach Travis Green, and Ridly Greig involved in another messy cross-check, promising only more drama to come as the series unfolds.

Speaking after practice Tuesday morning, Toronto head coach Craig Berube said that <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/berube-thoroughly-won-coaching-matchup-game-1-pressures-ottawa-senators-travis-green">after that first playoff tilt,</a> he finally understands what the Battle of Ontario is all about.

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1914698633749946560

Despite a commanding 6-2 win over the Senators in Game 1, there's still little reason to think this will be an easy series for Toronto. Ottawa swept the season series against the Leafs, only allowing an average of a goal per game. If they can get disciplined and find their defensive structure, they have the potential to frustrate the Leafs again. With that in mind, Berube says his team is bracing for the energy Ottawa is primed to bring in Game 2.

"We'll get a good push from the Senators," <a href="https://x.com/sunhornby/status/1914700540048461947">said Berube.</a> "They're going to be better. We might not get all the power plays we had last game. The start is crucial."

Toronto's Game 1 win was <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/john-tavares-highlights-physicality-power-play-improve-game-1-win-ottawa-senators">highlighted by three power play goals</a> from their top unit, and while it's refreshing to see the special teams firing on all cylinders, the Leafs may get less opportunities on the man advantage if the Senators can play more disciplined hockey. Knowing that, Berube is well aware Toronto has to be ready to capitalize from the jump, without counting on their special teams to offer a boost.

With Sunday night's win, Craig Berube became the first Maple Leafs coach to win their Stanley Cup Playoffs debut at the helm of the team since Dan Maloney in 1986. While it sounds unbelievable, it's a testament to the structure Berube has built in his first year with the team, and what they have the potential to accomplish if they keep playing his aggressive and resilient style of hockey.

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Craig Berube says Maple Leafs ready for pushback from Senators in Game 2

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