As the Toronto Maple Leafs close in on their final game of the regular season, we are just three days away from the start of their playoff run.

This year, the stage is set for the Battle of Ontario between the Leafs and the Ottawa Senators to take place in round one. With that, let the hot takes begin!

On Leafs Morning Take Thursday morning, former Detroit Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde joined Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill to discuss all things Battle of Ontario before it kicks off Sunday night.

In closing the interview, Rosehill, of course, had to get Lalonde’s prediction on the outcome of the first round bout. And while Lalonde joked that he has to be careful about predictions lest he gets ripped on social media, he said he has faith this Leafs team can get the job done.

“This is gonna be one heck of a series, I’m very comfortable in saying Toronto can win this,” said Lalonde.

Looking at the team in particular, Lalonde highlighted the depth and defence as what stands out to him in particular about this year’s Leafs, two elements that have arguably been weaknesses for Toronto in the past, especially in the postseason.

“It’s their depth, the way the stack at the D-core,” Lalonde said. “Their general manager needs a pat on the back for the job he’s done over the last couple of years. Obviously, Craig’s done a heck of a job. They’re just a little too deep, I liked the DNA of their team all year long.”

Lalonde started his coaching career in the mid 90s after playing in college. His first NHL coaching job began as an assistant in 2018 with the Tampa Bay Lightning. No stranger to Stanley Cup success, he was behind the bench when the Lightning won back-to-back cups in 2020 and 2021. He became head coach of the Red Wings in the summer of 2022, and served just over two seasons before he was fired in December last year.

The comments from this great mind of hockey will surely comes as a reassurance to anxious Leafs fans who may dread April every year, although nothing really matters until the puck drops Sunday night.