The Maple Leafs defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-0 at KeyBank Center on Tuesday. The team is off on Wednesday.

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The Battle of Ontario is finally back in the playoffs with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators set to faceoff in the first round this year.

"It'll be cool," said Leafs captain Auston Matthews. "I mean, it's been a long time."

The Leafs and Senators haven't clashed in the postseason since 2004. It came close to happening in 2017 when the Leafs surprisingly made the playoffs in the first season of the Matthews era, but a regulation loss in the regular-season finale meant Toronto faced the Washington Capitals instead. The Senators reached Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final that year, but haven't been back to the playoffs since.

Until now.

"They're a good young team," said Matthews. "They're hungry. They've taken steps as well. It's going to be great. It's going to be fun. It's good for hockey. Obviously, it's going to be intense."

Anthony Stolarz went even further.

"It’s going to be a bloodbath," the Leafs goalie said. "It’s going to be a little bit of a war. We’ll be ready."

This used to be an annual occurrence. The provincial rivals faced off four times in the playoffs between 2000 and 2004. Now it's finally time for the next generation to write a new chapter.

"Bring it on," said winger Steven Lorentz, who grew up as a Leafs fan in Kitchener, Ont. "I’m excited. It’s exciting for the fans. Obviously, there’s a lot of passion, both organizations."

Lorentz still remembers watching Joe Nieuwendyk score twice on Patrick Lalime in the first period of Game 7 in 2004 to put the Leafs on track for that win.

"I grew up watching this series when I was a kid a few times, so I got fond memories, and to be able to play in it now is just super special," the 28-year-old said.

It's been so long since the Leafs and Senators played games this meaningful that not everyone remembers what it was like. Mitch Marner grew up in the Toronto area and cheered for the Leafs but blanked when asked about the old Battle of Ontario installments.

"I'll have that for you guys next time," the 27-year-old said with a smile.

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The Leafs won all the previous series against the Senators and will once again be the favourites after finishing first in the Atlantic Division for the first time.

"It's a goal that you set out to claim that," Matthews said. "It's a good step for our group. Obviously, it's a top division, so a good checkmark for us. Obviously, a lot of work to be done, but a good little checkmark for us."

By finishing first, the Leafs avoided facing the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, who won three of four games against them in........

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