The Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs will meet head-to-head in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2004 when the puck drops on Sunday night.
Excitement around the nation’s capital has been building since April 8 when the Senators clinched their first playoff spot since 2017 and continued to grow after the “Battle of Ontario” was confirmed as the first-round matchup.
The anticipation is building all over the region, including in cities closer to enemy territory.
The Hicks family might be the best example of the excitement - with divided allegiances in their household.
“The girls take after mom here, and they’re all about the Sens,” said Maple Leafs fan Paul Hicks, standing beside his wife Sarah, a Sens fan.
“It’s a bit lopsided. Unfortunately.”
In the City of 1000 Islands, restaurants are looking forward to having playoff crowds for either team, including Fat Les’s on King.
“We’re new in downtown Brockville,” said owner Les Winters.
Winters is happy that both Ontario teams are meeting in the first round because it means one team will continue into round two.
The pub is offering half price appetizers during Sens and Maple Leafs playoff games this year.
“One of them is getting to the second round, so, it’ll definitely be for two rounds at least but let’s go all the way,” he said.
Ottawa and Toronto fans from Brockville are both confident heading into game one, laying out a path to victory for their respective teams in the best of seven series.
“It should be a good, good, series,” said Leafs fan Richard Gillett. “I think we’re doing it. Had a pretty good year, so let’s get it on.”
But Sens fan Dave Golledge has hope in Ottawa.
“Their game has been ramping up for the last two months,” Golledge said.
“I’m looking at their big stars to perform well over the Leafs.”
The schedule for the Battle of Ontario:
Game 1: Sunday, April 20th 7:00 p.m. in Toronto
Game 2: Tuesday, April 22nd 7:30 p.m. in Toronto
Game 3: Thursday, April 24th 7:00 p.m. in Ottawa
Game 4: Saturday, April 26th 7:00 p.m. in Ottawa
Game 5: Tuesday, April 29th TBD in Toronto (if needed)
Game 6: Thursday May 1st TBD in Ottawa (if needed)
Game 7: Saturday May 3rd TBD in Toronto (if needed)
