The rich and extremely proud histories of three cities’ hockey franchises are currently entrenched in a tight, inter-divisional rivalry. Even if the exact team names and faces have changed over the past 130 years, the three cities along the corridor that spans from the mighty St. Lawrence River Seaway to beautiful Lake Ontario and beyond, Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa have intense hockey rivalries. Today’s iteration of the rivalry features the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Ottawa Senators, and the Montreal Canadiens. Now for the upcoming 2024-25 campaign, valuable points in the standings will be hotly contested between the three teams. Tonight two of these three teams renew hostilities as the Canadiens take on the Leafs.
The Pinnacle of NHL Rivalries Featuring Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa
Out of the three rivalries, we have seen some of the all-time great leaders of the sport battle with one another. Throughout the 1960s, Dave Keon and Jean Beliveau clashed countless occasions, often when the stakes were at their highest. Before that time, Frank McGee is one of the main hockey greats from his era. He is largely credited with beginning the run of dominance of Ottawa’s infamous Silver Seven. In addition, Howie Morenz played for Montreal from 1923 to 1934, with two Stanley Cup wins to his credit. Morenz is recognized as one of the premier hockey superstars of all-time. A status that went unmatched in the sport until the appearance of the Rocket, Maurice Richard.
The Leafs and Canadiens Sport Transcending Rivalry
If we recap the clubs’ historic rivalry, we will start with one of the greatest in all sport, not just the NHL or even hockey. If we consider the current forms of the franchises, Montreal is credited with 24 Stanley Cup championships since their first in 1915. Moreover, the Leafs are credited with 13 total. Between the years of 1918 when they won their first up until their last victory, don’t remind Leaf fans, in 1967.
16 times throughout their respective histories have they squared off in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The most recent was in May of 2021 in the first round of the playoffs that season. Montreal ultimately downing Toronto four games to three in that most recent playoff series between the two storied franchises. Furthermore, five times the two teams met with a Stanley Cup title on the line. The most recent time they met in the final was the Leafs most recent victory. In total, the all-time, head-to-head record shows the Canadiens holding an edge, with a .542 winning percentage. Over 768 games, according to Stat Muse, the Canadiens record over the Leafs is 366-301-88-13.
The Rich History of Hockey in the Canadian National Capital
For the city of Ottawa, it is credited with 11 Stanley Cup championships spanning from 1903 to 1927. The 1903 timeline synchs up with the aforementioned McGee’s beginnings in Ottawa hockey. Even though the Sens didn’t always compete in the NHL, between amateur clubs, to the formation of the junior side, the 67s, Ottawa has long maintained a standard of hockey greatness.
The current form of the franchise has existed since the 1992-93 NHL season. Their all-time records against the Buds and Habs hasn’t been able to overcome the franchise’s difficult first few years of existence. Montreal holds the edge with a 81-65-5-16 record, while Toronto is 68-60-3-13 versus the Senators.
However, Ottawa, along with their franchise cousins, the Tampa Bay Lightning, can hold some claim to fame for their early struggles. Given the two franchises’ lack of initial success in the league, that did lead to alteration of rules for expansion teams, and how they select players. The Florida Panthers and Anaheim Ducks, who began just a year later, were the benefactors ultimately, who began their franchise histories much more prosperously. This trend continues, as for example the Vegas Golden Knights. The Knights went on to win the Stanley Cup in just their sixth year of existence.
The Beginning of the Leafs and the New Sens Rivalry
The Leafs and Sens rivalry was especially relevant at the beginning of the millennia. Players like Mats Sundin and Daniel Alfredsson were featured during this time. Over a span of four of five years, the Leafs were credited with eliminating the Sens from post-season contention. In fact the one year the Leafs didn’t beat the Sens, the Sens made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Final in 2003. The Sens would continue to show they were a strong team after the ‘05 lockout, eventually reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2007. Of course, only to lose to the Anaheim Ducks that season.
In 2024-25 the Teams Matchup Well with One Another
Right up to current day, there continues to be many hot contested battles. This season, for example, will see the teams play each other for crucial points when it comes to determining the Eastern Conference seedings. Montreal squares off against each of Toronto and Ottawa four times this upcoming season. Meanwhile, Ottawa and Toronto meet up three times.
Montreal has a very strong forward group, even with the Patrik Laine injury. Therefore, they can be held in any game, on any given night as a result, especially so if it turns into a shootout at the O.K. Corral.
The Ottawa Senators always give the Leafs a run for their money because of the matchup game. They do have the high-end talent to match up well against the high-end talent of the Leafs. Furthermore, this season, they have better supporting cast with their bottom six to possibly give Toronto a better run for their money.
What NHL Rivalries Would Be Complete without a Few Menaces
Of course, what would be a rivalry be without the players. Each team has its fair share of colourful figures fueling the passion for one another. Montreal has Josh Anderson, whose size is always a force to be reckoned with in battles along the boards. Then there is the ultimate menace, Arber Xhekaj. We have already seen him have an eventful preseason, including going after Cedric Pare of the Leafs and taking a run at superstar Tim Stutzle of the Sens. Furthermore, this isn’t the first time he has been running amuck in the preseason, as he has run-ins with Ottawa prospects Angus Crookshank and Roby Jarventie over the past few seasons as well.
The Players Ultimately Make the Rivalries with Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa
The Leafs are more than adequately equipped to stir a ruckus of their own. The Leafs are home to one of the heavyweight kings of the NHL in Ryan Reaves. Players like Matthew Knies and Max Domi are sprinkled throughout their lineup, and aren’t afraid to back up their words with fists. Moreover, the Senators are loaded with agitators and muscle. Who can forget Ridly Greig‘s slapper on the empty net versus Toronto that caused the usually mild-mannered Morgan Rielly to lose his cool. Or, there was the high hit from the preseason on Kirby Dach, that he was later challenged for a fight with Dach. Tyler Kleven is their newest member of those willing to inflict pain. Finally, we know of people who chuck bombs, in the duo of Brady Tkachuk and Zack Ostapchuk. Regardless, the stakes are sky-high.
Besides all the toughness, some of the most skilled hockey players on the planet appear within the rivalries as well. There’s 2022 first overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky, who is poised for a huge year offensively. Cole Caufield is also one of the power play threats in the game as well. The Leafs have the likes of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Players who challenge for anybody’s list of the top-20 or so hockey players in the NHL. Then there’s the Sens, Tim Stutzle and Jake Sanderson are both superstars in their own rights, not to mention a Vezina Trophy-winning goalie between the pipes.
What’s in store for 2024-25
So whether it is looking back through the history of hockey or looking ahead at the season to come. The Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa triangle is home of some of the greatest hockey rivalries. Be sure to keep this in mind when enjoying games from the upcoming season. The history of the game and these rivalries is sure to inspire through the latest chapter.
Main Photo: Dan Hamilton – USA TODAY Sports
