With the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators facing off in the first round, analysts like Mike Rupp are making some pretty bold predictions about the series.
The Toronto Maple Leafs won the Atlantic Division on Tuesday night and guaranteed themselves a first round matchup against the Senators.
Overall, it was a great moment for the Leafs franchise as this team has never won the Atlantic Division. Sure, it won a division back in 2000, but the scenario was different.
This series is set to begin on Sunday and the fans are very excited to watch the Battle of Ontario move forward while the stakes have never been higher.
Mike Rupp with a reality check for the Toronto Maple Leafs
While the Leafs are favored, some analysts do believe that they are at a disadvantage in this series. And there is one big reason why.
According to Mike Rupp of the NHL Network, the Ottawa Senators have Brady Tkachuk and this is a huge problem for the Leafs that will not go away.
Essentially, he could wear the team down and he will definitely do a number on top line players like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander.
“I don’t know if any team has something to offset Brady Tkachuk, but Toronto doesn’t.”
While Rupp isn’t convinced the Leafs can stop Tkachuk, he is still just one guy and there are over 20 players on the roster.
That said, the Leafs can still win this series and they win it very easily if they come through with a solid string of performances here.
Overall, some fans are seeing the Battle of Ontario for the first time and that is a very cool thing that should absolutely be celebrated. We just hope the series lives up to the hype.