Maple Leafs Now Know Most Likely First Round Opponent to Open Stanley Cup Playoffs

After a busy Friday night in the NHL, the Toronto Maple Leafs are getting closer to finding out who they'll face in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

While every playoff team is competitive, some matchups are more exciting than others -- and it's starting to look like a Battle of Ontario could be the feature matchup in Round 1.

According to David Alter on X, things are shaping up for a Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators showdown in Round One:

The Senators secured a win over the Montreal Canadiens, solidifying their position in seventh place in the standings. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay's overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings pushed them further away from the Leafs at the top of the division.

Toronto currently sits at 100 points. As the regular season winds down, it's becoming increasingly clear that the Maple Leafs' recent win against the Lightning, due to Matthew Knies' hat trick performance, may prove to be the reason the Leafs get the Senators to open the postseason.

The Leafs also appear to have a clear-cut starter in net for the playoffs: Anthony Stolarz. His outstanding play in recent weeks has elevated him past Joseph Woll as the team's number one goaltender heading into the most important time of the year.

With a 1st Round battle of Ontario looking more and more likely, Stolarz, Knies, and the rest of the Maple Leafs are gearing up to give the Senators a serious run for their money. This matchup, if the Leafs can secure it this coming week, would certainly be the most thrilling 1st Round series.