The Maple Leafs have qualified for the playoffs each of the past nine seasons but with only one series victory in that span. They lost in seven games to the Boston Bruins in the first round last season. The Senators last made the playoffs in 2017, when they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games in the conference final.

In securing the Eastern Conference's second seed, Toronto will face provincial rival Ottawa in the first round and rekindle the so-called "Battle of Ontario." The Maple Leafs have won all four playoff series meetings against the Senators,

The Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Buffalo Sabres on the road, looking to clinch their first division title in a traditional season format since 2000.