Stanley Cup Playoffs: Senators vs Maple Leafs Game 1 Odds, Analysis, & Picks

One of the most exciting times of the year is upon us – the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In the Eastern Conference, we have the Battle of Ontario is the first round as the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs meet in what should be a very entertaining series. Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday, April 20, with puck drop at 7:08 PM ET. Toronto comes into this series as the top seed out of the Atlantic Division and a clear-cut favorite to move on. As for the Sens, they are the first Wild Card team. Below, find our Senators vs Maple Leafs picks.

Odds provided by Sports Interaction.

Senators vs Maple Leafs Game 1 Odds

The Maple Leafs are a -160 favorite in Game 1, while the Sens return as a +135 underdog at NHL sportsbooks. The Over/Under, which is set at 5.5 goals, has -110 odds.

Senators vs Maple Leafs H2H history

This is the first time these two rivals will meet in the playoffs since 2004. They went to battle three times this season and surprisingly, Ottawa was a perfect 3-0 against the Atlantic Division winners. The Sens outscored the Maple Leafs 9-3 in the process. But, as we know, the playoffs are a whole different beast.

Senators vs Maple Leafs Analysis

No one expected the Sens to be a playoff team this season, but here we are. Ottawa exceeded expectations, finishing with a 45-30-7 record, which was good enough for fourth place in the always competitive Atlantic Division. They were just one point behind the Florida Panthers in third. The Senators closed out the campaign with a 6-2-2 record in their final 10 games and beat the Carolina Hurricanes 7-5 in the season finale.

Ottawa was just 18th in the season in goals scored, while ranking 13th in goals allowed. But, they will get a boost offensively for the playoffs, with Brady Tkachuk back from an injury. Tim Stutzle was the main man for the Sens, scoring 24 goals and tallying 55 assists. He led the roster with 79 points. Drake Batherson also had 68 points, while Jake Sanderson, Tkachuk, and Claude Giroux all had 50+ points apiece, too. Ottawa could be a dark horse in this series.

The Maple Leafs have failed to live up to the playoff hype for years. This team has the talent of a Stanley Cup team, but can never seem to make a run to the Finals. That being said, this year could be different. Craig Berube’s squad was truly dominant, going 52-26-4, compiling 108 points from 82 contests. Toronto enters the playoffs on a five-game winning run and only lost once in regulation in their final 10 contests.

Mitch Marner, who is set to hit free agency this summer, led the way with 102 points and will surely be paid handsomely in the coming months, whether that’s by the Leafs or a rival. William Nylander, Auston Matthews, and John Tavares all had 70+ points as well. Toronto is top-10 in goals scored and fewest goals allowed. But, they will have to figure out their struggles against Ottawa or else it could be another early exit.

Senators vs Maple Leafs Game 1 Picks

The Leafs had a 27-13-1 record at home this season and come into Game 1 in the middle of quite the hot streak. Although Toronto has lost three straight series openers in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, I’m expecting that to change on Sunday at Scotiabank Arena. Take the moneyline.

Pick: Maple Leafs -160/Sports Interaction