Battle of Ontario: Stars shine for Leafs in convincing Game 1 victory over Senators

Mitch Marner and his Maple Leafs have never had offensive issues in the regular season.

It's been a different matter entirely when the calender flips to spring.

Toronto entered Sunday having put up two goals or less in 13 of its previous 14 playoff games. Last year's series against the Boston Bruins saw the club connect on just one of 21 power plays in a seven-game defeat.

For at least one night, the dam burst for a star-studded roster with designs on finally making a deep run.

Marner had a goal and two assists as the Leafs dumped the Ottawa Senators 6-2 to take Game 1 of their opening-round series — the first playoff Battle of Ontario in more than two decades.

"We think of wins," Marner said of filling Linus Ullmark's net. "We've got to look forward to the next one."

William Nylander and John Tavares, with a goal and an assist each, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Morgan Rielly and Matthew Knies also scored for Toronto. Anthony Stolarz made 31 saves.

Auston Matthews added two assists on a physical night that saw the young Senators pay a heavy price for an undisciplined approach as the Leafs connected for three man-advantage goals in the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

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"It was intense," said Tavares, who took a cross-check to the face from Ottawa forward Ridly Greig that was reduced from a major penalty to a minor upon review. "It's called the Battle of Ontario for a reason. Hard-fought game. But we know we still can be a lot better."

"Intensity ramps up," said Toronto head coach Craig Berube, the man tasked with getting this group over its painful playoff hump. "Just gotta go play."

Greig and Drake