Leafs vs Sens: who's your team?

Since the 2004/2005 NHL lockout, it has been relatively easy to be an Ottawa Senators fan in such close proximity to arch-rival Toronto. Ottawa has made the playoffs four years since then, while Toronto is currently pushing to make the playoffs for the first time since. However, this season’s slight reversal of fortunes has forced this die-hard Sens fan to look for other ways to support my team’s clear superiority. This has led to the discovery of a few websites that give a look into the past, which inspired me to look at who actually has had the most success: Ottawa or Toronto!

For obvious reasons, these teams can only be compared after the 92/93 season, the first (awful) season after Ottawa made its return to the NHL as an expansion team. This should be an impartial starting point, because if Leaf fans wish to return to 1967, then it would only be fair to return to Ottawa’s last Stanley Cup successes (check out the Stanley Cup for years 1902-1927, during which Ottawa won ten Cups).

Let’s first look at team success. Since 1992, neither team has won the Stanley Cup; however, Ottawa has made the Stanley Cup finals once, something Toronto has not managed to do. Sens up 1-0! However, Toronto replies quickly by attending the Eastern Conference Finals four times to Ottawa’s two. Ottawa scores to tie it up 2-2 by winning the President’s Trophy for most points in the league, which Toronto hasn’t done. Ottawa quickly gains a huge lead when comparing division championships, which Toronto grabbed once since 1992. The Sens go up 6-3 after this match, and increase their lead after total playoff appearances: 12 appearances to Toronto’s 10, leading to a final score of 18-13 in favour of Ottawa!

Are the Senators the better team? According to the score, Ottawa is just the best of the worst as neither team has won the Stanley Cup: the ultimate success. It would appear that Ottawa has had more recent success, however the Leafs bring a long and storied past into the ring. Ottawa’s short existence may be a viable reason why they don’t have a very storied past, but Toronto’s contributions to hockey are undeniable. With past players such as Johnny Bower, coaches like Punch Imlach, announcers like Foster Hewitt, and mustaches like Lanny McDonald’s, the NHL may not be what it is today without the Leafs. In total, 66 Hall of Famers have played for the Leafs. So, while Ottawa has had more recent success, something must be said for Toronto’s hockey pedigree.

Looking more recently again, Toronto wins the battle for individual awards. Since 1992, Toronto has won the Jack Adams Award for top coach (Pat Burns, 1993), the Masterton Trophy for Dedication (Jason Blake, 2008), the Lady Byng for Gentlemanly Conduct (Alexander Mogilny, 2003), and the Selke for best defensive forward (Doug Gilmour, 1993). Meanwhile, Ottawa has won the Jack Adams (Jacques Martin, 1999) and the Calder Trophy for top rookie (Daniel Alfredsson, 1996).

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