Battle of Ontario - Post-lockout Era

Post-lockout Era

In 2005–06, the two teams nearly met again in the playoffs, but the Maple Leafs missed qualifying by two points. As the Senators clinched the top spot in the East, the Maple Leafs claiming eighth position would have ensured a first-round match-up. The Sens largely dominated the season series by winning 7 of the 8 games (including 3 routs of 8–0, 8–2, and 7–0).

In 2006–07, the Leafs failed to qualify for the playoffs, finishing in ninth position, and thereby missing for a second consecutive year. Meanwhile, the Senators made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Senators won the season series 5-1-2.

The 2007–08 season was characterized by a share of lopsided victories by the two teams against each other; for example, wins of 5-0 and 8-2. The Leafs failed to make the playoffs for the third straight season, this time by 11 points. Ottawa finished in 7th place in the East after a 15–2 start and leading the league at one point, barely making it into the playoffs. The Sens were swept 4–0 in the first round by the Pittsburgh Penguins, in a rematch of the previous year's series. Although Pittsburgh was heavily favoured to win, the fact that the Leafs' Mark Bell laid what Jason Spezza described as a "clean dirty hit" on Alfredsson in the April 3 game at Toronto, thereby sidelining him, may have worsened their situation.

The 2008–09 season was a poor one for both teams, with the Senators finishing 11th and the Maple Leafs 12th in the Eastern Conference. This marked the first time that both Ontario teams failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since the Senators joined the NHL in 1992.

The 2009–10 season saw the Senators finish 5th in the Eastern Conference and face the Penguins in the first round of the playoffs, while the Leafs finished last in the conference and failed to make the playoffs for the 5th consecutive year. The Leafs won the season series 4-2.

The 2010–11 season was a poor one for both the Ontario teams. Despite the Leafs posting its best regular season record since the 2006–07 season, the team missed the playoffs for the 6th consecutive season. Meanwhile the Senators finished with a record of 32-40-10, and missed the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. The 74 points put up by the Senators was the lowest total put up since the 1995–96 season. The season series was tied 3-3.

The 2011–12 season saw the Senators finish 8th in the East and qualify for the playoffs. The Leafs once again failed to qualify for the 7th consecutive season. The season series was tied 3-3.