The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

I can't believe I'm going to say this...but I wish the Toronto Maple Leafs were a better team.

You know, seeing them tank for a seventh time in a row at the hands of the New York Rangers Saturday night, just after witnessing my Sens beat the Montreal Canadiens 3-1, I thought it was a good night hockey-wise for the ol' SBP.

But the more I think about it, the more I realize the intensity in the Battle of Ontario is nowhere near where it was at the start of this decade, and as a result, we're missing out on what could be some fun-filled hockey games.

Even last year, when both teams had terrible seasons, and yes, the Sens also sucked, both teams didn't exactly provide fireworks when they met, despite the fact you might think since they can't beat anyone else, perhaps they can play with some more jump playing their supposed #1 rival (maybe after the Habs for you Leafs purists). But their confidence was shaken, there wasn't much to play for with the playoffs an afterthought (heck, some players were thinking about which team they'll put on their "acceptable" list in the off-season) and they just wanted the year to end. Most fans didn't watch the games with the thought of , "Yes, we're going to win and kick your a** in the process!!!" it was more along the lines of, "Just please don't embarrass yourselves." The fans who spent their time and money on the games in question were the true losers in the whole equation.

Now the Sens, in the early part of the year, have gotten a bit of their swagger back with a strong 5-2-0 start, and they're playing with a sense of purpose. Whether you like their chances or not, they want to prove the critics wrong who think they wouldn't even have a sniff of post-season action. And they've become a much better team in the process.

The contrast in Leaf nation is not too subtle. Terrible goaltending, underachieving defence, and no offensive weapons until Phil Kessel returns from injury, and you have a team that's dead last in the league that's horrible to watch. Indeed, beating up a weak sister isn't exactly something you'd put in your memoirs. When the Leafs beat the Senators playoff after playoff, there was a sense of a accomplishment. Both teams wanted it, and both teams felt they could win. And we got some good hockey out of it and a rivalry was born.

If the Leafs continue to fail as they are now, a Leafs-Sens contest isn't exactly must see hockey. If they can get competitive again, and if the Sens can maintain their competitiveness, perhaps the Battle of Ontario can be something worth talking about. And as a Sens fan, seeing the Leafs improve might actually end up being a good thing.