Ottawa and Toronto matched up in the playoffs for the fourth time in five years in . Alfredsson guaranteed a victory after the Maple Leafs took Game 5 to lead 3–2. He delivered on his promise in Game 6, but Ottawa goaltender Patrick Lalime turned in a lacklustre performance in the series finale, allowing the Maple Leafs to win the series. After the series, the Senators traded Lalime to the St. Louis Blues and Ottawa Head Coach Jacques Martin was fired.