In each of the past two seasons, the Maple Leafs ran the Senators out of the playoffs in the first round. In 1999-2000, Toronto dismissed Ottawa in six games. Last spring, the Leafs swept the Sens, who seemed to quit halfway through the series.

This year, the provincial rivals will meet in the second round. And, as it turns out, that might be a huge benefit for the Senators, who have built-up some postseason confidence with their impressive first-round victory against the Flyers in five games. Most figured the bigger, tougher Flyers would run the Senators right out of the building; it didn't happen. In fact, the Senators displayed a thicker playoff skin, going hit-for-hit with the big, bad Flyers. Led by captain Daniel Alfredsson, the Sens worked hard and played smart on their way to their first playoff series victory since 1998.

Also, they came out of the series in good health and with the benefit of some extra rest.

The confidence that Ottawa gained against Philadelphia will serve them well against Toronto, which again will try to out-tough the highly skilled bunch from Canada's capital city. This time, though, the battered Leafs might find that a bit more difficult to do.

Toronto comes into this series carrying many scars and bruises from its physical seven-game first-round war against the New York Islanders. Toronto will start the series without star center Mats Sundin, who suffered a broken left wrist against the Isles. Toronto, which went 2-2 against New York without its captain in the lineup, isn't nearly as dangerous without Sundin. If this series goes to a sixth or seventh game, though, Sundin could return.

Rugged left wings Gary Roberts and Darcy Tucker, both controversial figures in the first round, bring a laundry list of aches and pains into this series. But, despite being dinged up, Roberts was the best player on the ice in Game 7 against the Islanders. Still, you have to wonder just how much he has left in the tank.

In goal, Toronto veteran Curtis Joseph, who still seems to be bothered by an injury to his glove hand, will have to be more consistent against the Senators.

Ottawa's speedy wingers will be able to make hay against a very average Leafs defense. Senators coach Jacques Martin would be wise to target the defensive pair of Jykri Lumme and Aki Berg, who struggled against New York.

Senators goalie Patrick Lalime was brilliant in the first round, posting three shutouts against Philly. He'll probably have to fight through more traffic to see the puck against the Leafs. Lalime will need defenders Zdeno Chara, Wade Redden and Chris Phillips to keep some of the Maple Leafs crease-crashing forwards at arms length.

Chara, in particular, could be a key player in the series. The 6-foot-9, 255-pound defenseman must be a nasty physical presence, while avoiding unnecessary penalties. It will be interesting to see just how Chara, a 25-year-old Slovakian, reacts to the constant baiting from irritating Leafs like Roberts, Tucker, center and left wing Shayne Corson and right wing Tie Domi.

Despite the first round victory, the Senators still have a lot of making up to do for their weak playoff showings in recent years. However, a victory over the hated Maple Leafs would go a long way toward making amends. And because of the injury-related circumstances, the Senators might not get a better opportunity of bagging these Leafs.

E.J. Hradek writes hockey for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at ej.hradek@espnmag.com.