On Tuesday night, when Anaheim eliminated Detroit in the Western Conference finals, the Ottawa Senators found out who they would face in the Stanley Cup finals after an eight-day layoff. The Senators expect to begin the final round healthy and well rested. Maybe a little flat, too? Eight days are too much time off from game action. Maybe that won’t matter. The Ducks are getting five days off.

The Ducks and Senators will be playing each other for the first time since Jan. 19, 2006, when Anaheim won 4-3 in a shootout in Ottawa. Detroit’s Dominik Hasek was the Senators' goalie that night. The teams haven't played in Anaheim since Oct. 17, 2003, when the Ducks were beaten 3-0 with Patrick Lalime stopping all 27 shots he faced.

So, history between the two clubs is of no particular significance, but it’s interesting just the same. The teams were 7-7 with three ties between them before the Ducks’ shootout win in January 2006 gave Anaheim the all-time edge. The Senators won the first meeting in 1993, but went 0-6 with three ties over the next nine games. Since then, beginning in November 1999, the Senators are 6-1 with a shootout loss. They have won three of the last four meetings at Arrowhead Pond.

It was Anaheim goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere who led the Ducks to the Stanley Cup finals and won playoff MVP honors in 2003. He is one of just four Ducks who have been on the team for both Cup finals. Which of these five players was not on the 2003 club?

Teemu Selanne
Jean-Sebastien Giguere
Andy McDonald
Rob Niedermayer
Samuel Pahlsson

The answer is Selanne, who is appearing in his first Stanley Cup finals at age 36. Better late than never.

Since the beginning of Anaheim’s 2003 run to the finals, no two teams have more playoff wins than the Ducks and Senators.

Most Wins in Stanley Cup Playoffs, 2003-2007 Playoffs

Ana. . . .36
Ott. . . .31
NJ. . . . 27
TB. . . . 24
SJ. . . . 22

The action starts Monday night in Anaheim.