Tuesday at the Maple Leafs' optional skate-around (which sure didn't look optional from the near-perfect attendance), Toronto defenseman Dave Manson began playfully poking at Mats Sundin. A jab. A shove. A crosscheck. Finally, the Leafs captain put on a big smile and shoved back.

Tonight in the first period of the Leafs' series-clinching win, Ottawa's Jason York nailed Sundin from behind. A jab. A shove. A crosscheck. Finally, the Leafs captain put on a big scowl and shoved back.

Wise old hockey pundits say a team takes on the personality of its captain. The Leafs, after a season's worth of abuse from fans, media and each other, finally shoved back this week, sweeping the second-seeded Senators in their first-round series.

Much of the year, the Leafs were accused of being weak and directionless -- as was Sundin. But like their captain, the Leafs knew a little something about timing.

Mid-season rumors about the imminent arrival of Eric Lindros flew by like Brett Hull one-timers. Names were mentioned. A deal was nearly struck. Players got nervous and angry and distant. The team -- Sundin's team -- began losing.

The captain said nothing.

The season ended, with Toronto drawing a pitiful seventh seed. With maybe 10 more games, the Leafs would have played themselves right out of the post-season.

Days before Game 1 against the heavily-favored Senators, Sundin invited the entire team to dinner. "It was a chance to get together," says backup goalie Glenn Healy. "And to recognize the importance of the time."

Tonight Sundin had no goals, but he did have a pretty assist on the last tally of the series. He was not the game's first star, but its second. He did not raise his arms in triumph when the final horn sounded, but he was the first to skate over to the handshake line.

In the locker room, Sundin sighed and called the season a roller-coaster, both for himself and "the guys." He also spoke about the Leafs' chances against New Jersey, should the Devils advance. "New Jersey is a team that's going to test your patience and your confidence," he said.

That's Sundin in a nutshell -- patient and confident. That's how Sundin's Leafs played in this series. And if Lindros comes to town this summer and takes Sundin's role, those two crucial aspects of this team's identity will be put at risk.

Eric Adelson covers hockey for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at eric.adelson@espnmag.com.