Conference Semifinals Preview

The first round was a battle producing some obvious winners,
some possible Cinderella stories, and some surprisingly early golf swings.
Will new rivalries be made for the next few years? Familiar faces are back, but
some interesting new matchups are made with this year’s rankings. Here’s the
matchups and the possible high and low points of each series.

Oh, and just out of curiosity, the only series I got wrong last
round was Philadelphia-Buffalo. I picked Philly and cheered for Buffalo, serves
me right. 7-1 isn’t too bad though, eh?

1. New Jersey Devils 48-19-12-3 111pts vs 7. Toronto Maple Leafs 37-29-11-5 90pts
Season Series: 1-1-1-0 no advantage
11/2	5-3 Leafs	0 fights
1/13	4-4 Tie	1 fight
2/19	2-1 Devils	1 fight

The Route:	New Jersey over Carolina 4-2 Toronto over Ottawa 4-0
Notes:	Toronto just swept the Senators, who were ranked #2. Not many were surprised. Toronto simply exploited Ottawa’s reputation for being soft. They will have to come up with another plan for the New Jersey Devils. For a series that features possibly the two best goaltenders in the game right now, it’s ironic that offense may be the key. Last year, the Devils made it past the Leafs in 6 games on their way to winning the Cup.
Key Stat:	During the regular season NJ’s power play was ranked 1st, Toronto was 17th. The Leafs will need to light the lamp with the advantage and somehow contain New Jersey’s potent offense.
Fight Fans:	New Jersey: 52 fights (9). Toronto: 50 fights (10). The Devils are the only team going into the conference semifinals with any fighting major penalties. The Leafs just played the Sens, so it’s not surprising they were not involved in any scraps. This series looks to be extremely hard-hitting. Emotions will run high, and we should see some "real" fights. No showcases, nothing staged, no WWF references. Kevin Collins might even approve. The Leafs line of Corson-Tucker-Roberts will be key in all aspects of the game, especially the physical side.
Prediction:	Jersey in 7, if the Leafs were to pull this one out, I don’t think it would be such a shock. My real prediction is that the team winning the series will win at least 3 out of the 4 wins by 1 goals (not counting empty-netters).

5. Buffalo Sabres 46-30-5-1 98pts vs 6. Pittsburgh Penguins 42-28-9-3 96pts
Season Series: 3-1-0-0 Penguins advantage
12/1	6-4 Pens	0 fights
12/2	3-2 Sabres	0 fights
12/26	5-3 Pens	0 fights
3/27	4-1 Pens	0 fights

The Route:	Buffalo over Philadelphia 4-2 Pittsburgh over Washington 4-2
Notes:	Since the season series was played mostly with very different rosters on both sides, much of it should be ignored. The one thing to look at is the fact that the Penguins seemed to have figured out Dominik Hasek. Buffalo will look to play tough and gritty against a Pittsburgh team that may have toughened up since Lemieux came back to the team, but is still not as grinding as Buffalo. Big hits and few penalties will be important. Each team will be thinking defense, even Pittsburgh, knowing it will have to score on Buffalo mistakes more than self-made chances.
Key Stat:	The Penguins scored 13 goals in 3 games against the Sabres before Mario Lemieux returned.
Fight Fans:	Buffalo: 38 fights (20t). Pittsburgh: 67 fights (2). The lineups will be interesting here. Each team has the possibility of dressing enforcers. Will one team scratch and then get pushed around or will the team with no enforcer prevail? It is doubtful both teams will dress their tough guys, but there is hope: Super Mario will not want to be pushed around by the Sabres. Steve McKenna or Krzysztof Oliwa may see a playoff game.
Prediction:	Pittsburgh in 6. This will be the second round in a row I do not pick the Sabres. Just so happens – if they win, I will not pick them again. I will then root for them all way at the same time. Players have superstitions, why can’t I?

1. Colorado Avalanche 52-16-10-4 118pts vs 7. Los Angeles Kings 38-28-13-3 92pts
Season Series: 2-2-0-0 no advantage
11/18	6-4 Kings	1 fight
12/21	5-2 Avs	0 fights
1/2	6-2 Avs	2 fights
3/31	4-0 Kings	1 fight

The Route:	Colorado over Vancouver 4-0 Los Angeles over Detroit 4-2
Notes:	The trade. The trade may make the difference in this series, and it’s looking to favor the Kings. Rob Blake may play his heart out, but he was not sad to leave Los Angeles. At least, not as sad as Adam Deadmarsh was to leave Colorado. Deadmarsh will be the key figure in this series. He will either keep winning games like he has, or he will let out too much emotion and explode on the ice.
Key Stat:	The Avs 2nd best power play during the regular season compared to the Kings 24th best penalty killing during the regular season.
Fight Fans:	Colorado: 45 fights (14t). Los Angeles: 45 fights (14t). With each team having a decent number of scraps during the season, it is unlikely anything will happen in the playoffs. Players like Stu Grimson and Scott Parker will not have much time, and when they’re out there, they do not want to draw an instigator. Emotions will run high, and that will probably produce many scrums and facewashes, but the gloves will probably stay on.
Prediction:	Los Angeles in 6. The Kings will play with passion and heart and take a beating while probably winning more games.

3. Dallas Stars 48-24-8-2 106pts vs 4. St. Louis Blues 43-22-12-5 103pts
Season Series: 1-0-2-0 Blues (slight) advantage
10/28	4-3 Blues in OT	1 fight
2/11	3-3 Tie	0 fights
3/25	1-1 Tie	0 fights

Notes:	In three games, one overtime goal separated the two teams. Hard hitting, and possibly a little dirty, this series will be fun to watch. Now that Roman Turek proved he can win a playoff series, he has to prove he can keep it up. Eddie Belfour needs no such proof. The "Grumpy Old Men" line has been playing hard, but how long can they keep it up, especially if this turns into a long series. Chris Pronger will have to play like he was never hurt and Scott Mellanby’s impact on the Blues may become just as important as Keith Tkachuk’s. If the Blues win, the deadline trades will probably be a major reason why.
Key Stat:	I don’t feel like researching ages, but I am pretty sure the average age of Dallas is older than St. Louis. If it’s not, then the reputation is even worse.
Fight Fans:	Dallas: 36 fights (22). St. Louis: 58 fights (6). Fights? Nah. Many scrums, scraps, some slashes. Probably no fights unless one game turns into a blowout and Derian Hatcher throws a dirty hit.
Prediction:	Blues in 5. Do not read into the prediction, this will be a close series. I just think Dallas’ luck in overtime will run out and St. Louis will cash in.