The Eastern Conference:
(2) New Jersey Devils vs. (3) Tampa Bay Lightning
Can the Devils score enough? They managed okay against Boston, the worst defensive team in the playoffs. But now they face Nikolai Khabibulin, a goaltender who is peaking at exactly the right time. Jersey relied on one man, Jamie Langenbrunner, to fill the Bruins’ net. That cannot continue. Unless top Devils like Patrik Elias, Scott Gomez and Jeff Friesen find some holes in Khabibulin, this is anybody’s series.
But the more interesting showdown is at the other end of the rink, where the Devils again must disarm one great scoring line. Against Boston, they effectively muzzled the Joe Thornton unit. Tampa presents the trio of Martin St. Louis (small, fast sharpshooter) Vincent Lecavalier (big maturing star) and Vaclav Prospal (overachieving veteran). New Jersey’s exasperating, relentless checking game, led by John Madden, is designed for such challenges.
He didn’t have to be as good as Khabibulin, but the Devils’ Martin Brodeur recorded two shutouts in the first round, an ominous sign for Lightning fans.
The Bottom Line: A hot goaltender sent New Jersey packing last spring, and it could happen again. But this year’s Devils are comfortable in tight, one-goal games. For Tampa, this is a far greater test than the anaemic Washington Capitals.
Devils win in six games.
(1) Ottawa Senators vs. (4) Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia was embarrassed by Ottawa in last year's opening round, but both teams have come a long way since then. The Flyers are quicker on defense and more organized overall, while the Senators are simply another year better.
The Senators rarely look explosive, but they all create chances, and their speed can break down almost any defense. Eric Desjardins' foot injury leaves a considerable hole in the Flyers' blueline. He may turn out to be the player they can least afford to lose.
It should be a low-scoring series, so it might come down to which goalie blinks first. Patrick Lalime and Roman Cechmanek are two veterans with little playoff success, but Cechmanek will face the most pressure, as the Senators use their legs to create the few extra scoring chances they need. The Flyers had to play almost twice as much hockey as the Senators just to get here, so fatigue could be a factor, especially in game seven.
The Bottom Line: Although somewhat younger, Ottawa is the more experienced playoff team. They might be the most complete team in hockey, and this looks like their breakthrough year.
Senators win in seven games.
Previous page: The Western Conference semifinals.
