More on Stanley Cup 2002 • Part 1: Up For Grabs • Part 3: Western Conference Preview

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(1) Boston Bruins vs. (8) Montreal Canadiens

One of hockey's storied playoff rivalries resumes after a seven-year break. Most of the current players were not around in 1994 (the Bruins eliminated Montreal in seven games), but you can bet they sense the buzz of history surrounding this series.

The Canadiens' hopes rest with goaltender Jose Theodore, who carried them into the playoffs. To carry them any further he has to stare down a balanced Bruins' attack that includes six players with at least 50 points. Boston has too much skill and size up front, so Theodore will likely face 30-plus shots per game. But he's used to that. If he can get Montreal to the second round his team mates should chip in and double his salary.

The Bruins took a huge leap forward this season to finish first in the Eastern Conference, but a team that finds itself among the elite for the first time is often ripe for a playoff upset. Defensively they are no better than average. Boston struggled over the last couple of weeks and if they fall behind early in this series they are in trouble.

Prediction: Montreal in six.
The Key: Byron Dafoe. With little playoff success in his career and free agency coming up this summer, the Bruins' goaltender has plenty to prove. Can he bear down and outplay Theodore?

(2) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (7) Ottawa Senators

Two teams that have impressed no one lately. There is much talk about Philadelphia's unsettled goaltending, but the real problem is that they can't score. The Flyer hands went dead after the Olympics, sending the team into a tailspin. The Senators are shaky in net and carry the considerable weight of recent playoff flops.

This is a clash of size and skill (Flyers) against speed and skill (Senators). Both teams have important players that go against type - the speedy Simon Gagne in Philadelphia, the hulking Zdeno Chara on the Ottawa blueline - but the real issues are whether the Senators can stand up to the pounding and whether the Flyers can contain Ottawa's top forwards.

Winning those battles won't mean anything, however, if the goaltending isn't at least adequate. Roman Cechmanek of the Flyers and Patrick Lalime of the Senators have had their moments this year. The guess here is that Cechmanek is ultimately the better goalie and the Flyer forwards will bear down and salvage the series.

Prediction: Flyers in six.
The Key: Win early. If one of these teams loses the first two games, there will likely be no comeback.

(3) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (6) New Jersey Devils

Carolina has a dismal record in April, with only one playoff series win in franchise history (back in 1986, when they were the Hartford Whalers). It's hard to see things turning out any better this year. Ron Francis, Jeff O'Neill and Sami Kapanen lead a maturing team, but Carolina remains a day late and a dollar short in too many areas. If they don't try to force chances, the power play chips in and goaltender Arturs Irbe brings his best game, the Hurricanes can give New Jersey a tough series.

The Devils spent the first weeks of the season in disarray, regrouped and finished strongly. The offence suffers without Scott Gomez (hand injury) and the defence is not the airtight unit it was in recent years, but this team has steadily improved down the stretch. New Jersey also made the best deadline deal by acquiring Joe Nieuwendyk, still one of the finest all-around centres in the game and an A-list playoff performer. The Devils are rolling.

Prediction: New Jersey in five.
The Key: Martin Brodeur. If he takes this team to the finals he could supplant Roy as hockey's best high-stakes goaltender. He has been at his best since the Olympics.

(4) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (5) New York Islanders

Both teams go into the playoffs with significant injuries.

Curtis Joseph, the Leafs star goaltender, has not fully recovered from a broken hand, but he will play. So will Gary Roberts, who has been out with a rib injury. Two other forwards, Shane Corson and Robert Reichel, and defenseman Dmitri Yushkevich are all question marks. The Islanders top scorer, Alexei Yashin, is hobbled by a groin pull and a reputation for floundering at playoff time.

The Islanders, new to the playoff world, have a good combination of youth and experience. But they are up against a team that has been through the wars. The Leafs have not made a Stanley Cup final since they last won it in 1967, but they have played a lot of springtime hockey over the last few years and are a better team for it. Their captain, Mats Sundin, is a dominant force playing the best hockey of his career. The Leafs will occasionally stagger, especially if Chris Osgood is on his game in the Islanders' net. But ultimately Toronto will find a way to win.

Prediction: Toronto in seven.
The Key: Mike Peca against Mats Sundin. If the Islanders' captain can neutralize the Leafs' captain night after night, New York has a chance.

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