The Stanley Cup Playoffs will not be heading into Buffalo, but it is still the best time of the year to watch.
Fresh off a rather mediocre Final Four and with the possibly of a lockout looming, 2004 will be the most exciting yet because nobody can say when next will come.
The playoffs are determined by an infinite number of variables. A chip in the ice could cause the puck to bounce to a player on a breakaway, a stick could break on a game winning shot or a misplaced elbow could knock a star player out for the series.
Unlike past playoffs, the East seems to be stronger conference this year. Six teams earned over 100 points compared to four from the West.
As recent Cup champions have shown us that third and fourth liners become as important as a team's superstars, experience can carry a team a long way, and a bad bounce can put a team on the golf course until next season.
With that in mind, here is the Spectrum's 2004 Stanley Cup Playoff first round Preview.
Eastern Conference
Lightning vs. Islanders
JN:Even though it's a No. 1 seed vs. a No. 8, this match up is very even. The season series went 3-1 in favor of the Islanders. While this series will be close, the Isles loss of their most explosive player, Jason Blake, puts them in a tough spot. Blake is the only Islander with the ability to match Vincent Lecavlier or Martin St. Louis.
Lightning in 7
JB:Tampa Bay's success season wasn't a surprise. The addition of Darryl Sador on defense improved an already solid defense. The Islanders don't have the playoff experience in goal but neither did J.S. Giguere. The Lightning has six 20-plus goal scorers. If Nikolai Khabibulin is spotty in goal, John Grahame is a capable backup.
Lighning in 6
Bruins vs. Canadiens
JN: Boston brings a total package to the table. They have size and skill in the likes of Joe Thornton and Glen Murray, great goaltending from Andrew Raycroft and balanced defense with Sergei Gonchar and Co. Young and unproven players like Michael Ryder and Mike Ribeiro lead Montreal. Their only hope will be a monster performance of goalie Jose Theodore, who is unproven in the playoffs.
Bruins in 5
JB: The problem with Boston is that if you shut down the Thorton line you can control the game. Montreal's scoring is more balanced. Who says youth is a bad thing? The Habs will get timely scoring from Rider and Ribeiro along with Sabre killer Pierre Dagenais. Theodore and Richard Zednik will make sure they move on.
Canadiens in 7
Devils vs. Flyers
JN:The defending champs are bruised and battered, but don't count them out just yet. They still have Martin Brodeur, and that's enough to get them through the first round. They also have enough firepower with Patrik Elias, Scott Gomez and Scott Niedermeyer to get Brodeur the goal or two he will need to win.
Devils in 6
JB: The Devils are missing their captain, Scott Stevens. Brodeur is still strong but Philly is traditionally hostile place to win in the playoffs. The Flyers improved themselves with the addition of Danny Markov and Alexei Zhamnov and already have proven playoff talent.
Flyers in 6
Maple Leafs vs. Senators
JN: This series may be decided by injuries, as Ottawa goaltender Patrick Lalime has missed the last five games of the season with an ailing left knee and Toronto has been without the services of Owen Nolan and Darcy Tucker. If Lalime can't go, Martin Prusek has proven to be a worthy backup during the regular season, but is untested in the playoffs.
Senators in 7
JB:The Leafs will go as far as Eddie Belfour's back takes them. Mats Sundin is a sucker for playoffs goals and Joe Nieuwendyk and Gary Roberts compliment his talents. I believe Toronto will go deep into the playoffs but I hate them too much to admit that so I am picking the
Senators in 7
Western Conference
Red Wings vs. Predators
JN: Last season's sweep by the Mighty Ducks has given the aging Wings something to prove - that they're not over the hill just yet. Detroit has had some injuries lately, including an injury to goalie Curtis Joseph that has made the team's goaltending situation messy, to say the least. While backup Manny Legace is extremely talented he, like Prusek, is unproven. Guys like Steve Yzerman, Brendan Shanahan and Nicklas Lidstrom are too talented to be playing golf in early April.
Red Wings in 5
JB: Nashville has battled so hard just to make the playoffs whereas Detroit solidified their playoff position months ago. Steve Sulllivan is the star, but the role players will be the difference. Everyone expects the Red Wings to roll but in the playoffs, it's anyone's game. Was the upset meant to be?
Predators in 7
Sharks vs. Blues
JN: The teams' goaltenders, the Sharks' Evgeni Nabokov and the Blues' Chris Osgood, posted similar numbers on the season (a 2.21 and 2.24 GAA, respectively) so neither team looks to have an edge in that department. But guys like Keith Tkachuk, Chris Pronger, Doug Weight and Pavol Demitra give St. Louis a definite advantage over the less experienced Sharks.
Blues in 6
JB: San Jose came from nowhere last year and they are not about to give up what they have rightfully earned. Nabokov can surprise a lot of people with stellar play. St. Louis hasn't been consistent enough this year. Brad Stuart and Marco Sturm will make names for themselves. Osgood will face a lot of shots and the Sharks will make him pay. Sharks in 6
Flames vs. Canucks
JN:Remember J.S. Giguere from a year ago? Well, meet this year's version of Giggy, Mika Kiprusoff. Providing support for Kiprusoff is Jarome Iginla, the 2002 NHLPA Player of the Year, who finished this season with a league leading 41 goals. Markus Naslund won't make it easy for Calgary, but with Dan Cloutier still in net Vancouver is probably looking at another early exit.
Flames in 6
JB: Todd Bertuzzi is suspended, Cloutier hasn't proved himself in the playoffs but they get their scoring on defense. Four Canucks have at least seven goals and the Sedin twins, and Brendan Morrison will make Bertuzzi seem like an afterthought. Iginla will help Calgary make the most out of their first playoff series since 1996.
Canucks in 6
Avalanche vs. Stars
JN:The match up of Marty Turco and David Aebischer features two of the game's best young goalies and whoever plays better could take his team to the second round. If the Avalanche snap out of what many view as a season long slump it could be over quickly for Dallas, but with Rob Blake and Paul Kariya banged up Dallas seems to be in good shape now.
Stars in 7
JB: This is the closest thing you can get to baseball's RedSox-Yankees rivalry. Colorado is heading into new territory: they are not a top three seed, they didn't win their division and Patrick Roy is gone. Teemue Selanne, Milan Hedjuk and Peter Forsberg, hockey's best all around player, will find that playoff spark but I think goaltending will decide this series. Dallas lost only seven times at home this year. Bill Guerin can't do it all but Mike Modano has a fresh start in the playoffs to make up for a subpar year.
Stars in 7
