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PrintPlayers to watch: Alex Kovalev of the Canadiens, all but run out of town a year ago, is playing his finest hockey since leaving the Penguins, and defenseman Mike Komisarek, who seems ready to return after recovering from a hip injury, is a major physical presence. Boston center Marc Savard is a terrific set-up man, but he's getting over a broken bone in his back and it's hard to predict how effective he'll be; there should be no such doubts about the two-way effectiveness of Zdeno Chara, one of hockey's top defensemen.
In the net: Carey Price is trying to join the likes of Ken Dryden and Patrick Roy as a rookie goalie who leads Montreal to a Stanley Cup. Boston's Tim Thomas is trying to follow up a surprise selection to the All-Star team with an even more stunning victory in the playoffs.
How Canadiens can win: Stick with the formula that's allowed them to win 11 consecutive games against Boston.
How Bruins can win: Hit Montreal as much as possible and limit the opportunities the league's most efficient power play gets to work against one of its worst penalty-killing units.
Who will win: Montreal in five.
| The series calendar: April dates | ||||||
| 10 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 17* | 19* | 21* |
| at Mon | at Mon |
at Bos | at Bos | at Mon | at Bos | at Mon |
| 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| *If necessary | ||||||
Season series: Flyers, 2-1-1.
Players to watch: League MVP-to-be Alex Ovechkin, a 65-goal man, is the headliner in Washington, but gifted winger Alexander Semin and rookie center Nicklas Backstrom turn up on the scoresheet a lot, too. Skilled Flyers center Daniel Briere plans to play after missing two games with a sprained knee, and right winger Mike Knuble has a knack for scoring timely goals.
In the net: Cristobal Huet helped to get Washington into the playoffs after being acquired from Montreal at the trade deadline. Martin Biron of Philadelphia remains an unproven commodity, having never made a playoff start.
How Capitals can win: Avoid the physical and mental letdown that seems inevitable after their 13-4 surge to get into the playoffs.
How Flyers can win. Punish Ovechkin physically from the moment he steps off the team bus until he walks into the shower.
Who will win: Flyers in six.
| The series calendar: April dates | ||||||
| 11 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 19* | 21* | 22* |
| at Was | at Was |
at Phi | at Phi | at Was | at Phi | at Was |
| 7:00 | 2:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 1:00 | TBA | TBA |
| *If necessary | ||||||
Season series: Rangers, 7-0-1.
Players to watch: Although Zach Parise has developed into the Devils' top offensive threat, Patrik Elias could be the guy who gets goals when the Devils need them most. New York center Scott Gomez will have a chance to sabotage his old team, but precedent says Sean Avery is the Ranger who will drive the Devils crazy in a variety of ways.
In the net: Henrik Lundqvist of the Rangers has pulled out of a midseason skid and should enjoy facing a team that was shut out 11 times in the regular season. New Jersey's Martin Brodeur is the gold standard for money goaltenders and still can win a series almost single-handedly.
How Rangers can win: Have vets Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan rediscover their scoring touches.
How Devils can win. Give Brodeur a few goals to work with now and then.
Who will win: Rangers in six.
| The series calendar: April dates | ||||||
| 9 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 18* | 20* | 22* |
| at NJ | at NJ |
at NYR | at NYR | at NJ | at NYR | at NJ |
| 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:30 | TBA | TBA |
| *If necessary | ||||||
Season series: Red Wings, 5-3.
Players to watch: Red Wings have been hit hard by injuries, but all-world defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom and center Pavel Datsyuk top a depth chart that rivals any in hockey. Forwards J.P. Dumont and Jason Arnott are the driving forces behind a Predators offense that relies as much on grit as talent.
In the net: Does Dominik Hasek have one more Cup run in him, or will Chris Osgood end up as the Red Wings' go-to guy? Nashville's Dan Ellis is not playoff-tested but put together a 233-minute, 38-second shutout streak late in the regular season.
How Red Wings can win: Overwhelm Nashville with superior talent.
How Predators can win: Be opportunistic offensively, and stretch their seven-game streak without allowing a power-play goal over two more weeks.
Who will win: Red Wings in six.
| The series calendar: April dates | ||||||
| 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18* | 20* | 22* |
| at Det | at Det |
at Nas | at Nas | at Det | at Nas | at Det |
| 7:00 | 2:00 | TBA | TBA | 7:30 | 3:00 | TBA |
| *If necessary | ||||||
Season series: Flames, 3-1.
Players to watch: San Jose center Joe Thornton remains one of the finest offensive forces in the game despite a spotty playoff history, and defenseman Brian Campbell piled up 19 points in 20 games after being acquired from Buffalo. Flames winger Jarome Iginla is an MVP dark horse and a 50-goal man, and defenseman Dion Phaneuf has a Norris Trophy or two in his future.
In the net: Evgeni Nabokov of the Sharks is coming of an MVP-caliber regular season. Calgary's Miikka Kiprusoff is capable of keeping his team in a series -- and probably will have to.
How Sharks can win: Stick with the formula that let them finish the regular season on a 18-2-2 roll.
How Flames can win: Play physically against Sharks' skilled forwards and have Kiprusoff sparkle.
Who will win: Sharks in five.
| The series calendar: April dates | ||||||
| 9 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 17* | 20* | 22* |
| at SJ | at SJ |
at Cal | at Cal | at SJ | at Cal | at SJ |
| 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | TBA | TBA |
| *If necessary | ||||||
Season series: Wild, 5-2-1.
Players to watch: Winger Marian Gaborik is the Wild's game-breaker, and Brian Rolston contributes in almost every situation. Center Peter Forsberg has been a valuable, if not durable, addition for Colorado.
In the net: Colorado goalie Jose Theodore is enjoying a strong season after several subpar ones. Nicklas Backstrom of the Wild cracked the top 10 in most major statistical categories.
How Wild can win: Execute coach Jacques Lemaire's defense-first system flawlessly and take full advantage of an edge in special-teams play.
How Avalanche can win: Exploit their edge in offensive talent and depth, which should be much easier with Wild defenseman Nick Schultz (appendectomy) out.
Who will win: Avalanche in six.
| The series calendar: April dates | ||||||
| 9 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 17* | 19* | 22* |
| at Min | at Min |
at Col | at Col | at Min | at Col | at Min |
| 9:00 | 9:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 9:00 | TBA | TBA |
| *If necessary | ||||||
Season series: Stars, 5-2-1.
Players to watch: Getting defenseman Scott Niedermayer and right winger Teemu Selanne back from their short-lived retirements has bolstered the Ducks for a defense of the Cup they won last year. Dallas center Brad Richards had just two goals in 12 games after being acquired from Tampa Bay and having to start the series without defenseman Sergei Zubov (sports hernia surgery) is a major setback.
In the net: Anaheim's Jean-Sebastien Giguere followed his Stanley Cup run in 2007 with an excellent regular season. Stars goalie Marty Turco shed his reputation for struggling in the playoffs during a seven-game loss to Vancouver last spring.
How Ducks can win: Adhere to the grinding, physical game that won a Cup.
How Stars can win: Have aging forwards like Mike Modano and Stu Barnes elevate their games for probably the final time.
Who will win: Ducks in six.
| The series calendar: April dates | ||||||
| 10 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 18* | 20* | 22* |
| at Ana | at Ana |
at Dal | at Dal | at Ana | at Dal | at Ana |
| 10:00 | 10:00 | 8:30 | 8:00 | 10:30 | TBA | TBA |
| *If necessary | ||||||
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