The hockey world is abuzz because of the upcoming Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday. Here are previews of four of the eight first-round series.
Eastern Conference
Ottawa-Pittsburgh: This is the most intriguing matchup of the first round, as the young upstart Penguins take on the playoff-underachieving Senators. Both teams can strike quickly and often, and the series may come down to which goalie can hold back the offensive floodgates longer. The Pens are the team of the future, but will not be able to overcome the Sens' experience. Senators in 7.
New Jersey-Tampa Bay: Tampa Bay is an extremely tough No. 7 seed, while New Jersey is its usual winning self. The series pits the flashy Lightning against the methodical Devils, and whoever wins the battle between Martin Brodeur and the Tampa Bay offense will advance to the second round. Lightning in 6.
Western Conference
Detroit-Calgary: Calgary stumbled into the postseason with four straight losses, while Detroit came very close to clinching the best record in the NHL. Detroit must find a way to snap out of its early playoff exit problem. It also needs to find a way to get past Calgary's Miikka Kiprusoff, one of the best goalies in the NHL. Calgary's Jarome Iginla and Daymond Langkow will keep the series close, but the Flames' road woes will prove too much to overcome. Red Wings in 6.
Anaheim-Minnesota: The Wild come into the postseason on fire, winning seven of its last 10 games, while Anaheim had the NHL's third-best record. The Ducks have a potent offense to go along with their amazing blue line of Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer, but Minnesota boasts the most stingy goaltender in the NHL (the surprising Niklas Backstrom) and some scorers of their own in Marian Gaborik and Pavol Demitra. The series will come down to the wire, but the Ducks will not be able to overcome Backstrom enough to get out of the opening round. Wild in 7.
