Eastern Conference

(46-22-8-6) LIGHTNING 1 vs. 8 ISLANDERS (38-29-11-4)

SEASON SERIES: Islanders, 3-1-0
UPSETOMETER: There's hope

Tampa's superb checking line of Dave Andreychuk, Tim Taylor and Ben Clymer can shut down Isles sniper Alexei Yashin. New York will need outstanding play from goalie Rick DiPietro as well as from core defensemen Adrian Aucoin and Janne Niinimaa. The Lightning has an amazing quick-strike offense ( Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Martin St. Louis), and its defensemen move the puck well enough to beat the Islanders' forechecking. Tampa also makes excellent in-game adjustments. Lightning in six.

(41-19-15-7) BRUINS 2 vs. 7 CANADIENS (41-30-7-4)

SEASON SERIES: Bruins, 3-2-1
UPSETOMETER: Not impossible

Montreal has skill at forward, but those players—Saku Koivu, Mike Ribeiro, Richard Zednik—are small. Boston's monstrous defense, led by 6'7", 240-pound Hal Gill and 6'2", 210-pound Nick Boynton, will swallow them whole. The Bruins also have size up front in Glen Murray, Mike Knuble and, if healthy, Joe Thornton. If Montreal takes penalties trying to slow the big men, Boston's power play, stoked by the addition of Sergei Gonchar, will expose Montreal's poor penalty killing (22nd in the NHL). Bruins in five.

(40-21-15-6) FLYERS 3 vs. 6 DEVILS (43-25-12-2)

SEASON SERIES: Flyers, 3-2-1
UPSETOMETER: Not impossible

The clear edge in goal belongs to New Jersey and Martin Brodeur. The clear edge in size belongs to Philly and forwards Keith Primeau, John LeClair and Michal Handzus. The Devils, who have only one pure offensive line ( Scott Gomez, Patrik Elias, Brian Gionta), need to keep the games close-checking or they could be blown out of the series. Matchups will play a crucial role, and Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock is one of the few coaches who can out-maneuver New Jersey's Pat Burns. Flyers in six.

(45-24-10-3) MAPLELEAFS 4 vs. 5 SENATORS (43-23-10-6)