NHL PLAYOFF PREVIEWS

The Colorado Avalanche had the NHL’s best record, despite losing team captain Joe Sakic, center Peter Forsberg, wingers Valeri Kamensky and Claude Lemieux and defenseman Uwe Krupp for extended periods because of injuries.

But is the Avalanche good enough to win consecutive Stanley Cup championships in this era of parity--and to shake off the curse of the Presidents’ Trophy?

No team has repeated as Cup champion since the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991-92, a rare stretch in the dynasty-dominated NHL. The last five-year span with no repeat winners was 1940-44.

And only three of the previous 11 winners of the Presidents’ Trophy--awarded to the team with the best regular-season record--have gone on to win the Cup. Detroit set a record last season with 62 victories and had 131 points but lost to Colorado in the Western Conference finals.

“I imagine it’s going to be more difficult [to repeat] and I thought last year was difficult,” said Sakic, the most valuable player in Colorado’s Cup drive. “This year, we’re not going to catch anybody by surprise, but we’re very confident with the hockey club we have and the chemistry we have.”

Unlike Detroit, which might have burned itself out in pursuit of regular-season supremacy, the Avalanche (49-24-9) paced itself. And while Sakic, Forsberg and other stars were hurt, Adam Deadmarsh emerged as a scoring threat with 33 goals and 60 points, and Keith Jones scored a career-high 25 goals.

The Dallas Stars, who had the NHL’s second-best record, swept their season series with Edmonton, 4-0, and are ready to make an impact after missing the playoffs last season.

“We proved we can beat the top teams in the league,” center Mike Modano said. “But now the real show starts and we’re all looking forward to it. This is what you play for all year.”

The Red Wings, locked into the No. 3 slot for the last month, had 37 fewer points than last season but may be a better playoff team because they added gritty forwards Brendan Shanahan and Tomas Sandstrom. St. Louis rode a 5-1-2 surge to finish as the sixth-seeded team, but winger Brett Hull missed the last week because of a pulled groin muscle and may not be at full strength.

The Mighty Ducks hit stride in late February, compiling a 13-3-7 record down the stretch to earn the No. 4 slot and gain home-ice advantage. Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya are a dynamite 1-2 combination and goalie Guy Hebert had the NHL’s fifth-best save percentage, .919, but they face an experienced team with speed and a balanced offense in the Phoenix Coyotes.

All series are best-of-seven and begin tonight. Seedings were determined by conference standings. Division winners Colorado (Pacific) and Dallas (Central) were seeded 1-2.

1. COLORADO AVALANCHE VS. 8. CHICAGO BLACKHAWkS

* Seedings, records: No. 1 Colorado (49-24-9); No. 8 Chicago (34-35-13).

* Season series: Colorado 3-1.

* Top scorers: Colorado--Peter Forsberg 28 goals, 58 assists--86 points. Chicago--Tony Amonte 41-36--77.

* Goals against: Colorado 2.47 (fifth). Chicago 2.52 (seventh).

* Power play: Colorado 20.6% (third). Chicago 14.8% (17th)

* Penalty killing: Colorado 87.6% (second). Chicago 84.2% (11th).

* Keys: Colorado’s Patrick Roy remains the NHL’s top money goalie. He stopped 38 Dallas shots Friday in a 2-1 victory that clinched the No. 1 slot in the conference. He led the NHL with 38 victories, was fourth in save percentage (.923) and second in shutouts (seven). The Avalanche is incomparably deep, with six players who scored 20 or more goals and two with 18. Sandis Ozolinsh led NHL defensemen with 23 goals. Colorado’s goal differential of +72--277 for, 205 against--was the NHL’s best. Chicago had its first sub-.500 home record, 16-21-4, since 1957-58 and didn’t clinch a playoff berth until last weekend. Center Alexei Zhamnov (20 goals, 62 points) was disappointing and must produce for the Blackhawks to have a chance. He’s questionable for the opener because of a sprained ankle. Winger Eric Daze, who hit 22 goals with a late spree, must also score. These teams met last season in a terrific second-round series that included four overtime games. Colorado won in six and will do it in five this time.

2. DALLAS STARS VS. 7. EDMONTON OILERS

* Seedings, records: No. 2 Dallas (48-26-8); No. 7 Edmonton (36-37-9)

* Season series: Dallas 4-0.

* Top scorers: Dallas--Mike Modano 35-48--83. Edmonton--Doug Weight 21-61--82.

* Goals against: Dallas 2.39 (third). Edmonton 2.97 (16th).

* Power play: Dallas 14.6% (19th). Edmonton 18.0% (sixth).

* Penalty killing: Dallas 83.4% (16th). Edmonton 82.5% (18th).

* Keys: Dallas is solid defensively, deep up the middle, experienced in goal and patient, ideal ingredients for playoff success. Modano proved he can be a complete player, compiling a plus-43 defensive rating. The Stars’ defense is big but mobile, and Sergei Zubov (13 goals, 43 points) handles the puck well. The Stars outscored the Oilers, 18-6, in their season series, holding the Oilers to one power-play goal in 15 tries. The Oilers were 1-3-2 in their last six and only Ryan Smyth (39 goals, 61 points) found the net. Speed is their best weapon, but it won’t be enough. The Stars in five.

3. DETROIT RED WINGS VS. 6. ST. LOUIS BLUES

* Seedings, records: No. 3 Detroit (38-26-18); No. 6 St. Louis (36-35-11)

* Season series: Tied, 1-1-3.

* Top scorers: Detroit--Brendan Shanahan 47-41--88. St. Louis--Pierre Turgeon 26-59--85.

* Goals against: Detroit 2.35 (second). St. Louis 2.88 (14th)

* Power play: Detroit 17.9% (seventh). St. Louis 15.3% (15th).

* Penalty killing: Detroit 86.7% (fourth). St. Louis 83.4% (14th).

* Keys: They met in the second round last spring, a series won by Detroit on Steve Yzerman’s seventh-game, overtime goal. However, much has changed. The Red Wings last season relied on finesse because they lacked the size and grit to operate around the net. They acquired Shanahan and Tomas Sandstrom (18 goals, 42 points) and are more feisty. Coach Scotty Bowman has been playing his usual head games, using center Sergei Fedorov on defense and keeping mum about his starting goalie, but it appears that Fedorov will be a rushing defenseman and Mike Vernon (2.43 goals-against average, .899 save percentage) will start in goal. The Blues were 18-15-4 under Joel Quenneville, who replaced Mike Keenan as coach in January. Goalie Grant Fuhr, who missed the Detroit series last year because of a knee injury, had a strong season (2.72 goals-against average, .901 save percentage). Hull (42 goals, 82 points) missed the final week of the season but is expected to play. Red Wings in six.

4. ANAHEIM DUCKS VS. 5. PHOENIX COYOTES

* Seedings, records: No. 4 Ducks (36-33-13); No. 5 Phoenix (38-37-7).

* Season series: Phoenix 3-1.

* Top scorers: Ducks--Teemu Selanne 51-58--109. Phoenix--Keith Tkachuk 52-34--86.

* Goals against: Ducks 2.80 (11th), Phoenix 2.93 (15th).

* Power play: Ducks 16.8% (ninth), Phoenix 18.1% (fifth).

* Penalty killing: Ducks 81.5% (22nd), Phoenix 85.9% (fifth).

* Keys: Selanne and Paul Kariya (44 goals, 99 points) make the Ducks’ offense explosive, but the drop-off is steep. Steve Rucchin, the third-best scorer, has 19 goals and 67 points, but is doubtful for Game 1 because of a bad back. The Coyotes have six players who had 50 or more points--the Ducks have four--and they’re deeper at center with Jeremy Roenick, Craig Janney, Cliff Ronning and Bob Corkum. Don’t forget tireless right wing Mike Gartner (32 goals, 63 points). In the Ducks’ favor: a 14-game home unbeaten streak, goalie Guy Hebert’s consistency versus Nikolai Khabibulin’s erratic record, and the novelty of their first playoff berth. Phoenix has experience, did better on the road (23-18-0) than at home (15-19-7) and has the NHL’s top goal scorer in Tkachuk. A good matchup that should produce lively games. Ducks in six.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Stung by their failure to make the playoffs last season and defend the Stanley Cup they had won in 1995, the New Jersey Devils made sure they’d qualify for this year’s postseason party by compiling the best record in the Eastern Conference.

The Devils ranked sixth in the conference at the All-Star break and trailed the Philadelphia Flyers by 10 points. Thanks to the NHL’s stingiest defense and the acquisition of center Doug Gilmour in late February, the Devils had a league-best 23-7-9 record after the break and overtook the Flyers with a week left in the season.

“The way the last two or three weeks have gone, we’d go out and get a two- or three-goal lead and then shut it down defensively,” said Gilmour, who has scored 22 points in 20 games with New Jersey and provided much-needed creativity. “This hockey club has a lot of experience and has a lot of winners. We know there’s a lot of hard work to be done along the way.”

The Flyers did not finish impressively. Eric Lindros was suspended for two games for using his stick to rearrange Shane Churla’s face in a game against the Rangers, possibly costing the Flyers the East title, and goalie Ron Hextall lost back-to-back games against the Rangers and was pulled from his last two starts.

The Flyers aren’t the only team with problems. The Sabres stumbled after goalie Dominik Hasek fractured a rib, and Penguin winger Jaromir Jagr re-injured his troublesome groin muscle. The Panthers, last season’s conference champions, lost the cohesiveness that fueled them last spring but hope victories over New Jersey and Pittsburgh in their last two games will restore their confidence. The only other team starting the playoffs on an upswing is the Ottawa Senators, who won their last three games and nine of 14 to grab their first playoff berth.

“I don’t think we need to take a back seat to anyone,” Coach Jacques Martin said.

All series are best of seven and begin Thursday. Seedings were determined by conference standings. Division winners New Jersey (Atlantic) and Buffalo (Northeast) were seeded 1-2.

1. NEW JERSEY DEVILS VS. 8. MONTREAL CANADIENS

* Seedings, records: No. 1 New Jersey (45-23-14); No. 8 Montreal (31-36-15).

* Season series: New Jersey 2-0-2.

* Top scorers: New Jersey--Doug Gilmour 22-60--82. Montreal--Vincent Damphousse 27-54--81.

* Goals against: New Jersey 2.18 (first), Montreal 3.31 (23rd)

* Power play: New Jersey 13.9% (23rd), Montreal 15.7% (13th)

* Penalty killing: New Jersey 88.1% (first), Montreal 79.5% (26th).

* Keys: The Jennings Trophy, given to the goalies on the team that allowed the fewest goals, may be the first of many awards for the Devils’ Martin Brodeur. He led the NHL with a 1.88 goals-against average and 10 shutouts and is capable of stealing games. Gilmour was a great acquisition for his two-way play and leadership. The Devils will miss winger Dave Andreychuk, who suffered a broken ankle Sunday, but they’re deep enough to compensate. The Canadiens bumbled all season, unable to establish consistency on defense or in goal until recently. Dave Manson provides toughness on defense but they’re mistake prone. Their penalty killing was horrible and they’re overmatched in every area. Devils in four.

2. BUFFALO SABRES VS. 7. OTTAWA SENATORS

* Seedings, records: No. 2 Buffalo (40-30-12); No. 7 Ottawa (31-36-15).

* Season series: Buffalo 4-2.

* Top scorers: Buffalo--Derek Plante 27-26--53. Ottawa--Alexei Yashin 35-40--75.

* Goals against: Buffalo 2.49 (sixth), Ottawa 2.81 (12th).

* Power play: Buffalo 13.2% (26th) Ottawa 16.7% (11th).

* Penalty killing: Buffalo 83.8% (13th), Ottawa 81.9% (20th).

* Keys: Goaltending. The Senators didn’t score more than two goals in their six regular-season games against the Sabres, but Ron Tugnutt shut out the Sabres in the teams’ last two meetings. Dominik Hasek is the better goalie, but Tugnutt--a former Mighty Duck--and the Senators are riding an emotional wave. The Sabres faltered at the end, but Coach Ted Nolan is a great motivator, and Hasek has fully recovered from his broken rib. The Sabres must squeeze some goals out of their power play and avoid bad penalties. Neither team has much playoff experience. Expect a low-scoring, physical series. Sabres in six.

3. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS VS. 6. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

* Seedings, records: No. 3 Philadelphia (45-24-13); No. 6 Pittsburgh (38-36-8).

* Season series: Philadelphia 3-1.

* Top scorers: Philadelphia--John LeClair 50-47--97. Pittsburgh--Mario Lemieux 50-72--122.

* Goals against: Philadelphia 2.61 (eighth), Pittsburgh 3.38 (25th).

* Power play: Philadelphia 14.6% (18th), Pittsburgh 21.9% (second).

* Penalty killing: Philadelphia 85.7% (sixth), Pittsburgh 81.1% (23rd).

* Keys: Lemieux wants to go out a winner, but the Penguins have too many holes. Rookie Patrick Lalime, who faltered after a sensational 14-0-2 start, has no playoff experience and Ken Wregget has been bothered by a pulled groin muscle. An 0-12-1 road streak at season’s end doesn’t spark much optimism. If they can goad Lindros or his teammates into taking bad penalties and convert their power plays, they have a chance. The Flyer defense has been unimpressive, and Paul Coffey has back problems. LeClair, coming of his second consecutive 50-goal season, must be the leader. If the Flyers use their size and go to the net, they should score easily. Flyers in six.

4. FLORIDA PANTHERS VS. 5. NEW YORK RANGERS

* Seedings, records: No. 4 Florida (35-28-19); No. 5 New York (38-34-10))

* Season series: Florida 3-1-2.

* Top scorers: Florida--Ray Sheppard--29-31--60. New York--Wayne Gretzky 25-72--97.

* Goals against: Florida 2.39 (tie third), New York 2.79 (10th).

* Power play: Florida 14.2% (21st), New York 22.0% (first).

* Penalty killing: Florida 85.5% (seventh), New York 79.9% (25th).

* Keys: The Panthers won’t surprise anyone, as they did last season, and the novelty of being in the playoffs is gone. They know it’s a long haul and must be mentally prepared. Center Kirk Muller, who had only three points in 10 games after being acquired from Toronto, must step up. So must defenseman Ed Jovanovski, who was benched during the team’s late 1-5-3 slide. Goalie John Vanbiesbrouck (2.29 goals-against average, .919 save percentage) had a fine season and should have another good playoff in him. Gretzky and Mark Messier have unmatched playoff experience, but they’re 36 and Messier was hobbled by a sore thigh last week. Brian Leetch (78 points, tops among defensemen) can be the difference if he’s aggressive. The Rangers must tighten their penalty killing and defense, which won’t be easy. It’s tough to pick against Gretzky, no matter his age. Rangers in seven.