NO. 3 DETROIT (44-23-15) VS. NO. 4. ST. LOUIS (45-29-8)

* Season series: St. Louis, 3-2-1.

* Top scorers: Detroit--Steve Yzerman 24-45--69. St. Louis--Brett Hull--27-45--72.

* Team goals-against average: Detroit 2.35 (seventh); St. Louis 2.46 (12th).

* Power play: Detroit 17.6% (sixth); St. Louis 16.8% (ninth).

* Penalty killing: Detroit 86.4% (ninth); St. Louis 86.6% (seventh).)

* First-round result: Detroit defeated Phoenix in six games; St. Louis defeated the Kings in four.

* Top playoff scorers: Detroit--Sergei Fedorov 6-3--9. St. Louis--Geoff Courtnall 1-6--7.

* Keys: The Red Wings have regained the balance that won them the Cup last spring. Their grinders are grinding, led by the line of Joe Kocur, Kirk Maltby and Kris Draper, and the scoring line of Vyacheslav Kozlov, Sergei Fedorov and Tomas Holmstrom was dazzling. Their defensemen are skilled offensively but aren’t physical, which could be a problem against the Blues’ quick transition game. Fedorov’s speed burned the Phoenix defense, but he will have a tougher time against the Blues. If he can break through, so can the Red Wings, providing goalie Chris Osgood avoids the lapses he had in Game 3 against Phoenix. The Blues have been off so long since sweeping the Kings, they’ve grown beards. The rest should rejuvenate Al MacInnis and Chris Pronger, who played almost 30 minutes a game. The Blues move the puck quickly and accurately and love to one-time shots, giving goalies no time to set up. The Scott Pellerin-Craig Conroy-Blair Atcheynum line is effective at both ends of the ice and is likely to play against Fedorov’s line. Look for great fundamental hockey, with the Red Wings escaping in seven close games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

No. 6 BUFFALO (36-29-17) vs. NO. 7 MONTREAL (37-32-13)

* Season series: Buffalo, 4-1-1.

* Top scorers: Buffalo--Miroslav Satan 22-24--46. Montreal--Mark Recchi 32-42--74.

* Team goals-against average: Buffalo 2.24 (third); Montreal 2.49 (13th).

* Power play: Buffalo 12.9% (19th); Montreal 18.3% (third).

* Penalty killing: Buffalo 84.3% (18th); Montreal 84.5% (16th).

* First-round result: Buffalo defeated Philadelphia in five games; Montreal defeated Pittsburgh in six.

* Top playoff scorers: Buffalo--Satan 3-2--5. Montreal--Recchi 3-5--8.

* Keys: The hockey gods who abandoned the Canadiens when they left the Forum for the Molson Centre apparently have returned. The Canadiens played a solid defensive game in defeating the Penguins for their first playoff series victory since their 1993 Cup triumph. The Shayne Corson-Saku Koivu-Mark Recchi line carried them, but Vincent Damphousse and Martin Rucinsky are also threats. They have muscle on defense and will use it against the small, swift Sabres in hopes of creating turnovers. Andy Moog, with a 2.29 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage, was steady against the Penguins and his coolness is key to settling the defense. The Sabres are tireless grinders with a wide nasty streak. Right wing Matthew Barnaby, who requested a trade earlier this season, was outstanding against Philadelphia and his five points proved he can do more with his hands than punch. Montreal is probably stronger up the middle but the Sabres are quicker and more rugged, and don’t overlook the skill of Satan, Vaclav Varada and Donald Audette. This is Hasek’s year. Sabres in six.