WESTERN CONFERENCE

No. 2 DALLAS (43-29-10-6) vs. No. 8 SAN JOSE (35-37-10-7)

* Season series: San Jose, 4-2.

* Leading scorers: Stars--Mike Modano, 38 goals, 43 assists, 81 points. Sharks--Owen Nolan, 44-40--84.

* Team goals-against average: Stars 2.21 (third). Sharks 2.57 (13th).

* Power play: Stars 15.7% (19th). Sharks 16.4% (15th).

* Penalty killing: Stars 89.3% (first). Sharks 83.6% (17th).

* Keys: The Stars dreaded this matchup because the Sharks’ physical play and scrappiness give them trouble. So does Shark defenseman Bryan Marchment, whose 1998 hit from behind on Joe Nieuwendyk severely damaged Nieuwendyk’s right knee. The Stars’ fans hate Marchment and Shark fans hate Dallas goalie Ed Belfour, who left San Jose as a free agent in 1997. The Sharks played a near-perfect seventh game to defeat St. Louis, forechecking aggressively after they got a lead and forcing the Blues into turnovers. But the Stars, experienced and patient, don’t turn the puck over much and they’re masters at protecting a lead. Their power play, two for 26 against Edmonton, will get a boost with the return of Sergei Zubov from a knee injury. The Sharks have younger legs, but the Stars have the smarts, superior depth at center and more consistent goaltending. Emotion will carry the Sharks for a while, but the Stars will wear them down.

* Prediction: Dallas in six.

* Schedule: Friday at Dallas, 4 p.m.; Sunday at Dallas, 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday at San Jose, 7 p.m.

May 5 at San Jose, 6:30 p.m.; May 7 at Dallas, 4:30 p.m.-x; May 9 at San Jose, 7 p.m.-x; May 11 at Dallas, 5 p.m.-x (x-if necessary)

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No. 3 COLORADO (42-29-11-1) vs. No. 4 DETROIT (48-24-10-2)

* Season series: Detroit, 4-1.

* Leading scorers: Avalanche--Joe Sakic, 28-53--81. Red Wings--Steve Yzerman, 35-44--79.

* Team goals-against average: Avalanche 2.42 (sixth). Red Wings 2.53 (ninth).

* Power play: Avalanche 19.5% (fourth). Red Wings 20.4% (first).

* Penalty killing: Avalanche 84.5% (14th). Red Wings 85.9% (eighth).

* Keys: The Red Wings’ special teams were excellent in their sweep of the Kings, with a seven-for-23 power play and 23-for-23 penalty killing. But they scored only five goals at even strength and must improve. They’re well-rested, which will help their senior-citizen defensemen. They have to hope rest didn’t dull the reflexes of goalie Chris Osgood. Grinders Kirk Maltby, Martin Lapointe and Kris Draper will again play big roles. Ray Bourque infused life into the Avalanche’s power play and steadied a sometimes erratic defense. Colorado is 16-3-1 since acquiring Bourque from Boston. Dave Andreychuk, acquired in that trade, scored two power-play goals in the Avalanche’s elimination of Phoenix and is tough to move in front of the net. Peter Forsberg made a remarkable recovery from a shoulder injury. Patrick Roy must stay calm when Tomas Holmstrom tries to get in his way. A long series could work against Detroit, which is older on defense.

* Prediction: Colorado in seven.

* Schedule: Tonight at Colorado, 7; Saturday at Colorado, noon; Monday at Detroit, 4 p.m.; May 3 at Detroit, 4 p.m.; May 5 at Colorado, 5 p.m.-x; May 7 at Detroit, 9 a.m.-x; May 9 at Colorado, 5 p.m.-x (x-if necessary)

EASTERN CONFERENCE

No. 1 PHILADELPHIA (45-25-12-3) vs. No. 7 PITTSBURGH (37-37-8-6)

* Season series: Philadelphia, 4-0-1.

* Leading scorers: Flyers--Mark Recchi 28-63--91. Penguins--Jaromir Jagr 42-54--96.

* Team goals-against average: Flyers 2.14 (second). Penguins 2.84 (20th).

* Power play: Flyers 20.3% (second). Penguins 15.6% (20th).

* Penalty killing: Flyers 86.7% (sixth). Penguins 82.6% (19th).

* Keys: Interim Flyer Coach Craig Ramsay kept players fresh against Buffalo by limiting shifts to 30 seconds, a tactic he may use again to combat the Penguins’ skill and creativity. The Flyers are bigger, but the skill of their defensive corps, not their brawn, may decide this series. Ramsay is expected to have Chris Therien and Dan McGillis shadow Jaromir Jagr and bump him at every chance. The Flyers must avoid being overzealous, because the Penguins’ power play--which was six for 29 against Washington--will burn them. The Penguins will regain first-line center Jan Hrdina. With his skill, and that of Jagr, Robert Lang and Alexei Kovalev, the Penguins can play an up-tempo game that could test the Flyers’ speed and patience. The Penguins’ defense has only one recognizable name--Darius Kasparaitis--but has some good individual elements. If goalie Ron Tugnutt excels, this will be very close.

* Prediction: Flyers in seven.

* Schedule: Tonight at Philadelphia, 4:30; Saturday at Philadelphia, noon; Tuesday at Pittsburgh, 4 p.m.; May 4 at Pittsburgh, 4:30 p.m.; May 7 at Philadelphia, 9 a.m.-x; May 9 at Pittsburgh, 4 p.m.-x; May 11 at Philadelphia, 4 p.m.-x (x-if necessary)

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No. 3 TORONTO (45-30-7-3) vs. No. 4 NEW JERSEY (45-29-8-5)

* Season series: Toronto, 3-0-1.

* Leading scorers: Maple Leafs--Mats Sundin 32-41--73. Devils--Patrik Elias 35-37--72.

* Team goals-against average: Maple Leafs 2.67 (15th). Devils 2.45 (eighth).

* Power play: Maple Leafs 17.8% (sixth). Devils 20.1% (third).

* Penalty killing: Maple Leafs 82.4% (21st). Devils 87.5% (fourth).

* Keys: In the week since they swept the Panthers, the Devils have worked on their power play, which was two for 16 against Florida. They need production from the power play and the first line to win; center Jason Arnott was scoreless against Florida. Devil defenseman Scott Stevens did an excellent job checking NHL goal-scoring champion Pavel Bure and outscored him, 2-1. Stevens probably will see a lot of the Steve Thomas-Mats Sundin-Jonas Hoglund line, a trio with size and skill. The Maple Leafs’ attacking style contrasts with the Devils’ defense-first leanings and results in lots of shots against goalie Curtis Joseph. But Cujo thrives on work: Against Ottawa, he won the four games in which he faced 30 shots or more and lost Games 3 and 4, when he faced 15 and 22 shots, respectively. The Devils haven’t advanced past the second round since they won the Cup in 1995, but their defensive foundation should enable them to prevail.

* Prediction: Devils in six.

* Schedule: Tonight at Toronto, 4 p.m.; Saturday at Toronto, 4 p.m.; Monday at New Jersey, 4 p.m.; Wednesday at New Jersey, 4 p.m.; May 6 at at Toronto, 4:30 p.m.-x; May 8 at New Jersey, 4 p.m.-x; May 10 at Toronto, 4 p.m.-x (x-if necessary)