EASTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW

*--* Ottawa Senators (39-27-9-7, 7th) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (42-27-10-3, 2nd) Schedule: Tonight, Sat., Mon., April 24, 26*, 28*, 30* (*-if necessary, best of seven) Season series: Ottawa, 2-1-1 Series preview: Could this be the season that the Senators finally get it done in the playoffs? Only if forwards Daniel Alfredsson, Marian Hossa, Martin Havlat and Shawn McEachern can create offense against the Flyers’ slow but physical defensemen such as Luke Richardson, Chris Therien and Dan McGillis. Philadelphia will get chances on offense for forwards Jeremy Roenick, John LeClair and Mark Recchi. The Flyers’ biggest questions will be their goaltending, with Roman Cechmanek and Brian Boucher, along with their power play, which finished the season 28th in the league at 13.2% (39 for 296) Late-season acquisitions: Ott--left wing Benoit Brunet, center Juha Ylonen; Phi--center Adam Oates Key injuries: Ott--none; Phi--defenseman Eric Desjardins (back) Goaltenders’ postseason records: Ott--Patrick Lalime (0-4); Phi-- Roman Cechmanek (2-4); Brian Boucher (11-7) Coaches’ postseason records: Ott--Jacques Martin (7-31); Phi--Bill Barber (2-4) Fast facts: Only the Thrashers and the Mighty Ducks had worse power plays than the Flyers during the regular season. Philadelphia’s 22 road wins tied a club record. The Senators finished their games strong, leading the NHL with 94 third-period goals MATCHUPS OTT PHI Goals 243 (5) 234 (8) Goals against 208 (14) 192 (7) Power play 16.6 (10) 13.1 (28) Penalty killing 84.3 (17) 86.3 (7) Save percentage 902 (14) 910 (9) Goals-against avg 2.50 (14) 2.31 (7) Penalty minutes 1,347 (6) 1,242 (15) Power-play goals 55 (11) 39 (28) Short-handed goals 11 (5) 8 (10) Players w/ Cup titles 1 3 10+ goal scorers 10 10 Prediction: Philadelphia in six

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