EASTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW

1. Tampa Bay Lightning

(46-22-8-6, 106 points)

vs.

8. New York Islanders

(38-29-11-4, 91 points)

*

Schedule: Thurs., Sat., Mon., April 14.

(April 16, 17, 19 if necessary).

* Head-to-head: New York, 3-1-0-0.

* Series preview: The Lightning was assured the Southeast Division title months ago but kept pushing and finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference. Tampa Bay is flashy, with Martin St. Louis, who led the NHL in scoring, and Vincent Lecavalier, a consistent scorer. The Lightning also has a tested goaltender in Nikolai Khabibulin. The Islanders went 8-3-1 in their last 12 games, but they prompt many questions, starting with their enigma, star player Alexei Yashin, who has been on the winning side in a playoff series only once in six tries. Trent Hunter had 51 points to lead the Islanders. The Islanders have not made it past the first round of the playoffs since the 1992-93 season.

* Late-season acquisitions: TB: Defenseman Darryl Sydor (Columbus). NYI: Center Cliff Ronning (free-agent signing).

* Key injuries: NYI: Center Jason Blake (ankle), goaltender Garth Snow (groin), center Shawn Bates (groin).

* Goaltenders’ postseason records: TB: Nikolai Khabibulin 15-18, 2.65 GAA; NYI: Rick DiPietro 1-0, 0.00 GAA.

* Coaches’ postseason records: TB: John Tortorella 5-6; NYI: Steve Stirling 0-0.

* Prediction: Khabibulin’s experience gives the Lightning the edge. Tampa Bay in six.

*

2. Boston Bruins

(41-19-15-7, 104 points)

vs.

7. Montreal Canadiens

(41-30-7-4, 93 points)

Schedule: Tonight, Fri., Sun., Tues.

(April 15, 17, 19 if necessary)

* Head-to-head: Boston, 3-2-1

* Series preview: There will be lots of chatter about tradition, because these are two of the original six teams and have one of the fiercest rivalries in sports. This series seems to tilt Boston’s way, but much will depend on whether Bruin center Joe Thornton plays. He has been out with an ambiguous “upper body injury” and is questionable for Game 1. Still, the Bruins are deep in talent, especially after trading for Sergei Gonchar, a defenseman with offensive skills. The big question is how well rookie goalie Andrew Raycroft handles playoff pressure. Montreal expected much more from Alex Kovalev when he was acquired from the New York Rangers. He has scored only one goal in 12 games. The Canadiens’ hopes rest with goalie Jose Theodore, whose play helped Montreal upset top-seeded Boston two seasons ago.

* Late-season acquisitions: Bos: Defenseman Sergei Gonchar (Wash.), center Michael Nylander (Wash.). Mon: right wing Alex Kovalev (NYR).

* Key injuries: Bos: Center Joe Thornton (upper body injury).

* Goaltenders’ postseason records: Bos: Andrew Raycroft 0-0, 0.00 GAA; Mon: Jose Theodore 7-8, 2.65 GAA.

* Coaches’ postseason records: Bos: Mike Sullivan 0-0; Mon: Claude Julien 0-0.

* Prediction: Raycroft will be fine and the Bruins have too much talent. Boston in six.

*

3. Philadelphia Flyers

(40-21-15-6, 101 points)

vs.

6. New Jersey Devils

(43-25-12-2, 100 points)

Schedule: Thurs., Sat., Mon., April 14.

(April 17, 18, 20 if necessary).

* Head-to-head: Philadelphia, 3-2-1-0.

* Series preview: The Flyers won home-ice advantage on the season’s final day. Does that matter? Devil goalie Martin Brodeur was 12-1 at home and 4-7 on the road in last season’s playoffs. He is coming off another season of Vezina Trophy-worthy numbers. What Brodeur doesn’t have this time is defenseman Scott Stevens, whose leadership has been the backbone of Devil playoff runs. The Flyers have folded often in the playoffs, but this time they may have what it takes. Despite his late-season struggles, Robert Esche will be the Flyer goaltender.

* Late-season acquisitions: Phil: Goaltender Sean Burke (Pho.), center Alexei Zhamnov (Chi.); NJ: Center Jan Hrdina (Pho.), right wing Viktor Kozlov (Flor.)

* Key injuries: Phil: Defenseman Vladimir Malakhov (broken jaw); NJ: Right wing Grant Marshall (broken hand), defenseman Scott Stevens (concussion).

* Goaltenders’ postseason records: Phil: Sean Burke 12-22, 3.33 GAA; NJ: Martin Brodeur 83-56, 1.84 GAA.

* Coaches’ postseason records: Phil: Ken Hitchcock 53-40; NJ: Pat Burns 77-67.

* Prediction: Stevens’ absence is more than Brodeur can cover up. Flyers in seven.

*

4. Toronto Maple Leafs

(45-24-10-3, 103 points)

vs.

5. Ottawa Senators

(43-23-10-6, 102 points)

Schedule: Thur., Sat., Mon., April 14.

(April 16, 18, 20 if necessary).

* Head-to-head: Toronto, 4-1-1-0.

* Series preview: Can’t Ottawa just skip this one? For three seasons, it has played the patsy in the playoffs for the Maple Leafs and this season looks no different. The Senators are a grittier team, with Todd Simpson and Greg DeVries brought in to bolster the defense. But goaltender Patrick Lalime has a bad knee. If he gets knocked out, the Senators are putting their hopes on the shoulders of Martin Prusek. The Maple Leafs’ hopes also depend on their goaltender’s health, but Ed Belfour’s back problems seem behind him.

* Late-season acquisitions: Tor: Center Ron Francis (Car.), defenseman Calle Johansson (free-agent signing), defenseman Brian Leetch (NYR). Ott: Right wing Peter Bondra (Wash.), defenseman Greg DeVries (NYR).

* Key injuries: Ott: Goaltender Patrick Lalime (knee), center Jason Spezza (lower body injury).

* Goaltenders’ postseason records: Tor: Ed Belfour 82-61, 2.17 GAA; Ott: Lalime 18-16, 1.73 GAA.

* Coaches’ postseason records: Tor: Pat Quinn 88-82; Ott: Jaques Martin 35-43.

* Prediction: If Belfour’s back holds up, it’s another frustrating ending for the Senators. Maple Leafs in six.