Stanley Cup playoffs

1. DETROIT VS. 8. CALGARY

* Buzz: Detroit’s supposed demise never arrived, but the Red Wings had early playoff exits in 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2006. Pavel Datsyuk, who has three playoff goals in 42 games, must deliver now that he has a seven-year contract extension. During the season, the teams split four games, each winning at home. If Calgary somehow steals one in Hockeytown, look out.

*--* WESTERN CONFERENCE

*--*

Game 1: at Detroit...Thursday, 4 p.m.

Game 2: at Detroit...Sunday, 10 a.m.

Game 3: at Calgary...Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Game 4: at Calgary...April 19, TBD

Game 5: at Detroit...April 21, noon*

Game 6: at Calgary...April 22, TBD*

Game 7: at Detroit...April 24, TBD*

*

2. DUCKS VS. 7. MINNESOTA

* Buzz: Each won twice on their home ice. No longer a plucky underdog, the Ducks are a heavy favorite after acquiring Chris Pronger last July. How many more chances will Teemu Selanne have to get a ring? Minnesota has been stellar since late January and goaltender Niklas Backstrom, who replaced injured Manny Fernandez, has been a revelation.

Game 1: at DUCKS...Tonight, 7:30

Game 2: at DUCKS...Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Game 3: at Minnesota...Sunday, 5 p.m.

Game 4: at Minnesota...Tuesday, 6 p.m.

Game 5: at DUCKS...April 19, 7:30 p.m.*

Game 6: at Minnesota...April 21, TBD*

Game 7: at DUCKS...April 23, 7 p.m.*

*

3. VANCOUVER VS. 6. DALLAS

* Buzz: Each team won twice at home with each game a 2-1 result. So why not expect seven of them? The goalies are the story line. Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo has never played in the postseason but won 47 games in carrying the Canucks. His counterpart, Dallas’ Marty Turco, has been a regular-season dynamo and a playoff disappointment.

Game 1: at Vancouver...Tonight, 7

Game 2: at Vancouver...Friday, 6 p.m.

Game 3: at Dallas...Sunday, 5:30 p.m.

Game 4: at Dallas...Tuesday, 5 p.m.

Game 5: at Vancouver...April 19, TBD*

Game 6: at Dallas...April 21, 5 p.m.*

Game 7: at Vancouver...April 23, TBD*

*

4. NASHVILLE VS. 5. SAN JOSE

* Buzz: San Jose lost three of four during the season but is well-rounded and outstanding on the power play. It also needs center Joe Thornton to play big in the playoffs. Nashville has yet to escape the first round, including a five-game loss to the Sharks last season. Because of that, the deep and talented Predators traded for superstar center Peter Forsberg. Will he be the difference?

Game 1: at Nashville...Tonight, 5

Game 2: at Nashville...Friday, 5 p.m.

Game 3: at San Jose...Monday, 7 p.m.

Game 4: at San Jose...April 18, 7 p.m.

Game 5: at Nashville...April 20, 6 p.m.*

Game 6: at San Jose...April 22, 7 p.m.*

Game 7: at Nashville...April 24, TBD*

*

*--* EASTERN CONFERENCE

*--*

1. BUFFALO VS. 8. N.Y. ISLANDERS

* Buzz: The Islanders made the playoffs in dramatic fashion by clinching their spot with a shootout victory over New Jersey on the season’s final day. First-year Coach Ted Nolan would love to stick it to the team that unceremoniously fired him. But Buffalo, which is fast and has extraordinary depth, won three of four meetings and should not have much of a problem.

Game 1: at Buffalo...Thursday, 5 p.m.

Game 2: at Buffalo...Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

Game 3: at N.Y. Islanders...Monday, 4:30 p.m.

Game 4: at N.Y. Islanders...April 18, 4:30 p.m.

Game 5: at Buffalo...April 20, 4 p.m.*

Game 6: at N.Y. Islanders...April 22, 4 p.m.*

Game 7: at Buffalo...TBD*

*

2. NEW JERSEY VS. 7. TAMPA BAY

* Buzz: Maddeningly inconsistent Tampa Bay, which won three of four from New Jersey during the season, relies heavily on Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards. The three will need to be at their best against the Devils, who are deeper up front and are committed to shutting things down in front of goalie Martin Brodeur.

Game 1: at New Jersey...Thursday, 4:30 p.m.

Game 2: at New Jersey...Saturday, 4 p.m.

Game 3: at Tampa Bay...Monday, 4 p.m.

Game 4: at Tampa Bay...April 18, 4 p.m.

Game 5: at New Jersey...April 20, 4 p.m.*

Game 6: at Tampa Bay...April 22, TBD*

Game 7: at New Jersey...April 24, TBD*

*

3. ATLANTA VS. 6. N.Y. RANGERS

* Buzz: Atlanta won three of four, with two coming in overtime. Thrashers General Manager Don Waddell may have saved his job after trading for Keith Tkachuk and Alexei Zhitnik, who’ve made a big impact. The Rangers turned it on in the season’s final weeks and agitating forward Sean Avery, who wore out his welcome in L.A., has won rave reviews on Broadway.

Game 1: at Atlanta...Thursday, 4 p.m.

Game 2: at Atlanta...Saturday, noon

Game 3: at N.Y. Rangers...Tuesday, 4 p.m.

Game 4: at N.Y. Rangers...April 18, 4 p.m.

Game 5: at Atlanta...April 20, TBD*

Game 6: at N.Y. Rangers...April 22, 10 a.m.*

Game 7: at Atlanta...April 23, 4 p.m.*

*

4. OTTAWA VS. 5. PITTSBURGH

* Buzz: Are the Senators feeling the pressure? When asked about being a chronic underachiever in the playoffs, Coach Bryan Murray retorted with an expletive. At 19, Hart Trophy candidate Sidney Crosby leads a hungry Pittsburgh team into the playoffs for the first time in six years. The Penguins won three of four during the season, two of those in shootouts.

Game 1: at Ottawa...Tonight, 4

Game 2: at Ottawa...Saturday, noon

Game 3: at Pittsburgh...Sunday, 3 p.m.

Game 4: at Pittsburgh...Tuesday, 4 p.m.

Game 5: at Ottawa...April 19, 4 p.m.*

Game 6: at Pittsburgh...April 22, 10 a.m.*

Game 7: at Ottawa...April 24, 4 p.m.*

*

All times Pacific

-- Eric Stephens