First round

(1) Buffalo - (8) NY Islanders
Sabres lead series 2-1
I wouldn't have been surprised had the Sabres swept the Isles. However, the Islanders are a hard working team with both a lot of skill and dept, and they are giving Buffalo a run for their money. A big questionmark on the limited icetime given captain Alexei Yashin though. In the end the Sabres, with players like Briere, Vanek and Drury providing offense, will wear down the Islanders. As always in the play-offs the golie factor is huge and Ryan Miller is letting no one down at the moment.

(2) New Jersey - (7) Tampa Bay
Lightning lead series 2-1
Vincent Lecavalier might be the best player in the play-offs at the moment. The Lightning's staff and fans would certainly argue that is the case, as it looks like he is leading his team past the Devils and into the second round. Add to that, Johan Holmqvist is stealing the show from Vezina contender Martin Brodour. The Devils will try to even the series by splitting the Lightnings home advantage, making the score 2-2 as they head back to East Rutherford for Game 5.

(3) Atlanta - (6) NY Rangers
Rangers lead series 3-0
After the 7-0 blowout last night and with the Thrasher's defense still not showing up, this looks like it could be the only sweep of the first round. Unlike last year, these Rangers are solid in both defense and offense. Also unlike last seasons play-off, key players like Jagr and Lundqvist are helthy and showing good form. Atlanta's Hossa-Kozlov-Belanger line has just one goal and no assists (Eric Belangers lone goal came in Game 1) which is a big disappointment.

(4) Ottawa - (5) Pittsburgh
Senators lead series 3-1
Going back home with a commanding 3-1 lead the Senators will try to bury Pittsburgh in Game 5. The Senators are playing smart, keeping Crosby and Malkin off the scoreboard. Malkin has yet to score in the series. Poor power-play, going 0-5 in Game 4, won't make it easier for the Pens.

(1) Detroit - (8) Calgary
Red Wings lead series 2-1
Like most people I was a little surprised at how the Red Wings beat the Flames in the first two games. Learning their lesson from the past few years they the Wings abandoned their usual possesion playing for a more physical game with forechecking and dump and chase. Also, Kiprusoff, facing a combined 97 shots in the first two games, weren't getting much help from his defense. In Game 3, playing in the Saddledome (Calgary led the league in home wins with 40), the Flames got Lidstrom off Iginla's back and managed to inject some blood into the team. If the Wing don't win the next one in Calgary they will surely rap this up when the series heads back to Detroit.

(2) Anaheim - (7) Minnesota
Ducks lead series 3-1
I really thought this would be one of the closest series in the first round. With Marian Gaborik and Pavol Demitra up front and Wes Walz on defense and back success Niklas Backstrom in goal, Minnesota has been a tough nut to crack. They ranked second in the league in goals against. But, being just one game away, the Ducks seem to have them figured out. The Ducks have a blueline many teams dream of with Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer (only cupwinner on the roster), a solid shutdown line with Samuel Pahlsson, Rob Niedermayer and Travis Moen and one of the play-off's hottest golies in Ilya Bryzgalov. Add to that a rejuvinated Teemu Salanne and the Ducks look like a real contender for the Stanley Cup final.

(3) Vancouver - (6) Dallas
Canucks lead series 3-1
It looks like this is the year the Sedin twins will show the league why they were drafted 2nd and 3rd. They are leading a Canuck offense that is putting Marty Tyrco under alot of preassure. And while the Stars two leading scorers, Modano and Lehtinen, aren't putting any big numbers on the board, it looks like the Canucks might end this at home in Game 5.

(4) Nashville - (5) San Jose
Sharks lead series 2-1
This turned out to be as close a series as it was hard to perdict. In the first two games the Predators were blamed for playing dirty and also had equipmant problems (broken skates). However, the Preds possess more skill, size and persistence than most other NHL team and they will look to even this series before heading back to Tennessee for Game 5. It won't be easy against the more experienced Sharks who's possess tough third line with Mike Grier and Curtis Brown gives Thornton and Marleau a good chance to take charge offensively.