Finally, playoff hockey is returning in full force as two of the Western and Eastern conference series begin. Starting in the North, Ottawa takes on the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh as it is a rematch from Round One last season. The last time these teams met Ottawa won the series and eventually went onto the Stanley Cup Finals.
On the other side of Canada, the Flames begin their series with the San Jose Sharks in beautiful California. Both teams intend to play a physical game, unfortunately for San Jose, though, Calgary is already used to playing a brutal and nasty game while the Sharks are still experimenting.
From the West the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche start their series. Minnesota is already missing a key defenceman in Kurtis Foster but recently it was revealed that Nick Schultz will miss the first round and probably longer. That does not bode well for the defensive Minnesota game. For the Avalanche the real wild card is Peter Forsberg. Can he produce his magic like in the past with the Avalanche or will he re-injure his nagging foot?
Back in the East, the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils face off in a highway series. The Devils won the final game of the season in a shootout to maintain home-ice throughout the first round but is looking to be a snooze fest. Both teams like to play the defensive game. While New Jersey's reputation speaks for its self, the addition of Scott Gomez and Chris Drury as well as the emergence of rookie defenceman Marc Staal has brewed a surprising Ranger defence that surrendered the second least amount of goals in the Eastern conference. Of course, the Devils were first in that category.
Enjoy!
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