NHL Eastern Conference Playoff Preview, Round 2

Welcome to the twilight zone of the NHL playoffs, the forgotten round. Be honest, how many classic Conference Semifinal matchups can you recall off the top of your head. Sure, if I pressed, I figure folks would eventually remember a second round series, but the fact remains that if your team doesn't advance past this round, the season may very well be remembered as a failure.

Just ask the 2005-06 edition of the Ottawa Senators, fated to be forever remembered for their feeble efforts against a young Buffalo team that wasn't through announcing their presence to the league after ripping through the Flyers in the first round. Or how about the Devils, who followed up a sweep of the Rangers with an excuse me effort against the eventual Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes?

Perhaps it's time for some redemption?

Sabres vs. Rangers: Those Islanders proved to be a little peskier than most folks had imagined, but is it possible that we just saw the Sabres achieve what most great teams usually manage on the way to a title -- namely, adjust their game to that of their opponent and beat them anyway?

The Rangers present an interesting challenge for the Sabres. Unlike the Islanders they've got a little more scoring punch up front with just enough sandpaper mixed in to force you to take notice. But on the back line grit is in far shorter supply. If Buffalo only rolled two scoring lines with a set of checkers, I'd think New York might have a chance. But not with three, and a center like Tim Connolly playing the pivot on a fourth. Henrik Lundqvist will be far busier than he was against Atlanta.

Devils vs. Senators: All indicators here say that the Senators have the edge up front and on the blue line. Why? While nobody can match the Sabres up front, nobody else left in the East can match Ottawa from top to bottom. This is a team that lost one of the best defenseman in hockey in Zdeno Chara, yet still may boast the deepest blue line in the entire league.

That leaves the X factor in goal, where the smart money would seem to say that Ray Emery is a lot more likely to crack than Martin Brodeur. I don't think that's going to happen. In fact, when I look back to the battle these two team waged in 2003, I think Ottawa is better, while New Jersey is struggling to hold the line. I think it will be too much for even Brodeur to handle.

The Previews:
Sabres (1) vs. Rangers (6) (Luongo)
Devils (2) vs. Sens (4) (Press)