The NHL crystal ball

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Mike Jenkins

Eastern Conference

1. New Jersey vs. 8. Pittsburgh

Jagr vs. Brodeur - This is what this series boils down to. If Brodeur can forget his tendency to choke during the first round of the playoffs and return to his Stanley Cup-winning form, I think he can carry this team a long way. But, if Jagr gets hot - which he has been this whole season - the Devils better watch out. This could be a huge upset in the first round, but I feel the Devils have too much offensive firepower for Tom Barrasso and the Penguins.

Devils 4, Penguins 2

2. Ottawa vs. 7. Buffalo

Wow! This first round series has the makings of a classic. The Dominator has the ability to win a series by himself. He has done it before and can do it again. The Senators are young and fast, led by C. Alexei Yashin, who had a breakthrough year. These teams played each other five times during the regular season and five times the games went to overtime. Ottawa came out with an 1-0-4 record. I feel the Dominator will win this series all by himself, taking the seventh game from the Senators in Ottawa.

Sabres 4, Senators 3

3. Carolina vs. 6. Boston

Another interesting series between teams that could make some noise. Byron Dafoe has been on fire, and I think that Carolina is extremely overrated. Irbe is unproven, and they're defensive corps is way too young. Boston easily upsets Carolina in five games.

Boston 4, Carolina 1

4. Toronto vs. 5. Philadelphia

Toronto is the highest scoring team in the league and the addition of Curtis Joseph in net makes this team tough to beat. But I just have a gut feeling that Philadelphia is going to come through, even without Eric Lindros. Recchi, LeClair and Brinda'mour, along with John Vanbiesbrouck in net, will be enough for Philadelphia to get into the second round.

Philadelphia 4 Toronto 2

Western Conference

1. Dallas vs. 8. Edmonton

Unfortunately, Dallas just has way too much for Edmonton. The Oilers will be without Guerin and Beranek in the first round, and the line of Modano, Hull and Lehtinen has been on fire. Even without cheapshotting thug Darien Hatcher (who should be suspended for the whole playoffs), the Stars win quite easily.

Dallas 4, Edmonton 1

2. Colorado vs. 7. San Jose

Roy, Fleury, Forsberg, Sakic, Lemieux, Foote and Ozolinsh. Need I say more? Even without Kamensky and maybe Deadmarsh, the Avalanche will abuse over-the-hill Mike Vernon or young star Steve Shields. Even though San Jose played well towards the end of the year, this series will be as lopsided as they come.

Colorado 4, San Jose 1

3. Detroit vs. 6. Anaheim

Another series that seems to be lopsided, but I feel that it will be very competitive. Anaheim has two snipers in Kariya and Selanne that can give any team problems. Complement those two with goalie Guy Hebert, who has had a career year, and usually it smells of trouble. But Detroit went and bought its team at the trading deadline, which puts it over the top in this series, even though Osgood is good for letting in a few 75-foot slapshots.

Detroit 4, Anaheim 2

4. Phoenix vs. 5. St. Louis

Phoenix looks to be in trouble after losing Jeremy Roenick for the rest of the playoffs. But the addition of Robert Reichel at the trading deadline and the stellar play of goalie Nikolai Khabibulin will carry Phoenix over in a tight series that will boil down to the last game.

Phoenix 4, St. Louis 3

Mike Jenkins is a sophomore majoring in journalism and a Coyotes fan, as if anyone couldn't tell. He can be reached at Michael.Jenkins@wildcat.arizona.edu