Polemic Hockey

(1) Buffalo versus (6) Rags

Were the Thrash that bad or were the Rags that good? Hard to tell, probably a combination of both. The Rags have been playing determined hockey since February. They have enough moxie to steal one of the first two games. From there, Buffalo puts it into high gear.

Sabres in 6.

(2) Devils versus (4) Senators

If Richard Matvichuk had been a trade deadline pick up it would have been one of the most important trades any team had made. Instead, Matvichuk metastisized in the playoffs and turned the series against the StLevacalious'Ning around.

The 'Ning were an odd test for the Devils. On the one hand, the proponderance of Lecevelier (who is the best forward in the league at thing point, perhaps the Scottie Pippen of ice hockey) and St. Louis stretched their defensive scheme to the breaking point and nixed their fourth line. On the other hand, the 'Ning's foolish neutral zone play, defensive zone turnovers and inconsistent goaltending gave the Devils gift wrapped scoring chances tied with a bow.

The Pens were no mathc for the Sens; they clearly were not ready for prime time - especially with Crosby playing on one foot.

From the time that Game Four was tied 3-3 the Devils dominated the series; outscoring the 'Ning 7-2 and holding a 120+ minute shutout streak over the ultimate seven periods. They started to play the style that carried them through the winter months: the Devils are odd in that they can withstand the opposition asserting its will on the game for tens of minutes at a time, only to keep the game scoreless and counter attack. In that, they are reminiscent of the 1999 Sabres. The difference: this Devils team is loaded with cup winning closers. This appears to be the same old Ottawa team with a little less fire power after the top line.

Devils in 6.