Capsules of NHL conference final series:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
No. 1 BUFFALO SABRES (53-22-7) vs. No. 4 OTTAWA SENATORS (48-25-9).
2006-07 series record: Ottawa 5-2-1.
How they got here: Buffalo defeated No. 8 New York Islanders 4-1 and No. 6 New York Rangers 4-2. Ottawa defeated No. 5 Pittsburgh 4-1 and No. 2 New Jersey 4-1.
Playoff History: Buffalo 3-0. Last meeting: Buffalo 4-1 in 2006 conference semifinals.
ith five playoff goals, had six against Ottawa in the regular season. Daniel Briere, the team’s postseason scoring leader with 11 points, had a goal and five assists in the eight games versus Ottawa. … Sabres have been to Stanley Cup finals twice, most recently in 1999, but never have claimed the title. They are Presidents’ Trophy winners for first time and are in conference finals for fourth time in nine seasons under coach Lindy Ruff.
utperformed MVP and Vezina Trophy finalist Martin Brodeur in previous round, is 9-2 in 13 regular-season games against Buffalo – 5-1 this season. He has a 2.04 GAA so far in the playoffs.
OUTLOOK: Senators solve Sabres to get to first Stanley Cup finals. Senators in 5.
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WESTERN CONFERENCE
No. 1 DETROIT RED WINGS (50-19-13) vs. No. 2 ANAHEIM DUCKS (48-20-14)
2006-07 series record: Series tied 2-2.
How they got here: Detroit defeated No. 8 Calgary 4-2 and No. 5 San Jose 4-2. Anaheim defeated No. 7 Minnesota 4-1 and No. 3 Vancouver 4-1.
Playoff History: Detroit 2-1. Last meeting: Anaheim 4-0 in 2003 conference quarterfinals.
ersey’s Martin Brodeur (1.93). He has a 1.51 GAA this year in 12 games, yielding 19 goals on 273 shots. … Pavel Datsyuk, who had three goals in 42 career playoff games before this year, is shedding the title of underachiever by netting five goals in 12 games during this run. He had one goal in three games against Anaheim this season.
alov, He has a 1.28 GAA in seven games, allowing nine goals on 186 shots in seven games – posting a 5-1 mark.
OUTLOOK: Anaheim advances to another Stanley Cup finals by clipping Wings. Ducks in 6.
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