Eastern Conference matchups.(NHL Playoff Preview)

KARA YORIO SAYS: The X-factor in the Islanders' favor is having confidence after succeeding (3-1-0) against the Lightning this season. The Lightning must get Isles G Rick DiPietro moving. He's overaggressive and will get out of position, and the talented and speedy Tampa Bay forwards will punish him for it. The Lightning must stay disciplined, particularly when confronted with agitating RW Steve Webb, who has a history of being very effective at Nassau Coliseum and much less effective on the road. The Oleg Kvasha-Alexei Yashin-Mariusz Czerkawski line is playing well and could be dominant.

PAUL MAURICE SAYS: The Islanders have one advantage over the Lightning: Their top four defensemen can handle Tampa Bay's speed. That's why they've had so much success against them. The Islanders have a better defensive corps than the Lightning, but Tampa Bay is going to win this series, starting with decisive wins in the first two games.

KARA YORIO SAYS: Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock and his staff know the Devils well, having already spent a lot of time figuring out how to beat them. Hitchcock will have his team ready. Without D Scott Stevens, who is sidelined with a concussion, the Devils are at a disadvantage. The Devils were 2-0-1 against the Flyers with Stevens and 0-3 without him. In the playoffs, that absence will be amplified. The Flyers have a recent history of self-destructing, however, and if Devils G Martin Brodeur can win a game of two, doubts will creep in for the Flyers.

PAUL MAURICE SAYS: Forechecking is going to be the difference in this series--not because of a weakness on the Devils, but that the Flyers' forecheck is dominant. That said, the Flyers' entire lineup hasn't been together since December, but I don't see how this lineup--with everyone healthy--won't win. If the Flyers don't forecheck hard, and they try to get overly cute, it'll hurt them.

KARA YORIO SAYS: C Joe Thornton won't be 100 percent physically, but the Bruins are deeper than the Canadiens and the play of a strong second line of LW Sergei Samsonov, C Michael Nylander and RW Mike Knuble will overcome any shortfall. The Canadiens have the edge in net with G Jose Theodore, but their defense--particularly with D Sheldon Souray playing hurt--can't hold back the Bruins, so Theodore will have to be outstanding. Discipline will be very important in this physical series between intense rivals.

PAUL MAURICE SAYS: The Bruins are the vastly superior team, but they have to be afraid of Theodore. This series is going to be close. I wouldn't be surprised if it goes seven games, but the Bruins are going to win it. There is, of course, always the question mark with a rookie goalie like Andrew Raycroft, but he has played so consistently well all season, I have confidence in him.

KARA YORIO SAYS: The Senators are the better team on paper, but the Leafs have the mental edge, particularly after routing the Sens 6-0 in the season finale. The Leafs appear to have the edge in net, but with G Ed Belfour's bothersome back, it's really a push between him and Senators G Patrick Lalime, despite Lalime's struggles of late and an injured knee. The Senators forwards move the puck side-to-side is well as any team in the league. They will attack the Leafs' defensive vulnerability, which is greater if D Ken Klee doesn't return from an injury.