A glance back, a peek ahead.

Here are some random thoughts from a fantastic second round and look toward the Conference finals.

·That loud cheer you heard last night after Darius Kasparaitis scored the overtime game-winner came from Gary Bettman's living room. No doubt, the commish wants to keep his comeback kid -- Mario Lemieux -- in the playoffs for as long as possible. It's good for TV ratings and great for helping the Pens get the public backing for a much-needed new arena.

·Okay, admit it, you didn't pick Kasparaitis to score a series-clinching goal in a Game 7 overtime. Hey, don't feel bad -- neither did I.

·I don't know if it was Ivan Hlinka's idea, but Jaromir Jagr seemed to have a lot more jump playing with Robert Lang and Martin Straka (Alexei Kovalev took Jagr's place alongside No. 66). The Czech trio completely outworked the Sabres along the wall to set up the tying goal (2-2) midway through the third period. Of course, it didn't hurt matters that Sabres D Alexei Zhitnik broke his stick just seconds before Lang deposited the tying goal behind Dominik Hasek.

·By the way, if you're still wondering about Jagr's recent behavior, remember this: three assists in a Game 7. That's called coming up big. Very big.

·Although they mounted a few attacks, the Sabres looked timid in the Game 7 overtime. Perhaps they were still thinking about Game 6.

·After the game, Hasek admitted he might not be returning to Buffalo, which holds a $9.5 million option on the Dominator for next season. The Sabres, who have talented young stoppers Marty Biron, Mika Noronen and Hobey Baker winner Ryan Miller on the depth chart, might want to deal the 36-year-old Hasek if he decides to play another season. Of course, he could just retire ... again.

·The Blues seem to be skating around with a four-leaf clover in their back pockets. Yeah, they're playing great hockey, but they couldn't have imagined playing the Sharks without power-play quarterback Gary Suter (injured early in Game 1 of that series), the Stars without Mike Modano (who missed a game and a half due to a freakish ankle injury) and now the Avs without Peter Forsberg (not to mention a banged-up Joe Sakic). Usually it's better to be lucky than good. Right now, the Blues are both.

·Unless Patrick Roy flat out stones the Blues, I see them beating the damaged Avs in 6.

·Back East, the defending champs seem to have regained their focus after a bit of a struggle with the Leafs. Hopefully, D Scott Niedermayer will be healthy enough to return to action. The Devs will need him against the Pens' dangerous band of forwards, who won't miss many opportunities to score. Either way, New Jersey will need to move the puck out of its zone efficently.

·At the other end of the rink, the Devs' big forwards can wear down the Penguins' defense and crowd 5-foot-7 goalie Johan Hedberg.

·On special teams, if the Pens insist on using five forwards on the power play, look for superstar penalty killer John Madden to net at least one short-handed goal.

·As for the Conference finals, I like St. Louis and New Jersey (sorry, Commissioner Bettman).

E.J. Hradek covers hockey for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at ej.hradek@espnmag.com.