NEW JERSEY VS. TORONTO BUFFALO VS. PITTSBURGH COLORADO VS. LOS ANGELES DALLAS VS. ST. LOUIS

NHL SERIES BREAKDOWN Los Angeles Kings vs. Detroit Red Wings ESPN analyst Brian Engblom breaks down the first-round series between the L.A. Kings and Dallas Stars: EDGE 5-on-5 The Wings have more balance. Los Angeles can put the puck in the net, but Detroit has four lines that can play and score. EDGE Los Angeles power play vs. Detroit penalty kill Even since the Rob Blake trade, the Kings have had a pretty good unit that they can put out there in a man-advantage situation. They have players who can score and a lot of their success in the entire series will depend on how good the power play is. The penalty killing unit for Detroit, though, is extremely experienced and should have a slight edge. EDGE Detroit power play vs. Los Angeles penalty kill Detroit is like Colorado in this regard. They have so many weapons and are so tough to contain. The Kings' penalty killing has been near the bottom of the league all season as well. The clear edge goes to the Wings. EDGE Goaltending Felix Potvin was a huge acquisition for Los Angeles. He's played very well since the trade but will probably face more pressure than Chris Osgood. Osgood is usually embattled but always seems to raise his game for the playoffs. Experience counts in the postseason and he has plenty. Both goaltenders should be very strong. EDGE Coaching Scotty Bowman is simply the grand master. Not only does he have more playoff experience and success than any other coach, he has the weapons to make a run as well. Bowman by a landslide. EDGE Intangibles Los Angeles is stronger and more balanced than they were against Detroit last year. Adam Deadmarsh and Aaron Miller bring a sense of rivalry with them from Colorado. Their intensity will rub off on L.A. EDGE Prediction - Detroit in 6 Top to bottom, Detroit has more playoff experience. Still, it won't be as easy for Detroit as it was last season. Brian Engblom is a hockey analyst for ESPN. He played 11 seasons in the NHL as a defenseman, including six with the Montreal Canadiens.

ALSO SEE Breakdown: Vancouver vs. Colorado Breakdown: Edmonton vs. Dallas Breakdown: San Jose vs. St. Louis Breakdown: Carolina vs. New Jersey Breakdown: Ottawa vs. Toronto Breakdown: Pittsburgh vs. Washington Breakdown: Buffalo vs. Philadelphia