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

NHL SERIES BREAKDOWN Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators ESPN analyst Bill Clement breaks down the first-round series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators. EDGE 5-on-5 The Senators are a vastly superior defensive team. They have a more balanced lineup, with players like Alexei Yashin, Marian Hossa, Shawn McEachern and Wade Redden, and a more disciplined approach. Ottawa is clearly better 5-on-5. Mats Sundin and Steve Thomas will have to be dynamic offensively to keep Toronto in the series. EDGE Ottawa power play vs. Toronto penalty kill This is an even matchup because the Maple Leafs' penalty killing was a positive this season. They just have to make sure they aren't in the box too much to give the Senators too many opportunities. They were short-handed 366 times during the regular season. Ottawa's power play can hurt the Leafs, especially if Yashin decides he wants to be a factor in the playoffs. EDGE Toronto power play vs. Ottawa penalty kill Toronto finished 18th on the power play, and Ottawa was No. 3 on the penalty kill. The Leafs' second half was a disaster, including on their power play. You combine their rankings, and it's no contest. The Senators have been consistently tough and should continue their penalty-killing edge through the series. However, Ottawa will miss Radek Bonk on the power play and the penalty kill; his absence could even things out more. EDGE Coaching Pat Quinn is a better motivator than Jacques Martin, and Martin is a better tactician than Quinn. Since the Leafs don't have much of a system, all the motivating in the world won't help them against Ottawa. EDGE Goaltending This is a tough call. We know Curtis Joseph can win games by himself and will undoubtedly have to if Toronto wants a chance in the series. Patrick Lalime is untested, but he is coming off a great season. I think Lalime will show the world that the regular season wasn't an accident. It's easier for Lalime to play because he faces far more predictable shots than CuJo does. Toronto is notorious for turning the puck over in its own zone and surprising Joseph from game to game. EDGE Intangibles Toronto's complete lack of momentum down the stretch makes the Leafs a huge underdog in the series. Plus, the Senators' 5-0 record against the Leafs this season shows they have Toronto's number. EDGE Prediction - Senators in 5 The Senators are simply a better team from top to bottom, and they proved it during the regular season. Bill Clement is a hockey analyst for ESPN. He played 11 seasons in the NHL as a center and won two Stanley Cups with the Philadelphia Flyers.

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