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

NHL SERIES BREAKDOWN Vancouver Canucks vs. Colorado Avalanche ESPN analyst Brian Engblom breaks down the first-round series between the Vancouver Canucks and Colorado Avalanche: EDGE 5-on-5 Colorado has perhaps the most depth of any team in the NHL when it comes to goal scoring, but they're a complete team defensively as well. EDGE Vancouver power play vs. Colorado penalty kill Colorado is not a horrible penalty killing unit, but it isn't the strength of their team. They're high in many statistical categories, but not when they're a man down. Vancouver would have the edge except for the absence of Markus Naslund. EDGE Colorado power play vs. Vancouver penalty kill Again, Colorado has one of the most dynamic power plays in the league. They can put out several combinations of forwards along with Rob Blake and Ray Bourque at the points. Whoever is on it, it's a tough unit to stop. EDGE Goaltending Patrick Roy is one of the most experienced and successful playoff goaltenders of all time. He is still at the top of his game and has had a great year. Vancouver is having a tough time even deciding between Dan Cloutier and Bob Essensa. No contest here. EDGE Coaching Marc Crawford doesn't have nearly as many weapons at his disposal as Bob Hartley and his former team do, and has done a tremendous job this year. But Hartley has guided his team to the best record in the NHL. EDGE Intangibles The Avs have been on a mission since the beginning of the season to win the Stanley Cup. There is also the prevailing sense that they have to win one for Ray. Colorado has a lot to play for. Mentally and physically, they're in shape. EDGE Prediction - Avalanche in 4 The Avalanche are just too powerful. In case you didn't know, the last two Cup winners swept their first-round opponents. Brian Engblom is a hockey analyst for ESPN. He played 11 seasons in the NHL as a defenseman, including six with the Montreal Canadiens.

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