NHL Column

It has been quite a year for the Philadelphia Flyers. After starting the year 0-5-1, the Flyers have overcome a plethora of obstacles to gain the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

First off the Flyers lost coach Roger Nielsen while he underwent treatment for cancer. Nielsen is expected back for the second round of the playoffs if the doctors give him permission, and if the Flyers make it that far.

Second, the Flyers have had to use a platoon system with their goaltending as "short-side" Vanbiesbrouck has not been able to distance himself from rookie Brian Boucher. Boucher became the first rookie goalie in 50 years to end the season with an average of less than 2 goals per game. Boucher's performance has earned him the starting spot for the Flyers as they open play against the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the playoffs.

Third, the Flyers were dead and buried no more than 45 days ago as they were 15 points behind the New Jersey Devils in the Atlantic Division. The Devils then decided to begin their normal playoff demise in the regular season by finishing the season 9-14-1 and firing their coach because of it.

Lastly, the Flyers and Eric Lindros have a real problem. Lindros suffered the fourth concussion of his career a month ago, and the Flyers could have packed it in when that happened. Instead the team played its best hockey of the year and finished the year to overtake New Jersey.

Lindros contested that team doctors overlooked his injury, and so began another chapter in the Flyers saga. He was then stripped of his captaincy, and unless the Flyers make it deep into the playoffs, has played his last game in a Flyers sweater.

Through all this, the Flyers have come together and are entering the playoffs on a roll. The only bad news is that the Buffalo Sabres are waiting.

The Sabres snuck into the playoffs as the eighth seed and should provide a formidable opponent for the Flyers. Dominik Hasek will give Buffalo a chance to win, but in the end the Flyers' special teams of should be too much for the mentally tired Sabres.

Prediction: Philly in six.

n The Washington Capitals played as good a second half that I have ever seen in the NHL. The Caps themselves were behind Florida by 15 points, but they came back to win the Southeast Division due to an incredible home record of 26-7-8.

Goalie Olaf Kolzig won 41 games, third best in the league to New Jersey's Martin Brodeur and the Blues' Roman Turek. Washington has everything going for it except the fact that it plays the Pittsburgh Penguins in round one of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Penguins have beaten the Caps three of four times this year and twice in Washington.

Washington has been the beneficiary of a breakout year by ex-goon Chris Simon. Simon was the leading scorer for the Caps while netting a career-high 29 goals. Remember, Simon is the leading-scorer on a team that has Adam Oates and Peter Bondra on it.

Washington is the better team and shouldn't be caught off guard by the Penguins like it was in the regular season. Jaromir Jagr is back from injury and needs to carry the team on his shoulders in order for Pittsburgh to win the series.

The big disparity between the two teams is goaltending. Pittsburgh has two average goaltenders in Ron Tugnutt and Jean Sebastian Aubin. It does not have an Olaf Kolzig. That alone may provide the knockout punch the Caps need.

Prediction: Capitals in five.

n The Toronto Maple Leafs are a team that has quietly put together a good season, not to mention their first division title in 63 years.

This team can score goals as well as defend the net with Curtis Joseph. The Leafs scored 246 goals in the regular season, second only to New Jersey's 251, and have what it takes to make it back to the Conference finals.

Toronto's opponent is the Ottawa Senators, who are 1-8 in their last nine playoff games.

Ottawa, like Pittsburgh, has a dilemma in net. The playoffs are the wrong time to have a question about your goaltender. This should benefit the Leafs and give them a series victory.

Prediction: Leafs in six.

n Florida takes on New Jersey in what should be the best series out of both conferences. Enough has been said about New Jersey and its ability to throw away a great season by losing in round one.

However, the Devils still have Martin Brodeur in goal and now have six-time Stanley Cup champion Larry Robinson behind the bench. The Devils also get back Scott Niedermayer in Game 2 after he serves his suspension for clubbing Florida's Peter Worrell.

The Devils have much to prove and can start by containing the NHL's top goal scorer in Florida's Pavel Bure. Bure finished the season with 58 goals and will need to provide a big portion of the scoring if Florida is to move on.

Florida has proven experience in goal with two-time Stanley Cup champion and Conn Smythe winner Mike Vernon between the pipes. Look for special teams to play a huge part in this series.

Prediction: Panthers in seven.

The Eastern Conference is as wide open as it has been in years. The Sabres have the "Dominator" to get back to the finals, but the Flyers have the motivation. Cujo could lead the Leafs, but will have to play better defense.

New Jersey is, well, New Jersey. I have liked the Flyers all year long, so why change now? I'll take the Flyers to meet the Detroit Red Wings in the finals.

You are about to embark on a two-month journey that will take you to the hockey promised land - enjoy it.

Trevor Smith is the Nevada Appeal hockey columnist.