By Dave Diamond

The NHL Playoffs: where anything can happen. It is with this in mind that this columnist is stunned at the abundant success had in the Quarterfinal predictions. In this very space, you saw six of the eight eventual first-round winners projected to win, and had the Dallas-Vancouver Game 7 gone the other way, it would have been seven. In fact, three series went the exact amount of games as projected (Buffalo in 5, Ottawa in 5, and Detroit in 6). Let’s find out if this crystal-ball success continues into the Conference Semi-Finals.

2 Anaheim vs 3 Vancouver: It is funny to see how quickly the hockey experts jump on the Duck bandwagon after they thoroughly dismantled the Minnesota Wild in five games. They are as for real as they were during their Western Conference championship team in 2002-2003, if not better. For Anaheim, it all comes back to defense, which is headed by a Hall-of-Fame duo in Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger. Wherever these two play they have won major playoff series, and now they play together, a reality all to bleak for opposing teams. Case in point: the Ducks gave up a total of five goals in their four wins against Minnesota. They have a team built to sustain the grind of the playoffs because they can beat a team any way. Anaheim boasts firepower with Teemu Selanne, grinders Andy McDonald and Rob Niedermayer to grab the dirty goals, and, oh by the way, two playoff-proven goalies Illya Bryzgalov and J.S. Giguere. That is lethal.

But here come the Canucks, and do not take lightly the momentum a seven-game series win can provide. Roberto Luongo passed the test of his first playoff action…kind of. Luongo made 72 saves en route to a Game 1 four-overtime victory against Dallas, and that is as impressive as it sounds. Still, the Dallas offense completely shut down after Game 1, netting only eight goals in the final six games. The power-play was virtually non-existent for the Stars, and most of that credit should go to Vancouver’s penalty kill. But Dallas did not nearly test them like the Ducks will in this match-up. Prediction: Anaheim in 5.

2 New Jersey vs 4 Ottawa: No surprise that these two will cross paths again in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. These are two of the best NHL franchises going head-to-head yet again, as they did in the 2002-2003 Conference Finals, which the Devils took in seven great games. As expected, the Devils game has not changed since then, only some of the faces. By the end of this series, though, they may wish they still had Scott Niedermayer and Scott Stevens on the roster because the Senators might be too much to handle. The Senators play high-tempo, but can still shut you down with their physical play. Dany Heatley may not be as dynamic as Sydney Crosby, but he has a much better supporting cast with line-mates Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza. Goaltender Ray Emery is becoming a nice story, too.

The key for the Devils is Martin Brodeur. He was unimpressive to say the least in the first four games of their series against Tampa Bay. But give the Hall-of-Famer credit, he righted the ship with a shutout in Game 5 and seems up for the challenge of a much better Ottawa team. Still, Brian Gionta and the Herculean’ youngster Zach Parise may be too small to skate around the Senators like they did against the defenseless Lightning. Prediction: Ottawa in 6.

1 Detroit vs 5 San Jose: The Red Wings proved a number of things in their series against Calgary. Firstly, they are extremely talented from the goal crease on out. Dominik Hasek wasn’t mesmerizing, but he was very good. Henrik Zetterberg is one of many threats on offense for Detroit, but the story is the solid play of Nicklas Lidstrom and the rest of their experienced blue-liners. And, boy, are they great at home. They also proved they are beatable.

Calgary hung tough at home, and to win in the Shark Tank will take the kind of extra-effort recent Detroit teams refuse to give. The Sharks smell blood, pardon the pun. They play hard-nosed, blue-collar hockey, and as the playoffs go deeper, an aged team like Detroit can have trouble keeping up. Expect the top line of Joe Thornton, Milan Michalek, and Jonathan Cheechoo to wear out the Wings’ defense. This series has seven games written all over it, but it would take guts to pick against Detroit in a must-win at Joe Louis Arena. Prediction: Detroit in 7.

1 Buffalo vs 6 NY Rangers: The Rangers four game sweep was the only quarterfinal match-up in which this columnist failed miserably. Atlanta might have been more productive had they missed the plane to New York. The Thrashers had no major injuries to report, they were simply overmatched. It might have been the most overmatched series New York has seen since the Rangers embarrassed the Islanders in 1993-1994 by a combined 22-4.

Newsflash: Buffalo is not scared of the Rangers. In fact, they might be pleased to remain in the State of New York and eliminate the travel difficulties of the playoffs. Yes, the Islanders gave them trouble, probably more than everyone expected. And here is why. If the Islanders had not lost Rick DiPietro for the stretch-run, they easily could have been the six-seed and the Rangers could be the eight. It may be a moot point considering the Rangers have advanced in the playoffs, but they really are not all that better than the Islanders in a number of ways. Henrik Lundqvist and DiPietro are a wash. The defenseman are on the slower side, and they have two big stars to score goals. The differences? The Islanders do not have anybody with the spark that Sean Avery can provide, and the power play is enormously better.

The Sabres, though, are better and should win this series, which is virtually the same prognosis as their series with the Islanders. How do you combat firepower like Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan? Get in the passing lanes and block shots, and nobody does it better than Buffalo. How do you avoid the vaunted Ranger power play? Play disciplined hockey and avoid bad penalties, and nobody does it better than Buffalo, which is bad news for Avery, as it basically takes his game away. And how to you find a weakness in a hot goaltender like Lundqvist? Forecheck like there is no tomorrow and do not let the defense breathe, and nobody does it better than Buffalo. Notice not one single name was mentioned from the Sabres’ team. That is how they play, team hockey where everybody is contributing. Prediction: Buffalo in 5.

The Rangers may have had reason to celebrate after sweeping the Thrashers in the first round. The Sabres are anything but intimidated, though.