NHL playoffs: first round.

The NHL playoffs are set to begin this week and here are the 16 teams that will be in competition for the Stanley cup. Each series are best-of-7 for all the duration of the playoffs. 16 wins are needed to go all the way.

Eastern conference:

(1) Buffalo Sabres vs (8) New-York Islanders
(2) New-Jersey Devils vs (7) Tampa Bay Lightning
(3) Atlanta Thrashers vs (6) New-York Rangers
(4) Ottawa Senators vs (5) Pittsburgh Penguins

Western conference:

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs (8) Calgary Flames
(2) Anaheim Ducks vs (7) Minnesota Wild
(3) Vancouver Canucks vs (6) Dallas Stars
(4) Nashville Predators vs (5) San Jose Sharks