Eastern Conference quarterfinals (1) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (8) Buffalo Sabres The Philadelphia Flyers finished first in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference during the regular season with 105 points. The Buffalo Sabres qualified as the eighth seed earning 85 points. This was the sixth playoff meeting between these two teams; with Philadelphia winning four of the five previous series. They last met in the
1998 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, which Buffalo won in five games. Philadelphia won three of the four games in this year's regular season series.
(2) Washington Capitals vs. (7) Pittsburgh Penguins The Washington Capitals entered the playoffs as the Southeast Division champions earning the second seed in the Eastern Conference with 102 points. The Pittsburgh Penguins earned the seventh seed with 88 points. This was the sixth playoff meeting between these two teams; with Pittsburgh winning four of the five previous series. They last met in the
1996 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, which Pittsburgh won in six games. Pittsburgh won three of the four games in this year's regular season series. Games 2 & 3 were played in Pittsburgh with Game 4 being played in Washington due to scheduling conflicts.
(3) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (6) Ottawa Senators The Toronto Maple Leafs entered the playoffs as the third seed in the Eastern Conference after winning the Northeast Division with 100 points. The Ottawa Senators earned the sixth seed with 95 points. This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Ottawa won three of the four games in this year's regular season series. Ottawa won this year's five-game regular season series earning seven of ten points.
(4) New Jersey Devils vs. (5) Florida Panthers The New Jersey Devils entered the playoffs as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference with 103 points. The Florida Panthers earned the fifth seed with 98 points. This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. New Jersey won three of the four games in this year's regular season series.
Western Conference quarterfinals (1) St. Louis Blues vs. (8) San Jose Sharks The St. Louis Blues entered the playoffs as the
Presidents' Trophy winners as the NHL's best regular season team with 114 points. The San Jose Sharks entered the playoffs as the eighth seed finishing the season with 87 points. This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. St. Louis won this year's five-game regular season series earning nine of ten points.
(2) Dallas Stars vs. (7) Edmonton Oilers The Dallas Stars entered the playoffs as the Pacific Division champions earning the second seed in the Western Conference with 102 points. The Edmonton Oilers earned the seventh seed with 88 points. This was the fourth consecutive and sixth overall playoff match-up between these two teams; with Dallas winning three of the five previous series. Dallas won
last year's Western Conference Quarterfinals in a four-game sweep. Dallas won this year's four-game regular season series earning seven of eight points.
(3) Colorado Avalanche vs. (6) Phoenix Coyotes The Colorado Avalanche entered the playoffs as the third seed in the Western Conference by winning the Northwest Division with 96 points. The Phoenix Coyotes earned the sixth seed with 90 points. This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. These teams split their four-game regular season series.
(4) Detroit Red Wings vs. (5) Los Angeles Kings The Detroit Red Wings entered the playoffs as the fourth seed in the Western Conference with 108 points. The Los Angeles Kings earned the fifth seed with 94 points. This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. These teams split their five-game regular season series. ==Conference semifinals==