(7) Colorado Avalanche vs. (2) Dallas Stars

Colorado backed into the playoffs this year courtesy of Todd Bertuzzi and the Vancouver collapse. Dallas was one of the top five teams all season long. Jose Theodore will be looking to shake off the demons from Montreal, while Marty Turco would like to finally lead the Stars to a Cup win after several years of fantastic regulars seasons followed by playoff flops. Dallas has the depth and the defense. Colorado has Joe Sakic. The loss of Peter Forsberg will be too much for the Avalanche to overcome. Prediction: Dallas in 5. Series home page.