THE NHL : STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF PREVIEW : Flames Rolling but Rivals Staggering

The defending Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens wobbled to the finish line, the Boston Bruins limped home without Ray Bourque and Cam Neely, and the Vancouver Canucks barely finished above .500.

Only the Calgary Flames, who went 10-3-2 to end the regular season, appear primed for postseason play, which began Saturday with one series and moves into full swing today.

The two-month chase promises to be as wild as it was last spring, when no division winner made it past the second round and all four semifinalists had finished third in their divisions. Conference seedings have replaced divisional rankings, but some traditional rivalries will be renewed.

Division winners were seeded first and second in each conference. The higher-seeded team has home-ice advantage in each series.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Detroit (1) vs. San Jose (8)--Don’t laugh, but many observers pick the first-time-in-the-playoffs Sharks, the only sub-.500 team, at 33-35-16, invited to this party. They have two key ingredients for postseason success: a hot goalie, Arturs Irbe, and a sound defense. The line of Johan Garpenlov, Sergei Makarov and Igor Larionov shares the offensive burden with the Ray Whitney-Jamie Baker-Pat Falloon trio and right wing Ulf Dahlen. Although the Red Wings (46-30-8) won the Central Division title and scored a league-high 356 goals, they seem vulnerable because of their soft defense and Bob Essensa’s dubious goaltending. They must dictate a fast tempo and make sure Sergei Fedorov, the scoring race runner-up with 120 points, gets loose.

Calgary (2) vs. Vancouver (7)--The Canucks dreaded this matchup, fearing the Flames’ size and offense. Calgary (42-29-13) is deep at center with playmaker Mikael Nylander, Robert Reichel (40 goals), German Titov (27) and Joe Nieuwendyk (36). Goalie Mike Vernon, who played on the Flames’ 1989 Stanley Cup-winning team, had a solid season for the Pacific Division champions. Assets for the Canucks (41-40-3) are Pavel Bure, who led the NHL with 60 goals, Trevor Linden (32) and a rugged defense. But they lack a dominant center.

Toronto (3) vs. Chicago (6)--Look for a physical series between these Central Division rivals, two of the league’s original six teams. Both like to hit and grind. The Maple Leafs (43-29-12) faltered when defenseman Dave Ellett separated his shoulder and goalie Felix Potvin slumped. The Blackhawks (39-36-9) got a third straight 100-point season from Jeremy Roenick and 31 goals from Joe Murphy. Goalie Ed Belfour was stalwart, as always, posting a 2.67 goals-against average.

Dallas (4) vs. St. Louis (5)--The Stars (42-29-13) were a success in their first season in Texas. Mike Modano, no longer afraid to play in traffic around the net, scored 50 goals. The Blues (40-33-11) gained finesse in deals that brought them Petr Nedved, Peter Stastny and Steve Duchesne, but they lost grit in trading Bob Bassen, Garth Butcher and Ron Sutter. Brendan Shanahan (52 goals) and Brett Hull (57) lead an explosive offense, but the Blues’ defense is shaky. Goalie Curtis Joseph faced 2,382 shots, more than seven other teams faced, and had a .911 save percentage. The Blues hope he’s not exhausted.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

New York Rangers (1) vs. New York Islanders (8)--Mike Keenan coached the Rangers (52-24-8) to the Atlantic Division and overall point titles; the Islanders (36-36-12) squeezed into the playoffs on the next-to-last day of the season. That disparity might melt in the emotional heat of their rivalry. The Islanders finished with a 5-1-3 surge as Ron Hextall (4-0-2 in his last six games) regained his old Flyer form. Pierre Turgeon (38 goals), Steve Thomas (42) and Benoit Hogue (36) trigger a peppy offense. The Rangers have no weaknesses, but Mark Messier went from Feb. 18 to April 10 without a goal and isn’t his usual forceful self. Brian Leetch and Sergei Zubov lead a mobile defense that diligently protects Mike Richter, who recorded a league-high 42 victories. The Islanders won the season series, 2-1-2.

Pittsburgh (2) vs. Washington (7)--Mario Lemieux played five of the last six games but isn’t in top shape for the playoff grind. Still, the Penguins (44-27-13) have Kevin Stevens, who gave them 41 goals and lots of muscle, and the leadership of Ron Francis and Joe Mullen. The Capitals were 19-12-6 after Jim Schoenfeld replaced Terry Murray as coach and 39-35-10 overall. Center Joe Juneau, who totaled 13 points in 11 games after being acquired from Boston, and Dmitri Khristich (29 goals) are their scoring threats.

New Jersey (3) vs. Buffalo (6)--The NHL’s two top defensive teams meet in this series. The Devils (47-25-12) set franchise records for victories and points--and compiled a 2.59 team goals-against average--thanks to rookie goalie Martin Brodeur, who had a 2.40 average and .915 save percentage. Norris Trophy candidate Scott Stevens heads a solid defense. The offense is balanced, with 14 players who hit double figures in goals. Dominik Hasek’s stellar goaltending kept the Sabres (43-32-9) competitive despite a pop-gun offense. He led the NHL with a 1.95 average and .930 save percentage. Buffalo’s 2.57 team average led the league. However, Hasek has only seven games’ postseason experience, and he must prove he can handle playoff pressure.

Boston (4) vs. Montreal (5)--Another original-six matchup. The Bruins (42-28-13) got Bourque back from a knee sprain, and they desperately need his quarterbacking on the power play. Center Adam Oates (32 goals, 112 points) had another superb season, and rookie Bryan Smolinski scored 31 goals, but the offense is thin without 50-goal scorer Neely, who is idled by a knee injury. The Canadiens (41-29-14) ended with a 3-6-2 thud, and their hopes rest on goalie Patrick Roy’s repeating last spring’s Cup heroics. Vincent Damphousse (40 goals, 91 points) was their only consistent scorer in a season that tested Coach Jacques Demers’ patience and vast coaching knowledge.

Stanley Cup Playoffs

A look at the quarterfinal matchups. Each series is best of seven.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

* New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders

* Pittsburgh vs. Washington

* New Jersey vs. Buffalo

* Boston vs. Montreal

(Boston leads series, 1-0)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

* Detroit vs. San Jose

* Calgary vs. Vancouver

* Toronto vs. Chicago

* Dallas vs. St. Louis