http://www.angelfire.com/journal/hockeydevs/playoffs/2002playoffs/2002playoffsround3.html

The 2002 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

Previews & Recaps-East/West Finals

CLICK HERE FOR A RECAP ON THE STANLEY CUP FINALS

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECAPS ON ALL 4 SECOND ROUND SERIES

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECAPS ON ALL 8 OF THE FIRST ROUND SERIES

***Click here for recaps on all series in all 4 rounds of the 2001 Stanley Cup Playoffs***

CLICK HERE FOR A DETAILED REVIEW OF THE DEVILS 1st ROUND SERIES v. CAROLINA

"THE FINAL FOUR"

Two teams remain in each conference

TWO EASTERN TEAMS-Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs

TWO WESTERN TEAMS-Detroit Red Wings, Colorado Avalanche

(scroll down for Conference Finals schedule)

Eastern Conference Finals (round 3 of 4)

#3 Carolina Hurricanes vs. #4 Toronto Maple Leafs

Carolina wins series 4-2

-The Hurricanes eliminated Toronto in Game 6 and prepare for their 1st trip to the Stanley Cup Finals

Hurricanes regular season record: 35-26-16-5=91 pts.

Leafs regular season record: 43-25-10-4=100 pts.

Predicted Winner: Leafs in five                Final Result: Hurricanes in six

Carolina-------1st ever Conference Finals appearance, has only won three playoff series since franchise entered NHL as Hartford in 1979 & had 2nd fewest pts. out of all 16 teams that qualified for the 2002 playoffs

Toronto--------finished with 2nd most pts. in East, look for 1st Cup Championship & 1st Cup Finals appearance since 1967. Appeared in Conference Finals 3 times during the 90's most recently in 1999

Scores~     (*-if necessary)         home team in red              **-indicates OT game

Game 1-CAR-1 TOR-2  **Game 2-CAR-2 TOR-1   **Game 3-CAR-2 TOR-1   Game 4-CAR-3 TOR-0         

Game 5-CAR-0 TOR-1  **Game 6-CAR-2 TOR-1

Western Conference Finals (round 3 of 4)

#1 Detroit Red Wings vs. #2 Colorado Avalanche

Detroit wins series 4-3

-The Red Wings struck back in Games 6 & 7 winning the Western Conference Championship

Wings regular season record: 51-17-10-4=117 pts.

Avalanche regular season record: 45-28-8-1=99 pts.

Predicted Winner: Wings in seven                Final Result: Wings in seven correct prediction!!

Colorado----Defending Stanley Cup Champs, defeated Devils last year in the Finals in 7 games

Detroit-------look for 1st Cup Championship since 1998, team includes several veteran players, all stars, and all-star goalie Dominik Hasek

Detroit/Colorado-----Have met in playoffs every season since 1996 except for 1998 & 2001. Detroit has won two series and Colorado has won two series. Have both won Stanley Cup twice since 1996; Av's--'96, '01   Wings--'97, '98

Scores~     (*-if necessary)         home team in red              **-indicates OT game

Game 1-DET-5 COL-3     Game 2-DET-3 COL-4 **Game 3-DET-2 COL-1   Game 4-DET-2 COL-3

**Game 5-DET-1 COL-2  Game 6-DET-2 COL-0    Game 7-DET-7 COL-0