After a yearlong hiatus due to the lockout, the NHL playoffs are finally back. Here’s a breakdown of each first-round series:

Eastern Conference Matchups

(1) Ottawa Senators (52-21-9, 113 pts)

(8) Tampa Bay Lightning (43-33-6, 92 pts)

Season Series: Ottawa 4-0

Tampa Bay may be the defending champion, but after backing into the playoffs as the No. 8 seed, it looks like its reign is coming to an end. Ottawa had the most wins in franchise history despite an injury-plagued season, and the Senators boast 14 different 10+ goal scorers. Not to mention, Dominik Hasek, who was the top goalie in the league in wins, save percentage and goals against average before his injury, will be back in the pipes sometime this postseason. Ottawa in four.

(2) Carolina Hurricanes (52-22-8, 112 pts)

(7) Montreal Canadiens (42-31-9, 93 pts)

Season Series: Carolina 4-0

Montreal has found something special in goalie Cristobal Huet, who led the league in save percentage (.929) and recorded seven shutouts, but this hockey-crazed town has not been successful in the playoffs in 13 years. The Canadiens’ test this year will be too much, as Carolina’s Eric Staal and Erik Cole are scoring machines. Combine the duo with veteran leadership from Rod Brind’Amour and Mark Recchi, and the Hurricanes will roll into the conference semifinals. Carolina in five.

(3) New Jersey Devils (46-27-9, 101 pts)

(6) New York Rangers (44-26-12, 100 pts)

Season Series: Tied 4-4

This is perhaps the most exciting first-round matchup between two rivals who know each other very well. The two teams head into the playoffs going in completely opposite directions, as New York lost five in a row to end the regular season, while New Jersey won 11 straight. With a guy named Brodeur in net, the Devils have to be the favorite in this series, but on the other side of the Hudson, Jaromir Jagr finished the season second in the league in both points (123) and goals (54). New Jersey in six.

(4) Buffalo Sabres (52-24-6, 110 pts)

(5) Philadelphia Flyers (45-26-11, 101 pts)

Season Series: Buffalo 3-1

This will be a very close series between two evenly matched teams. Buffalo has the slight advantage because of the home ice, where it finished 27-11-3 this season. The one-two punch of Simon Gagne and Peter Forsberg will give the Sabres some trouble, but it looks like Buffalo will also have the advantage in goaltending. Doesn’t it seem like Philadelphia starts a different goalie in net every postseason? Buffalo in seven.

Western Conference Matchups

(1) Detroit Red Wings (58-16-8, 124 pts)

(8) Edmonton Oilers (41-28-13, 95 pts)

Season Series: tied 2-2

Can anyone stop the Red Wings? Detroit wasn’t supposed to be this good because of the new rule changes, but they have proved all of their doubters wrong by winning a league-high 58 games. Steve Yzerman (41 years old) and Brendan Shanahan (37 years old) have been with the team forever, and look to add a fourth Stanley Cup to their collection. Some hope for Edmonton fans: the Red Wings have had some early playoff exits the last few years despite being one of the top teams. Detroit in six.

(2) Dallas Stars (53-23-6, 112 pts)

(7) Colorado Avalanche (43-30-9, 95 pts)

Season Series: Dallas 3-1

This has the potential to be another very exciting playoff matchup. Dallas has surprised everyone with its excellent all-around play, as the Stars dominate on offense, defense and in goal. On the other side, Colorado finished second in its division the last two seasons, after nine consecutive division titles. Joe Sakic might be one of the game’s best players, but without Forsberg or Roy, Mike Modano and company will be able to overmatch the Avalanche. Dallas in six.

(3) Calgary Flames (46-25-11, 103 pts)

(6) Anaheim Mighty Ducks (43-27-12, 98 pts)

Season Series: Tied 2-2

This is the battle of the last two Western Conference champions, both of whom lost game seven of the finals. Vezina Trophy favorite Miikka Kiprusoff has followed up his amazing 2004 postseason by recording 42 wins and 10 shutouts to help Calgary win the Northwest. The goaltender on the other side, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, had an equally spectacular postseason run in 2003. Jarome Iginla will lead the Flames past a tough Mighty Ducks team in a series that should go the distance. Calgary in seven.

(4) Nashville Predators (49-25-8, 106 pts)

(5) San Jose Sharks (44-27-11, 99 pts)

Season Series: Tied 2-2

Nashville had an unbelievable year thanks in large part to goaltender Tomas Vokoun and his 36 wins. But an injury has sidelined him for the playoffs, and without his presence in net, San Jose should have no problem scoring at ease. The Sharks have the leading point-getter (Joe Thornton) and goal-scorer (Jonathan Cheechoo) in the league. With Thornton dishing out 96 assists and Cheechoo lighting the lamp 56 times, this series should be cakewalk for the Sharks. San Jose in five.