Well, fresh from nailing three of the four division final series, I'm gonna go for broke now. And remember, everyone, we're rooting from Providence so we all know who doesn't get to show his face in the finals.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

 Game 1: May 20 at Philadelphia (Spectrum)
 Game 2: May 22 at Philadelphia (Spectrum)
 Game 3: TBD at Rochester
 Game 4: TBD at Rochester
*Game 5: TBD at Rochester
*Game 6: TBD at Philadelphia
*Game 7: TBD at Rochester

Rochester in seven.

No, you're not losing your mind if you think the format of this series is pretty loopy. Seems that Rochester has been invaded by the circus and the War Memorial won't be available for some time. As a result, the series flip-flops, Philadelphia gets the home ice they didn't really earn, and the series runs, ready now, 2-3-1-1. And for that reason, this series will go long. Had it started in Rochester, I would have gone with the Amerks in five, but starting on the road will make things a little trickier for the Amerks. All the same, Rochester has last season's playoff defeat to avenge and a much better defensive and goaltending corps than the Phantoms, so don't look for the Menace anywhere but a movie theater after this series. However, the Menace will appear before the rest of this schedule does.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

 Game 1: May 19 at Providence
 Game 2: May 21 at Providence
 Game 3: May 23 at Fredericton
 Game 4: May 25 at Fredericton
*Game 5: May 27 at Fredericton
*Game 6: May 29 at Providence
*Game 7: May 31 at Providence

Providence in five.

OK, we all know by now just exactly what I think of Michel Therrien. That would be less than zero. And it would be a travesty for this jerk to appear in the finals, whereas Providence has certainly spent the regular season earning their spot in the final. But on the ice, Providence has been an absolute juggernaut from day one and there isn't any reason to think they would falter now. They are the best offensive team in the league going up against a young and rather beat up Canadiens defense. So, may the Bruins finish this one off quickly.

Other Stuff:

The Rangers, realizing Brad Smyth is invaluable to Hartford, made the loan to the WolfPack permanent by acquiring his rights from Nashville...

The condition of Mark Deyell's eye has deteriorated. While the eye has not yet required removal, Deyell's physicians feel he has only about a 20% of ever having vision in the eye...

They don't exist yet and they're already in doo-doo. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Penguins have become further embroiled in the Pittsburgh Penguins' bankruptcy fiasco, as one of Howard Baldwin's creditors has asked the court to award the AHL franchise as part payment for a debt. Their building isn't near finished yet either...

Francois Groleau by Meredith Martini

The Quebec Citadelles don't exist yet either but they have their first player under contract. Former Hab and Flame Francois Groleau will return from Europe to anchor the Quebec blue line...

The Springfield Falcons and the Phoenix Coyotes extended their affiliation agreement for the next six years. The Coyotes will be the primary affiliate big dogs until 2005...

The lesser dogs in Springfield are TBA, however, because the Los Angeles Kings have jumped the ship to Lowell. The Kings took over the Lock Monsters' affiliation agreement for two years plus an option year, an agreement giving LA full control of the coaching staff and roster and allowing them up to 12 players on the team. While the Islanders will remain as a secondary affiliate, they will have to kowtow to the Kings, who will have first say on the players. The Kings have the option to boot the Islanders out entirely in 2000-2001...

The AHL will also be short a franchise next year as the Detroit Red Wings did an about face and asked the league to suspend the Adirondack franchise until it is ready to play in Rossford. As you may recall, until this week the Wings had said they would continue to play in Glens Falls until the new arena was ready. Further reason not to trust words of management. No word on where Detroit's youngsters will land in the meantime...

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