Four teams alive

1998 Playoffs

We are at the halfway point of the playoffs. Four teams are still playing, each needing four more wins to reach the Stanley Cup Finals and have a shot at winning it all.

Washington vs. Buffalo
The Eastern Conference final series figures to be a goaltending duel for the ages. The Dominator vs. Olie the Goalie. Dominik Hasek is the unorthodox goalie with a motto: "Whatever it takes to stop the puck." And it works! Olaf Kolzig on the other hand is technically sound and has mental toughness to be patient.

The Sabres completed a sweep of Montreal and are riding to on a seven-game winning streak. It is their first visit to the conference finals since 1980.

The Capitals are going to the Eastern Conference final for the second time in franchise history.

"It's been a while for this team," Defenseman Brendan Witt said. "We still have a long road ahead of us. If we didn't have a hot goaltender, we'd be golfing right now."

Dallas vs. Detroit
Can anyone stop the Red Wings? Dallas has their work cut out for them trying to get past the defending champions.

Dallas will have to rely on their great defense and Ed Belfour in the net to try to overcome Detroit's merciless four-line attack.

"It's going to be a tough series for both teams," said Detroit's Martin Lapointe. "Dallas is a talented, hard-working team, and whichever team outworks the other is going to win."

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