The NHL Conference Semi-Finals (also known as round two) begin tonight with one game in each conference. The Sabres host the Rangers in the early game before the Ducks host the Canucks out west.

I'm trying to figure out what my dream and nightmare scenarios would be for the Cup Finals, and I think I've got it figured out.

Nightmare Scenario:

Rangers versus Red Wings for the Stanley Cup

The thought of watching Sean Avery play for another three rounds makes my skin crawl, and I can't imagine how many times he'd be interviewed and featured on TV and online between now and the end of the series. I could even see him getting Conn Smyth consideration for his work against opposing top players. Some where along the line Claude Lemieux comparisons would be made. As much as it would be good for the NHL to have these two marquee teams play for the Cup, I'm already sick of Avery, and who really wants to see Detroit (and Hasek) win again aside from Detroit fans? Detroit used to be a bit of a sentimental favorite because it was tough to cheer against a guy like Steve Yzerman. now? It's remarkably easy to pull for whoever is shooting on Dominik Hasek.

Dream Scenario:

Senators versus Canucks for the Stanley Cup

This is my dream scenario. I'm not saying it has to be yours. I'd be backing the Canucks in this one, just because I like what the Sedins bring to the table, I have a ton of respect for Roberto Luongo, and Vancouver fans have been waiting long enough. I wouldn't mind if the Sens won either. I spent three years living in Canada's capital and it's a fantastic city. It would also drive Leafs fans up the wall, and that's always a plus. As an added bonus the Canadian media would have to stop talking about how the deck is stacked against Canadian teams (it clearly isn't, considering the last two finals included Canadian teams from smallish markets, but they're prone to saying it anyway). On the other hand, the "it's our game" talk from north of the border would probably get pretty obnoxious too.

Most Likely Scenario:

Buffalo versus Anaheim

The Sabres have been the best team in the East for the bulk of the season and should rise to the challenge against the Rangers. I think they got bored against the Islanders and I have a feeling that they'll relish a series that pushes them. If they can get their power play back on track they'll handle New York, who should have trouble containing their speed. Buffalo has a great combination of speed, offense, grit and goaltending but so does New York. I think the difference in this round and the next is that Buffalo still has a chip on their shoulder from last season when they felt like they should have beaten the Hurricanes.

Meanwhile Anaheim has two of the top three defensmen in the game in Niedermeyer and Pronger (Lidstrom is the other) and two stud goalies. There's no question they can shut down Vancouver's anemic offense, but can they get by Luongo? If they can they'll make quick work of the Sharks in round three simply because Joe Thornton has shown over and over again that he can't score goals in the playoffs. In his career he averages .314 goals per game in the regular season and .157 goals per game in the playoffs. Is tat the kind of production you want form your leader for a deep playoff run? I'd love to see him prove me wrong, because Patrick Marleau deserves success and as a reformed Bruins fan I'd like to see Bill Guerin and Kyle McLaren hoist the Cup. It's not going going to happen though. Not unless Thornton finally steps up when it matters most.

By the way, both games tonight are on Versus. If you're looking for some more in-depth previews you could do worse than AOL's NHL Fanhouse which has both a Western and Eastern breakdown.