ESPN NHL

Colorado Avalanche: Despite missing their best defenseman, Rob Blake, for all except five minutes of the past three games Colorado's defense has stepped up when the team needed it most. "It was like we were caught in the headlights," Avalanche defenseman Adam Foote told the Rocky Mountain News. Thanks to more confidence and center Joe Sakic's overtime goals, the Avs have turned it around and are driving headfirst with high-beams directed firmly at the Sharks.

San Jose Sharks: A bounce here or there and San Jose might be resting and waiting to play the Calgary-Detroit winner in the Western Conference finals. But after watching the Sharks' 3-0 series lead become 3-1, San Jose head coach was pushing some players to get their games together quickly. "A couple of guys have failed miserably to get the job done. So this is going to be a great opportunity for people to show what they're all about. Do you have what it takes when it really matters?" Wilson told the Rocky Mountain News.

Calgary Flames: After Detroit evened the series with Calgary at 2-2, it would have been easy to dismiss the Flames, saying they had a nice ride and should be happy with a fine season. But the people who mattered most, believed the most. The Flames players, that is, and now they get to play at home Monday night in front of 19,000 more believers at the Saddledome.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider