In Memoriam: 2003-2004 Detroit Red Wings (10th of 15)

The President's Trophy winning Detroit Red Wings have again demonstrated that when it comes to the NHL playoffs, being the top team overall in the regular season means absolutely nothing.

This series was marked by closely contested games- with Calgary's four victories coming by a total of four goals, including the final two games of the series by 1-0 tallies, the last on an overtime goal by Martin Gelinas.

This series came down to experience against speed, and when many of the Wings' cadre of future Hall of Famers proved ineffective, the Flames forwards demonstrated their quickness, and carried play just enough to prevail.

In Memoriam: 2003-2004 Toronto Maple Leafs (11th of 15)

One way or another, the Leafs-Flyers series was destined to be a war.

The opening salvoes were fired with the teams splitting the first four games of the series, each winning both of their home games. With the series shifting back to Philadelphia for game five, the pressure was mounting on the Leafs to steal one in the enemies' building.

Unfortunately for Toronto fans, Flyers' captain Keith Primeau dressed for the game, while Leafs' goaltender Ed Belfour probably wished that he'd stayed in bed. Belfour lasted less than twenty-four minutes in the game, and was savaged for six goals before being replaced by understudy Trevor Kidd. Primeau turned the game into a blowout just before the nineteen minute mark of the first period, converting a shorthanded breakaway to give the Flyers a 3-0 lead, all before the Leafs managed their first shot on goal, and later completed the scoring and his hat trick with his third tally early in the third period.

Game six, back at the Air Canada Centre, was a close fought battle, with the Leafs rallying in the third period to tie the game at two after trailing for the first two and a half periods 2-0, only to lose both the game and the series on Jeremy Roenick's second of the evening at 7:39 of the first overtime.

In Memoriam: 2003-2004 Colorado Avalanche (12th of 15)

After staking the San Jose Sharks to a 3-0 series lead, the Colorado Avalanche rode the outstanding performances turned in by David Aebischer in games four and five, crowned by overtime game-winners from Joe Sakic to rally to make the series competitive at three games to two.

In spite of back-to-back performances reminiscent of Aebischer's predecessor in the Avalanche goal, Patrick Roy, the Sharks tallied three goals in the second period, and withstood six Colorado power-play opportunities to claim the game 3-1 and the series.