The 49th parallel has never looked so significant.

While Canadian fans were enjoying the standard high-quality broadcast from CBC's Hockey Night in Canada Saturday afternoon -- more on the afternoon part later -- fans south of the border were shut out as the Ottawa-Buffalo game went to overtime.

You would think American-based fans would be used to this by now. After years of neglect from ESPN, bashing from the radio and print media, and general substandard coverage, it would be hard for things to get worse. Yet they did.

By now, most hockey fans are aware NBC broke away from the game, which started at 11 a.m. pacific time, at 1:42 p.m. pacific time. The Preakness, which is a horse race for those of you who are not as Hoof Hearted as Versus' Keith Jones, was set to begin.

Set to begin at 3:15 p.m. pacific time, that is.

Curiously, the hockey game was scheduled until 2 p.m. pacific time on NBC, yet the broadcast ended 18 minutes early.

The broadcast was moved to Versus, which provided limited success. First of all, an 11 a.m. start is early -- very early. Hockey is a night game, and many long-time fans are not into watching games before lunch. Personally, I am part of that group, so I did what I always do with afternoon playoff games.

I TiVoed it.

And I am not the only one. I have yet to talk to a west coast resident who watched the game live. It is simply too early in the day -- for many of us, sports are simply not the same at that time of day. That is just one of many reasons I prefer the CFL to the NFL, the latter of which I almost never watch. But that is another column for another website.

The second group of people affected was those watching in bars. In Southern California, asking for a hockey game on television can be hazardous to your health if there are Dodger, Laker, or Raider fans nearby. Yet as the Ducks have progressed, most bars actually showed Saturday's game. True, Anaheim was not playing, but interest in the sport is -- or was – increasing through the team’s playoff run.

Again, an informal survey of several bars showed none of them figured out where the game was moved until overtime was over. NBC gave a very quick briefing on the screen as to where the game would go, but if anyone was looking away (and that is a pretty good chance right after the end of a period), they missed the announcement.

There was no ticker on the bottom of the Preakness coverage telling hockey fans where to watch the game. When 20 minutes or more passed, most bartenders and patrons realized the game had moved, but did not know where.

After all, stations like MSNBC, CNBC, and USA Network -- all owned by NBC -- would have been the first guess for many people.

No, it was on Versus. To be honest, if the game was going to move, this makes sense. The channel is one of the few American channels that believes in the NHL, so why not give them some bonus coverage?

The only issue is carriage. Although I have long been an advocate of people getting DirecTV or Dish Network if their cable company does not carry Versus -- FCC regulations prohibit condo associations and homeowners associations from preventing the installation of these dishes -- the fact remains, not all people who receive NBC also receive Versus.

If people knew prior to the game there was a risk of this happening, they could have made arrangements. People with no cable or no Versus could have gone to a local bar, a friend's house, or made other plans.

On 17 minutes notice, that is not possible.

The irony of the whole thing is the game was played at a game time set by NBC. CBC certainly does not like afternoon games -- it kills ratings in Canada. Canadians watch hockey at night. Afternoons are for enjoying the day -- getting out of the house. Saturday night is for hockey.

NBC has arrogantly dismissed this tradition by insisting on afternoon games. Yet here is a case where had the game been played at 5 p.m. pacific time/8 p.m. eastern time, the horse race would have been over. Like most hockey fans, I have no clue what NBC shows Saturday in prime time -- and from this point on, most hockey fans will avoid NBC altogether -- but I cannot imagine it is so vital that it cannot be pre-empted for the conference finals.

If NBC wanted the game in the day, they had an obligation to the league and the league's fans to follow the game through.

NBC Universal's Brian Walker told the Globe and Mail the decision to leave the game early will not be repeated, but he also stated the contract with the Preakness required them to leave the game.

In other words, it will not be repeated unless it is repeated.

Hockey fans deserve better. The NBC experiment has been flawed since day one. The games get low ratings, yet nobody recognizes the morning/afternoon game times are the reason. Even the NFL gets higher ratings for Sunday night and Monday night games than they do for Sunday afternoon games.

Even if all games are on pay-per-view, the league must re-establish credibility by playing the games at night and showing the game in entirety. Being on network television -- with these constraints -- is simply not worth the consequences.

For those of you who do not recall a fateful night in February, this is all you need to know about the Eastern Conference Finals between Ottawa and Buffalo.

These teams do not like each other.

Not even a bit. As if it was not enough the Sabres have knocked the Senators out of the playoffs three times, the two teams engaged in a compelling brawl Feb. 22 at the Hot Sauce and Blue Cheese... err, HSBC... Arena.

What started as a hit by Chris Neil on Chris Drury led to a line brawl on the next shift with Ray Emery -- yes, the goaltender -- taking on Buffalo tough guy Andrew Peters in the main event.

The gloves may not come off on the ice in the same manner this time around -- at least not for Emery -- but the gloves are off in the press conferences. After Emery expressed concern about what there would be to do in Buffalo during downtime, Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff suggested he could rent a Hummer and go for a drive.

Emery made headlines last round when his H2 truck was involved in a minor traffic accident on the way to the airport, causing him to miss the team's charter to New Jersey.

The pre-series hype feels like a late 90s series between Colorado and Detroit, and it might just come down to that on the ice. Once considered too soft to win in the playoffs, Ottawa has turned into an entertaining, gritty squad. The superstars like Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza, and Daniel Alfredsson will not back down when the going gets tough, and it gets more physical from there.

Chris Neil is one of the league's most talented pugilists -- in fact, it would be erroneous to refer to him simply as an enforcer. Dean McAmmond and Mike Fisher add more grit up front, and the rearguards are equally impressive.

Anton Volchenkov ranks among league leaders in hits and blocked shots, and there is much to like about his underrated game. Paired with Chris Phillips, this duo becomes a nightmare for the opposition's top line.

For Buffalo, it is a good thing they do not have a top line. Rather, they have four lines that rank somewhere between a first and second line. Yes, these Sabres are good -- scary good -- as legendary play by play man Rick Jeanneret would say.

Chris Drury is one of the league's best clutch scorers, yet he is used on a shutdown line. And what team would not be envious of this list: Daniel Briere, Thomas Vanek, Maxim Afinogenov, Dainus Zubrus, Tim Connolly, Ales Kotalik, Derek Roy. When Jason Pominville -- whose jersey is in the top ten for sales in the entire NHL -- is on your fourth line, that is the definition of depth.

Toni Lydman and Henrik Tallinder comprise Buffalo's top defensive duo, but for the Sabres, it is defense by committee. Brian Campbell is on the third defensive unit, but he plays the point on the power play. As with everything else in Buffalo, it is not about top end talent as much as it is about depth.

The Sabres have a wildly entertaining offensive attack, often coming at their opponents in waves. Many of Buffalo's rushes start of center ice turnovers, which could be a key to this series. Ottawa has shown a penchant for turning over the puck between the bluelines, and if that happens in this series, the Sabres will make them pay.

Two young goaltenders who do not lack in confidence will man the nets in this series. Buffalo's Ryan Miller and Ottawa's Ray Emery have faced each other on many occasions through the NHL and AHL, so there are no surprises. Both have looked good through the first two rounds, and there is no reason to believe that will change in the conference finals.

PREDICTION: By mid-February, it became clear these were the top two teams in the Eastern Conference. The series could come down to a bounce, a shorthanded goal, or a key turnover. Give a slight edge to Buffalo in what should be a wildly entertaining seven-game series. Sabres in seven.

Western Conference

#2 Anaheim vs #3 Vancouver

Why Vancouver will win: Roberto Luongo is a candidate for the Hart Trophy, and he was arguably stronger yet in the first round against Dallas. There may be no tougher goalie to face in a best-of-seven series right now. Vancouver’s defense seems to know exactly when to pinch and when to retreat, and they receive decent offensive punch from the blueline.

Why Vancouver will struggle: Beyond Markus Naslund and the Sedin twins – who were quiet for the middle five games of the opening round -- the Canucks lack scoring depth up front. Against Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer, this could be a fatal flaw.

Why Anaheim will win: Niederpronger – also known as Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger – plays nearly 60 minutes a game. If the Canucks get past the rearguards, there’s always J.S Giguere or Ilya Bryzgalov as the last line of defense.

Why Anaheim will struggle: Luongo. It seems cliché, but Luongo can win a series on his own.

Conclusion: Look for a very low scoring series, as Anaheim’s blueline and Vancouver’s Luongo will make sure that is the case. In the end, the Ducks should be able to pound Vancouver at both ends of the ice, and that can be the difference in a long series.

Prediction: Ducks in six.

#1 Detroit vs #5 San Jose

Why San Jose will win: The Sharks have the West’s best depth at forward with Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Jonathan Cheechoo, Joe Pavelski, Bill Guerin…. you get the idea. The two-headed goaltending tandem known as Naboskala – Evgeni Nabokov and Vesa Toskala – ensure San Jose will have solid netminding, even in the case of an injury.

Why San Jose will struggle: Bill Guerin is the only Shark with his name on the Stanley Cup. On the other hand, Detroit features a plethora of past champions.

Why Detroit will win: The Red Wings were the league’s best regular season team and they dominated Calgary in the first round. The Wings have great depth up front and on the blueline, while Dominik Hasek has turned back the clock between the pipes.

Why Detroit will struggle: San Jose is a much younger, bigger, and more physical team. There is always a chance the Wings will start to show their age – but do not bet on it.

Conclusion: Perhaps the most intriguing series of the second round, this one could go either way. Detroit must find a way to shut down San Jose’s top two lines in order to advance to the conference finals.

Prediction: Sharks in seven.

Eastern Conference

#1 Buffalo vs #6 New York Rangers

Why the Rangers will win: Since acquiring Sean Avery before the trade deadline, the Rangers have been the NHL’s hottest team. Brendan Shanahan provides playoff grit and experience, while Jaromir Jagr is still one of the game’s elite players. Henrik Lundqvist has regained his rookie season form in goal, and the rearguards in front of him have turned around their mediocre early season performance.

Why the Rangers will struggle: Compared to the Sabres, the Rangers have a notable lack of depth. If Jagr or Shanahan struggles, who will pick up the slack?

Why Buffalo will win: No team rolls four lines better than the Sabres, yet they still have impressive top-end talent with the likes of Daniel Briere, Chris Drury, and Thomas Vanek. Ryan Miller has emerged as one of the league’s best netminders the past two seasons.

Why Buffalo will struggle: The Sabres might not have an answer for the ever-annoying Sean Avery, although they can limit Avery’s effectiveness by taking early leads.

Conclusion: Unlike last year, the Rangers peaked at the right time this season. Many observers are writing them off against the mighty Sabres, but that is a little premature. Look for a close, entertaining series between these two teams.

Prediction: Sabres in seven.

#2 New Jersey vs #4 Ottawa

Why Ottawa will win: From the start of the season, this Senators squad looked more like a playoff team than years past. The top line of Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza, and Daniel Alfredsson is as good as any in the league, while players like Mike Fisher, Chris Neil, and Anton Volchenkov provide depth and grit.

Why Ottawa will struggle: The Senators must overcome a history of falling short in spring. The image may have been true in the past, but it is likely overblown this season considering the makeup of this squad.

Why New Jersey will win: Martin Brodeur. The legendary goalie continues his remarkable career, and he can single-handedly win a series.

Why New Jersey will struggle: The Devils looked sluggish at times in the first round against a schizophrenic Tampa Bay squad. They will need a more consistent effort to knock off the Sens.

Conclusion: Ottawa’s offensive attack against New Jersey’s air-tight defensive system provides an interesting clash in styles, but the Senators have too many offensive weapons for the Devils to shut them down completely.

Prediction: Senators in six.

#1 Ottawa vs #8 Tampa Bay

If you are a fan of wide-open, high-scoring hockey, this could be your series.

The Senators are led by the potent trio of Dany Heatley, Daniel Alfredsson, and Jason Spezza. The Lightning counter with Martin St. Louis, Brad Richards, and Vincent Lecavalier.

Just as importantly, the goaltending issue is a question mark for each team. Dominik Hasek's status has been a question mark since he was injured in the Olympics, putting the starting job in the hands of Ray Emery. Emery has posted a respectable 2.82 goals against and .902 save percentage, but the Sens certainly hope Hasek returns at some point in this series.

On the other hand, Tampa Bay counters with two goaltenders who have struggled much of the year. Veteran Sean Burke posted a 2.80 goals against and a .895 save percentage, while John Grahame finished with a sub par 3.06 goals against and a .889 save percentage.

Tampa Bay has the advantage of playoff experience, as they are the defending Stanley Cup champions. The Lightning had a tougher time than expected in adapting to the new rule enforcements, a bit of a surprise for a high-scoring, up-tempo team. When the Lightning are on, however, they can play with anyone in the league.

Prediction: This could be one of the first round's most intriguing series. If either team comes up with standout goaltending, that could be the difference. Senators in seven.

#2 Carolina vs #7 Montreal

Twenty years ago, a rookie goaltender named Patrick Roy came out of nowhere to lead the Montreal Canadiens to the Stanley Cup.

This year, Habs fans hope surprising Cristobal Huet, who led the NHL with a .929 save percentage, can make history repeat itself.

To do that, Montreal will have to shut down young superstar Eric Staal, who tallied 45 goals and 100 points in the regular season. Staal is joined by late season acquisitions Mark Recchi and Doug Weight, two players who will provide veteran leadership for the Hurricanes.

Montreal's top scorer, Alex Kovalev, posted just 65 regular season points. With Martin Gerber excelling between the pipes for the Hurricanes, offense could be hard to come by for the Habs.

Prediction: An energetic Bell Centre crowd will help Montreal get a couple of wins, but Carolina is too strong for the Canadiens. Hurricanes in six.

#3 New Jersey vs #6 New York Rangers

Through most of the regular season, the Rangers were one of the NHL's feel-good stories. A happy Jaromir Jagr led the Rangers' revival, and the world's media center caught hockey fever once again.

Less than ten miles from Madison Square Garden, however, another story was taking place. New Jersey won their final 11 games to pass the Rangers on the season's final day, capturing yet another division title for the team from the Meadowlands.

Jagr finished second in the league with 123 points, but New Jersey has their own scoring sensation. Little big man Brian Gionta set a Devils record with 48 goals, and he has formed a potent first line with Scott Gomez and Zach Parise.

Henrik Lundqvist has posted great numbers in his rookie season, but anytime Martin Brodeur appears in a playoff series, the goaltending edge has to go to the Devils.

Prediction: The Devils technically have home ice advantage, but look for many Ranger fans to find their way to Continental Airlines Arena. The energy in Madison Square Garden should get the Rangers a win or two, but New Jersey is the East's hottest team right now. Devils in six.

#4 Buffalo vs #5 Philadelphia

Maxim Afinogenov is their leading scorer with 73 points. Chris Drury is their only 30 goal scorer. Yet the Buffalo Sabres ranked fifth in goal scoring in the regular season.

An odd stat to be sure, but the Sabres are all about a team concept. Eleven players have at least 40 points, and the same number have double-digit goals.

Philadelphia, on the other hand, relies largely on the duo of Peter Forsberg and Simon Gagne for their offense. When healthy, they can be unstoppable, but health is always an issue with Forsberg. He has been nursing a groin injury in recent weeks, and he will likely be at less than 100%.

Emerging star Ryan Miller gives the Sabres an edge between the pipes. Philadelphia will counter with Robert Esche, but if he falters, look for the Flyers to turn to Olympic standout Antero Nittymaki.

Prediction: If Forsberg is healthy, the Flyers could be a force in these playoffs. Anything less than 100% from Forsberg, however, and the Sabres' balance could be too much for Philadelphia to overcome. Sabres in seven.