Las Vegas Aces (4) vs. Miami Makos (5)

Predictions

Tom Baker: Makos 7

Michel Bourassa: Makos in 7

Matt Burch: This is another tight series. It could go either way, as no team has any clear advantage over the other. The Makos have a lot of playoff experience to go around, but the Aces are no slouches in post-season play, either. As much as I like former champs in subsequent post-seasons, I think the Aces may roll onto the second round.

Aces in 6

Guy Flaming: Aces in 6

Gary Graves: Makos in 6

Kasim Husain:Vokoun will finally come up roses for a Makos squad that has underachieved in the postseason thus far.

Makos in 6

Mark MacRae: By far the most interesting series in the World Conference. Don't expect a goaltending duel, but this one could be a long series. If there's one clear advantage it's in the veteran leadership department and I have to go with proven guys like Lidstrom, Sundin and Koivu.

Aces in 7

Don Morrison: Makos in 7

Eric Schneider: Everyone loves a good 4v5 matchup, but Las Vegas earned home-ice in spite of (let's be honest) terrible goaltending from Ilya Bryzgalov. Unless he turns it around, the Aces'll be in for an early summer.

Makos in 5

Henry Skey: Makos in 4