11.   They had chances in each previous playoff series to put early close-outs on Sacramento, Phoenix and Portland.

12.   With Adrian Peterson working with junior quarterback Greg Hill, Georgia Southern fought back from deficits to defeat Colgate and Connecticut in its previous playoff games.

13.   With five days between the last game of the previous playoff round and the first game of the next, the Rangers might be a little antsy.

14.   Just like the four previous playoff series between the Stars and Oilers, this one has been close.

15.   The five previous playoff series between Buffalo and Philadelphia went five games.

16.   The Spurs, who had lost their six previous playoff games in Phoenix, will meet the winner of the Portland-Utah series in the second round.