The same words were being used before the third game of the opening-round series against the Celtics.

After taking a 3-0 lead in the opening-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes, they lost two straight before returning to their system.

And few expected Starks to be the most consistent player of New York's opening-round series.

That's what the Devils want to do to even their opening-round series against Buffalo.

This season, the opening-round series is tied at two games each because neither team has been able to hold a lead.

In the decisive game of that opening-round series, he had 31 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists.

Messier accomplished what he was supposed to accomplish during the opening-round series.

They were supposed to go quickly and quietly in the opening-round series.

Never have the top three teams in a conference been knocked out in an opening-round series.

He played well in the opening-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, shooting 61.5 percent from the field.