I'm originally from Texas, so I'm not a west coaster. I used the Devils recent history to show they're ALWAYS around the top. It's not a one year thing by any stretch. Don't people combine a franchises achievements as a rule? The 49ers won 4 Superbowl in a stretch of nine seasons in the 80's, and the achievement is what's remembered, not necessairly individual seasons. To compare Anaheim to the Mavs is a bit unfair to Dallas. They've been a great PLAYOFF team, but their regular season was just average. Dallas was tied for the best record in basketball - a slight difference IMHO. I think NJ could have had a helluva series with anyone the West coulda offered, so the whole "Western conference is SO much superiour" thing has irriates me. The Devils were fortunate to get past Ottawa, who also could've given a great effort against the Avalanche, Stars, Red Wings, or anyone else you throw up there.