Devils and Avalanche advance

Rob Blake scores past Felix Potvin for Colorado

NHL Eastern Conference semi-final

New Jersey 5-1 Toronto
(New Jersey win best-of-seven series 4-3)

Defending Stanley Cup champions, the New Jersey Devils completed their come back from 3-2 down in their semi-final series, as they routed the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Patrick Elias scored twice in a four-goal second period to secure victory in the decisive game in East Rutherford.

However, they trailed 1-0 after the first period on Wednesday before a dominant second period put them in total control.

Devils coach Larry Robinson's tactical adjustments moved the Devils' vaunted "A line" - Elias, Jason Arnott and Petr Sykora - away from the suffocating presence led by Toronto's veteran centre Shayne Corson.

Patrick Elias celebrates his goal

Sergei Nemchinov scored 92 seconds into the second to steady New Jersey and Elias tallied twice in a 1:59 span to put the Devils ahead for good.

Defender Scott Stevens scored before the end of the period as Curtis Joseph was beaten four times on 10 shots.

John Madden capped the scoring midway through the third period and Martin Brodeur stopped 15 shots.

Held to four points in the first four games of the series, New Jersey's top line produced six goals and nine assists in the last three contests.

"I think we knew that we had to pick it up," Sykora said. "We entered the play-offs as one of the best lines in the league.

"You've got to score in the play-offs. This line has got to score. The last three games, we just kept it simple."

The Devils will play either the Buffalo Sabres or the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Conference final, which begins in New Jersey on Saturday night.

Western Conference semi-final

Colorado Avalanche 5-1 LA Kings
(Colorado win best-of-seven series 4-3)

The top-seeded Colorado Avalanche also secured an emphatic victory in the decisive Game Seven of their semi-final series after being taken to the limit by the LA Kings.

Chris Drury's 17th career play-off goal sparked a four-goal third period for the Avalanche, who advance to the Conference decider for the third straight year.

Rookie Ville Nieminen added a power-play strike and Shjon Podein ended a 14-game post-season scoring drought before Milan Hejduk found an empty net with 3:35 remaining.

The improbable play-off run finally ended for the Kings, who rallied from a two games to none deficit in the first round against Detroit and got back-to-back shutouts from Felix Potvin to force a seventh game against Colorado.

The Avalanche were helped by a 25-save effort from Patrick Roy, and will face St Louis in the Conference final.