It's still that time of year. Tonight, the National Hockey League quarterfinal round opens, and the fight for Lord Stanley's mug resumes. Rumor has it that a league champion will be crowned before Commencement.

1. BOSTON vs. NEW YORK ISLANDERS: The best matchup, worthy of a semifinal at least. The Bruins took it to the limit against the surprising Penguins, but produced in the clutch. Rookie Ray Bourque, classy Rick Middleton, and time-worn Gerry Cheevers have provided the impetus for the scrappy squad.

The Islanders whisked past L.A. and are nearing their peak. Injuries to opportunist Mike Bossy (who will play) and the slick but little-noted Anders Kallur (who won't) cloud their prospects, but goalie Billy Smith has waxed brilliant--he did not permit a goal in the last 96 minutes against the prolific Kings. The cognoscent who haunt section 308 in the Nassau County Coliseum point to the simultaneous addition of Butch Goring and loss of Billy Harris as the key to the Isles' Big Mo. Islanders in six.

2. BUFFALO vs. CHICAGO: Is Chicago really a quarterfinalist? No. Boring. Buffalo in four, with Danny Gare gunning.

3. MONTREAL vs. MINNESOTA: The North Stars are the NHL's most improved team, the Canadiens the team most likely to succeed (and succeed, and succeed...). Even when mired in the depths of their slump, the Habs still found enough to beat the surrogate Soviet national squad--i.e., the Red Army--when the descendents of Kornilov fell to the descendents of Cournoyer, 4-2, in a New Year's Eve game that meant something.

The playoffs mean something, too. In search of a record-tying fifth consecutive cup, the Habs will not be thwarted, even by the team of Buzz Schneider's home state. Les Canadiens in five.

4. PHILADELPHIA vs. NEW YORK RANGERS: The Flyers boast a stable of reliable veterans, including Clarke and MacLeish, and a host of young stars such as Brain Propp and Ken Linesman. But the Rangers crunched Philly in five last season, and with suave Swedes Hedberg and Nilsson, John Davidson between the pipes, and Espo still floating in front of the net, they should pose a threat. Flyers in seven.

Prediction tally: 6-2, .750. The NHL keeps you honest. Or maybe not.