Sowing the seeds of Stanley success

Roy has three Stanley Cups to his name

BBC Sport Online's Kevin Asseo previews the Stanley Cup finals, which this year pits the Colorado Avalanche against defending champions the New Jersey Devils.

For the first time since 1989, the two best teams in the NHL will meet in the Stanley Cup finals, which begin on Saturday.

It seems unbelievable, but it has been that long since the number one seed from the East and the number one seed from the West advanced to the final round of the play-offs in the same year.

This year, the Colorado Avalanche and defending champion New Jersey Devils are the last teams standing in the fight for the coveted Stanley Cup.

Their best-of-seven series promises to be a cracking one. Both teams are experienced play-off sides, stocked with talented veteran players.

Brodeur is unflappable

When talking about individual performers, the discussion must start with the goaltenders.

In the net for Colorado is Patrick Roy, arguably the greatest goalie in the history of the sport.

He owns enough all-time records to have a record book all to himself.

He has the most wins in history, has played in more play-off games than any other goalie, and has the most play-off shutouts ever.

Roy has won three Stanley Cups in his career and has been named the play-offs' Most Valuable Player twice.

His counterpart for the New Jersey Devils is the unflappable Martin Brodeur.

He may not yet have matched Roy in career milestones, but he has certainly established himself as one of the NHL's best play-off goalies.

Already a two-time winner of the Stanley Cup, he is enjoying one of the best post-seasons of his career.

Bourque has never won a championship

He has four shutouts to his credit in this year's play-offs, which ties an all-time record.

Both teams also boast a strong defence.

Colorado's much-hyped "big three" of Rob Blake, Adam Foote and Ray Bourque give them an edge in sheer intimidation, but New Jersey's stalwart defence cannot be written off.

Bourque is the sentimental story of the finals. He has been in league for 22 years, but has never won a championship.

His presence makes the Avalanche most neutral fans' favourite to win it all.

Colorado's offence suffered greatly when, in game seven of the second round, one of their stars, Peter Forsberg, was sidelined for the remainder of the play-offs with a ruptured spleen.

Forsberg's absence will put the offensive load squarely on the shoulders of Joe Sakic, a prolific goalscorer who is having a tremendous year for the Avalanche.

Forsberg is sidelined with a ruptured spleen

The offence from the Devils has been provided mainly from the trio of Patrik Elias, Jason Arnott and Petr Sykora.

No three players play as well together as they do, and they have been wreaking havoc on opposing defences throughout the first three play-off rounds.

It adds up to a Stanley Cup final as it should be - the two best teams in the NHL squaring off for the right to claim the sport's ultimate prize.

With Roy in goal and the "big three" defensemen in front of him, the Avalanche should have enough defence to prevent the Devils from repeating as champions.

Only one of the previous 13 finals has gone to a seventh game, but if there was ever a year when it would take all seven games to decide a winner, this is it.