Avalanche streak ahead

Bourque (r) was in dominant form for Colorado

Colorado 3-1 New Jersey
(Best-of-seven series with Colarado 2-1 up)

Ray Bourque and Dan Hinote scored third-period goals as the Colorado Avalanche overcame the defending NHL champion New Jersey Devils on Thursday.

They now have a two games to one lead in the Stanley Cup finals.

Bourque is set to claim his first Stanley Cup in his 22nd NHL season and it was his powerplay goal in the opening minute of the third period that proved to be the game winner.

"It can't happen to a better guy than Ray Bourque," said Colorado coach Bob Hartley.

Hinote added an insurance goal for Colorado six minutes later and Avalanche goaltender Patrick Roy took care of the rest, finishing with 21 saves - 11 in the third period.

Powerplay proves vital

"We're one step closer but we got a long way to go," said Bourque.

"I thought we played a great game."

Defenceman Martin Skoula scored the other Colorado goal, his first of the play-offs, to tie the score midway through the first period.

New Jersey's lone goal was a powerplay tally by Jason Arnott just 3:16 into the game on the Devils' second shot of the contest.

The Avalanche came into New Jersey needing to win one of the two games to regain home-ice advantage and they took care of that at the first opportunity.

This was their first win at New Jersey since 1993 when the team was the Quebec Nordiques.

The Devils get their chance to once again even the series in Game Four at home on Saturday night.

A Colorado win Saturday would give the Avalanche an opportunity to capture the Cup on home ice on Monday.