DENVER -- The Colorado Avalanche have long aspired to become the Tampa Bay Lightning. Now, it's the Lightning standing between the Avalanche and their first Stanley Cup win since 2001.
The two-time defending champion Lightning topped the New York Rangers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final on Saturday to reach their third consecutive Cup Final, which opens here on Wednesday. Tampa Bay's excellence is what these Avalanche have been chasing. And now, it's within reach -- if only they can dethrone the NHL's heavyweights.
"The way I look at it is, to be the best you've got to expect to be able to beat the best," coach Jared Bednar said on Sunday.