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 finals 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.