WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

* Season series: Colorado, 3-1-1.

* Leading scorers: Stars--Mike Modano 38 goals, 43 assists, 81 points. Avalanche--Joe Sakic 28-53--81.

* Leading playoff scorers: Stars--Brett Hull 4-8--12. Avalanche--Adam Deadmarsh 3-8--11.

* Team goals-against average: Stars 2.21 (third in NHL). Avalanche 2.42 (sixth).

* Playoff goals-against average: Stars 1.80 (fifth). Avalanche 1.77 (third).

* Power play: Stars 15.7% (19th). Avalanche 19.5% (fourth).

* Playoff power play: Stars 14.6% (ninth). Avalanche 22.6% (third).

* Penalty killing: Stars 89.3% (first). Avalanche 84.5% (14th).

* Playoff penalty killing: Stars 86.8% (seventh). Avalanche 84.6% (ninth).

* Keys: The Stars countered the Edmonton Oilers’ speed and the San Jose Sharks’ grit with enough muscle and tenacity to win each series in five games. Goalie Ed Belfour (1.80 goals-against average, .927 save percentage and three shutouts) has been impressive, and Modano (six goals, 10 points) leads a deep center corps with Joe Nieuwendyk (four goals, seven points) and veteran Guy Carbonneau. Winger Hull has been quiet but efficient, and defensive winger Jere Lehtinen is expected to return from an ankle injury. But besides bruising defenseman Derian Hatcher, the Avalanche can match or surpass the Stars everywhere. Even before defenseman Ray Bourque arrived from Boston, the Avalanche was starting a 14-2-1 roll. Without Bourque in the last two games of its second-round series against the Detroit Red Wings, the Avalanche used its depth to prevail; rookie Martin Skoula took up most of Bourque’s minutes and the team lost nothing. Dave Andreychuk, acquired with Bourque, boosted an already formidable power play and compensated for Sakic’s scoring woes. Peter Forsberg (five goals, 10 points in nine games) was nearly unstoppable against the Red Wings, and rookie forwards Milan Hejduk and Chris Drury proved themselves under pressure. Goalie Patrick Roy, the all-time playoff victories leader with 118, has been sharp, compiling a 1.67 goals-against average and .935 save percentage.

* Prediction: Colorado in six.