More than anything, Bourque is the greatest rooting interest in this series. He is the horse to rally behind, to try and will over the finish line through sheer support. The Devils, meanwhile, will probably receive as much popular support as their namesake. (There actually is a New Jersey devil, according to old state legends.)

But as much as it seems fair for Bourque to get fitted for a ring, it isn’t going to happen. Bourque ran into the dynasty of the 1980s in his previous trip to the Stanley Cup finals, and this year, he is going to find himself up against the current dynasty, the Devils.

All four New Jersey lines can score and play airtight defense. Brodeur always raises his game a notch above his usual self, and he has already performed well enough to take home the Vezina Trophy this year. Brian Rafalski and Scott Niedermayer are playing as well as Bourque and Blake, the other Colorado star offensive defenseman.

And behind the bench, the Devils’ Larry Robinson has never lost a Stanley Cup final, taking home seven as a player and coach.

Sakic, Chris Drury, Milan Hejduk, and company will give New Jersey all that it can handle and the Devils defensive system will face more pressure than Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr could apply.

The Devils come at you in waves. Super Mario himself called New Jersey the greatest team he has ever played in his career.

That’s good enough testimony for me.

Devils in six.

In real life, the bad guys do win. Sorry, Ray.