Ranked 6th in the West Record: 39-28-12-3 93 points 243 GF 222 GA

Bolstered by a franchise best nine-game winning streak the Edmonton Oilers compiled their best record since 1987-88, when they won their fourth Stanley Cup Championship.

Goaltender Tommy Salo is the bedrock upon which the Oilers' success is built. Salo established a franchise record for longest shutout streak at 192 minutes and 53 seconds, set career highs in starts (72), wins (35), appearances (72) and shutouts (8). The eight shutouts ties an Oiler franchise record, established by Curtis Joseph in 1997-98.

Paced by all-star centre Doug Weight, the Oilers ranked ninth in the NHL with 243 goals. Weight led Edmonton with 90 points and was one of 10 Oilers reach double-digits in goal scoring.

Rookie head coach Craig MacTavish credits much of the Oilers' success to an improved team defence anchored by Salo, hard nosed defenders Igor Ulanov and the underrated Jason Smith and Eric Brewer.

In the mold of Oiler great Paul Coffey, smooth skating defender Janne Niinimaa is always a threat to jump into the play. The all-star finished third in team scoring with 45 points.

Ranked 3rd in the West Record: 48-24-8-2 106 points 241 GF 187 GA

The Dallas Stars are shining just at the right time. After sleep walking through the first half, the Stars closed the 2000-01 campaign by going 10-0-3 and overtook the San Jose Sharks to win their fifth divisional crown Ken Hitchcock's recipe for success is no secret -- stingy defence, clutch goaltending, and timely scoring.

Sparking the Stars on offence was a rejuvenated Brett Hull and captain Mike Modano. Hull scored a team-high 39 goals, his best total since joining the Stars prior to the 1998-99 season.

After struggling to score earlier in the season, Modano has been one of the NHL's best down the stretch. The Stars have also benefited from the strong play from Kirk Muller, John MacLean and Mike Keene, who've matched up well against other club's top lines, freeing Modano -- one of the NHL's best two-way centres -- to focus his offence.

On the blueline the Stars are equally strong. Sergei Zubov and Darryl Sydor are two of the best skaters in the league; Derian Hatcher provides physical presence and the underrated Richard Matvichuk rounds out this impressive defensive corps.

Ed Belfour shook off a tough start and controversy to post another solid season. Belfour broke the 30-win plateau for the third consecutive campaign and teamed with promising rookie Marty Turco to finish second to Buffalo's Dominik Hasek in the Jennings Trophy race with 187 goals-against.