Today's game is a far different affair than the one practiced in 2004, but this year's first-round playoff matchup between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche is identical to the one between the two teams two years ago. Then, Colorado bounced Dallas in five games, outscoring the Stars, 19-10. Now, the teams are ready for the rematch, although much has changed -- especially in Colorado.

The Avalanche have undergone dramatic changes from the team that advanced at Dallas' expense two years ago. Center Peter Forsberg is gone, fleeing to Philadelphia as a free agent. Defenseman Adam Foote is also missing, relocating to Columbus. Goalie David Aebischer, meanwhile was judged lacking and was sent to Montreal in exchange for Jose Theodore, a player the team hopes will follow in the footsteps of legendary goalie Patrick Roy. Those are just some of the major changes during the past two years that have afflicted the Avs, who have battled injuries all year while scuffling to an unaccustomed seventh-place finish.

Dallas, meanwhile, is pretty much the same team that suffered the bitter fate of exiting in the first round two years ago. This season, the Stars have been one of the most dominant teams in the League. Their 112 points are tied for the third-highest total in the League and they won the very competitive Pacific Division by 13 points. But Dallas knows that those accomplishments mean little heading into the second season, especially after the first-round exit in 2004 and a second-round exit the year before that.

Dallas Game Breakers

1. Jason Arnott: The team's second-line center has put together a quietly phenomenal season, finishing just one point behind leading scorer Mike Modano. Arnott's 76 points, including 32 goals, is a career high. This season, Arnott has returned more to that power center role that he played so well during his glory days in New Jersey, where he won a Stanley Cup. In 86 playoff games, Arnott has a respectable 57 points and a plus-7 rating.

2. Jere Lehtinen: Very quietly, this silent Finn led the team in goals this season, putting a career-high 33 shots past opposing goalies. His 52 total points, meanwhile, tie his personal best, which was set back in 1998-99, the last time Dallas won the Stanley Cup. Despite his offensive prowess, Lehtinen remains a solid defensive player with a plus-9 rating, the third-highest total among Dallas forwards.

3. Sergei Zubov: Perhaps the most underrated defenseman in the game, Zubov can dominate at both ends of the ice and seems to raise his game to new heights as the weather warms. This regular-season, Zubov had 13 goals, including nine on the power play, and 71 overall points. He was also a plus-20, In the postseason, Zubov has already won two Stanley Cup Championships and has managed 101 points and a plus-30 rating in 142 career playoff games.

Colorado Game Breakers

1. Joe Sakic: Colorado's legendary center had a solid, if unspectacular -- at least to his standards -- regular season with a team-leading 87 points. But, it is the playoffs where Sakic does his best work as one of the game's clutch performers. In 153 playoff games -- including two runs to Stanley Cup championships -- Sakic has managed 169 points, including 78 goals.

2. Rob Blake: A solid all-around defensemen, Blake has the ability to take over a series in so many different ways. He can shut down the top line on another team. He can deliver a momentum-changing, board-rattling hit at any time. He blocks shots without hesitation. And, he can dominate at the offensive end. The team's top-scoring defensemen (51 points), Blake is the quarterback of the power play. He has seven of his 14 goals during man-advantage play. Needless to say, Blake also earns the lion's share of ice time among the team's blueliners, playing more than 24 minutes per game.

3. Jose Theodore: Theodore was imported from Montreal to be a difference-maker. But, so far, in his five games back from a heel injury that has shelved him since February, he has been anything but outstanding. He has won just one of the five contests, allowing 15 goals in the process. His 3.04 goals-against average and .887 save percentage as an Av just won't get it done in the postseason. But, Theodore is a Vezina Trophy-caliber goalie capable of stealing a game, or a series, when, and if, he finds his stride.

X Factors

Willie Mitchell (DAL): This big, burly, stay-at-home defenseman was brought in from Minnesota at the trade deadline to help Dallas counter many of the power forwards that will dominate the postseason. Colorado doesn't really have that type of straight-forward attacking presence, but Mitchell will still see quality minutes against many of Colorado's high-scoring forwards, particularly Andrew Brunette.

Pierre Turgeon (COL): A former Dallas Star, and one that never lived up to expectations there, Turgeon is now experiencing an up-and-down season for Colorado. At one point, he was among Colorado's best players, earning first-line ice time. Today, however, he is struggling and has been demoted to the team's lower lines. He has just two goals and one assist and a minus-4 rating in his last 11 games. Still, however, Turgeon is one of the most accomplished scorers in the history of the game and he gives Colorado a far more menacing presence if he is on his game.