DENVER -- Voila! Make that, Roy-la!

Patrick Roy can be considered the NHL's greatest goalie in any language.

"I'm just a little boy from Quebec, and here I am today in that position," Roy said Saturday night after tying Terry Sawchuk's career victory record. "It's a long way."

	Roy has been in the middle of things for 447 career wins between Montreal and Colorado.

Growing up in French-speaking Quebec, Roy (pronounced "Wah") slept with a goalie stick and dreamed of playing in the NHL. He can now count 447 victories since his debut with the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 23, 1985.

Roy can move ahead of Sawchuk on Tuesday night when the Colorado Avalanche play at Washington. Avs coach Bob Hartley said Roy will start against the Capitols.

"I want to be out there for the next one," Colorado forward Adam Deadmarsh said. "That was pretty special, but in my mind he's one of the best goalies ever and the next one is going to be the one that's going to be exciting."

Statistically, Colorado's 3-1 victory over the expansion Columbus Blue Jackets seemed one-sided. The Avalanche held a 33-15 advantage in shots, but Roy was forced to make several key saves when the outcome was still in doubt.

Roy, playing his familiar butterfly style that entices people to aim for a deceptively small 5-hole, stopped a short-handed chance by Tyler Wright late in the second period, then stuffed Robert Kron on a 1-on-1 attempt midway through the third.

When the final horn sounded, Roy calmly raised his arms and enjoyed the moment with his teammates on the ice. He later rejoiced with his parents, wife and three children in the halls of the Pepsi Center.

"I felt really nostalgic," he said. "You certainly love to go back and remember the good and the bad moments and all the people that have been very supportive. ... My dad said, it takes 447 games to reach this player and it takes only one to pass."

Roy's historical march has energized Colorado at a time when it's easy to take early season games for granted. The Avalanche (3-0-2) remained unbeaten as they begin another run at the Stanley Cup.

The motivation to put Roy in the record book figures to be supplanted by the desire to win the cup for defenseman Ray Bourque, who is seeking his first championship in 22 seasons.

"I just love the way things are going right now for myself and the team," Roy said. "I think everybody on this club is really enjoying every moment. We're all on a mission this year. We have a guy on this team that really deserves to win the Stanley Cup and we have a second chance."

Like Bourque, who spent more than 21 years in Boston before his trade to Colorado in March, Roy came to the Avalanche after a long tenure with Montreal. He has not disappointed, winning 158 games in less than five seasons in Colorado.

"The time went by so fast," Avalanche general manager Pierre Lacroix said. "He's had such a great career."

The "Roy Watch" is far from over. Having caught Sawchuk, Roy now gets to set the standard for everyone else to chase.

"He's a winner," forward Peter Forsberg said. "I'm sure he's going to get a few more wins. He's not done yet."