The Matchup: Paul Kariya-Teemu Selanne vs. Luc Robitaille-Ziggy Palffy

The Questions: What makes these duos great? Which one would you rather have?

Teemu Selanne

Ziggy Palffy

Selanne-Kariya just too dangerous
Luc Robitaille and Ziggy Palffy have developed a good playing relationship relatively quickly. It's very important, obviously, for two goal-scorers to have a good feel for each other. This chemistry has evolved in short order for Robitaille and Palffy.

Robitaille is a traditional forward who works extremely well in the offensive end. Get him the puck from the blue line in, and he is very adept at getting it in the net. But he needs someone to work with. He has never blinded anyone with his speed. In fact, critics didn't think he had the skating skills to play in the NHL. Obviously, they were wrong about him in a big way. He has terrific hands and hockey sense, but the strongest part of his game is his competitiveness. He won't stop until he scores. He knows what his job is, and that makes him a very consistent producer. He'll get to where he needs to be ... eventually. And when he does, Robitaille can be counted on to put the puck away.

Palffy is an excellent all-around player. He has the speed and moves that complement Robitaille's ability to finish. Inside the defensive zone, Palffy is still considered a slight liability, but he's more well rounded than most give him credit for. He's very good along the boards and handles the puck very well in traffic. He can hold on and wait for Robitaille to get open and then make the play. He is able to stall and draw attention while Robitaille sort of disappears and reappears around the net, and then it's over. These two are a great fit together.

Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya are two of the best players in the world. They both have dazzling speed and acceleration. They are dynamic, threatening game-breakers. They literally scare the opposing defense. If you are playing the Mighty Ducks, you are totally preoccupied with accounting for these two every second they're on the ice. Forget about what will happen if these guys get a step on you. If they're even with you, you're toast.

To go along with their game-breaking speed and acceleration, they both have superior puck control, moves and scoring ability. Their offensive numbers speak for themselves. As a unit, they are a threat the full length of the ice. When they grab the puck in their own end, everybody wearing the opposite jersey is backpedaling at full speed. They drive back defenses relentlessly. Along with Brett Hull, Paul Kariya has the quickest release in the game. The puck is away almost the instant it touches his blade. And Selanne has one of the quickest slap shots in the league. They are a deadly force on offense.

Head to head, the edge goes to Kariya and Selanne. The complementary abilities of Palffy and Robitaille make for an extremely effective and productive pair -- and you certainly have to account for them in the offensive zone. But Kariya and Selanne have more impact on the game as a whole. Their combined skills make teams plan specifically for them. They strike more fear into the opposition because you have to worry about them for the entire 200 feet.

Brian Engblom is a color commentator and analyst for ESPN's NHL coverage. He played 11 seasons in the NHL.