CHICAGO — For all the talk about the Conn Smythe award, Tuukka Rask just wants to win after he played a supporting role when Tim Thomas led the Boston Bruins to the Stanley Cup two years ago.

Same for Corey Crawford, who was watching from the stands when the Chicago Blackhawks won the title in Philadelphia in 2010.

Sure, it’s nice to win a championship. It’s a lot sweeter when you’re on the ice at the very end.

“Once you’ve seen it, and not being on the ice, I think everybody would like to have that chance someday,” Rask said. “For me, it came pretty early after our win and I’m just trying to make the most out of it and enjoy myself.”

Rask and Crawford will be in the spotlight when the Bruins take on the Blackhawks in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals on Wednesday night, with each goalie hoping to continue what already has been an exemplary postseason.

The rise of each player is a testament to the patience and steady approach of the Bruins and Blackhawks, and it’s no coincidence that each team is seeking to become the first franchise with two Stanley Cups in the salary cap era.

After a slow and steady climb, Rask and Crawford have been the best goaltenders in the league during this year’s playoffs. Crawford leads the NHL with a 1.74 goals-against average, just ahead of Rask (1.75 GAA).

“A lot of people had questions on Corey. He’s really been progressing every year,” said Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman, one of Crawford’s biggest supporters over the years.

“He’s a guy we’ve had in our organization since we drafted him. We’ve taken our time allowing him to improve year after year. He’s finally made it to the NHL, established himself as the No. 1 goaltender.”

While Chicago drafted Crawford in the second round a decade ago, Rask was a first-round selection for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2005. Boston got him in a trade for goalie Andrew Raycroft a year later.