Games
Chicago Blackhawks 2 - Tampa Bay Lightning 1
Tampa Bay managed to strike early in Game 1. Anton Stralman's point shot was headed wide of the net, but Alex Killorn managed to get a stick on it. The puck bounced off of Killorn's stick and past Corey Crawford, making it 1-0 Lightning. Tampa Bay kept up the pressure for most of the period, trying to extend their lead, but were not able to. Both teams did get chances in the second, but neither could find the back of the net. Chicago turned it up in the third, and did not give up a shot to Tampa Bay for over half the period. Midway through the third, the Blackhawks managed to tie the game, as Teuvo Teravainen's shot beat a screened Ben Bishop. Just two minutes later, a turnover in the Lightning zone saw Antoine Vermette collect the loose puck and beat Bishop high glove, giving Chicago a 2-1 lead. Tampa Bay looked for an equalizer late in the period, but could not find it. Chicago won Game 1 to jump out to a 1-0 series lead.
Chicago Blackhawks 3 - Tampa Bay Lightning 4
The attempted piled up early in this one, but it wasn't until midway through the first when a goal was scored. Cedric Paquette got around a Blackhawk defender and beat Crawford's blocker to put the Lightning up 1-0. Chicago's best chance to tie the game in the first was on a tic-tac-toe play that saw Jonathan Toews unable to slide the puck past Bishop. The Blackhawks did tie the game early in the second, thanks to Andrew Shaw whacking a rebound into the net. A powerplay moments later gave the Blackhawks the lead. Teravainen worked a give-and-go with Marian Hossa which resulted in Teravainen outing the puck under Bishop's arm and into the net. The lead was short-lived, as Nikita Kucherov tipped Jason Garrison's point shot past Crawford to tie the game. The Lightning went ahead seven minutes later, as Tyler Johnson, from the side of the net, managed to get the puck by Crawford. Just like the previous period, the Blackhawks would tie the game early in the next one. Three-and-a-half minutes into the third, Brent Seabrook blasted a shot past Bishop and into the net, making it a 3-3 game. Bishop protested that he was interfered with, as Hossa's stick moved his leg, preventing him from getting a clean chance at stopping the shot. Bishop's argument fell on deaf ears, as the goal stood. The next few minutes were a bad one for Patrick Sharp, as the Blackhawks winger found himself taking back-to-back penalties. The second one hurt his team, as the Lightning capitalized on it. Garrison's point shot beat Crawford, and put the Lightning back in the lead. Between the Sharp penalties, the Lightning made a switch in goal. Bishop briefly went off with an injury concern, leaving Andrei Vasilevskiy to tend the net in his absence. Bishop came back for a few minutes, but it was Vasilevskiy who would close the game. The rookie goalkeeper made five saves to preserve the Lightning's lead. Vasilevskiy would get credited with the win, as Tampa Bay won Game 2 to tie the series.
Tampa Bay Lightning 3 - Chicago Blackhawks 2
Another game, another first goal by the Lightning. Just five minutes in, Ryan Callahan received a stretch pass from Victor Hedman, skated down the wing, and wired one past Crawford. From there it was all Blackhawks, as they looked to tie the game. Hossa had a chance minutes later, but he shot wide of an open net. Chicago's attempt at an equalizer would be successful, as Brad Richards blasted one from the point (on a powerplay) to tie the game. The second period was mostly Tampa Bay, but neither team would find the back of the net. Things didn't look good for the Lightning late in the period, as Brandon Saad hit Bishop when cutting across the crease. Bishop, who was questionable for this game and at times looked slow moving, stayed down for a bit bout would remain in net for the rest of the game. Chicago took the lead in the third period, as their puck movement lead to Saad one-timing it from the slot, beating Bishop on the shot. Just 13 seconds later, a scramble in front of the Blackhawks net saw Ondrej Palat bury a loose puck to tie the game. Both teams tried to break the deadlock, and in the end it was the Lightning who did. Late in the period, Paquette redirected Hedman's pass past Crawford to put Tampa Bay ahead. Time was not Chicago's friend, as they could not tie the game in the remaining three-and-a-bit minutes left. Tampa Bay won their second game in a row, putting them ahead 2-1 in the series.
Tampa Bay Lightning 1 - Chicago Blackhawks 2
Game 4 started with a change in goal for Tampa Bay, as Vasilevskiy was given the start over an injured Bishop. He wasn't tested much in the first, only facing two shots (both of which he stopped). At the other end, Crawford had a bit more of a workload, as he faced (and stopped) nine shots. For the first time in this series, the first period ended without a goal. Chicago had a couple of close calls early in the second. It ended with Toews whacking the puck, which bounced off the post, Vasilevskiy, and into the net, making it 1-0 for the Blackhawks. The Lightning responded five minutes later, as Valtteri Filppula pass from behind the net found Killorn, who wasted no time putting the puck past Crawford. The game stayed tied 1-1 to end the second period. Chicago would take the lead in the third. Six minutes into the period, Saad cut out in front of the net and slid the puck through a sliding Vasilevskiy, making it 2-1 for the Blackhawks. The Lightning pressed for a tying goal late in the game. Steven Stamkos had a few good chances, but was turned aside by Seabrook's stick and Crawford's pad (respectively). Crawford did what he could to keep the Blackhawks in the lead, and it ended up being enough. Chicago won Game 4, tying the series 2-2.
Chicago Blackhawks 3 - Tampa Bay Lightning 2
This game did not start off well for the Lightning. First, Nikita Kucherov had to leave the game after going shoulder-first into the post. He remained out for the rest of the game. Moments later, Bishop misplayed the puck and collided with teammate Hedman, leaving Patrick Sharp all alone to put the puck into an empty net. The goal wasn't without controversy though, as seconds earlier Crawford got away with playing the puck outside the trapezoid. Bishop ended up recovering from that collision and remained in the game. The Blackhawks kept the pressure up, but Sharp's goal was the only one in the period, as Chicago ended the first up 1-0. Tampa Bay started shifting play in their favour in the second, and it eventually paid off. Midway through the middle frame, Filppula received a backdoor pass from Garrison and beat Crawford, tying the game 1-1. The game stayed tied until minutes into the third period. Kris Versteeg caused a turnover and skated into the Lightning zone. Unable to get a shot off, Versteeg's pass back managed to find Vermette, who put the puck past Bishop to give the Blackhawks the lead. Both teams pushed for a goal (Tampa Bay to tie the game, Chicago for insurance) but were denied on their attempts. The game finished 2-1 in favour of Chicago, who go back home up 3-2 in the series.
Tampa Bay Lightning 0 - Chicago Blackhawks 2
The first saw both teams get multiple chances and close calls, but nothing went in the net. Despite the relatively even play, the Blackhawks outshot the Lightning 13-4 in the first. Early in the second, Tampa Bay had a great chance to open the scoring. Stamkos managed to deke out Crawford on a breakaway but could not lift the puck over Crawford's pad. Again, both teams had chances in the second, but the game remained scoreless until late in the period. Duncan Keith's initial shot was saved by Bishop, but Keith managed to get to the rebound and put it home, giving the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead. The Lightning started to come on in the third, as they searched for a tying goal. Crawford, along with the Blackhawks defense, kept the Lightning at bay. Just over five minutes left in the third, Kane one-timed a pass from Brad Richards past Bishop, extending Chicago's lead to two. Tampa Bay kept trying, but came up empty handed. Crawford made 25 saves in the shutout bid, as the Blackhawks won 2-0. The win was the clincher for Chicago, as they got to raise the Stanley Cup in their own arena.
Three Thoughts on the Series
- Bishop ended up having a torn groin, which makes Cooper's decision to keep him in all the more insane (Vasilevskiy wasn't too bad in his time in net)
- Keith deserved the Conn Smythe, he was a workhorse for a weakened defense.
- Ryan Suter to Duncan Keith: "dude, that's a lot of ice time."
The Blackhawks are the champions, againnnnn
And they'll keep on winning, 'til the enddddd (of Toews, Kane, Hossa, Kieth, Seabrook, Crawford, etc.)
Highlight of the Series
A goal from both teams. First, what a deflection by Killorn.
Next, what the hell was Bishop thinking? It results in Patrick Sharp having the easiest goal of the playoffs (also Crawford kind of got away with a delay of game penalty).
