Analyzing the good and the bad of Tampa Bay and Chicago after Game One of the Stanley Cup Final

TAMPA, Florida – As the Tampa Bay Lightning are left wondering how they could let Game One of the Stanley Cup Final slip away, the Chicago Blackhawks are wondering why it took until there was 6:32 left in the game to wake-up. As Game Two approaches Saturday evening, both teams are looking to make changes to gain an edge.

For the Lightning, they need to get a win before heading to Chicago. For the Blackhawks, they want to leave Tampa Bay knowing they are halfway toward their quest for a third title in six years. Below are the good and bad for each team coming out of Game One and heading into Game Two.

Tampa Bay did some good things in Game One. Among them:

Cedric Paquette marked Chicago’s Jonathan Toews well, allowing him only one shot in 21:23 of ice time.

The duo of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews were kept off the score sheet.

Victor Hedman (26:19 minutes) and Anton Stralman (25:29) were large when needed the most.

But the Lightning also will need some adjustments to how they played, largely because of how they responded to the Chicago attack in the later stages of the game. They include:

Tampa Bay’s first shot on goal in the third period was Ryan Callahan’s breakaway with 13 minutes left. Even if that breakaway led to a goal and the 2-0 lead, waiting to attack that long can’t happen.

Captain Steven Stamkos, played just 17:17 minutes, 6th among Lightning skaters. Again, that’s can’t happen. The Lightning’s best skater and leader needs to be show what he can do with more time.

After dominating the first period and controlling much of the second period, the conservative approach in the third period cost the Lightning the game and the edge they needed to win Game One and head into Game Two.

Chicago also had some good things come out of game one, in addition to the capturing the victory:

Corey Crawford was spectacular when the team needed him the most until they could find their game.

Duncan Keith added an assist on the tying goal, and leads defenseman in scoring with 2 goals, 19 points.

Teuvo Teravainen became the second youngest player in the last 25 years to have a multi-point game in the Final. The rookie stepped in when his team needed a difference-maker and it ended in victory.

Keith (29:15) and Brent Seabrook (26:23, 4 shots) played big minutes to support a team struggling early

But the Blackhawks need to evaluate why they started so slowly. These areas need to be addressed:

Early, Tampa Bay won 14 of 20 face-offs and gained puck possession, pinning Chicago in their own zone.

After the early shock, Chicago took too much time to re-establish their game until it was almost too late.

Chicago needs to start fast, dictate play off the opening draw, be quick to match Tampa Bay’s speed.

Although it was not what the team wanted, losing at home should not be a shock for Tampa Bay. In the playoffs this Spring, the Lightning are 5-6 at Amalie Arena, much different than their regular season record of 32-8-1. Their record away from home this postseason is 7-3, including huge victories in hostile environments which prevented elimination and clinched the Eastern Conference Final.

The Blackhawks are very comfortable winning on the road and are 6-4 this postseason including a clinching victory in Anaheim to capture the Western Conference Final. They were 24-16-1 on the road in the regular season. Chicago’s home record home is even more impressive where they are 7-1 this Spring and 24-12-5 during the regular season.

One interesting note; in each of the last six years, Game One of the Final has been decided by one goal, and the winner of that game has gone on to win 4 of the last 5 Stanley Cups.

Expect adjustments from both clubs heading into Game Two. Armed with a little bit of bitterness and anger for letting Game One slip away, expect Tampa Bay to take Game Two before heading to the Windy City to continue the series.

Game 2 is set for Saturday night at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Face-off is set for 7:15 PM ET and is being televised on NBC, CBC, TVA Sports. The schedule for the remaining games in the Stanley Cup Final are listed below.

Game 3 Mon., June 8th at 8 p.m. Tampa Bay at Chicago NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports

Game 4 Wed., June 10th at 8 p.m. Tampa Bay at Chicago NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports

*Game 5 Sat., June 13th at 8 p.m. Chicago at Tampa Bay NBC, CBC, TVA Sports

*Game 6 Mon., June 15th at 8 p.m. Tampa Bay at Chicago NBC, CBC, TVA Sports

*Game 7 Wed., June 17th at 8 p.m. Chicago at Tampa Bay NBC, CBC, TVA Sports

* if necessary