CHICAGO, Illinois – Game Three of the Stanley Cup Final continued a trend of fast paced action increasing as the series has wore on. In fact, it had been suggested the Lightning were a bit concerned with the accelerated rate of play and keeping up with Chicago. The series keeps getting better with each game with speed, physicals play and the emerging drama associated with Tampa Bay goaltender Ben Bishop’s left leg injury. I invite you to read about the Lightning and the Chicago Blackhawks who have equal NHL lines.
For the Lightning, they secured the victory they needed against the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Three, improving their playoff road record to 8-3. Tampa Bay did not seem to be fazed by the raucous atmosphere at the Madhouse on Madison. The Blackhawks on the other hand, suffered just their second loss in nine home playoff games. They sit 7-2 heading into the always pivotal game four of the seven-game series. Below are the details which break down the good and the bad of Game Three.
Tampa Bay Lightning continued some of the consistent things they have shown in all three games, but some new things seemed to turn the tide against the Blackhawks. Among them:
- Cedric Paquette continued his suffocating play against Chicago’s Jonathan Toews. In addition to scoring the game-winning goal late in the third period, he kept the Blackhawks captain at bay, allowing one assist nearly 63 minutes of TOI through three games. Paquette also had six hits in the game.
- Victor Hedman continues his rise in the eyes of a wider audience. At 24, he is emerging as a worthy Conn Smythe candidate for playoff MVP. His stretch pass from behind his own goal to the opposite blue line, setting up Ryan Callahan’s opening blast set the tone for the Lightning. Hedman finished game two with two assists, matching his scorecard tally of Game Two, along with a +1 rating in 26:06 of play. He is a rock for Tampa Bay.
- Ben Bishop continued his road dominance stopping 36 of 38 shots, including 18 of 19 in the first period, when he seemed to labor with a left leg injury. Bishop’s record in playoff road games is 7-3 with a 1.50 goals against average, 0.947 save percentage and 2 shutouts.
- Tampa Bay continued strong physical play all game and in many points during the game, giving Chicago very little room. Along with Paquette’s 6 hits, Braydon Coburn contributed 7, Anton Stralman had 5, J.T. Brown delivered 6 and Ryan Callahan had 5 thumps. This wildly physical play allowed the Lightning to take the edge in hits 46-27, a major factor in the result of Game Three
But the Lightning need a few adjustments as they enter Game Four. They include:
- Tampa Bay surrendered the larger share of face-off wings to Chicago, winning only 28 of 67 draws. Despite this disparity, the Lightning won, but that likely won’t happen again. They have to be better off the draw as a leading way to have more puck possession.
- For the third straight game, captain Steven Stamkos was held off the scoresheet in 57 minutes of total ice time over three games. He has also only won 25% of his face-offs, too. Stamkos will need to get back online in order to put Tampa Bay over the top and defeat Chicago for the Cup.
- Like game one and parts of game two, Tampa Bay goes long stretches without attacking Chicago’s net and instead getting hemmed into their own zone. After Ryan Callahan’s opening goal blast, the Lightning went 13:19 without a shot on goal in the first period while the Blackhawks had 16 shots. That simply cannot happen.
Despite the loss, Chicago also did some good things and really needs to make some changes and apply them quickly in Game Four if they are to survive.
- Chicago led in face-offs 16 of 24 (66.6%) in the third period and 39 of 67 (58.2%). Jonathan Toews was 18 of 25 (72%).
- Keith (one assist and 2 shots in 31:37 of TOI with a +1 rating) was a force to some degree.
The Blackhawks need to make some changes and fast, before it is too late to turn things around.
- In the three Final games, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane have a combined zero goals and one assist (Toews in Game Two) for 1 point and a -2 rating. Their returning to what they are known for is critical to Chicago’s success. If they can’t do it in Game Four, this will probably end up being over in five games.
- Brent Seabrook (no points and four shots in 26:45 of TOI with a -2 rating) was terrible. Both need to be on their game at the same time. Johnny Oduya was -2 and Kyle Cumiskey -1 in the game. The entire defensive corps need to tighten things up and push the play to the outside in order to beat Tampa Bay.
- Despite the Blackhawks being known for physical play coupled with good speed, the Tampa Bay Lightning really took it to the Blackhawks in Game Three. Outhit 46-27 in the game and scoring the first and third goals nearly entirely created by quick passing and good speed through the zone, the Lightning were fast off the rush and seemed to catch Chicago off guard, leading to a Tampa Bay victory.
- Corey Crawford had a better game in Game Three stopping 29 of 32 shots. Giving up Palat’s goal just 13 seconds after Chicago took the lead was just what the Blackhawks did not need. There were times it seemed Crawford might be pulled due to shaky play. He looked uncomfortable and did not give his team the confidence a backstopper needs to provide.
In the playoffs this Spring, the Lightning are now 8-3 while the Blackhawks fell to 7-2.
As for the team who wins Game Three on the road with the series tied 1-1, here are some other interesting notes.
The team that has won Game Three after a split of the opening two contests of the Final has gone on to capture the Stanley Cup 21 of 26 times (80.8%) since the series adopted the best-of-seven format in 1939.
In the last such instance, in 2013, the Blackhawks lost Game 3 at BOS (2-0 L) before ultimately winning the Stanley Cup in six games.
In the instance prior to that, in 2004, the Lightning also lost Game 3 at CGY (3-0 L) before ultimately winning the Stanley Cup in seven games.
The other three instances in which the loser of Game Three ultimately won the Stanley Cup following a split of the opening two contests of the Final: the 1964 Maple Leafs (in 7 GP vs. DET), the 1989 Flames (in 6 GP vs. MTL) and the 1991 Penguins (in 6 GP vs. MIN).
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, road teams that win Game 3 are 13-0 in best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final series that were tied 1-1
Game 4 is set for Wednesday night at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Face-off is set for 8:00 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 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
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