Lightning look to bounce back in Game 2
Midway through the third period in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals, it appeared the Tampa Bay Lightning would smother the Chicago Blackhawks into a 1-0 hole. Instead, Chicago roared back for two goals, topping the Lightning at the Amalie Arena on Wednesday night.
Tampa Bay now has almost three full days to recover before hosting Game 2 on Saturday evening, a virtual must-win for the club. The Lightning would be all but cooked with another defeat, having to go to the Madhouse on Madison for a pair of games. Even a split would only leave them down 3-1, having to win the final three games to hoist Lord Stanley for the second time in franchise history.
With a few days to correct their errors, the Lightning have been eager to get on the ice and make adjustments. Captain Steven Stamkos isn’t overly concerned, saying the team played well for the most part before making a few critical errors, per Scott Burnside of ESPN.com.
“Last game was tough in a way that we played really well and just couldn’t get it done,” captain Steven Stamkos said Thursday. “We’ve had some tough ones where we didn’t play well, didn’t deserve it, bounced back. This will be a different test for our group.”
However, Stamkos also noted that his team couldn’t be given any kind of reprieve because of their lack in the experience department compared to Chicago.
“But I don’t think that’s an excuse for our group anymore,” Stamkos said. “We got that out of the way. We played extremely well, especially the first two periods. If we’re in that position again, we’ll make the necessary adjustments.”
The Lightning were able to hold the Blackhawks to only 13 shots through the first 40 minutes, stifling one of the deepest offensive teams in the league by forcing them to the outside. However, Tampa Bay also hindered its own game by playing conservatively. Throughout the first three rounds of the 2015 NHL Playoffs, the Lightning have been extremely aggressive, mirroring their style through the regular season. Tampa Bay was devastating offensively, leading the NHL in goals.
Ultimately, Chicago is the favorite in this series, going for its third championship in the last five seasons. The Blackhawks are favored at 5/8 while the Lightning are sitting at 7/5, per Vegas Insider. In other words, Tampa Bay has nothing to lose. It should be going full tilt with all kinds of passion, leaving it all on the ice.
Game 2 should be entertaining with Chicago looking to all but wrap up another championship, while the Lightning come out of the dressing room with vim and vigor. If they want to stay in the series, the Lightning have to open up the offense and let it rip.
