A great time to be a hockey fan!
Occasionally there's a Stanley Cup Final that feels like a crossroads Final. When the New York Islanders won their final Stanley Cup, they did so against an upstart Edmonton Oilers team that would take over from there. This Stanley Cup Final feels like that to me. Also I can't take credit for the analogy, because I heard it from Joe Thistel on XM radio first, but I really like it.
The Hawks have that experience that is hard to buy, and will undoubtedly lose some players shortly after this series is played. The Lightning on the other hand are pretty much set moving forward. There is a sense that this won't be the last time they make it to a Final, but then again in the NHL it is so hard repeat even as Conference Champion.
Tampa's hope is basically derived from the fact that they can score goals with anyone, and they definitely matured a lot in the Ranger's series, learning how to win low-scoring, close games. Still however, this Lightning team does not like to play physical teams like Chicago.
The Hawks had to play three very physical series to get here, and there definitely will be an adjustment to playing against a team like Tampa. Nashville, Minnesota, and Anaheim are three very impressive series to have won. Despite some of the series being shorter each was a war in and of itself.
Tampa will be different. Even if they play shutdown defenses style they won't be nearly as physical or exhausting to play against, and they don't particularly match up well against Chicago right now. The closest team to Chicago that the Lightning have faced in the playoffs, is the former Central Division Detroit Red Wings. And the Red Wings gave them all they can handle in that series.
The way to beat Chicago is on the forecheck. Even when the Hawks defence is healthy, they can sometimes can get caught trying to make quick transition passes. They also don't love having to go back behind their own goal for the puck and turning their backs.
Tampa's game is not the forecheck. Tampa thrives on scoring off the rush.
This Blackhawks team has perhaps been more impressive than either of the two teams who won Stanley Cups for their city. They had no business beating Anaheim in the last round, and where it not for the Ducks hitting several posts in several overtimes this series would be opening in Anaheim.
After the two long overtime games early in the Anaheim/Chicago series the Blackhawks defense and team looked emotionally and physically shot. Somehow they managed to turn this around and look like the much stronger team a few games later against the Anaheim. Very impressive.
Tampa need to come out and win tonight. Game one of the Stanley Cup Final could actually be a bit of a let down for Chicago given all the great rivals they had to beat to get here. Also Chicago has a definite sense that they can win even if they drop a few games. Desperation wins hockey games this time of year. That desperation has to be there for the Lightning from the puck drop or Chicago will just be wondering how many games it'll take to knock them off?
I think Tampa does take the first two games of this series... And then I think Chicago find another gear again... I gear that maybe only Chiocago, and perhaps sometimes the Los Angeles Kings, have.
Tampa needs Bishop to be very very good and cannot allows Chicago to get on a roll. The third period a game six against the Rangers, which was the Rangers best period of the playoffs, showed what can happen when a physical team is desperate against Tampa.
My Pick: Chicago in 7 MVP: Who else? Mr Toews.
On today's podcast we discuss all this and more...watch below..