2015 Stanley Cup Final Game 3 Tampa Bay Lightning at Chicago Blackhawks 8PM Eastern/7PM Central NBCSN/CBC/TVA
THE BUZZ
That’s the beauty of a 7-game playoff series: the different phases, the different trends, the different stories.
So let’s assume, reasonably, that Games 1 and 2 were Phase 1. And Games 2 and 3 will be Phase 2.
In Phase 1, we learned that this series will in all likelihood be closer than many expected.
The Lightning present some unique challenges to the Blackhawks, with their speed, mostly solid goaltending, 200 ft. defense, Viktor Hedman and a number of scoring threats.
But you can’t have it both ways.
Are the Lightning therefore underdogs, who have surprised Chicago, have them on their heels, and all the momentum going into the United Center tonight?
Or are they a very, very good team who nonetheless didn’t defend home ice, got dominated in the third periods of both Games 1 and 2, and are having trouble with Chicago’s cycle and in the faceoff dot?
I think we will learn (some of) which is which in Phase 2.
The Lightning have been great on the road in these playoffs. And I will not be surprised if they go back to Amalie for Game 5 with home-ice reclaimed, gaining a split in Chicago. And then we’ll have Phase 3.
That said, the Blackhawks have to feel that they played well enough in Tampa’s building to have come home up 2-0, but didn’t because of two untimely penalties and a couple of softish to Charmin-like goals allowed by Corey Crawford.
Excuses? No. The Lightning won the game because they deserved to win. But the Hawks also played well enough to win in spite of the above.
As far as the in-game dynamics of Game 3, I don’t foresee a home-ice advantage as far as officiating—games 1 and 2 (especially) were very well-called.
Joel Quenneville will have an easier time, with last change, getting the matchups he wants. That will make Jon Cooper’s job a little more challenging.
All indications are Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane will remain split up as they were toward the end of game 2. Some felt this was merely to get one or the other away from Hedman and Cedric Paquette—probably was.
But putting Marian Hossa back on Toews’ right flank brings an element of power and board work to Toews’ line, that was there all season, when those two along with Brandon Saad were one of the league’s top lines.
This is important because the Hawk cycle is giving Tampa a lot of problems. Hedman is a beast, but after him, Jason Garrison is really the only defender you would call “rugged.… Now, in addition to Marcus Kruger’s line, which has been the biggest problem down low for Tampa, the potential for extended offensive zone time by the Toews line has been amped up slightly.
My suspicion is, Quenneille recognizes a weakness here and he is going to try to exploit it further. Which is why you might also see Bryan Bickell back in the lineup tonight on Brad Richards’ left wing, possibly replacing Kris Versteeg.
Bickell hasn’t done much in these playoffs—except two things: deliver punishment on opposing defensemen, and get his body in front of opposing goalies. Much (much) was made of Anaheim’s physical pounding on Hawk defensemen. And much was therefore overlooked as to the damage Bickell did throughout that series, and especially in the first two rounds versus Nashville and Minnesota.
I think the Hawks are going to build on what the Kruger line is doing in Tampa’s zone, and try to get that same dynamic going consistently on at least one, if not two more lines.
Bishop? Vasilevskiy? I don’t see much of a difference. Vasilevskiy has been pressure tested in the WJC’s, has size, speed and a strong technical game. The way to beat either guy is get bodies in front of them and put pucks on net.
For Tampa? More of the same. Why not? Their speed and creativity is a constant threat. And they will likely dial up their own forecheck every time they see Kyle Cumiskey or David Rundblad on the ice.
On that note, Quenneville has hinted Trevor van Riemsdyk might see some action tonight.
All I got for now!
JJ
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