Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals was an intense affair, capped by a Chicago comeback that sealed the win 2-1 in Tampa. What made the victory even more impressive was that two unheralded players, Teuvo Teravainen and Antoine Vermette, were the ones who scored the goals. But the Lightning are a young, confident team capable of loading nets full of pucks.
Think Tampa Bay can even the series before it shifts to Chicago? Check out what these experts have to say about Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Dig deeper into this juicy Stanley Cup Finals matchup with our complete preview for Game 2.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Chicago Blackhawks vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Game 2 Expert Picks and Predictions
Series Scores and Schedule
Game 1 – Chicago Blackhawks 2 at Tampa Bay Lightning 1
Game 2 – June 6, 7:15 PM ET — Chicago Blackhawks at Tampa Bay Lightning — view all NHL lines
Game 3 – June 8, 8:00 PM ET –Tampa Bay Lightning at Chicago Blackhawks
Game 4 – June 10, 8:00 PM ET –Tampa Bay Lightning at Chicago Blackhawks
Game 5* – June 13, 8:00 PM ET –Chicago Blackhawks at Tampa Bay Lightning
Game 6* – June 15, 8:00 PM ET – Tampa Bay Lightning at Chicago Blackhawks
Game 7* – June 17, 8:00 PM ET – Chicago Blackhawks at Tampa Bay Lightning
*If necessary
Bleacher Report
| Expert | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Mike Chiari | Lightning |
Bleacher Report featured columnist Mike Chiari notes Alex Killorn’s eighth goal of the postseason was a key in opening up Tampa Bay’s attack in Game 1. Leading 1-0, the Lightning were energized and applied plenty of pressure against the Blackhawks. Tampa Bay outshot Chicago 18-13 in the first two periods. Prior to the Game 1 defeat, the Lightning had won all nine games in which they scored first.
[sc:NHL240 ]But Corey Crawford was solid in the game, preventing the Lightning from putting Chicago in a deeper hole. Crawford stopped 22 of 23 shots in the game.
Teuvo Teravainen was instrumental in Game 1. He scored the equalizer in the third period before setting up Antoine Vermette for the game-winner. Vermette’s last two scores this postseason have been game-winning goals.
Chiari believes that Chicago now has momentum on its side, which would be hard to stop due to the team’s championship pedigree. But the Lightning are a tough group capable of coming back to even the series. The Lightning are 7-1 after a loss this postseason.
Rant Sports
| Expert | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Seth Lassen | Lightning 3-2 |
Sett Lassen of Rant Sports agrees that Teravainen’s two points were instrumental in handing the Blackhawks the 2-1 victory in Game 1. But Chicago’s Game 1 win in the series may just open a desperate Lightning team’s scoring floodgates. If Tampa Bay is to even the series, it’ll likely be through Tyler Johnson. He’s quite a beast in these playoffs, leading the league in goals (12), points (21) and game-winning goals (four).
Expect Tampa Bay to come out with the same energy and pace that gave Chicago problems in the first two periods of the game. The Lightning’s highly-potent attack, which ranked first in goals scored per game during the regular season, should be able to get past hot-or-cold Crawford in front of Chicago’s net. Crawford has a 2.46 GAA this postseason; the league average is 2.31.
*Check back tomorrow as more experts sound off on their Game 2 picks.
Armed with these experts picks, it’s time to create a betting account and win big on the Stanley Cup Finals.
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