The young guns over at Tampa Bay are proving to be problematic for the experienced veterans of the Chicago Blackhawks. The Lightning regained the series lead 2-1 after a 3-2 victory at United Center on Monday. Can Tampa Bay keep rolling on the road this postseason? Read on as we break down the intense Stanley Cup finals action to come.
Let the experts aid you in making a pick. Check out our collection of expert picks and predictions here.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Chicago Blackhawks Game 4 Preview
Series Scores and Schedule
Game 1 –June 3 — Chicago Blackhawks 2 at Tampa Bay Lightning 1
Game 2 – June 6 —Chicago Blackhawks 3 at Tampa Bay Lightning 4
Game 3 – June 8 –Tampa Bay Lightning 3 at Chicago Blackhawks 2
Game 4 – June 10, 8:00 PM ET –Tampa Bay Lightning (+155) at Chicago Blackhawks (-175); total: 5.5 – view all NHL lines
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
Betting on the Tampa Bay Lightning
Following their Game 3 win at United Center, the Tampa Bay Lightning regained home ice advantage with the series lead 2-1. The victory is even more crucial considering that the team that has won Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals after splitting the first two games has gone on to win 21 of 26 series since 1939.
[sc:NHL240 ]Victor Hedman was rather beastly in the big Game 3 victory. He finished with two assists and kept tabs on Chicago’s top forwards. Blackhawks superstars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are still scoreless in the series.
Tampa Bay’s forwards are blistering in the Stanley Cup finals. Ryan Callahan opened the scoring in the first period, then Ondrej Palat added a tally of his own through assists from his linemates Nikita Kucherov and Tyler Johnson. Cedric Paquette capped-off the Lightning’s superb offensive display with the game-winner in the waning minutes of the game.
Despite failing to score in Game 3, Johnson proves to be the deadliest of Tampa Bay’s forwards in the playoffs. He leads the postseason with 23 assists and 13 goals. Johnson is always a threat, especially with Chicago’s goalie looking beatable in the finals.
Goalie Ben Bishop made 36 saves in an impressive Game 3 performance, considering his status was questionable leading into the game. Bishop exited the third period of Game 2 twice due to undisclosed reasons. But he appears to be suffering from a lower body injury, repeatedly taking time to get back up on his feet Monday night.
Anything other than a solid performance from Bishop may give the Blackhawks the leverage they need to get themselves back into the series. Bishop is 1-1 with a 2.47 GAA and .916 save percentage against Chicago this postseason.
The Lightning are 8-3 on the road this postseason.
Betting on the Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks won Game 1 despite a paltry performance. They had a much better performance in their Stanley Cup finals home opener, dominating puck possession to outshoot Tampa Bay 38-32. They also won 11 more faceoffs. But Chicago found itself staring at a 2-1 hole in the series after conceding a late goal in Game 3.
Corey Crawford has been terrible in the past two games, allowing a total of seven goals. If he can’t remain solid in net, then the Blackhawks will put even more pressure on their stars Toews and Kane to score. As it stands, the two have accounted for only one point in the Stanley Cup finals.
Rookie wunderkind Teuvo Teravainen has picked up the slack, though. He now has nine points in 15 games in the playoffs — as much points as he collected in 34 regular season games. Teravainen had an excellent look at goal in Game 3, but shot wide of the net.
Brad Richards and Brandon Saad gave the Blackhawks a chance to win with first and third period tallies respectively. Marian Hossa assisted in both their goals. His passing skills should be a welcome commodity for the Blackhawks’ frontline, especially with Toews effectively shut down this series.
With Chicago’s top two forwards in Toews and Kane struggling, defenseman Duncan Keith will need to step up his game. He’s been one of the most reliable two-way players for Chicago in the playoffs, leading the postseason with 18 assists and a plus/minus of plus-14. Expect Keith to be his usual creative self and emphasize cross-ice passes to take advantage of Bishop’s lack of lateral movement due to injury.
The Blackhawks are 7-2 in home games this postseason.
Writer’s Prediction
The Blackhawks even the series in Game 4. Create a betting account now and get in on the amazing Stanley Cup finals.
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