NHL Stanley Cup Finals game 3: Chicago Blackhawks 2 TB Lightning 3 recap and analysis

1st period 1-1

After a slower start of the game if you compared this one to the ones in TB, the Lightning found the back of the net on a breakaway due to a perfect Callahan shot under the crossbar that didn't leave any chance to Crawford. Chicago's reaction came immediately and Hossa missed an easy open net shot from the goal crease, the Blackhawks continued to force their opponents on defense and on a 4 on 4 they had some chances to score something that happened with 5 minutes eft in the period on a  PP when Richards shot from blue line has been deflected by Shaw into the net.

2nd period 1-1

The 2nd period began with a tie score at 1 that' why it has been a quite one, both teams have been more focused on the defensive part of the game and they didn't want to lose the balance sending too many man on the offensive zone, with 11 left in the period Chicago got a PP but they had huge difficulties to establish the possession of the puck in the offensive zone and this let the Lighting to have a big chance to score on a breakaway with Nikita Kucherov 1 on 1 against Crawford who made a remarkable safe understanding the dribble of the russian RW to preserve the tie. Both teams lack of team support on offense let the most part of the offensive play be individual plays, with less than 5 minutes left in the period TB got a 2 man advantage due to a doubtful goalie interference but they killed it without any troubles due to a perfect forechecking that destroyed the entrance in the offensive zone for TB so many times. 

3rd period 2-3

Very determinate start of the period for both teams tis time who shown they wanted to win the game, after few minutes Chicago scored on a Saad's scored on a snap shot that finalized a very good puck movement by the entire line, immediately Palat answered the Blackhawks with a blue zone goal that didn't even let the home team's fans finish to cheer for the previous goal. The game continue in that way till 3 minutes left in the game when Hedman passed the pack to Paquette who scored from the goal crease beating the weak Kane's coverage. Chicago tried to tied it even with the extra skater but the TB's forechecking denied that chance to them.

Considerations

TB got a key win even if Stamkos played another bad game without any impact on it, they have been lead by a great Bishop and a a very telentive group of youngsters. The game has been such and intensive one especially on forechecking and in all defense departments, the results has been a balanced match decided just with 3 minutes left in the game due to a personal play. 

MY 3 stars of the game

1 Paquette

2 Callahan

3 Shaw