NHL Stanley Cup Finals game 1: TB Lightning 1 Chicago Blackhawks 2 recap and analysis

1st period 1-0

The home team started in a perfect way dominating the 1st minutes with both puck possession and forechecking, after some shots they scored with a flying behind the back deflection of Killorn on a Stralman blue line wrist shot. TB continued to attack and they got a PP in few minutes where they has a very good puck movement and they have been dangerous with Johnson who called Crawford to make a good save. The game's pace slew down due to the improvement of Chicago and they got a PP opportunity that didn't produce any concrete chance to score so the period ended with a well deserved advantage of the Lightning over the Blackhawks and the visitors should feel lucky just to trail by a goal.

2nd period 1-0

Chicago started it well gaining a PP immediately but even if they had a good puck movement they haven't been able to create any threat to Bishop due to a patient defense by TB. After that both teams had some minutes where they studied each other trying to find a way to be dangerous in the offensive zone. Around the mid part of the period Chicago got the 2nd PP opportunity of the period and this time they did it in a worse way than the other way having issues to control the puck in the offensive zone and also not being able to have a shot on goal. With 6 minutes left i the period TB got a PP due to a very doubtful call for goalie's interference on Versteeg but the Blackhawks penalty killers made a very good job to kill it. Since that moment Stamkos took control of the game and got some scoring chances even due to clear mistakes by the Chicago's defensive lines.

3rd period 1-2

A very quite beginning of the period for both teams and after 11 minutes have been recorded just few shots, Callahan had a big chance 1 on 1 vs Crawford but his low slap shot has been stopped by the Chicago's goalie.The Hawks tied it with a Teravainen wrist shot under the crossbar everything happened thanks to a great play by Keith at the blue line, after just few minutes Sharp and Kane against Bishop missed a great chance to go ahead. The visitors went ahead just few moments later due to an amazing job of the all team on ice in pressure and forechecking that forced a turnover very well capitalized by Vermette with a perfect snap shot under the crossbar.

TB played a better game than Chicago counting all 3 periods but the strong mentality of the visitors let them win even without playing a very good game, the Lightning need to keep it up all 3 periods if they wanna fin the cup because the Hawks proved in last 6 years their resilience and along with the Kings they have been the toughest team in playoffs.

MY 3 stars of the game

1 Vermette

2 Crawford

3 Killorn