The excitement of Stanley Cup hockey was evident in Tampa for Game 1 of the final but the Blackhawks put a damper on the celebration with a stunning 2-1 win, handing the Lightning their first playoff loss in 10 games when scoring the first goal.
ODDS ANALYSIS
It just goes to show that you can throw out the records, stats and numbers when it comes to a championship series. Tampa Bay lost for the first time in this postseason when scoring first and when leading after two periods.
The teams cashed the under on Wednesday, but look for the Lightning to open things up after their defensive prevent strategy failed them. “We’re not happy sitting back the way we did late in the third.” Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman said after the loss.
Both teams cashed the over four times in their seven-game conference final series and this one should be a little more free-flowing now that the first-game jitters are out of the way.
GOALIE REPORT
Both Corey Crawford and Ben Bishop were excellent in Game 1. Crawford was just a little better getting the Hawks the early lead and home-ice advantage in the series. Crawford survived an early onslaught by the Lightning, standing tall in the net when the Lightning, juiced by a revved up crowd and the first Stanley Cup Final game in Florida in 11 years, applied pressure right after the opening faceoff.
The only one of 23 shots that got by him was redirection that other deflected shots would be proud of. He came up large on a Ryan Callahan breakaway midway through the third period, stoning the wing and keeping the Hawks deficit at one. Not long after that Chicago netted the tying goal.
You can’t really fault Bishop on the two goals he allowed. The first came with two players directly in front of him and he never saw the Teuvo Teravainen shot that tied the game. Under two minutes later Antoine Vermette scores from the slot off a Tampa turnover and its game over.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“For most of the game, we saw we can hang, and we can be better. You’ve got to go through these situations to learn from them. It comes down to the small details and it comes down to a bounce.” – Lightning captain Steven Stamkos
SITUATIONAL BETTING
Hopefully Tampa Bay learned an important lesson from Game 1. Clinging to a one-goal lead in the third period, the Lightning seemingly went into prevent mode. And as we know, that style prevents you from winning. Tampa Bay outplayed the Hawks in the first period, using their speed and forecheck to create chances only to be stymied by Corey Crawford.
The second period was about even, but the third belonged to Chicago, mainly because Tampa Bay elected to play more conservatively which, as we’ve seen throughout the year, is not their style. The Lightning rarely tested Crawford in the third, with the exception of the Callahan’s breakaway, and allowed the Hawks to apply constant pressure, eventually getting the tying and game-winning goals 1:58 apart late in the period.
Watch for the Lightning to play a more wide-open game in the later stages, regardless of the score. Tampa Bay played not to lose in Game 1. They need to play to win on Saturday.
PROP TALK
Tampa Bay’s Triplets line of Tyler Johnson, Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat, who combined to score half the team’s playoff goals, was held off the score sheet Wednesday and had just two shots on goal between them.
They all played right around 20 minutes and were non-factors on the offensive, putting little pressure on the Chicago D. Johnson and Kucherov were both minus-1 in the game, on the ice when Antoine Vermette scored the game-winner.
The trio has that first game out of the way and they can back to doing what they do best – play hockey. Watch for members of the line to crack Corey Crawford for a few points.
ANALYSIS & PREDICTION
The experienced group of Hawks players never wavered, played the entire 60 minutes, and stole a win in Game 1. Trailing for almost 53 minutes, Chicago got a few late goals to stun the Lightning with a 2-1 win. The Hawks have been here before and know that a bounce, a deflection or a turnover can turn a game quickly and that’s exactly what happened. Some might call it luck, but you create your own luck and the goals they scored came from effort and desire.
Tampa Bay needs to match Chicago’s effort for an entire game not just 53 minutes. You could sense the Lightning were deflated after the game-tying goal, blowing a lead they held until only 6:32 remained in the third. The Lightning will learn from this game, the first Stanley Cup Final competition for all but one player who skated Wednesday.
Tampa Bay 4, Chicago 3
The NHL lines for this Saturday game will first be available at BookMaker Sportsbook. Minute-by-minute puck-lines, totals, moneylines and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker's new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here, and start wagering today! Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning will commence on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 7:15 p.m. ET at Amalie Arena. The contest will be broadcast nationally on NBC.
