The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in Game 3 at the United Center. They now take the series lead 2-1.
The Bolts controlled the first five minutes of the game as they have in the previous two games. And just as in the first two games, they struck first when Ryan Callahan ripped one over the shoulder of Corey Crawford. Victor Hedman and J.T. Brown got the assists. However, after that, the Blackhawks came roaring back to dominate the period. They outshot the Bolts 19-7, and Tampa Bay went 13 minutes and 20 seconds without a single shot on goal after Cally’s first. Brad Richards scored his first of the series on a power play with Marian Hossa and Andrew Shaw with assists.
During the intermission, hockey Hall of Famer and Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman was reported to have gone down to the locker room, which is highly unusual. He must have said something, and the Bolts returned motivated and turned the tables on the Blackhawks during the second period. They outshot Chicago 17-7 though neither team was able to net a goal. There was one turning point of the game that seemed to sway momentum back towards the home team. Towards the end of the period, Bryan Bickell, who was making his first series appearance after being out with an upper-body injury, took a penalty for roughing against Callahan. About 30 seconds later, Brandon Saad was called for goaltender interference when he grabbed onto Ben Bishop‘s helmet as he fell. This put Tampa Bay on a critical 5-on-3 for nearly a minute and a half. With the score tied at 1-1, it would have been an opportunity for the Bolts to take the lead. However, the Blackhawks turned the tables and had a huge coup, as they only allowed 2 shots on goal during the two-man advantage. Chicago had to feel confident heading into the second intermission.
Within the first five minutes of the third period, there were two goals scored. The Blackhawks were still reeling from that pivotal 5-on-3 penalty kill, and Brandon Saad opened up the scoring with assists from Hossa and Duncan Keith. As the goal was being announced, Ondrej Palat tied it up for the Lightning with Nikita Kucherov and Tyler Johnson with the assists. It took only 13 seconds for Tampa Bay to respond. The game-winner came within the final four minutes of the game when Cedric Paquette scored one on a pass from Hedman. Callahan had the secondary assist. Crawford was pulled to allow for the extra man, but the Blackhawks were not able to take advantage.
“Heds” Up
I know the NHL awarded Paquette, who had the game-winner, the first star of the game and Bishop the third star, but I think they were remiss in excluding Victor Hedman. Coming into the Stanley Cup Finals, Hedman had 1 goal, 9 assists, and 10 points in 20 games. He also wasn’t playing up to expectations and was making costly mistakes at times. However, since Andrew Shaw allegedly bit him in Game 1, Hedman has developed mutant powers and now has four assists. He has been even better defensively and has two assists per game in Games 2 and 3. Forget American Pharoah, Hedman is the stud.
Ben Bishop
Someone must have slipped Bishop some Immodium because he did not have to leave the ice this game. However, he does look like he is a bit injured. On the Richards goal, Bishop just missed the shot with his glove, and Shaw was barely screening him. It was a bad goal to let in, and it started a firestorm of speculation on Twitter. Although Bishop did look like he was favoring his left leg throughout the game, it does not appear that he or the team will be releasing any information whatsoever on what may or may not be ailing the goaltender. In the pregame press conference, Bishop joked that he felt like Marshawn Lynch as he would not offer any comments when asked being injured. This sparked the nickname BishMode, and he was beast even through injury. In that first period, despite facing 19 shots, only one goal was allowed, and it was on the power play.
Marian Hossa
Hossa had two assists this game for the Chicago Blackhawks. He has been the only star Blackhawk who has been able to consistently make it on the scoresheet. His first assist on the Richards goal put his career playoff assists at 93 to pass Gordie Howe and Scott Stephens. It ties Sergei Zubrov for 27th most of all-time. The second assist on the Saad goal puts him at 143 playoff points to tie Ron Francis for 33rd most in the NHL record books. With 94 career assists, he is at 26th most and only one behind Chris Pronger.
What to Look for in Game 4
Don’t expect the Chicago Blackhawks to be fading into the background any time soon. This is an excellent comeback team, and the Tampa Bay Lightning can hold back Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Sharp for only so long. Being in front of the home crowd, they are going to want to strike back in a big way. I can’t imagine this team not winning one of these games at home.
Keep an eye on BishMode because while he should be back for Game 4, he clearly is starting to suffer from something. Coach Jon Cooper may have to give Andrei Vasilevskiy the nod if things start to unravel rapidly. However, the Lightning are a team that is accustomed to weak goaltending and win their games by scoring a ton. Losing BishMode will be significant, but it’s not the same as losing Carey Price or Henrik Lundqvist. If the Bolts can maintain the firepower, they should be in good hands.
Stanley Cup Fan Reaction
During the Stanley Cup Finals, I’d like to include fan reactions. Please add your comments below. You can also tweet me (@SportingAJenDa) or the website (@TheAOSNOfficial). Make sure to please include #SCFR in your tweet!
@theonlyseamus: “Can I just yell ‘Hawks suck’ for the next 20? #LGB #SCFR”/ “Hearing Hawks fans get all excited only to get disappointed is a very special pleasure for me. #RideTheLightning #SCFR”
If you can’t tell, Seamus is rooting for the Bolts. He’s a St. Louis Blues fan!