A passive approach in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals cost the Tampa Bay Lightning a 1-0 series lead heading into Game 2 last night. The Lightning with a 1-0 series deficit, decided to take a different approach this time, applying more pressure to the Chicago Blackhawks with prime puck possessions and physicality. In what was a thriller, the Lightning out-scored the Blackhawks 4 goals to 3 in a Game 2 win to tie the Stanley Cup Finals series at 1-1. The story of the night was the Lightning's ability to get stops despite losing the face-off statistic 35-19. After going down 2-1 in the 2nd period, Tampa Bay struck back with a Nikita Kucherov goal to tie things up at 2 goals a piece, a moral builder Tampa Bay used to push them to the win in the end. Game 3 now shifts over to Chicago at the United Center Monday night where the Blackhawks will look to take advantage of
home ice.
Statistically, the Blackhawks outplayed Tampa Bay in all facets of last nights contest. Chicago dominated the shots on goal stat 29-24, won the face-offs 35-19 and even registered 12 blocked shots to disrupt the Lightning on the offensive end. Considering this type of outcome which was a loss for the Blackhawks, it is hard to imagine what they could have done better. To add insult to injury, the Lightning inserted back-up Goalie Andrei Vasilevsky during the final period of the game and he was able to close out Game 2. Vasilevsky came in for the exhausted Ben Bishop who has having apparent leg cramping throughout the latter of Game 2. C Tyler Johnson finally chipped in with a goal of his own, as the Lightning were all smiles when the horns went off sealing their Game 2 victory. Head coach Jon Cooper knows that this is just the beginning of what will be an amazing Stanley Cup Finals series.
Will Chicago bring the force in Game 3 at the United Center?
Find out when Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks air tonight at 8:00 p.m. E.T on NBCSN. Though the 2015 NHL season has come to a crashing end, we encourage fans to stay tuned with the Stanley Cup Finals as we prepare to crown the league best this month.
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