Stanley Cup Quick Glance

The Stanley Cup is just a day away. The Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning will do battle for Lord Stanley’s Cup in what should be a fun and exciting series. Before the puck drops Wednesday night, here’s a little preview to what lies ahead. It’s been a long journey for both of these teams, but neither one would give this opportunity up.

Chicago Blackhawks: Regular season record: 48-28-6 – 102 points – 3^rd in Central

Postseason Record: 12-5

Tampa Bay Lightning: Regular season record: 50-24-8 – 108 points – 2^nd in Atlantic

Postseason Record: 12-8

How each team got here

Chicago: Defeated Nashville 4-2 in the first round – Defeated Minnesota 4-0 in the Western Conference semifinals – Defeated Anaheim 4-3 in the Western Conference finals

Tampa Bay: Defeated Detroit 4-3 in first round – Defeated Montreal 4-2 in the Eastern Conference semifinals – Defeated New York Rangers 4-3 in Eastern Conference finals

Stanley Cup history

Chicago: 13^th appearance 5-7 record – Most recent – 2013, 2010

Tampa Bay: 2^nd appearance, Won Stanley Cup in 2004

Tale of the Tape

                                                                                Chicago                                                Tampa Bay

G/GP                                                                     3.29                                                        2.75

GA/GP                                                                  2.94                                                        2.45

PP %                                                                      19.6%                                                    22.2%

PK%                                                                       75.5%                                                    81.2%

Leading Point Getter                                     Patrick Kane (20)                              Tyler Johnson (21)

Leading Goal Scorer                                       Patrick Kane (10)                              Tyler Johnson (12)

Most Assists                                                      Duncan Keith (16)                            Nikita Kucherov (10)

Goalie Matchup

Corey Crawford (CHI): 9-4, 2.56 GAA, 418 saves, 92% saves, 1 shutout

Ben Bishop (TB): 12-8, 2.15 GAA, 92% saves, 3 shutouts

This series should be extremely entertaining. The Blackhawks are looking to etch their names on Lord Stanley’s Cup for the third time this decade. If Chicago is able to win the Cup, they will solidify their dynasty status. Three tiles in the first half of a decade is pretty impressive. As for Tampa Bay, they will look to have lightning strike twice in franchise history. On 2004, the Lightning defeated the Calgary Flames in the franchise’s lone Stanley Cup. A big key to this series will be the games that are played in Chicago. The Blackhawks are 7-1 in the playoffs this season, while the Lightning are 7-3 on the road. Both of these teams Game 7’s on the road to get here. Chicago went to Anaheim to hand the Ducks a 5-2 defeat, while Tampa Bay won Game 7 in Madison Square Garden against Henrik Lundquist and the Rangers.

Schedule of games

Game 1 – Chicago @ Tampa Bay – Wednesday 6/3 – 8pm

Game 2 – Chicago @ Tampa Bay – Saturday 6/6 – 7:15 pm

Game 3 – Tampa Bay @ Chicago – Monday 6/8 – 8pm

Game 4 – Tampa Bay @ Chicago – Wednesday 6/10 – 8pm

*Game 5 – Chicago @ Tampa Bay – Saturday 6/13 – 8pm

*Game 6 – Tampa Bay @ Chicago – Monday 6/15 – 8pm

*Game 7 – Chicago @ Tampa Bay – Wednesday 6/17 – 8pm

                *If necessary