Stanley Cup Final, Game 1: Blackhawks 2, Lightning 1 – Recap

Game one of the Stanley Cup Final took place at Amalie Arena Wednesday night. The Lightning came out fast and struck first when Alex Killorn redirected a shot past Corey Crawford and into the net 4:31 into the game. The Lightning would also get the game’s first power play after Andrew Shaw was sent off for tripping 6:14 in. The Hawks would be able to kill off the penalty. The Lightning, though, would continue to control the action. Eventually, the Hawks would be able to get a few nice looks of their own, and then a power play after Jason Garrison was sent off for cross-checking 16:48 in. The Hawks would get a couple nice looks, but ultimately come away empty. While the Hawks ended the period better than they started it, after one, they trailed 1-0.

The Hawks would go to the power play 28 seconds into the second after Killorn was sent off for high-sticking. The Hawks would come away empty on the man advantage. The Hawks would go back to the power play 9:48 into the period after the Lightning were caught with too many men on the ice. The Hawks would never get anything set up and would again come away empty. The Hawks would go to the penalty kill 13:28 into the period after Kris Versteeg was sent off for goalie interference. The Hawks would be able to kill off the penalty. The Hawks would again apply pressure late in the period, but again, nothing got past Ben Bishop, and after two, the Hawks still trailed 1-0.

The Hawks controlled the action in the third, while the Lightning seemed perfectly content playing defense. The Hawks finally broke through the defense and scored 13:28 into the period. It was Teuvo Teräväinen with the goal. The Hawks took the lead just under two minutes later on a goal by Antoine Vermette set up by Teräväinen. With a little under a minute-and-a-half to play, Tampa Bay pulled Ben Bishop in favor of the extra attacker. The Lightning would get a couple great looks, but were unable to score, and the Hawks took game 1 2-1.

My picks for 3 stars:

★★★ Alex Killorn, C, TB (1 G)

★★ Corey Crawford, G, CHI (22 SV, 1 GA)

★ Teuvo Teräväinen, F, CHI (1 G (GTG), 1 A)

Twitter: @KSchroeder2325

E-mail: schroeder.giig@gmail.com