Stanley Cup Final, Game 6: Blackhawks 2, Lightning 0 – Recap

Monday night, the Hawks had a chance to win the Stanley Cup, and do so on home ice for the first time since 1938. The game started out back-and-forth, but after a few minutes, the Lightning began to control the action. The Blackhawks would get the game’s first power play 8:35 into the game after Cedric Paquette was sent off for tripping. The Hawks would get a couple nice looks, but ultimately come away empty on the man advantage. The Hawks would get another power play 13:53 in after Brian Boyle was sent off for roughing. The Hawks would, again, come away empty. The remainder of the period would see more back-and-forth action, but no goals, so after one, we were as we began.

The Lightning controlled the action to start the second, but a few great saves from Crawford kept the game tied at 0. Eventually, the Hawks picked up their play and we saw fast-paced back-and-forth action. The Hawks would eventually take control of the action, putting together a few nice possessions; however, none resulted in a goal. Duncan Keith scored the game’s first goal 17:13 into the second, picking up his own rebound and firing it past Ben Bishop. The sequence was set up by a great pass by Patrick Kane. The Hawks would go to the power play 19:13 into the period after Ondrej Palat was sent off for elbowing. The Hawks would be unable to score in the 47 seconds remaining in the period and would take a 1-0 lead and 1:13 of power play time into the second intermission.

The Hawks would struggle to get set up and would come away empty on the 1:13 of power play time to start the third. After the power play ended, the teams traded possessions. None would result in goals, though. The Hawks would spend a great deal of time playing good defensive hockey, making it difficult for the Lightning to get good looks. Any the Lightning did get were stopped by Corey Crawford. The Hawks took the series’ first two-goal lead with 5:14 to play in the third on a goal by Kane set up by nice passing by Brandon Saad and Brad Richards. The Hawks would go to the penalty kill with 3:39 to play after Andrew Desjardins was sent off for tripping. With about 3 minutes to play in the third and the man advantage, the Lightning got Bishop off the ice in favor of the extra attacker. The Hawks would be able to kill off the penalty. The Lightning would be able to score two goals, or even one, and for the third time in six years, the Chicago Blackhawks are Stanley Cup Champions.

My picks for 3 stars:

★★★ Patrick Kane, RW, CHI (1 G, 1 A)

★★ Corey Crawford, G, CHI (25 SV, SO)

★ Duncan Keith, D, CHI (1 G (GWG))

My pick for Conn Smythe Winner: Duncan Keith, D, CHI

Twitter: @KSchroeder2325

E-mail: schroeder.giig@gmail.com