For 53 minutes, the Tampa Bay Lightning looked like they had Game 1 in the bag. The team held strong on defense while maintaining 1-0 lead after an early goal in the first period. However, this is the Stanley Cup Finals and no lead is safe even when a team has home ice advantage. Chicago knocked in two goals back-to-back in order to get the win and now the Blackhawks have the momentum heading into Game 2.
It was a 20-year-old that got the ball rolling for the Blackhawks. Teuvo Teravainen was the first to break through the stout Lightning defense that held for a majority of the game. With 1:58 left in the game, Teravainen cored and then Antoine Vermette knocked in the second to secure the first win of the series.
The Blackhawks are chasing their third Stanley Cup in five years and they certainly looked like a team that has been there before. The veteran roster never quit despite being down for a majority of the game. Corey Crawford held strong with 22 saves while Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane kept momentum.
"It's pretty amazing," Teravainen said, via ESPN.com. "I know we have a great team. We have a lot of experience, but myself, I'm a young guy here, so I try to bring some energy. Tampa Bay is a really great team. It's a fast game out there. You have to be ready."
Going into Game 2, Tampa Bay looks to come out with the same intensity they have in Game 1. Ben Bishop help until that final stretch in the third period and just simply needs to do much of the same in Game 2. Early in the game, the Lightning tested the defensive line of Chicago that has been overplaying for much of the playoffs. Fatigue was thought to be a factor for the Blackhawks, but they proved to be able to keep up all game.
The Blackhawks got success from unlikely heroes in Game 1. On a roster with veterans that have multiple championship rings, it was a pair of young guns that got the credit. Toews and Kane need to start getting their shots if the Blackhawks will keep up the success.
Watch Blackhawks vs. Lightning Game 2 live stream, click here.