Flash Points: Lightning rally in 3rd to grab 2-1 lead in Stanley Cup Final
Their road magic continues.
The Tampa Bay Lightning rallied for two goals in the third period, capped by winger Cedric Paquette's score with 3:51 left to earn a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday at the United Center in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. With the result, the Lightning take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
The Lightning flipped the script on the Blackhawks, who had entered as the postseason's most formidable home team. Chicago posted a 7-1 mark at the United Center in their run through the Western Conference, their lone loss coming against the Anaheim Ducks in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. The Lightning, meanwhile, were an impressive 7-3 away from home on their way to winning the Eastern Conference.
Tampa Bay's road success lives on, with goals from wingers Ryan Callahan (first period) and Ondrej Palat (third) in addition to Paquette's production.
"We gave up home ice, we got it back," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said on the Sun Sports postgame show. "And now we've got a chance to really do some damage here on them, and we're pretty excited."
The Lightning survived a rocky first period, when they were outshot 19-7. The Blackhawks missed an open net on two occasions, both blown opportunities that they will regret.
Tampa Bay weathered that situation and another to grab the series lead. Beforehand, there was much speculation about whether Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop would start. He left in the third period twice during Tampa Bay's Game 2 victory on Saturday at Amalie Arena. Still, he participated in the morning skate Monday and led his team on the ice for pregame warm-ups later in the night. He finished with 36 saves.
"He's just a special player for us," Lightning center Brian Boyle told reporters in Chicago of Bishop. "He has to be our best player, and he has been."
Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford, meanwhile, had 29 stops. Chicago received goals from center Brad Richards in the first period and winger Brandon Saad in the third.
On Monday, though, Bishop and the Lightning stood tallest.
"It was a big win for the guys," Lightning center Tyler Johnson told reporters in Chicago.
"That was a good team effort all the way around. Chicago came out strong in that first period. So for us to kind of weather that and keep going, I think it showed a lot of character."
THE TURNING POINT
Paquette's goal was the difference. In a tight series like this, late scores mean the most.
THE DIFFERENCE MAKER
Bad health. Good health. It doesn't matter. Bishop's performance was gritty after all the questions surrounding his status before Monday.
STAT OF THE GAME
Those two goals the Lightning produced in the third period look big now, don't they? That's some response after the Blackhawks took a 2-1 lead early in the third.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Lightning face the Blackhawks in Game 4 at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the United Center.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
