Flash Points: Lightning succumb to 3rd-period rally, drop Game 1
TAMPA, Fla. -- After all the buzz and pre-series buildup, the Chicago Blackhawks produced a rally when it mattered most.
The Blackhawks earned a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 Wednesday at Amalie Arena with two third-period goals. Centers Teuvo Teravainen and Antoine Vermette scored late, lifting Chicago to the early series lead after Tampa Bay had controlled play for most of the night.
Before the surge, the Lightning appeared to be in good shape.
In a performance similar to their Game 7 showings against the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers earlier in the postseason, the Lightning suffocated the Blackhawks' potent offensive attack for the first two periods. Chicago entered the Stanley Cup Final coming off a seven-game affair in the Western Conference Finals against the Anaheim Ducks in which it scored at least four goals in regulation four times. But Tampa Bay held Chicago to 13 shots going into the third period, with the lone score coming from Lightning center Alex Killorn 4:31 into the first period.
The third period proved to be a different story, though. Tampa Bay goaltender Ben Bishop closed with 19 saves. Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford had 22.
Before the Blackhawks claimed victory, the night served as a feeling-out process for unfamiliar opponents. Tampa Bay and Chicago played each other just two times in the regular season, with the Lightning posting a 1-0-1 record.
However, after Wednesday, the Blackhawks own the early advantage.
THE TURNING POINT
Teravainen's goal broke the Lightning's spell over the Blackhawks. Chicago gained confidence from there.
THE DIFFERENCE MAKER
The Blackhawks' third-period push, plain and simple. They never considered themselves out of it despite little working for them early.
STAT OF THE GAME
The Lightning lost for the first time in the playoffs when they grabbed a 1-0 lead in the postseason. They fall to 9-1 in the postseason when scoring first.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Lightning face the Blackhawks in Game 2 at 7:15 p.m. Saturday at Amalie Arena.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
