Other than no overtime, the Tampa-Chicago series has arguably been as entertaining as any Stanley Cup Final through the first four games.
With the Lightning and Blackhawks in a saw-off, one can assume OT is on the way, it’s just a matter of when.
Here’s some compelling comparisons.
Competitiveness:
Can it be any closer? Both Tampa and Chicago have two wins and nine goals scored. The Blackhawks have 107 shots, just three more than the Lightning.
Tampa and Chicago have been tied or separated by one goal for the entire four games.
This is the first Stanley Cup Final in 48 years where each of the first four games were decided by one goal.
Mystery goaltending:
Tampa’s Ben Bishop has a suspected leg injury but the Lightning don’t want to share any information regarding his status. Bishop did not finish game two, played well through pain in game three, and was scratched in game four with 20-year-old Andrei Vasilevskiy taking over.
Bishop will return according to Lightning coach and P.G. native Jon Cooper, but does that mean in time for game five? Likely.
Chicago’s Corey Crawford isn’t injured but he is an enigma considering his inconsistency. Crawford gave up soft goals in the two losses (4-3 and 3-2), yet was a star in the two wins (both 2-1).
Ace defencemen:
Chicago’s Duncan Keith (+15) and Tampa’s Victor Hedman (+12) are first and second among all players in the plus-minus department. Both have excelled at both ends of the ice while thriving on enormous playing time, by far the most on their team.
Keith plays close to half the game while Hedman is not far behind with over 26 minutes per game on average in this series.
If voting was held today, these would be my two leading candidates for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP with Keith getting the slight edge.
Lack of a big gun:
The wait continues for a breakout game from the two top forwards from each team.
Playoff scoring leader Tyler Johnson and Jonathan Toews each have one goal and one assist while snipers Steven Stamkos and Patrick Kane are both in a slump at the same time, with just one assist. Players of this calibre are too good to remain quiet which adds to the suspense.
Intangibles:
Tampa has been the more physical team and in game four outhit Chicago 46-34, but the Blackhawks are resilient. Chicago was outhit in every game in the Anaheim series by an average margin of 48-33 per game, yet the Hawks won when the chips were down in games six and seven.
On one hand, the extra day’s rest between games four and five favors Chicago because the Blackhawks are relying on mostly four defencemen, and one of them, Johnny Oduya, is far from 100 per cent.
On the other hand, the two day break favors Tampa because Ben Bishop gets more time to recover from his injury.
Both teams play well on the road which reduces home ice advantage. Tampa is 8-4 away and just 6-6 in front of its own fans. Chicago is 6-5 on the road and 8-2 at home.
Summary:
The Blackhawks, under coach Joel Quenneville, historically play much better in the latter part of a series which is a good sign for Chicago.
The Lightning aren’t intimated by Chicago’s credentials as Tampa has embraced the big stage.
No matter how one wants to analyze or predict this series, both teams have a 50-50 chance and it’s just a guess
who will win.
There have been suggestions the NHL drags out its season too long into June, but this cliff-hanger has been worth the wait. The best news is the intrigue will escalate culminating with a Cup presentation Monday or Wednesday.
From the Quote Rack:
Not saying Florida isn’t exactly a hockey mecca, but when random Floridians were asked if they were watching the Lightning, most of them responded “I didn’t even hear the thunder.”
Triple Crown winning jockey Victor Espinoza threw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium and got it all the way to the plate. If he were a lefty the Yanks might have signed him.
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
After a bout with dehydration, Matthew Dellavedova decided to pass on his pregame coffee for Game Four. Doctors orders reportedly read, ‘Not in my Maxwell House.’
Joe Montana says that the 49ers offensive linemen sprayed silicone on their jerseys. Pamela Anderson wonders if they should call that ‘Inflategate’.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
Johnny Manziel threw a water bottle at an irritating fan at the Byron Nelson Classic. Luckily the bottle was half loaded —or was that Manziel?
CFL officials expect it’ll take until week two of the regular season for players to grasp the 2015 rule changes — Grey Cup week for TSN’s Rod Black.
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
Bryce Harper, who is leading the Majors in homers and arguments at home plate, is considering sitting out the Home Run Derby at the All-Star game. Will someone please tell him there are no umpires for that event?
Chadpicasner.blogspot.com
Oakland A’s pitcher Pat Venditte who is ambidextrous, became the first player to pitch with both arms in the same game. Let’s hope he never has to have “Tommy John” surgery, they’d have to put him on the DL for twice as long.
NBC Sports chairman Mark Lazarus doesn’t like the NHL player’s traditional playoff time beards. He thinks they and the game would be more marketable if their faces were shaved. What next, does he expect them to play with their dentures in place as well?
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver (http://alwaysfunny.com/)
And in case you missed it:
Caitlyn Jenner will be honoured with the Courage Award at this year’s ESPYs. Is that for spending so many years around the Kardashians?
Comedy writer Torben Rolfsen
Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat. His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller