All games airing on and

Chicago @ Tampa Bay, Wed. June 3, 8:00 pm EST (NBC)
Chicago @ Tampa Bay, Sat. June 6, 7:15 pm EST (NBC)
Tampa Bay @ Chicago, Mon. June 8, 8:00 pm EST (NBCSN)
Tampa Bay @ Chicago, Wed. June 10, 8:00 pm EST (NBCSN)
Chicago @ Tampa Bay, Sat. June 13, 8:00 pm EST (NBC)*
Tampa Bay @ Chicago, Mon. June 15, 8:00 pm EST (NBC)*
Chicago @ Tampa Bay, Wed. June 17, 8:00 pm EST (NBC)*

* if necessary

Stanley Cup Final

Game 1

Chicago Blackhawks 2 Tampa Bay Lightning 1

The Chicago Blackhawks came into this final seeking to hoist the Stanley Cup trophy for the third time in six years. Meanwhile, The Tampa Bay Lightning came in as the youngest team in the NHL and had only one player with Stanley Cup experience. You woiuld think the Lightning would have to worry about nerves, but early on they were aggressive and put the Blackhawks on their heels. Alex Killorn scored the opening goal of the game for Tampa Bay just 4:31 into the first period. The Lightning would dominate this game early and play stifiling defense for the first two periods of this contest. To make matters more bleak for the Blackhawks, the Lightning were 9-0 in this postseason when scoring first and 8-0 when leading after two periods coming into the game.

But Chicago's patience, persistence, and Stanley Cup experience would pay off in the third period. The Blackhawks would become the aggressors, and with 6:32 remaining in the period they would tie the game on a goal from rookie Teuvo Teravainen. Just 1:58 later, Chicago would capitalize on a Lightning turnover and Antoine Vermette would score what would be the game winning goal. Corey Crawford would make 22 saves in this game while Tampa Bay goaltender Ben Bishop made 19 saves, but wasn't able to save the game when they needed it.

Chicago leads series 1-0.

Stanley Cup Final

Game 2

Chicago Blackhawks 3 Tampa Bay Lightning 4

The Tampa Bay Lightning had not lost a game this postseason where they led after the first two periods until game 1 of this series, so they knew winning this game was vital if they didn't want to fall behind going back to Chicago. Much like game 1, the Lightning came out aggressive and scored the first goal of the game on a Cedric Pacquette put in with just over seven minutes remaining in the first period. But the Blackhawks would claw back and take the lead early in the second period on a goal from Andrew Shaw and a power play goal from Teuvo Teravainen. But Tampa Bay would come right back and tie the game later that period on a goal from Nikita Kucherov and take the lead again on a goal from Tyler Johnson with six minutes remaining in the period.

In the third period Chicago would tie the game on a Brent Seabrook goal just 3:38 into the period. But a couple of back-to-back penalties from Patrick Sharp for slashing and high sticking would prove to be the Blackhawks undoing. Jason Garrison scored the tiebreaking power-play goal with 11:11 to play and rookie goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy relieved Ben Bishop twice to earn the victory for the Lightning.

Series tied at 1-1.

Stanley Cup Final

Game 3

Tampa Bay Lightning 3 Chicago Blackhawks 2

The Tampa Bay Lightning came into Chicago hoping to extend the momentum they gained in game 2, and they wasted little time getting things started, as Ryan Callahan scored the first goal of the game just 5:09 into the first period. But the Blackhawks would come firing back, scoring a power play goal from Brad Richards with about five and a half minutes remaining in the first period. The second period would be controlled by Tampa Bay, yet even with a 5on3 advantage, they failed to score in that period.

In the third period Chicago would take the lead on a Brandon Saad goal just 4:14 into the period. But before the Blackhawks fans could settle down from celebrating the go-ahead goal, the Lightning came back and got a goal from Ondrej Palat just 13 seconds later to tie the game again. Cedric Paquette would break the 2-2 tie, scoring the game-winning goal for Tampa Bay with 3:11 remaining in the third period. Ben Bishop, who left the game twice in game 2 due to an undisclosed injury, would make 36 saves in this game despite still being hurt.

Tampa Bay leads series 2-1.

Stanley Cup Final

Game 4

Tampa Bay Lightning 1 Chicago Blackhawks 2

Unlike the first three games of this Stanley Cup Final where the Tampa Bay Lightning stormed out to early leads with a lot of energy, this game was a much more defensive effort. The one big change coming into this game was the Lightning substituting Andrei Vasilevskiy at goalkeeper for the injured Ben Bishop. Chicago wanted to put pressure on him early, but it was Tampa Bay that controlled the puck for much of the first period. Nevertheless, Corey Crawford held them scoreless, and the first score of the game would come from Jonathan Toews of the Blackhawks at 6:40 in the second period. But Alex Killorn would even up the score for Tampa Bay just five minutes later on a Steven Stamkos assist.

The third period would have both teams scrambling furiously toward each other's net, but it was Chicago who would take the lead on a Brandon Saad goal with just under 14 minutes remaining in the game. From then on it was the Corey Crawford show, as he held off the last furious rush from Tampa Bay to secure the victory. Crawford would make 24 saves in this game. The series is now down to a best of three going back to the Gulf coast.

Series tied at 2-2.

Stanley Cup Final

Game 5

Chicago Blackhawks 2 Tampa Bay Lightning 1

In the first four games of this Stanley Cup Final, the Tampa Bay Lightning dominated the first period in shots on goal and time of possession, but in this game it was the Chicago Blackhawks who dominated the opening period. They would score the first goal of the game after a long pass attempt was made to Patrick Sharp, who chased it down along with Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman. At the same time Lightning goalkeeper Ben Bishop came out of goal to play the long pass, and as Hedman took a swipe at the puck and missed, he ran into Bishop, thus allowing Sharp to take control of the puck and score an empty net goal. Just prior to that goal, Lightning wingman Nikita Kucherov stole a pass in the Blackhawks zone that goalkeeper Corey Crawford tried to clear out, thus giving him a one-on-one chance to score, but Crawford would make an incredible save, and Kucherov would injure his shoulder after running into the goalpost on that same play. He would not return to the game.

Neverthless, the Lightning would come out in the second period with much more energy, and they would even the score on a goal from Valtteri Fippula about 11 minutes into the period. The Lightning would continue to put pressure on the Blackhawks but would end up scoreless after that due to the excellent play of Corey Crawford.

The Blackhawks would score what would be the game-winning goal early in the third period after Kris Versteeg outhustled a couple of Tampa Bay defenders to get a breakaway goal attempt which was blocked by Ben Bishop, but the rebound would be put in by Antoine Vermette. From that point on Chicago's most effective defense was a good offense, keeping the puck for the most part in the Tampa Bay zone and limiting their chances at goal. Nevertheless, the Lightning would have a few opportunities to score a tying goal, but Corey Crawford's goal keeping, as well as defense by Niklas Hjalmarsson would secure the victory for Chicago. Hjalmarsson would make seven blocks in this game. The Blackhawks now go home with the upper hand and a chance to win their first Stanley Cup title at home since 1938.

Chicago leads series 3-2.

Stanley Cup Final

Game 6

Tampa Bay Lightning 0 Chicago Blackhawks 2

The Chicago Blackhawks came into this game attempting to win their thrid Stanley Cup title in six seasons and their first at home since 1938. But every game in this series had been tight and won by a single goal. The Tampa Bay Lightning were hoping to steal a victory and bring the series back to Tampa for a decisive game 7.

The first quarter was a defensive affair, with both goalkeepers Ben Bishop and Corey Crawford playing valiantly. It would remain scoreless after the first period. The second period would see Tampa Bay making a huge surge, dominating the puck for much of the period, yet the first score came off a Duncan Keith breakway goal which he shot at Ben Bishop, who blocked his first shot, but Keith would put in the rebound with 2:47 remaining in the second period. The Blackhawks would ice the game and the title on a second breakaway goal when Brandon Saad chased down the puck on Ben Bishop's right side, who dished to Brad Richards behind him, who then dished to Patrick Kane on Bishop's left side, where he put in his first and only goal of the series. Corey Crawford would make all 25 of his saves in this game.

The Blackhawks now celebrate their third Stanley Cup title in six years and become the latest dynasty in professional sports, joining the likes of the New England Patriots, San Francisco Giants, and San Antonio Spurs.

Chicago wins series 4-2.

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as NHL playoff MVP after his team captured the Stanley Cup with a 2-0 win in Game 6 on Monday night.

Keith logged the most minutes on his team in these playoffs, becoming just the fourth skater sice 1998 to play more than 700 minutes of ice time in one postseason after Drew Doughty last year, Chris Pronger in 2006 and Nicklas Lidstrom in 2002.

Keith's 21 points (3-18) tied Pronger (in 2006) for the most by a defenseman in the playoffs in the last 20 years.

Sorry 728huey, I didn't see this thread and just posted in the other one. I'm looking forward to Jonathan Towes bringing the Stanley Cup back to his and my hometown of Winnipeg this summer! For the third time!!!