Binge Sports: 2015 Stanley Cup Final

We couldn’t have asked for much more than that from the conference finals. Welcome back to Binge Sports and our continuing coverage of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

After each of the conference finals went all seven games, we’re finally down to the two teams that will battle for the ultimate prize in the NHL, Lord Stanley’s Cup. The Chicago Blackhawks and the Tampa Bay Lightning will start the 2015 Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday night. Let’s take a look at the matchup. The new voting option I used for the NBA Finals will be in effect for this series as well. You’ll not only pick a winner, but I want you to also tell me how many games it will take for your pick to win it all.

(C3)CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS v. (A2)TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Round 1: Chicago def. Nashville 4-2, Tampa Bay def. Detroit 4-3

Round 2: Chicago def. Minnesota 4-0, Tampa Bay def. Montreal 4-2

Conference Finals: Chicago def. Anaheim 4-3, Tampa Bay def. New York 4-3

CONFERENCE FINALS POLL RESULTS

71% voted for Chicago

17% voted for Tampa Bay

SCHEDULE

Game 1: @Tampa Bay-Wed. June 3-8:00E/7:00C-NBC

Game 2: @Tampa Bay-Sat. June 6-7:15E/6:15C-NBC

Game 3: @Chicago-Mon. June 8-8:00E/7:00C-NBCSN

Game 4: @Chicago-Wed. June 10-8:00E/7:00C-NBCSN

* Game 5: @Tampa Bay-Sat. June 13-8:00E/7:00C-NBC

* Game 6: @Chicago-Mon. June 15-8:00E/7:00C-NBC

* Game 7: @Tampa Bay-Wed. June 17-8:00E/7:00C-NBC

*-if necessary

PREVIEW

It’s experience versus youth in this year’s Stanley Cup Final, but the styles of the Blackhawks and Lightning are very similar, which should make for an interesting matchup. The Blackhawks are obviously the more experienced of the two teams, having won the Stanley Cup in 2010 and 2013. Tampa Bay returns to the final for the first time since 2004 when the won the franchise’s first and only championship.

It’s important for the Blackhawks to score early. For one, Tampa Bay goalie Ben Bishop has been spectacular at times in these playoffs, including two 2-0 shutouts in Games 5 and 7 on the road against the Rangers. Tampa Bay is also 9-0 in these playoffs when scoring first, so it’s important for Chicago to strike first, especially when they have a 32-0-0 combined record in the regular season and playoffs when leading after two periods. They don’t want to let Bishop get settled in.

The forwards have been the story for both teams during these playoffs, and there’s plenty of star power at the position. The Lightning have six that can really hurt you and hurt you quickly. The first line consists of Valtteri Filppula (11 points), Alex Killorn (7 goals, 16 points), and captain Steven Stamkos, who has scored 7 goals and has 14 points in twelve games since moving from the center position to the right wing. If that wasn’t enough, the second line has been even more dangerous. The “Triplets” line consists of Ondrej Palat (7 goals, 15 points), Nikita Kucherov (10 assists, 19 points), and Tyler Johnson, who’s been amazing and leading the way with 12 goals and 21 points.

The Blackhawks counter with Patrick Kane, who you wouldn’t think was ever injured, who has 10 goals and 20 points thus far in these playoffs. Brandon Saad joins Kane and captain Jonathan Toews, who’s been a great team leader with 9 goals and 18 points, including two early goals against Anaheim in the decisive Game 7 victory. Marion Hossa leads the second line, dropping down to accommodate Kane, and he’s joined by Bryan Bickell, and Brad Richards, who was drafted by Tampa Bay and actually won the Conn Smythe Trophy when the Lightning won it all in 2004. The third line is led by Patrick Sharp and the fourth line has Andrew Shaw. That makes for easily the deepest set of forwards in the NHL.

Defense will be key in this series. With all of the talented forwards that can score in a heartbeat, it’s important for both teams to play solid defense to lead into transition goals. Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith, who has 18 points in 17 games, lead the way for Chicago. Tampa Bay counters with one of the best combinations in the league in Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman.

I’ve already mentioned how great Ben Bishop can be for the Lightning. In the other net is Corey Crawford, who seems to be rid of the problems that plagued him in the first round against Nashville. After losing his spot to Scott Darling in the middle of that series, he came back to close it out and has been solid ever since. He was especially good in Games 6 and 7 of the conference final, stopping 65 of 70 shots to close out the Anaheim Ducks.

As you can see from that breakdown, this has the potential to be an epic series. The styles are similar. The stars have been playing great. Both goalies are great when they need to be, but both can be vulnerable at times, which could lead to some high-scoring affairs. We could also get some 2-1 games in there as well. A few overtime games are probably in the cards as well, which is certainly okay by me. So now, you’ve got a choice to make. Who wins this intriguing matchup for one of the biggest and most prestigious prizes in sports?

[yop_poll id=”244″]

There you have it. In addition, don’t forget that you can still vote for the NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors by clicking HERE. As far as this Stanley Cup Final is concerned, who’d you vote for? How many games do you think the series will go? Justify your pick below or tweet @BingeSports and/or @THElukenorris. And as always, keep checking back for more from the rest of the boys and stay tuned for an all-new Binge SportsCast coming your way soon.