The Chicago Blackhawks rallied late to top the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. While trailing late in the third period, Teuvo Teravainen scored the game-tying goal before setting up Antoine Vermette on what would become the game-winning goal. Ironically, both players involved in Chicago’s two goals were both healthy scratches during the team’s postseason run less than two weeks ago.
The Lightning started fast and took a 1-0 lead early in the first period, but Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford made 22 saves on the night, which prevented Tampa Bay from extending their lead. Despite their inability to extend the lead, the Lightning look poised to grind out a 1-0 win and take an early lead in the series, as they managed to limit the effectiveness of the Blackhawk’s star players, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.
However, the Lightning couldn’t quite hold on to their slim lead for the full 60 minutes. Teravainen scored the first goal through heavy traffic with 6:32 left in the game, before forcing the turnover that led to Vermette’s goal less than two minutes later, completely a swift but decisive turnaround for the Blackhawks.
With the goal and assist, the 20-year old Teravainen became the youngest player to have a multipoint game in the Stanley Cup finals since 1991, when hockey legend Jaromir Jagr did it for the Pittsburgh Penguins as a 19-year old.
The home loss is particularly disappointing for Tampa Bay, who won the most home games of any NHL team during the regular season. However, the Lightning have sputtered to a 5-6 home record during the postseason.
The pressure is now on Tampa Bay to win Game 2 at home in order to avoid going down 2-0 in the series. Game 2 between the Blackhawns and Lightning is Saturday Night at Tampa’s Amalie Arena.