NHL fans knew the championship series between the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins had the potential to be one of the most entertaining finals in recent memory but no one could envision the absolute classic these two would play in the series opener. Capping off tremendous runs in their respective conferences, Chicago and Boston - two of the league's original 6 teams - gave fans at the Chicago United Center a night to remember.
With the Bruins leading 3-1 in the third period, the Blackhawks fired back in big time fashion with two goals to send the game to overtime. After back-to-back scoreless overtime sessions, the series opener headed to a third OT. Just over 12 minutes into the third extra session, Andrew Shaw deflected a Michal Rozsival point shot past Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask, sending the Blackhawks home exhausted but with the ever-important 1-0 series lead. The opener certainly sets the stage for what should be a thrilling series the rest of the way.
RELATED: Victor Cruz Contract Update: When Will The Wide Receiver Report To Mandatory Minicamp [REPORT]
When and Where to Watch Game 2
Looking for an encore in front of the home crowd, the Chicago Blackhawks will host the Boston Bruins in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Saturday, June 15th. The puck is set to drop at 8:00pm, EDT with television coverage available through the NBC Sports Network.
Game 2 Recap
The Boston Bruins looked like a team fully capable of taking down the best team in the Western Conference after completely dismantling the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference Finals by way of a four-game sweep. With a two-goal lead on the road in the third period of game 1, the Bruins looked as though they'd continue their hot postseason play.
RELATED: Watch Now: Sebastien De La Cruz Sings National Anthem For The Second Time During NBA Finals [VIDEO]
Goals from Chicago's Dave Bolland and Johnny Oduya 4 minutes apart from one another however, evened the game at 3. With Andrew Shaw's goal in the third overtime session, the Bruins knew they let one get away.
"We had the game, up 3-1 in the third," goalie Tuukka Rask, who made 59 saves in the loss, said to NHL reporters. "A terrible turnover leads to the second goal and then bad bounce for the tying goal and we gave it away."
"You can dwell on it as much as you want," winger Milan Lucic said after the loss. "But at the end of the day you've got to be able to turn the page and focus on Game 2. Shoulda, woulda, coulda is not going to get you anywhere. It's not going to win us a game in the end. And I think we need to focus on Game 2 as fast as we can."
While the Bruins look to rebound following the grueling loss, the 2010 Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks have an added sense of confidence as they remain on home ice for Game 2. Rising star Corey Crawford was rock solid throughout every minute of overtime in net while the offense created opportunities late in regulation and all the way through overtime, finally splitting the pipes in the third extra session with Shaw's fifth goal of the postseason.
Looking ahead, star Patrick Kane recognizes how big the overtime win was for his team.
"It's one of those games being down 3-1, you come back to tie it 3-3, you definitely feel like something was left on the table if you didn't come back and win it," Kane said to reporters. "The game went a long time. It's definitely a good feeling winning in the third overtime when it does go that long. Huge win, for sure."
Goalie Corey Crawford was once again superb, stopping 51 of the 54 shot attempts he faced in Game 1. 29 of Crawford's saves came in the 52-plus minutes of overtime and asked if the elongated contest will have any adverse effects on his keeper and the entire fatigue level of the team, Hawks head coach Joel Quenneville trusts his squads recovery ability.
"I think with the extra day everybody should be fine," Quenneville said. "I think we went into the game going, let's see how the game is. We'll evaluate whether we're going to skate or not today. That was an easy decision coming into today or after the game last night. But you get a skate in Friday and you have a morning skate in on Saturday. I think everybody should feel fresh."
Wrap-Up
It remains to be seen how fresh the legs of the Bruins and Blackhawks will be when Game 2 gets underway Saturday night. Despite the energy level or lack-thereof the next time out, fans of both teams can be sure their squads will give the maximum level of effort no matter how they feel coming off a 3 OT contest.
Be sure to catch all the action in Game 2 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals on Saturday, June 15th. The puck will drop at 8:00pm, EDT with television coverage available through the NBC Sports Network.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS From Chicago's Game 1 Victory
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
