NHL Playoffs 2015: Latest Stanley Cup Scores, Standings and Predictions

The Chicago Blackhawks had gotten used to playing with the lead.

As they headed into Game 1 of the Western Conference Final against the Anaheim Ducks, they had not trailed in a game in 23 days. They had swept the Minnesota Wild in their conference semifinal series, and they did not trail in any of those games.

When Hampus Lindholm scored in the first period for the Ducks, the Blackhawks found themselves trailing for the first time since they played Game 6 against the Nashville Predators April 25 in the opening round of the playoffs. While they came back to win that game, they could not come back against the Ducks, and they absorbed a 4-1 defeat.

Despite the loss, the Blackhawks had the better of play in the first and second periods. However, they could only get one shot by Anaheim goaltender Frederik Andersen. The Ducks took advantage of their scoring opportunities, and while Blackhwks goalie Corey Crawford did not play badly, he could not match Andersen's performance.

Kyle Palmieri, Nate Thompson and Jakob Silfverberg also scored for the Ducks, while Brad Richards scored the only Chicago goal.

Game 2 of the series will be played Tuesday night in Anaheim. The Ducks have won nine of their 10 playoff games this year.

Series	Game 1 Score	Series Standings
Tampa Bay vs. New York Rangers	New York 2, Tampa Bay 1	NYR 1-0
Chicago vs. Anaheim	Anaheim 4, Chicago 1	Anaheim 1-0

Game 2: Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Rangers

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

The Lightning have to play better in Game 2 Monday night against the Rangers than they did in Game 1 if they are going to come away with a split of the first two games of the series.

While it looked like a close game on the scoreboard, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper was not happy with his team's performance in the 2-1 loss after he looked at the videotape.

“For two periods I thought we were a little bit better than we were until I watched the tape,” Cooper said in a press briefing Sunday. “I think the Rangers played extremely well, but there are so many things, like we just kept stubbing our toe all night."

Cooper was most upset by his team's constant giveaways, equating it to letting movie patrons pass through the turnstiles unimpeded.

Cooper is likely to get his team's attention prior to taking the ice at Madison Square Garden. If that leads to a better start, that could spell the difference in the game.

Although the Lightning did not fall behind until Derek Stepan's goal late in the second period, the Rangers had much better of the play in the first period when they set the tone for the game by outshooting Tampa Bay 11-7.

The Lightning had beaten the Rangers in three regular-season games this year, and goalie Ben Bishop had been 8-0 against the Rangers prior to the Game 1 loss.

While the Rangers will play another hard-fought game, look for the visitors to play a much stronger game.

Prediction: Tampa Bay 3, New York Rangers 2

Game 2: Chicago Blackhawks at Anaheim Ducks

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

The Blackhawks must take advantage of their speed and quickness in Game 2 against the Ducks, or they risk returning to Chicago facing an 0-2 deficit.

The Blackhawks outshot the Ducks 16-7 in the first period, but Andersen was just too tough and refused to yield a goal in the opening 20 minutes.

He made a key save on Patrick Kane when the Blackhawks sharpshooter appeared to have a wide-open net, but Andersen got his stick on the shot and deflected it out of play.

While another team might be frustrated, the Blackhawks are a veteran team with two Stanley Cup triumphs since 2010. They should come back more focused in Game 2.

Look for Jonathan Toews and Kane to solve Andersen and give the Blackhawks a chance to play with the lead.

Prediction: Chicago 4, Anaheim 3