Blackhawks vs. Lightning: Game 1 Live Stream Schedule and Pre-Series Comments

The current state of the NHL has been described as defensive and physical by some, but when the Chicago Blackhawks and the Tampa Bay Lightning lock horns in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday, most of the focus will be on the clash between two of hockey's best offensive teams.

Both teams received sound goaltending and defensive play at times in order to traverse the Stanley Cup playoffs, but it ultimately comes down to scoring goals The Blackhawks will lean on former Conn Smythe Trophy winners Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, while the Bolts boast a treasure trove of dynamic forwards, including Steven Stamkos, Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov.

All of Wednesday's action will be available on NBC or via the NBC Sports Live Extra stream, which means hockey fanatics won't have to miss a second of the action.

With Game 1 of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final approaching, here is a look at the schedule and a rundown of what both teams are saying prior to the initial drop of the puck.

Game 1 Schedule

Game	Date	Time (ET)	Away Team	Home Team	Watch	Live Stream
1	Wednesday, June 3	8 p.m.	Chicago Blackhawks	Tampa Bay Lightning	NBC	NBC Sports Live Extra

Blackhawks Player to Watch in Game 1: Jonathan Toews

Bill Smith/Getty Images

The Anaheim Ducks pushed Chicago to the limit in the Western Conference Final, but the Blackhawks had a built-in advantage entering Game 7 of that series, as Toews took over and showed once again why he is one of the NHL's best clutch performers.

The Blackhawks captain always seems to come through in the biggest moments, and that was on full display with a trip to the Stanley Cup Final on the line. Toews set the tone with two first-period goals and was ultimately the primary reason Chicago is now vying for its third cup in six years.

The 27-year-old center took control and furthered his already sterling reputation as a fantastic captain, according to SportsCenter on Twitter:

ESPN analyst Barry Melrose isn't the only one who is taking notice, though. Hockey Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman is the architect of the current Lightning team, but he is also one of the greatest players in NHL history as a three-time Stanley Cup winner with the Detroit Red Wings.

Toews has often been compared to Stevie Y, but Tampa's general manager doesn't believe there is any comparison, per Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times:

Yzerman may be shortchanging himself, but his praise of Toews isn't hyperbolic. The Blackhawks star's legend continues to grow, and he has a golden opportunity to add to it against the Lightning.

He and Chicago need to set the tone in Game 1, and his playoff track record suggests that will happen. Per ESPN Stats & Info, he is one of the most prolific scorers on the road in the postseason over the past six years:

Winning an early game in a series away from home can be devastating to the team that loses, and nobody is more aware of that than Toews.

Because of that, look for him to be at his best and to be the biggest difference-maker for the Blackhawks.

Lightning Player to Watch in Game 1: Victor Hedman

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Most high picks are expected to enter the NHL and dominate right away. If they don't, they are often dismissed as busts. It took Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman some time to hit his stride, but no one is calling him anything other than a stud as his sixth NHL season nears its conclusion.

The Swedish blueliner was the No. 2 pick in the 2009 NHL draft, but he never topped 26 points in a season until last year. He finished his breakout campaign with a career-high 55 points, and although that number dipped to 38 this year, he improved defensively to the tune of a career-best rating of plus-12.

The 24-year-old rearguard has somehow managed to raise his level of play even more in the playoffs. He enters the Stanley Cup Final with 10 points in 20 games and a plus-10 rating. He has been Tampa's best defenseman by a wide margin, and only Blackhawks defender Duncan Keith has been on the ice more than he has during the postseason, according to Christopher Kamka of Comcast SportsNet Chicago:

That is a large burden for a young player, but Hedman has had no problem living up to the challenge.

Per Tom Spousta of the New York Times, the 6'6" star believes in himself and what he is doing on the ice during the playoffs: "I feel confident on both ends of the ice, and that's kind of the way I want to play. It's obviously a lot easier when we play with such great players and guys we have on this team right now. It's easier to take my game to the next level."

Hedman's confidence will be a necessity in Game 1 and throughout the Stanley Cup Final, as he will constantly be tested by the Blackhawks' skilled forwards.

Toews and Kane top the list, but it doesn't stop there, as Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp, Brandon Saad and many others are capable of making big plays and scoring at almost any time.

Hedman also has to be a great outlet passer and a puck-mover in order to activate his own forwards offensively. Perhaps no player on the ice will have a heavier burden on his shoulders Wednesday, but he has the makeup to handle it.

Game 1 Prediction

While Game 1 doesn't decide a series, it often has a profound impact. The Lightning enter Wednesday's contest with the expectation of holding court, while the Blackhawks have less pressure as the road team.

Additionally, much of Tampa's roster is fairly inexperienced on the big stage, while the Blackhawks have been there and done that on many occasions. That combination could prove difficult for the Bolts in Game 1, as it will be a new experience for them.

Few teams are calmer under pressure than Chicago, as Toews, Kane, Keith and Brent Seabrook provide an experienced backbone that is difficult to overcome when the stakes are at their highest.

Since both teams are talented in terms of their skaters, Game 1 could come down to goaltenders Corey Crawford and Ben Bishop. Both netminders have had their struggles during the playoffs, but they have come up with some big-time performances as well.

Crawford is the one with Stanley Cup Final experience, though, and that coupled with the Blackhawks' calm demeanor on the road will allow them to jump out to the early series lead with a 4-2 win.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.