Blackhawks vs. Lightning Game 2 TV Schedule, Start Time, Odds for 2015 NHL Final

The Chicago Blackhawks have grabbed the early momentum in the 2015 Stanley Cup Final, so the Tampa Bay Lightning are almost in a must-win situation in Saturday's Game 2 at Amalie Arena.

Tampa Bay was in control for much of the opening contest until it leaked oil late, conceding two goals inside the final seven minutes of a 2-1 home loss. If the Lightning can't protect their ice, the battle for Lord Stanley's Cup could be short lived.

Contained in the table below is key Game 2 information, including when the puck drops and what oddsmakers are currently projecting:

Date	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV	Odds
Saturday, June 6	Chicago Blackhawks at Tampa Bay Lightning	7:15 p.m.	NBC	Chicago +105, Tampa Bay -125

So the Lightning are still favored to win, which makes sense since they will be playing desperation hockey. However, if they go back to the United Center without picking up a victory, this series is all but over.

Superior experience and more of a willingness to throw the puck on net give Chicago a bit of an edge. The Blackhawks can also draw plenty of confidence from breaking the following trend from ESPN Stats & Info:

What has to be most encouraging for the Game 1 victors is they managed to penetrate what's usually a stout Lightning defense at such pivotal moments late in the contest. Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville spoke about that afterwards.

"When [the Lightning] get a lead on you, it's a prevent defense, tough to get through," said Quenneville, per USA Today's Kevin Allen. "They check well, got good sticks. They have quickness. But finding a way tonight is a good illustration of what this team is all about."

A thin rotation on the blue line didn't catch up to Chicago in the conference finals against a deep Anaheim Ducks club, and it doesn't seem to be causing problems in the early stages of this series. Tampa Bay must make the Blackhawks pay for that with a greater output in Game 2.

After firing off 10 shots on goal in the opening period of the first game, Tampa Bay managed just 13 shots in the final 40 minutes. ESPN's John Buccigross alluded to how the Lightning really slowed down at the end of the first period, too:

It's unlikely the Lightning will make the mistake of falling flat to such a severe degree again—even if they don't light the lamp first on Saturday as they did in the prior contest.

Former NFL head coach Tony Dungy is often counted on for analysis in his sport of expertise, but he did well in weighing in on what lies ahead for Tampa Bay:

Even a 3-2 series deficit in the opening round wasn't enough to discourage the eventual Eastern Conference champions, who responded by outscoring the Detroit Red Wings 7-2 to rally and advance. Despite losing in ugly fashion 7-3 in Game 6 against the New York Rangers in the conference championship round, the Lightning rebounded with a 2-0 shutout at Madison Square Garden to get to the Stanley Cup Final.

Just like it did for the majority of Game 1, Tampa Bay can block shots to continue to frustrate Chicago. It prevented Patrick Kane from registering a point despite a number of golden chances. Combining the maintenance of that knack with a more aggressive mindset ought to lead to cleaner two-way hockey and should greatly increase the Lightning's chances of leveling the series.

It's on Steven Stamkos to galvanize his size and implore Tampa Bay's loaded offense to rise to the occasion. Getting on the scoresheet will go a long way to ensure that happens, and Stamkos is due after a quiet Game 1.

In a fascinating battle of wills between the Lightning's No. 1 offense and Chicago's No. 2 defense, the home team will manage to pull off a Game 2 win.

Game 2 Prediction: Lightning 3, Blackhawks 2

All odds courtesy of Odds Shark and updated as of June 5.