Stanley Cup 2015: Lightning vs. Blackhawks TV Schedule, Odds, Game 3 Predictions

The Stanley Cup Final series is starting to take shape as the series shifts to Chicago's United Center for Game 3.

The Chicago Blackhawks looked like formidable champions when they gained an edge in the series in Game 1, stealing the game with two late third-period goals after playing anything but their best for more than two periods. The reason they only trailed by a single goal was largely due to the stellar performance of their goaltender Corey Crawford.

The Chicago netminder was not close to that form in Game 2, when the aggressive Tampa Bay Lightning took advantage of a few Crawford mistakes to earn a 4-3 victory and gain a split in the first two games of the series.

While the Blackhawks got the road win they needed to take home-ice advantage away from Tampa Bay, the Lightning have been a stellar road team in the playoffs. They beat the Rangers in three of four games in Madison Square Garden, including back-to-back shutouts in Games 5 and 7.

Head coach Jon Cooper's team should be confident that it can win a game in Chicago and take back that home-ice edge.

Joel Quenneville knows his team has some work to do if it is going to be successful in this series and win its third Stanley Cup in the last six seasons.

Start with Crawford, who gave up three stoppable goals in Game 2, including the game-winner by Jason Garrison in the third period. Quenneville assessed his goaltender as "just OK."

Throughout his career, Crawford has responded to bad goals and ordinary games with excellence. 

In the Blackhawks' last Stanley Cup Final appearance, he gave up five goals in Game 4 of that series to the Boston Bruins, and all of those goals were directed "glove-hand high." The Bruins thought they had figured out Crawford's weakness, yet they lost that game in overtime and the goaltender allowed just three goals in the next two games of the series.

Crawford is unflappable and does not fret about a shaky performance. However, Quenneville might have some concern over superstars Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

Toews has one assist in the first two games of the series, while Kane has been blanked. Kane did not have a shot on goal in Game 2.

Concern is the key word for Quenneville, but he is not about to panic. Toews and Kane have shown the tendency to improve their performances as a series progresses, and while Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman has been a stellar performer in the first two games, the Blackhawks' gold-dust twins have a brilliant track record.

Toews thinks his team is in a good position after two games against an impressive opponent.

“Let’s keep it in perspective: it’s a good team,” Toews told CSNChicago's Tracey Myers. “To go home tied 1-all I don’t think is something we’re satisfied with considering the position we were in coming into tonight. [But] we’ve got to be excited, definitely, going back to our building.’’

Game	Date	Matchup, Time	Odds	TV
3	Tampa Bay Lightning at Chicago Blackhawks	June 8, 8 p.m.	TB +138; Chi. -148; Over/Under: 5.5	NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports
4	Tampa Bay Lightning at Chicago Blackhawks	June 10, 8 p.m.	---	NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports
5	Chicago Blackhawks at Tampa Bay Lightning (if necessary)	June 13, 8 p.m.	---	NBC, CBC, TVA Sports
6	Tampa Bay Lightning at Chicago Blackhawks (if necessary)	June 15, 8 p.m.	---	NBC, CBC, TVA Sports
7	Chicago Blackhawks at Tampa Bay Lightning (if necessary)	June 17, 8 p.m.	---	NBC, CBC, TVA Sports

Game 3 analysis

The Blackhawks have gotten off to slow starts in each of the first two games of the series. They can't let that happen as they return to the United Center.

The Blackhawks feed off the energy of their crowd as well as any team in the league, and this would be as good a time as any to do it.

If the Blackhawks can score the first goal, it should relieve some of the pressure on the home team. If that goal comes from Kane or Toews, it would be that much better.

The Lightning have a few issues as they play their first road game of the series, and it starts with goaltender Ben Bishop, who was removed twice in the third period and replaced by backup Andrei Vasilevskiy for undisclosed reasons. 

If Bishop can't play or is not at his best, that should play into the Blackhawks' hands. They need to upgrade their offensive game, and if they can do it by firing 35 or more shots against Bishop or Vasilevskiy, that will improve their chances of winning.

Kane is the Blackhawks' triggerman. When he gets time and space in the offensive zone, he has the ability to score and make the opposing goaltender look foolish. When that happens, the Blackhawks usually respond.

With a powerful supporting cast that includes Marian Hossa, Brandon Saad, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, the Blackhawks will have a chance to make a statement in Game 3.

The Lightning have their stars in Steven Stamkos, Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, Alex Killorn and Nikita Kucherov. They are all capable of having an impact here.

All signs point to an explosive and more wide-open game.

The Blackhawks are favored in the game, according to Odds Shark. Those who are betting on the Blackhawks have to risk $148 to win $100, while Lightning backers will risk $100 to win $138.

Prediction: Chicago Blackhawks 5, Tampa Bay Lightning 4