Stanley Cup 2015: NBC TV Schedule, Start Time for Lightning vs. Blackhawks

There's nothing to separate the Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning through two memorable game in the 2015 Stanley Cup Final, and we're in store for more of the same as the series shifts toward Game 3.

A late third-period run from the Blackhawks allowed them to steal Game 1 in Tampa Bay, but the Lightning answered in resounding fashion by finding their offensive groove and winning Game 2. They lost home-ice advantage by dropping one at Amalie Arena, but they can change all of that by stealing one right back in the United Center.

Take a glance at what to know for Game 3.

Game 3: 2015 Stanley Cup Final

Date: Monday, June 8

Start Time (ET): 8 p.m.

TV: NBC Sports Network

Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra

Game	Date	Location	Time	TV
3	Monday, June 8	Chicago	8 p.m. ET	NBCSN
4	Wednesday, June 10	Chicago	8 p.m. ET	NBCSN
5	Saturday, June 13	Tampa Bay	8 p.m. ET	NBC
6* (if necessary)	Monday, June 15	Chicago	8 p.m. ET	NBC
7* (if necessary)	Wednesday, June 17	Tampa Bay	8 p.m. ET	NBC

Game 3 Preview

John Raoux/Associated Press

If the Blackhawks' Game 1 win was proof that they can play their style and win this series, Game 2 proved the exact same thing for Tampa Bay.

Unlike the knock-down-drag-out affair that took place in the series' opening game, Game 2 involved bursts of goal scoring and scoring chances aplenty. The Lightning were able to slip four goals past Chicago goalie Corey Crawford, who looked subpar for the first time in many games.

Key to the Lightning getting back to their effectiveness was an increase in speed, as the Blackhawks' physicality took an early toll on them before they figured it out in Game 2, as defenseman Braydon Coburn told Jay Cohen of the Associated Press (via ABC News).

"Everything happened quick out there as opposed to some other series and some other games," he said. "I thought that might have been one of the fastest ones we played so far in the playoffs. Both teams back and forth."

Playing that style may benefit the Lightning, but it threatened to also play into the hands of Chicago's potent and opportunistic forwards. The team found a way to get three in net in Game 2, but Patrick Kane noticeably struggled, failing to produce a shot on goal.

Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville seemed to indicate he won't waste any time separating Kane and Jonathan Toews—linemates who often split up while on cold spells—on different lines, per the Chicago Sun-Times' Mark Potash.

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

"Certainly splitting those two up gives you a little bit more freedom, whether it’s room or something for [the Lightning] to be concerned with. It adds a little bit more balance to our offense, which is why we usually keep them apart and we’ll see how that progresses," he said.

Kane, Toews and Co. might need to figure out a different netminder for Game 3 and beyond considering how things shook out in Game 2. Rookie Andrei Vasilevskiy had to finish the game in net for Tampa Bay after star goalie Ben Bishop left with an injury.

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper was mum on who would get the starting nod, per NHL.com's Corey Masisak, but he said folks will "get a clue" during Monday's practice session. One thing is clear—the Blackhawks will want to send plenty of rubber at him, as ESPN Stats & Info noted how few pucks he's seen:

The Blackhawks couldn't solve the rookie late in Game 2, but they also had very few opportunities to do so. Things will undoubtedly be different if Vasilevskiy gets the nod for Game 3, playing in the raucous environment of the United Center in front of a fast and dangerous Blackhawks team.

Game 1 was obviously a feeling-out process full of adjustments from the previous series, but Game 2 was more like it. And with how hotly contested all 120 minutes of this Stanley Cup Final have been so far, we should be in store for much more before the series is over.