Stanley Cup 2015: Updated Odds, Schedule for Lightning vs. Blackhawks Final

Heading into Game 3, it was unclear whether or not goaltender Ben Bishop was going to see the ice.

After coming off twice in the third period of a Game 2 win with an undisclosed injury, Bishop’s status was unknown, but once the decision finally came down that he was going to play, it turned out to be the right one for Tampa Bay.

Recording 36 saves, Bishop helped the Lightning take back home-ice advantage with a hard-fought 3-2 victory on the road against the Chicago Blackhawks, which gave Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead in the series.

Game	Matchup	Date and Time (ET)	Series Standing/TV
1	Chicago 2, Tampa Bay 1	-	-
2	Tampa Bay 4, Chicago 3	-	-
3	Tampa Bay 3, Chicago 2	-	Tampa Bay up 2-1
4	Tampa Bay at Chicago	Wed., June 10 at 8 p.m.	NBCSN
5	Chicago at Tampa Bay	Sat., June 13 at 8 p.m.	NBC
6*	Tampa Bay at Chicago	Mon., June 15 at 8 p.m.	NBC
7*	Chicago at Tampa Bay	Wed., June 17 at 8 p.m.	NBC

Heading into the series, the young core of the Lightning had dominated throughout the playoffs, but in the Stanley Cup Final, it has been a number of unexpected faces leading the way.

With only one point in the entirety of the Eastern Conference playoffs, nobody would have expected Cedric Paquette—a third-line center for the Lightning—to turn into a goal-scoring machine, but he has defied all expectations.

A goal in Game 2 opened the scoring, but it was in Game 3 where Paquette left what could be an indelible mark on the history books. With the score tied at 1-1 in the third period, the Blackhawks scored to take the lead early, but 13 seconds later, Ondrej Palat evened the game at 2-2.

Then, at the 16-minute, 49-second mark of the final period, Paquette won a faceoff, made his way down the ice toward the Chicago goal and calmly slotted home a pass from Victor Hedman to give the Lightning the lead in the game and the series.

It was Hedman’s second assist of the night and fourth of the series. After the game, the defenseman said he doesn’t see his offensive contributions slowing down anytime soon.

"To be able to contribute and see how much this means to Tampa is my No. 1 priority," Hedman said, per the Associated Press (via ESPN.com). "Like I said all playoffs, I want to be a difference-maker on the ice on both ends, and it doesn’t matter what type of game it is and what game it is. I always want to try to get better."

The production from the defense and third line has been a welcome sight for the Lightning, especially with the disappearance of captain and superstar Steven Stamkos, who hasn’t recorded a point in five games.

Through the first three games, the series has been as close as it can be, with each game being decided by a single goal and tied at one point in the third period. But after Corey Crawford’s outstanding night in Game 1, the Blackhawks have been on the wrong side of the game-winning goal.

Were it not for a pair of goals less than two minutes apart late in the third period in the opening game of the series, the series could be over, with the Lightning having controlled each of the first three games of the Cup Final.

Game 4	Odds
Stanley Cup Final (from start of series)	Odds
Chicago Blackhawks	-155
Tampa Bay Lightning	+140
Chicago Blackhawks	-150
Tampa Bay Lightning	+130

The Blackhawks, on the other hand, haven’t been as able to cope with the lack of production from their biggest stars. Through the first three games, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews have combined for one point, an assist in Game 2 by Toews.

Kane shouldered the blame for his scoring struggles this series and added he will look to improve in Game 4, per Jon Greenberg of ESPN.com: "We'll take it upon ourselves to be better in that area and try to produce. That's what we're here to do—obviously when you're not getting it done, you're not doing your job out there. I'll take responsibility for that."

In their place, the eternal Marian Hossa has recorded three points—all assists—while his much younger linemate Brandon Saad added a goal in Game 3, but that won’t be enough without an increase in production from the two superstars.

If Bishop can continue to perform like he did in Game 3 and Chicago’s stars fail to find the rhythm that got the team to the Stanley Cup Final in the first place, the Lightning should have no issue claiming the franchise's second title.

All odds via Odds Shark, updated June 9 at 1 p.m. ET.