Stanley Cup Final 2015: Lightning vs. Blackhawks Game 4 Result, Updated Schedule

Just like that, the Chicago Blackhawks have pushed their way back into the 2015 Stanley Cup Final and are even at two games apiece with the Tampa Bay Lightning entering a pivotal Game 5.

With their proverbial backs against the wall in the United Center on Wednesday, the Blackhawks overcame another Lightning comeback and this time made good on their early lead, winning 2-1. After two straight games in which the Tampa Bay attack gave Chicago fits defensively, the Blackhawks flexed their championship muscle and overcame flurry after flurry to even up the series.

Both teams are just two victories away from a championship, but the margin for error is slim to none at this point. Let's take a look at the rest of the Stanley Cup schedule and dive closer into the series.

2015 Stanley Cup Final Schedule

Game	Date	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV
5	Sat., June 13	Chicago at Tampa Bay	8 p.m.	NBC
6	Mon., June 15	Tampa Bay at Chicago	8 p.m.	NBC
7*	Wed., June 17	Chicago at Tampa Bay	8 p.m.	NBC

Series Outlook

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

The United Center had seen this script just a few nights prior. On the heels of a signature Blackhawks performance of grit and defense, the Lightning were on the verge of once again resiliently battling through it to steal a game with their timely offense.

That was until Patrick Kane showed up. After three-plus games without much of an impact, his pass to Brandon Saad set up Saad's go-ahead goal 6:22 into the third period, which decided Game 4 and put Chicago back in the series.

A big postseason was expected out of Saad as he gets ready to enter free agency over the offseason. However, not many folks expected eight playoff goals from him, with two proving to be game-winners, as told by ESPN Stats & Info:

The Blackhawks reigned supreme in the end, but not before a highly stressful final few minutes. The Lightning put eight shots on goal in the third period, but most of them seemed to come in the last five minutes as Tampa Bay put on the full-ice press.

Somehow, the Lightning couldn't convert one of their bevy of chances, much to the amazement of ESPN's Gene Wojciechowski:

It almost seemed unbelievable that Tampa Bay didn't score, especially after Steven Stamkos had a point-blank look stopped by Corey Crawford in the waning moments. But although they missed a big opportunity, the Lightning are moving on to Game 5, per ESPN's Scott Burnside:

“They’re bound to go in. We’ve been down this road before. Got to get some more looks, got to get some more shots, some more touches. We’ll make some adjustments and, as a team, we want to score more than one goal.”

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

To be honest, holding the Blackhawks to just two would seem to be ideal for Lightning head coach Jon Cooper, especially with a rookie in net. Andrei Vasilevskiy got the start in Game 4 with starter Ben Bishop battling an apparent injury that occurred in Game 2 but just didn't get the offensive support.

According to Cooper, Bishop is good to play again in the series—but not necessarily Game 5, as ESPN's Pierre LeBrun noted:

Well, they're running out of games to choose from. Two more losses will bring the curtains down on their season. 

The Lightning have to feel confident after barely missing their chances in Game 4 and getting a strong game in net from Vasilevskiy, but it's not like the Blackhawks threw the kitchen sink at him. Chicago only mounted 19 shots on goal, including just seven in the first and third periods combined.

Tampa Bay's defense continued to bog down the Blackhawks' top lines in Game 4, but they ground their way into a lead and held onto it typical Blackhawks fashion. The Lightning's firepower was there, it just didn't pay off.

They'll return home desperately hoping it either starts paying off or Vasilevskiy—or Bishop—has a dominant outing. Otherwise, Chicago could head back home for Game 6 with the chance to seal their third Stanley Cup in six years.