Stanley Cup 2015: NBC TV Schedule and Blackhawks vs. Lightning Game 5 Pick

The Stanley Cup Final showdown between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks can't get much closer.

Heading into Game 5, the two squads have each taken two one-goal victories. In fact, neither side has held a multi-goal lead all series. Each club has generated nine scores through four games, with Chicago attempting 107 shots to Tampa Bay's 104.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, the Stanley Cup will match a level of competition unseen in 64 years if Game 5 offers another one-goal game—a very distinct possibility:

With scoring running low but excitement high, it remains uncertain who will guard Tampa Bay's net during a crucial Game 5 at Amalie Arena.

Date	Away	Home	Time (ET)	TV	Pick
Saturday, June 13	Blackhawks	Lightning	8 p.m.	NBC	TB 3-2

Game 5 Preview

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A hobbled Ben Bishop played Game 3 despite suffering what appears to be a groin injury. After recording 36 saves during a gutsy 3-2 victory, the goalie stepped aside for Game 4.

Andrei Vasilevskiy did his part in relief, allowing two goals during the low-scoring affair. Yet Tampa Bay shielded the 20-year-old understudy, limiting Chicago to 19 shots on goal. In a series full of attacking, the pace suddenly halted, with Tampa Bay netting 25 shots.

The mystery continues entering Game 5, with Bishop's status still in question. On Friday afternoon, head coach Jon Cooper admitted to CSN's Tracey Myers that he still doesn't have a clue:

Dating back to the regular season, Vasilevskiy has generated a .915 save percentage, not far off from Bishop's .917 clip over the same stretch. As noted by TSN's Bob McKenzie, the highly touted 2012 first-round selection received a chance to showcase his potential sooner than anticipated:

Yet Tampa Bay could still sorely use Bishop, who has allowed seven combined goals in six postseason games following losses. Facing a 2-2 stalemate against the New York Rangers, he led the Lightning to a 2-0 shutout, which he then did again in Game 7.

With or without Bishop, Tampa Bay can't afford to replicate a defensive-minded strategy. Cooper's club led the NHL in scoring during the regular season and compiled consecutive six-goal outbursts over Hendrik Lundqvist last round. 

Sports Illustrated's Allan Muir warned against Tampa Bay challenging Chicago to an uncharacteristic battle of defensive wits:

"

The Lightning have been most effective when they’ve upped the danger level, challenging the Hawks to keep up with them, so it will be interesting to see how conservatively they approach Game 5. If they choose to hang back, abandoning the style that they played all season, they allow Chicago to dictate the pace and have to settle for chances on the counter-attack. That doesn’t sound like a winning plan.

"

Even if it means inserting more trust in Bishop's young replacement, Cooper shouldn't engage Chicago in a defensive slugfest. Youth is on Tampa Bay's side against a Blackhawks squad that just played three overtime games during a seven-game marathon against the Anaheim Ducks. 

A speedier style will also get Steven Stamkos more involved. After scoring in six out of seven games, the star has not found the net in six straight contests. One of the NHL's most prolific scorers is champing at the bit to snap his poorly timed slump.

Not even goalie drama has created the slightest semblance of separation this series. Flipping a coin would prove just as accurate as any expert prediction, but a more explosive attack would give Tampa Bay a tiny edge.