Stanley Cup Final 2015: Lightning vs. Blackhawks TV Schedule, Game 6 Pick, More

The Chicago Blackhawks knew they had to pick up their level in Game 5 in Tampa, and they did just that in their 2-1 road victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Blackhawks had tied the series with a win in Game 4, but the Blackhawks had been outskated and outplayed throughout most of the game. They came out with a strong first period and scored the only goal of the third period. As a result, they have earned a 3-2 advantage in the Stanley Cup Final and put the Lightning on the brink of elimination.

If Tampa Bay can't go into Chicago and pull out a victory in a must-win situation, the Blackhawks will win the Stanley Cup and the Lightning will have to watch them celebrate in front of their raucous home fans.

The Lightning have had big problems putting the puck in the net against the Blackhawks. Tampa Bay has been held to one goal in each of Game 4 and Game 5, and they were also held to one goal in their Game 1 loss. The Blackhawks have been able to keep Steven Stamkos and Tyler Johnson from asserting themselves with their previously brilliant offensive play.

John Raoux/Associated Press

Ben Bishop was able to return to the lineup after sitting out Game 4. While he stopped 27 of 29 shots, he collided with Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman in the first period, and Patrick Sharp was able to gather the loose puck and slam it into the wide-open net for the hockey equivalent of a slam dunk. 

"

Sharp on a loose puck and an empty net: "I found myself with a heck of an opportunity, so make sure you put that one in." #Blackhawks

— Tracey Myers (@TramyersCSN) June 14, 2015"

Antoine Vermette scored the winning goal for Chicago early in the third period, as he followed up a Kris Versteeg wrist shot and pounded the rebound by Bishop. Vermette is the first Blackhawk to have two game-winning goals in the Stanley Cup Final. He also scored the winner in Game 1 of the series.

The Lightning outshot the Blackhawks 15-7 in the third period and 32-29 in the game, but they could not slip the tying goal by Corey Crawford in the final minutes for the second game in a row.

Chicago is gunning for its third Stanley Cup in six years. If they can win it in Game 6 at the United Center on Monday, it will be the first time clinching the Stanley Cup at home since 1938 when they did it against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

"

Jonathan Toews on chance to win Stanley Cup at home: "We’re excited about the opportunity. It’s what we’ve worked for." #Blackhawks

— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) June 14, 2015"

Game	Date	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV
6	Tampa Bay Lightning at Chicago Blackhawks	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 6 Analysis

The Blackhawks appear to have the advantage for several reasons as they attempt to win the Stanley Cup in front of their adoring fans.

First, they are used to winning in the late stages of nearly every playoff series. After beating the Lightning Saturday night, they are now 17-1 in games played in a series after it was tied at 2-2 in the Joel Quenneville era.

They have handed the Lightning two straight defeats and they have limited them to two goals over the last 120 minutes. Tampa Bay has to wonder where its offense has gone.

Chicago has a chance to earn the "dynasty" label. While it may not compare with the Montreal Canadiens of the late 1970s, the Islanders of the early 1980s or the Edmonton Oilers that followed, three Stanley Cups in a six-year period is an excellent achievement.

On the other hand, the Lightning have played excellent hockey on the road during the playoffs. In addition to winning one game at the United Center in this series, they finished off the New York Rangers by winning three of four games at Madison Square Garden.

Tampa Bay had gotten off to impressive starts in the first four games, but Chicago was the better team early in the fifth game. The Lightning have to recapture that early advantage if they are going to square the series by winning Game 6.

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

The Lightning need Stamkos to get on the board. He is their best player, and he has not scored a goal in this series.

On the other hand, Jonathan Toews has only scored one goal and Patrick Kane has not scored at all. However, the Blackhawks' depth has allowed them to come within one game of the championship.

The Lightning will not back down in Game 6, but the Blackhawks have that championship pedigree. Their raucous fans will spur the team to its best game, and Toews, Kane and Duncan Keith will lead the way.

Even if Tampa Bay takes the early lead, look for the relentless Blackhawks to take over in the second half of the game and win the Stanley Cup.

The party will start in Chicago Monday night, and it may not end until much later this summer.

Prediction: Chicago 5, Tampa Bay 3