Hockey is giving way to a completely new kind of gameplay as seen by the contenders in this year’s Stanley Cup, evolving advantages for the fast paced and a more dexterous style, an explosive kind of offense and a containment driven defense, are the new key factors for success
There is no doubt for both teams capacity and experience or youthfulness, the reasons might be different but they have earned their ticket to the Cup, Blackhawks road has taken them to win over Red Wings in seven games, only six games for the win over Canadiens and for the third round Chicago defeated the New York Rangers in seven gripping games, Duncan Keith has played like the reigning Norris Trophy winner he is throughout the playoffs with 18 points (two goals, 16 assists) in 17 games, five power-play points and a league-leading 31:35 of ice time per game. The Hawks also are controlling more than 55 percent of 5-on-5 shot attempts when Keith is on the ice. Keith plays in every situation, including both special teams units, and fulfills a crucial role in Chicago shutting down the opponent’s top lines and starting his team’s own offense with quick, accurate breakouts.
First round for Tampa Bay Lightning was seven games win over Red Wings, moving on to sweep the unsuspecting Wild, and round three saw Lightning conquering the Anaheim Ducks over the contended seven games, Steven Stamkos is playing in the first Cup Final of his career scoring just one goal in his first 11 games of the postseason, Stamkos enters the series with 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in 20 games and six tallies in the last nine games. His seven points in seven games last round played a pivotal role in the Lightning defeating a Rangers team that had been a defensive juggernaut leading up to the conference finals. Tampa Bay needs another strong series from Stamkos to beat a Chicago offense averaging more than a half goal more per game in the playoffs.
Line and Pick; Tampa Bay Lightning -130 Chicago Blackhawks +110, this year Stanley Cup dance is to be watched closely, high level teams coming very similarly in stats, both teams will be desperate to achieve that first win lead that will surely state the pace of the following games, going over the 5 points total, (relentless offenses), Bookies go with Lightning, vox populi says Black Hawks.
