Tampa Bay Lightning Ready To Get Back On Track In Game 2

The Tampa Bay Lightning are set to head back into the Amalie Arena in the hopes of getting back on track against the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

If there was no such thing as the cold sting of defeat, no one would know the overwhelming rush that comes along with success. The Tampa Bay Lightning felt that sting on Wednesday night when a third period breakdown led to a heartbreaking Game 1 loss against the Chicago Blackhawks.

By the time the puck drops on Saturday night, captain Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning will have had two days to not only put the Game 1 loss behind them, but to have figured out a plan of action that will sew up the holes in their game and be fully ready to get back on track against the high-powered offense of the captain Jonathan Toews and the Chicago Blackhawks.

While there are some changes that need to be made to their game, we would be lying to you if we said that we hoped Game 2 started any differently than Game 1. As we have mentioned before, the Tampa Bay Lightning came out of the tunnel looking like a team that was ready to go the distance and had the Stanley Cup well within their sights. All they have to do now is tie up some of the loose ends.

As the Tampa Bay Lightning prepare for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals, let’s all sit back and take a look at what we consider to be the five keys to a Tampa Bay Lightning victory tonight.

Come Out Aggressively
Stay Out of the Penalty Box
Heightened Situational Awareness
Continue Digging For Rebounds
Stay Consistent

As usual, let’s take a look at each one of these individually and see what adjustments the Tampa Bay Lightning will need to make to come out on top in Game 2.

Come Out Aggressively

Coming out of the tunnel with intensity and aggression is something that has always benefitted the Tampa Bay Lightning in their path to victory. This is why it is almost always number one on our list when it comes to the keys to the game.

In Wednesday’s night’s Game 1 the Tampa Bay Lightning did just that. As we said before, they came out of the tunnel like a shot, catching the Chicago Blackhawks completely flatfooted. Just 4:31 into the period, Alex Killorn would unleash one of the most amazing backhanded tip-ins that we have seen in quite some time to give the Lightning the early lead.

If the Tampa Bay Lightning can come out of the tunnel with the same intensity and purpose they did in Game 1, they will be able to set the tone early and open the door to victory.

Stay Out of the Penalty Box

We have a distinct feeling that we are going to be discussing something along these lines until we are blue in the face or simply pass out from pure exhaustion. While we will attest that Game 1 was fairly calm in terms of penalties, there were still plenty of situations in which the Lightning could have avoided some undue pressure by not allowing the Blackhawks the man-advantage.

It may seem insignificant. We mean, it is only 2 minutes after all. On the other hand, it has been proven time and time again that everything can change in the blink of an eye and that a mere 17 seconds can mean the difference between lifting Lord Stanley’s Cup high above your head or heading home crushed by the weight of defeat.

Heightened Situational Awareness

This brings us to our next point of contention, heightened situational awareness. It seems as if this little tidbit is vying to take the title of the Lightning’s bane of existence in the post season.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have been called for Too Many Men on the Ice in both Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals and then again in Game 1 against the Blackhawks on Wednesday. This is one of the most avoidable penalties you could imagine.

The only thing you need in order to avoid this is awareness of where your other players are on the ice. On the bright side, the Lightning’s penalty kill squad was able to prevent both the New York Rangers and the Chicago Blackhawks from capitalizing on their opportunities, but that doesn’t mean they will continue to have such luck.

At some point you are going to get sick of hearing this, but it doesn’t make it any less factual. The more times you open a door like this one and invite your opponent inside, the more likely it is that one of them is going to take you up on the offer, walk through the door, and slam it behind them.

When it comes to the post season and even more so in the Stanley Cup Finals, the smallest of mistakes can lead to an undesirable and possibly insurmountable defeat.

Continue Digging for Rebounds

The Tampa Bay Lightning has done pretty well in the last couple of games in regards to digging for rebounds and making every attempt to keep their opposing goaltender on his toes. They have already brought down the likes of Petr Mrazek, Carey Price, and even the King himself, Henrik Lundqvist.

There is just one more obstacle in the Lightning’s path, Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford.

In order for the Tampa Bay Lightning to come out on top in this series, they are going to have to continue to dig for any and all rebounds and send them flying in the direction of Corey Crawford. As good of a goaltender as Crawford is, it is simply impossible for him to be everywhere at once.

Consistency Is Key

We don’t think there is a single fan here in the Bolts Nation that won’t tell you that this has been the number one problem for the Tampa Bay Lightning all season (and post season) long. The perfect example of this is Wednesday night.

The Tampa Bay Lightning came out of the tunnel with purpose, struck first blood, and was able to keep the Chicago Blackhawks out of the net for over two and a half periods of play. Suddenly, as if out of nowhere, the Lightning seemed adrift in a never-ending sea.

If the Tampa Bay Lightning is going to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks and raise the Stanley Cup high above their heads they are going to have to find a way to keep the pressure on for an entire 60 minute game. There is just no two ways about it.

We all know that the Tampa Bay Lightning has the skill to compete with any team in the National Hockey League, even the Chicago Blackhawks. They did a fairly good job of containing them in Game 1, even causing Blackhawks Head Coach Joel Quenneville to break up the coveted pairing of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane for a period of time.

If the Lightning can tie up the few loose ends that failed them in the third period of Game 1, then the Tampa Bay Lightning should have no problem heading into Game 3 at the United Center with the series all tied up.

What do you think will be the biggest key to a Tampa Bay Lightning victory on Saturday night? Which Tampa Bay Lightning player would you like to see up their game a little bit? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Next: BBTB Round Table: Highs and Lows of the Eastern Conference Finals