The Tampa Bay Lightning cap off their back-to-back weekend with a visit to the United Center to take on the Chicago Blackhawks in a Stanley Cup Finals rematch.
The rematch of the year is finally upon us. Tonight, the Tampa Bay Lightning will cap off their back-to-back weekend as they head to the United Center in Chicago to take on captain Jonathan Toews and the Chicago Blackhawks in a rematch from the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals.
This is definitely a matchup the Lightning has been waiting for. Last season, this young Tampa Bay Lightning team for their first real taste of what it is like to compete at the highest level in the National Hockey League, and the Bolts are definitely hungry for a little revenge after the wat the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals ended. Tonight, they will have that opportunity.
The Blackhawks have been experiencing some of the same troubles the Lightning has at the onset of the season. Whereas the Tampa Bay Lightning lost Victor Hedman for a game after a particularly hard hit from Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn, the Chicago Blackhawks have lost one of their key defensive players. Unfortunately for the Blackhawks, defenseman Duncan Keith will be out for a much more extended period of time.
One of the biggest advantages the Blackhawks have coming into tonight’s game is they will be coming into this game fresh, unlike the Tampa Bay Lightning who came up victorious last night at the MTS Centre as they defeated the Winnipeg Jets 4-3 in overtime. The Blackhawks came up victorious on Thursday night against the Florida Panthers, but had yesterday to relax and regroup.
The biggest storyline coming out of the Bolts Nation today will be whether or not Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper will elect to play Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop in his ninth-straight start this season, or if he will give Bishop the night off a retain the services of another netminder.
The Bolts Nation may have gotten their answer late last night during the Lightning’s matchup with the Jets. Tampa Bay Times Staff Writer Joe Smith confirmed with Syracuse Crunch Head Coach Rob Zettler that goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis has been recalled by the Tampa Bay Lightning and will be with the team tonight in Chicago. There is a good possibility we may see Gudlevskis between the pipes when the Bolts take the ice.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are definitely doing a tremendous job of turning up the heat on the offense lately. Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, who played in his 500th career game last night in Winnipeg, leads the Lightning in goals with five.
Lightning center Cedric Paquette has been elevating his game as well, scoring a goal and an assist in last night’s encounter in Winnipeg. Joining him is his linemate Vladislav Namestnikov, who was also able to score a goal in the Lightning’s 4-3 overtime win in Winnipeg.
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman has seemingly gotten himself back in typical form as he earned himself assists on three of the four Lightning goals last night. Hedman has always been one of the Lightning’s most offensive-minded defenseman the Lightning has in their arsenal. We’re glad his most recent injury hasn’t knocked him off his course.
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The Tampa Bay Lightning are definitely going to have to bring their “A” game if they want to come home with a victory at the United Center tonight. The Chicago Blackhawks fans are definitely passionate about their team, and will be throwing no love in the direction of the Lightning. Also, the Chicago Blackhawks are similarly dangerous on offense, and could pose an issue for an ailing special teams unit.
While there are many unknowns going into tonight’s game, there is one thing we know for sure. Tampa Bay Lightning fans won’t want to miss a single moment of the action from the United Center as the Bolts take on the Hawks in a rematch from the Stanley Cup Finals. The puck drops at 8:30 p.m. Are you ready to Be The Thunder?
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