Emma: Lightning Leaving Blackhawks Flustered
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- One final horn let the air out of the United Center. The Madhouse on Madison went silent. It was just mad.
Frustrated and flustered fans filed out following the Blackhawks' 3-2 loss to the Lightning in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday night, carrying great disappointment. Organist Frank Pellico played a somber song.
We'll meet again, don't know when, don't know where. But I know we'll meet again some sunny day.
Fittingly, it was the Lightning spoiling what was once a sunny day.
Before puck drop, the building was filled with great anticipation and greater expectations. The Blackhawks faltered. They had plenty of chances, too, but couldn't come through. Tampa Bay earned a 2-1 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final.
"Tough loss," dejected Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said.
Many would've expected the Blackhawks to walk all over the Lightning. Chicago has experience to complement its elite talent, while Tampa Bay boasts a raw, young core that wasn't supposed to compete at this high of a level with the Blackhawks. The Lightning weren't supposed to be ready for such a big stage. They certainly weren't supposed to win on Chicago's west side.
But this may be the toughest Cup Final foe that the Blackhawks have met, with all due respect to the 2010 Flyers and 2013 Bruins. This Tampa Bay team can attack Chicago's troubled defense with top-tier speed -- see Stamkos, Steven -- and contain the Blackhawks' high-flying attack with smart, sound defense.
The Lightning's Victor Hedman has made Jonathan Toews look human.
"Can we talk anymore about Victor Hedman for what he's doing?" Lightning coach Jon Cooper said.
It appears Tampa Bay wasn't the slightest bit intimidated by Chicago's raucous home ice. Goaltender Ben Bishop overcame an apparent "lower-body injury" that remains concealed by Cooper. And the Blackhawks can only play Duncan Keith so many minutes -- no, really -- against Tampa Bay's talented core.
Even with Quenneville getting the final call on line changes, the Blackhawks couldn't create mismatches to beat the Lightning.
While Stamkos draws the headlines, Tampa Bay's "Triplets" line has been superb throughout these playoffs, with Tyler Johnson making a strong case for the Conn Smythe.
Even when the Blackhawks took their first lead of the game on a Brandon Saad goal, coming early in the third period, Tampa Bay responded with Ondrej Palat's tally just 13 seconds later. Chicago fans were still celebrating and unaware of the quick response.
"It's frustrating how we gave up goals," Keith said. "We work hard for ours. I think we can be better in what we give up."
Make no mistake, this Lightning team is for real. A jam-packed United Center learned this the hard way.
Chicago appeared poised to come out and dominate, but Marian Hossa lost his footing in the first period after drawing a laboring Bishop out of net and sent a shot wide, then Teuvo Teravainen missed a wide-open net. The Lightning's Ryan Callahan didn't miss, beating Corey Crawford's glove for the game's first goal -- this set up by an improbable pass from Hedman.
"We've got to give them credit," said Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane, who has yet to score this series. "They're a good hockey team. They're here for a reason."
Still, these are the games Chicago is used to winning. More often than not, Hossa and Teravainen bury those shots, Kane and Toews skate free without a Hedman or Anton Stralman draped to their skates and a trustworthy defense can negate the opposing attack. The Blackhawks were given few great chances and couldn't convert on the opportunities provided.
The Lightning have more than earned their 2-1 series lead, and it very well could be a 3-0 margin. As for the Blackhawks, this is far from their "A" game.
"You look in he mirror and ask yourself if you can be better or not," Kane said. "We have to be better."
Perhaps this Cup Final is just beginning for Chicago, but Tampa Bay has what it takes to play spoiler. The Lightning most certainly spoiled Monday night at the United Center.
Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.
