The Chicago Blackhawks have won Stanley Cups with their tough defense, especially when it comes to playoff time. That is exactly what led them to yet another Cup on Monday night, as Duncan Keith scored the deciding goal in the second period and led the defensive attack in the Blackhawks' 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Chicago wins the series 4-2 to clinch their third Stanley Cup in the past six seasons.
Patrick Kane added a goal and an assist of his own, as the Blackhawks clinched on their home ice for the first time since 1938. Corey Crawford recorded his fifth career playoff shutout, as he made 25 saves in the clinching victory. This comes in the same postseason that he was pulled in the first round series against the Nashville Predators.
Keith was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for the MVP of the playoffs after finishing with 21 points in 715 minutes. Keith is the second defenseman in NHL history to be awarded the Conn Smythe and score the game-winning goal in the clinching game. Bobby Orr did it for the Boston Bruins in 1970 and 1972.
This ends a series that saw five consecutive one-goal games to begin the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time in history. No one had held a two-goal lead in the series until Kane scored his first goal of the Finals at 14:46 of the third period on Monday.
Ben Bishop recorded 30 saves in a losing effort, but revealed after the game that he suffered a torn groin muscle in game 2. This did not stop the Lightning's goaltending attack, as Tampa Bay allowed just 13 goals in the series. They struggled to score, including star Steven Stamkos, who ended the playoffs on an eight-game scoring drought.
The Blackhawks were able to hold the league's highest-scoring team to just 10 goals in the Finals. Crawford made 35 saves in 41 high-danger shots, according to war-on-ice.com.
The win gives Kimmo Timonen, who plans to retire after this season at 40 years old, the first Stanley Cup of his career. He was acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers in a trade in February.
Chicago becomes the first franchise to win three titles in a six-year span since the Detroit Red Wings won it all in 1997, 1998, and 2002.
Patrick Kane added a goal and an assist of his own, as the Blackhawks clinched on their home ice for the first time since 1938. Corey Crawford recorded his fifth career playoff shutout, as he made 25 saves in the clinching victory. This comes in the same postseason that he was pulled in the first round series against the Nashville Predators.
Keith was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for the MVP of the playoffs after finishing with 21 points in 715 minutes. Keith is the second defenseman in NHL history to be awarded the Conn Smythe and score the game-winning goal in the clinching game. Bobby Orr did it for the Boston Bruins in 1970 and 1972.
This ends a series that saw five consecutive one-goal games to begin the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time in history. No one had held a two-goal lead in the series until Kane scored his first goal of the Finals at 14:46 of the third period on Monday.
Ben Bishop recorded 30 saves in a losing effort, but revealed after the game that he suffered a torn groin muscle in game 2. This did not stop the Lightning's goaltending attack, as Tampa Bay allowed just 13 goals in the series. They struggled to score, including star Steven Stamkos, who ended the playoffs on an eight-game scoring drought.
The Blackhawks were able to hold the league's highest-scoring team to just 10 goals in the Finals. Crawford made 35 saves in 41 high-danger shots, according to war-on-ice.com.
The win gives Kimmo Timonen, who plans to retire after this season at 40 years old, the first Stanley Cup of his career. He was acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers in a trade in February.
Chicago becomes the first franchise to win three titles in a six-year span since the Detroit Red Wings won it all in 1997, 1998, and 2002.
