Stanley Cup 2015 picks: Blackhawks vs. Lightning
The 2015 Stanley Cup Final between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks begins June 3 at 8:00 p.m. ET in Tampa. The Lightning are making their first Cup Final appearance since 2004 when they won it all. Chicago is looking to win its third Stanley Cup in six years.
Who will be lifting the Cup when all is said and done? Here are the predictions from USA TODAY Sports' hockey desk:
Kevin Allen, NHL columnist, Blackhawks in 6
The Blackhawks will win on the strength of their well-honed survival skills. They understand the art of winning. The Blackhawks simply know how to hang on long enough to figure out how to win the game and the series. These Blackhawks also know that the band is breaking up this summer. Some core players will be moving on because of salary cap considerations. The Blackhawks will be driven to add a third Stanley Cup to the core group's legacy. Their biggest concern: Can their defense hold up? The Blackhawks have been relying heavily on four defensemen. Are they wearing out? Tampa Bay's quickness and skill will severely test the Blackhawks' experience.
Peter Barzilai, Lightning in 7
With two Cups in the past five years, the Blackhawks are rightfully the favorite in this series. But the Lightning can skate and move the puck just as well as Chicago, if not better. It will be a long series, and Ben Bishop will again be the difference maker when it matters most.
Mike Brehm, Blackhawks in 6
The Blackhawks' Stanley Cup Final experience wins out. The key is Chicago defenseman Duncan Keith, a Conn Smythe Trophy candidate. He plays enough minutes that should be able to get time against the Lightning's Triplets line, even with Tampa Bay holding home-ice advantage in the series.
Jimmy Hascup, Lightning in 7
A lot will be made of the Blackhawks' experience in these situations, and the Lightning's lack of it. With Tampa Bay's talented, young core it's hard not to peg them as champions at least once over the next several years. Why not now? Their top pair on defense is just as good as the Blackhawks', so they will be able to match up against anyone the Blackhawks put out there. Their speed and scoring ability among their forwards will be able to expose the Blackhawks' reliance on four defensemen. There's also no reason to believe Ben Bishop can't outperform Corey Crawford, either.
Hemal Jhaveri, Blackhawks in 6
To make it harder for Tampa Bay, the Blackhawks are playing their best hockey of the season right now, with their stars producing big goals in big moments.
Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews on the same line has been something of a genius move by head coach Joel Quennville, adding a little spark to the Blackhawks offense. There's no reason to think he'll switch out a formula that's clearly working.
Tampa Bay's speed and defensive skill could give the Blackhawks a challenge, but it's an inconsistent and young team. The Blackhawks experience wins out in the end.
Kristen Shilton, Blackhawks in 7
The Blackhawks have shown they can find ways to win against any opponent. They have a strong group of forwards capable of scoring from anywhere on the ice and play consistently well defensively. The Blackhawks have the right grind-it-out mentality to carry them to another Cup win.