Emma: Blackhawks Must Manage Lightning's Electric Attack
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- With two similar and scintillating styles, it will almost seem as if the Blackhawks and Lightning are figure skating at times during this Stanley Cup Final that starts Wednesday at Tampa Bay. Their skill and speed can be so quick and precise throughout the ice, with an exhilarating pace of play.
The thrill of this up-tempo, open-ice game will decide which team hoists the Stanley Cup. So, Jonathan Toews, how could this matchup play out?
"I'm not going to get too detailed on that answer," Toews said with a smile.
Fair enough, Captain.
But anybody who has watched the Lightning in action knows what to expect. Tampa Bay glides through the open ice and attempts to beat a defense by taking chances, but it can also settle down with a calm, collected attack.
Tampa Bay features a top line with the electric Steven Stamkos -- who has returned to form on the right wing -- along with Valtteri Filppula and Alex Killorn, and the newly minted "Triplets" second line of Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov. While Stamkos is the headliner name, Johnson leads the NHL with 12 goals and 21 points in the postseason.
Tampa Bay led the NHL with 262 goals in the regular season, an average of 3.2 per game.
"They definitely have a lot of speed and a lot of skill, too," Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith said. "They have forwards with a lot of good hockey sense. They're in the Final for a reason."
During these Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Lightning have gone 7-1 when scoring three goals or more but have also tallied two or fewer on 12 occasions -- still managing to go 5-7 in those games, playing a grind-it-out style. Chicago won 3-2 in a shootout against Tampa Bay in November, then got blasted 4-0 by the Lightning during a trip to Florida in February.
Chicago coach Joel Quenneville has yet to set any lines, largely because of the quick turnaround from Saturday's Game 7 win in Anaheim. However, he's certainly wary of what the Lightning can do.
"That overall speed is one thing, and their attack game is dangerous," Quenneville said.
It's likely that Quenneville will stick to his defensive strategy that's primarily a four-man rotation that sprinkles in the use use of Kyle Cumiskey, David Rundblad and potentially even rookie Trevor van Riemsdyk during low-risk situations. Keith, Brent Seabrook, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Johnny Oduya can be expected to take on their heavy burden of minutes.
Of course, one truth prevails for the Blackhawks. During Quenneville's time as bench boss, this team hasn't needed to adjust its game much. Chicago can focus on its puck possession game while keeping its careful defensive positioning to prevent Tampa Bay from dangerous scoring chances.
"Until you get on the ice and face that opponent, feel each other out, kind of see how this series is going to go, you really have no idea," Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp said of countering the Lightning's attack. "But we feel comfortable playing any style of play."
In a way, the Lightning are a team that resembles a younger version of the Blackhawks. With the Lightning maintaining a young core, this success can be sustained, especially in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
Wednesday's Game 1 begins what should be an exciting, high-octane battle for the Stanley Cup. It will become a feeling-out process of sorts. Chicago knows it must maintain Tampa Bay's pace and risks with calculated decisions and game planning.
However, the Blackhawks also know how to win the Cup. While Toews didn't want to go into details, he knows what it takes to hoist Lord Stanley's prize.
"It just comes down to work ethic," said Toews, "and who wants it more at this point."
Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.
