The Tampa Bay Lighting take on the Chicago Blackhawks in a matchup of two of the top teams in the NHL. These two teams are evenly matched, with each having strengths and weaknesses. Let’s take a look at how these two teams match up.
Lighting Vs Blackhawks Comparison and Analytics
- Offense
The Tampa Bay Lightning have one of the most potent offenses in the NHL, with Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov leading the way. They are averaging 3.3 goals per game this season. The Chicago Blackhawks have a strong offense as well, averaging 3.2 goals per game. However, the Lightning have the edge in firepower, and should be able to score more goals than the Blackhawks in this matchup.
- Defense
The Tampa Bay Lightning have the edge in defense, with a team save percentage of .925. The Chicago Blackhawks have a team save percentage of .909. Additionally, the Lighting have a goals against average of 2.3, while the Blackhawks have a goals against average of 2.5. This gives the Lightning the edge in this matchup.
- Special Teams
The Tampa Bay Lightning have a power play percentage of 23.5%, while the Chicago Blackhawks have a power play percentage of 21.1%. The Lighting also have a penalty kill percentage of 85.7%, while the Blackhawks have a penalty kill percentage of 79.2%. This gives the Lightning the edge in special teams.
Overall, the Tampa Bay Lighting have the edge in this matchup, with a stronger offense and defense. They should be able to win this game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
When Was the Last Sweep in the Stanley Cup Finals
The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Chicago Blackhawks have both been to the Stanley Cup Finals before. The Blackhawks were in the Finals in 2010, where they lost to the Philadelphia Flyers. The Lightning were in the Finals in 2004, where they lost to the Calgary Flames. However, neither of these teams have ever swept the Finals. In fact, the last time a team swept the Finals was in 1978, when the Montreal Canadiens beat the Boston Bruins.
So, which team is more likely to sweep the Finals this year? On paper, it seems like the Lightning have the advantage. They are ranked first in the league in goals scored, while the Blackhawks are ranked eleventh. The Lightning are also ranked first in power play percentage, while the Blackhawks are ranked fifteenth. However, the Blackhawks are ranked first in penalty kill percentage, while the Lightning are ranked twentieth.
Both teams have some talented players. The Lightning are led by Steven Stamkos, who has scored 47 goals this season. The Blackhawks are led by Patrick Kane, who has scored 46 goals this season. However, Kane is also the team’s assists leader, with 61 assists.
It will be interesting to see how these two teams match up in the Finals. It should be a close series, but the Lightning may have an edge. They are more explosive offensively, and they have a goaltender, Ben Bishop, who is playing some of the best hockey of his career. If Bishop can continue to play well, the Lightning may be able to sweep the Finals.
The Two Teams Have Faced Each Other Before – Who Came Out on Top Then
The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Chicago Blackhawks have faced each other once before in the playoffs. That was back in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, when the Blackhawks were the number one seed in the Western Conference and the Lightning were the number two seed in the Eastern Conference. The Blackhawks won that series 4-2.
In 2011-12, the two teams faced each other four times. The Blackhawks won three of those games, while the Lightning won one game.
In 2013-14, the two teams faced each other twice. The Lightning won both games.
So, overall, the Blackhawks have a 7-3 record against the Lightning in the playoffs. However, the Lightning did win the last game that they played against each other.
It will be interesting to see how the two teams match up in the Finals this year. The Blackhawks have had the edge in past matchups, but the Lightning are a more explosive team now. It should be a close series, but the Lightning may have the edge.
About The Author
