From the Press Box: Even Through Four

Today, From the Press Box: observations from the first four games of the Stanley Cup Final, which has been very evenly played and included plenty of drama.

Who has stepped up their game?
Tampa:Victor Hedman has played a key role in the first two wins for the Lightning, as he tallied four points and was an imposing force at both ends of the ice, as much for his immense skills as a puck-mover and passer than his imposing physical presence. He has thrown his body around, making the Blackshawks' forwards a bit more weary of the middle of the ice than might have been expected. He has matched the Hawks' defensive star, Duncan Keith, if not outplaying him in the first four games of the series.

Chicago:Andrew Shaw counted a point in each of the first three games and epitomizes the gritty nature of the Hawks. He has clearly learned from his mates and their prior playoff experience, but he also adds an element of physicality to the mix. The scoring exploits from him and Teuvo Teravainen (two goals and one assist in the series) have covered up for the failure of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane to produce much offense so far for Chicago.

Just keeps on going…until Game 4
You have to give it up for Ben Bishop. He's clearly not 100 percent healthy but he has been good enough to be the better and more consistent goalie in the series. He is finally getting his due for being a battler and a top-notch goalie after out-dueling two of the best at the position in earlier rounds. It looks to me like he's got some sort of groin injury going on and he's covering up for it by going down to his knees pretty early. He is counting on his big frame to fill up much of the net and still has the ability to slide across the crease if he needs to do so from that low position.

Defensive depth a real question mark for both teams
As the series has moved on, it looks like both teams are showing a lot of faith in their top two defensive units, which has meant increased playing time for those skaters. Chicago has split their top regular-season pairing of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, while mixing and matching Niklas Hjalmarsson and Johnny Oduya, while filling the bottom pairing with a group of three or four other options in very limited duty. We saw it really cost them when Oduya was forced to leave Game 3 with an unspecified injury and Kyle Cumiskey failed to maintain close coverage on the winning goal by Cedric Paquette.

The Lightning has closed defensive ranks a little differently. Hedman and Anton Stralman have continued to log the biggest minutes on the top pairing, while Braydon Coburn and Jason Garrison have filled in as the second pairing on a consistent basis. Matt Carle is a fifth veteran who has spelled them with about 15 minutes per game on a third pairing with different partners.

Even in Game 4 we saw how Trevor van Riemsdyk played just over six minutes and yet that was long enough for him to be somewhat victimized for the lone Tampa goal. It may have been an unlucky act, but it has to be a lingering concern for both teams when they look at how their bottom pairings are factoring into the games despite their low minutes.

Give both teams credit
The Hawks have dominated stretches of each game with their grit and determination and have shown their veteran character as we expected. They have received contributions from the second and third lines, which kept them in each game, even though Kane (zero points) and Toews (one assist) were nullified in the first three games.

The Lightning have continued to ride the hot hand of the Triplets Line, who have each scored a goal in the series, but they have also received key contributions from depth players. The Bolts have also surprised with a team-wide poise that was best seen in how they calmed the play in Game 3 after a very one-sided onslaught by the Hawks (19-7 shot advantage) and almost reversing it (17-7 for Tampa) in the second frame. Their eventual Game 3 win did more for Tampa's soaring confidence and made believers out of many observers who felt that they might wilt in the Madhouse. They didn't and we have a great series unfolding because of it.

Game 4 produced more sidebars and surprises

The Lightning had to finally sit Bishop because of his lingering injury finally catching up to him, and Andrei Vasilevskiy, all of 20 years old, had to step up in his place. The Bolts rallied around him, not allowing a shot on goal for the first eight minutes of play, a prospect that no one would have expected in a raucous Chicago home game.

The Lightning would limit the Hawks to only 19 shots on goal, while directing 26 on Corey Crawford. A scoreless first period would see the Hawks only get two shots on goal, a record playoff low in their club history. That looked like another feather in Tampa's cap, while they managed nine at the other end.

However, Toews finally broke through with his first goal of the series to open the scoring.

The hallmark for Tampa throughout these playoffs has been their resilience and refusal to get down on themselves, a fact that even has head coach Jon Cooper a bit mystified (but happy).

With all the talk of the Hawks experienced core, it was somehow fitting that Brandon Saad, one young player who has cracked the top-six forward spots for long stretches this season, to score what would be the deciding goal. He kept the dream a realistic one for his veteran mates to have a great chance to win this series.

Now we have a two out of three set between these very evenly matched clubs to decide a champion. The winner will cherish this outcome and the loser will find it very hard to forget.

The drama around the NHL Playoffs will be at a fever pitch against that backdrop.

I can't wait for the next act.