NHL Finals Notes

Thus far all three games in the Stanley Cup finals  have been decided in regulation time by a margin of one goal.

After losing game one, the Tampa Bay “LIGHTNING” have “STRUCK TWICE,” winning the next two games vs the Chicago Blackhawks and lead the best of seven series two games to one.

Jason Garrison’s goal broke a (3-3) tie and lifted Tampa to a home win in game two. That day was NBC’s as American Pharoah roared to the horse racing Triple Crown on its airwaves, after which the Lightning made the Cup finals also on NBC, so much more interesting, with a series squaring, game two victory.

Monday night in Chicago, Cedric Paquette’s third period goal broke a (2-2) tie in Tampa’s (3-2) victory.

I believe all 14 previous teams to win a road game 3 of a (1-1) NHL Final series, have gone on to win the Stanley Cup/final series. (Which is more amazing 14 of 14 or the fact I have not seen this note in any of the hockey coverage?!).

For what it is worth, in the 12 previous Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup finals (the first three best of 5 and the next nine as with this one, best of seven) only once has the game one losing team won the series.

The Lightning, who lost game one of the finals at home vs the Calgary Flames, but won the title in 2004, in their only previous Cup Final appearance, hope this will be the second time.

Stanley Cup Finals start Wednesday