NHL Peachy: Congratulations Chicago Blackhawks DYNASTY! 2015 STANLEY CUP FINAL POST-GAME NOTES - GAME 6 TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING 0 at CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS 2 - JUNE 15, 2015 BLACKHAWKS CAPTURE SIXTH STANLEY CUP
The Blackhawks have captured their sixth Stanley Cup in their 13th Final appearance since joining the NHL in 1926-27. This year's victory follows wins in 1934 (3-1 vs. Detroit), 1938 (3-1 vs. Toronto), 1961 (4-2 vs. Detroit), 2010 (4-2 vs. Philadelphia) and 2013 (4-2 vs. Boston).
The Blackhawks are the first club to win three Stanley Cups in a six-year span since the Detroit Red Wings did so from 1997-02 (in 1997, 1998 and 2002).
The Blackhawks clinched the Stanley Cup at United Center for the first time and on home ice for the first time since April 12, 1938, when they defeated the Maple Leafs 4-1 at Chicago Stadium to close the best-of-five Final in four games.
Since the Stanley Cup was not in Chicago for the Cup-clinching game in 1938, tonight's game marks the first time the Blackhawks have received the Cup at home since April 10, 1934 (1-0 win over Detroit in 2OT, capturing best-of-five series 3-1).
BLACKHAWKS WHO HAVE WON A THIRD STANLEY CUP RING
Seven Blackhawks players -- Niklas Hjalmarsson, Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews -- have captured their third Stanley Cup with the club since 2010. They join Los Angeles Kings forward Justin Williams as the only active players with three Stanley Cup rings.
BLACKHAWKS' KILLER INSTINCT SINCE 2009: BY THE NUMBERS
The Blackhawks improved to 16-4 in their last 20 playoff games in which they could eliminate an opponent (dating to Game 6 of the 2009 CQF at Calgary). That includes a 4-1 record this year (previous wins in Game 6 of the First Round vs. Nashville, Game 4 of the Second Round at Minnesota and Game 7 of the Western Conference Final at Anaheim).
The Blackhawks also improved to 18-1 in Games 5-7 of series they had been tied 2-2 since the start of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Their lone such loss came in Game 5 of this year’s Western Conference Final at Anaheim (5-4 OT L).
In addition, the Blackhawks are now 43-14 overall in Games 4-7 since the start of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including a 9-2 record this year. Since 2012, they have won 19 of 23 contests in Games 5-7.
The Blackhawks improved to 13-1 in Game 6s since the start of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs (3-0 this year). Their lone such loss was in the 2012 Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. Phoenix (4-0 L that eliminated them from the playoffs).
Holding a 1-0 lead entering the third period, the Blackhawks improved to 33-0-0 when leading after two periods this season (25-0-0 regular season, 8-0 playoffs).
KEITH WINS CONN SMYTHE TROPHY
Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith won the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to “the most valuable player to his team in the playoffs.” The winner was selected in a vote by a panel of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
* Keith capped his postseason performance with the Stanley Cup-clinching goal in Game 6, becoming the first player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy and record the Stanley Cup-clinching goal in the same year since Henrik Zetterberg did so in 2008 with the Red Wings (vs. PIT).
* Keith led all defensemen with 18 assists and 21 points during the playoffs. Only four defensemen in NHL history have collected more assists in one playoff year: Paul Coffey (25 in 1985 w/ EDM), Al MacInnis (24 in 1989 w/ CGY), Brian Leetch (23 in 1994 w/ NYR) and Bobby Orr (19 in 1972 w/ BOS).
* Keith equaled a Blackhawks record for points by a defenseman in one playoff year; Chris Chelios notched 6-15—21 in 1992. Keith’s 21 postseason points also were tied for the most by any defenseman over the last 20 years; Chris Pronger collected 5-16—21 in 2006 with the Oilers.
* All three of Keith’s postseason goals stood as winning tallies. His others: in Game 1 of the First Round at Nashville (at 7:49 of 2OT) and in Game 6 of the First Round vs. Nashville (at 16:12 of the 3rd period).
* Keith again led all players with 30:19 of time on ice in Game 6. He became the fourth skater to log 700 minutes in one playoff year (since time on ice was introduced as an official stat in 1998).
Most Time on Ice, One Playoff Year (since 1998)
747:33 – Drew Doughty, LAK, 2014^
742:55 – Chris Pronger, EDM, 2006
717:01 – Nicklas Lidstrom, DET, 2002^
715:37 – Duncan Keith, CHI, 2015^
^ Won Stanley Cup
* On top of those stats, Keith finished the playoffs with a League-best +16 rating to set another career high (+10 in 2013). Only Chelios has recorded a better plus/minus for the Blackhawks in one postseason (+19 in 1992).
* Keith became the third member of the Blackhawks’ cornerstone players to win the Conn Smythe Trophy during their run of three championships in the past six years. The others: Jonathan Toews in 2010 and Patrick Kane in 2013.
* Keith became the first defenseman to win the Conn Smythe Trophy since 2007. The award has been won by a defenseman 10 times since it was first awarded in 1965. The complete list:
2015: Duncan Keith (CHI)
2007: Scott Niedermayer (ANA)
2002: Nicklas Lidstrom (DET)
2000: Scott Stevens (NJD)
1994: Brian Leetch (NYR)
1989: Al MacInnis (CGY)
1978: Larry Robinson (MTL)
1972: Bobby Orr (BOS)
1970: Bobby Orr (BOS)
1969: Serge Savard (MTL)
* A full breakdown Keith’s prolific playoff performance:
SERIES GP G A PTS +/-
First Round vs. NSH 6 2 5 7 3
Second Round vs. MIN 4 0 3 3 7
Western Conference Final vs. ANA 7 0 8 8 3
Stanley Cup Final vs. TBL 6 1 2 3 3
TOTALS 23 3 18 21 16
CRAWFORD TIES FRANCHISE RECORD FOR CAREER PLAYOFF WINS
Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford collected his 45th career playoff win in Game 6, tying the franchise record held by Tony Esposito. He stopped all 25 shots he faced, becoming the first goaltender to post a shutout in a Cup-clinching game since Boston's Tim Thomas in 2011 at Vancouver and just the third goaltender to do so in the past 20 years (New Jersey's Martin Brodeur, vs. Anaheim in 2003 and Colorado's Patrick Roy, at Florida in 1996).
Crawford allowed just two goals over the final three games of the Stanley Cup Final, all Blackhawks victories. He ended the series with a 4-2 record, 1.69 goals-against average and .938 save percentage.
KANE LEADS BLACKHAWKS IN PLAYOFF SCORING
Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane, who fed Duncan Keith for the Stanley Cup-winning goal at 17:13 of the second period before notching the insurance marker at 14:46 of the third, increased his playoff scoring total to 11-12--23, finishing the postseason tied for the League scoring lead with Tampa Bay's Tyler Johnson (13-10--23).
Kane's assist in Game 4 upped his career playoff totals to 47-65—112, moving past Steve Larmer (45-66—111) and into sole possession of fourth place in franchise history. (Kane finished the playoffs with 48-66--114). The only Blackhawks to register more career postseason points: Stan Mikita (59-91—150), Denis Savard (61-84—145) and Bobby Hull (62-67—129).
BLACKHAWKS' TIMONEN CAPTURES FIRST STANLEY CUP
Blackhawks defenseman Kimmo Timonen was the first to receive the Stanley Cup from winning captain Jonathan Toews. The native of Kuopio, Finland, at 40 years of age the oldest player in the Stanley Cup Final, captured his first Stanley Cup in the final game of an illustrious NHL career that began in 1998-99. Timonen contested his 1,213th career game tonight (1,108 regular-season, 105 playoff).
QUENNEVILLE CAPTURES THIRD STANLEY CUP
Chicago's Joel Quenneville became the 11th head coach in League history to win three Stanley Cups. The others: Scotty Bowman (nine), Toe Blake (eight), Hap Day (five), Al Arbour (four), Dick Irvin (four), Punch Imlach (four), Glen Sather (four), Jack Adams (three), Pete Green (three) and Tommy Ivan (three).
SUMMARIZING A COMPETITIVE STANLEY CUP FINAL
* The Blackhawks and Lightning played five consecutive one-goal games to open the Stanley Cup Final. Only one previous Stanley Cup Final had featured five straight one-goal games to begin the series – the 1951 affair between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens in which all five contests required overtime (TOR, 4-1).
* On top of Games 1-5 being decided by one goal, the Blackhawks and Lightning were tied or separated by one goal for all but the final 5:14 of the series (354:46 of 360:00). This marked the first Stanley Cup Final in which neither team held a multi-goal lead at any point in the opening five games of the series.
IF YOU GET IN, YOU CAN WIN
The Blackhawks finished seventh in the overall standings during the regular season, becoming the fifth club outside the top six to win the Stanley Cup in the past seven years.
Year S.C. Champ Runner-Up Series Result
2009 PIT (8) DET (3) 4-3
2010 CHI (3) PHI (18) 4-2
2011 BOS (7) VAN (1) 4-3
2012 LA (13) NJ (9) 4-2
2013 CHI (1) BOS (5) 4-2
2014 LA (10) NYR (12) 4-1
2015 CHI (7) TBL (5) 4-2
MORE BLACKHAWKS NOTES
* With one assist in Game 2, Chicago captain Jonathan Toews became the 92nd player in NHL history and 14th active skater to reach 100 career playoff points. Four of the 14 active NHLers in that category play for the Blackhawks: Toews (39-63—102), Marian Hossa (49-95—144), Patrick Kane (48-66—114) and Brad Richards (36-68—104).
* Toews opened the scoring in Game 4 to establish a career high with his 10th goal of the playoffs; he posted nine goals during last year’s run to the Western Conference Final.
* Chicago's Brent Seabrook scored his seventh goal of the 2015 postseason in Game 2, setting a franchise record for goals by a defenseman in one playoff year. He previously shared that mark with Chris Chelios, who scored six times in 1992. Seabrook also equaled a franchise record for career playoff goals by a defenseman (19). The others with 19: Bob Murray and Doug Wilson.
* Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa notched four assists in the 2015 Stanley Cup Final, raising his career playoff totals to 49-95—144 (194 GP). Hossa is tied for 26th place on the NHL’s all-time playoff assists list with Chris Pronger (95) and tied with Chris Chelios (31-113—144) and Larry Robinson (28-116—144) for 31st place on the League’s all-time playoff points list.
* Blackhawks forward Brandon Saad registered a go-ahead goal in the third period in Games 3 and 4, including the winner in Game 4. He finished with eight goals in the postseason (a career high), including one other game-winner (in Game 3 of the First Round vs. Nashville). Six of Saad’s eight goals this postseason gave the team the lead; one tied the game and one other extended the club’s lead.
* Chicago forward Antoine Vermette tallied his second game-winning goal of the Stanley Cup Final in Game 5. For Vermette, it marked his fourth goal of the playoffs and his third clutch goal since the start of the Conference Finals. His double-overtime tally gave the Blackhawks a 5-4 win over Anaheim in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final at United Center on May 23 and his goal with 4:34 left in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final was the difference in the series-opener. Vermette is the first player to tally multiple game-winning goals in one Stanley Cup Final since Boston's Daniel Paille, who notched the decisive goal in the Bruins' 2-1 (OT) and 2-0 wins in Games 2 and 3 of the 2013 Final against Chicago.
* 20-year-old Chicago rookie forward Teuvo Teravainen led the Blackhawks to a 2-1 comeback win in Game 1 with a goal and an assist. He also scored in Game 2, becoming the fifth rookie since 1927 to register a goal in each of the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final. Teravainen had 4-6—10 this postseason, compared to 4-5—9 in 37 career regular season games.
LIGHTNING NOTES
* Tampa Bay goaltender Ben Bishop continued his stellar road play in Game 6, stopping 30 of the 32 shots he faced. Bishop concluded the playoffs with a road mark of 8-4 with a 1.55 goals-against average, .946 save percentage and two shutouts. He allowed two goals or fewer in each of his 12 road starts.
* Tampa Bay's Victor Hedman recorded a pair of assists in Game 3, setting a pair of franchise playoff records in the process. His assist on Ryan Callahan's first-period goal was the 20th of his playoff career, passing Dan Boyle (19) for the most ever by a Lightning defenseman. His centering feed to goal-scorer Cedric Paquette on the game-winner with 3:11 remaining in the third period was his 23rd career playoff point (2-21—23), passing Boyle (3-19—22) for most career playoff points by a Tampa Bay blueliner.
* Lightning forward Tyler Johnson set a single-year franchise record with his 13th goal of the playoffs in Game 2. He previously shared the mark with Ruslan Fedotenko and (Stanley Cup Final opponent) Brad Richards, who each scored 12 times during the team’s run to the title in 2004.
* Tampa Bay's “Triplets” line of Johnson, Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat all collected points on Palat’s game-tying goal in the third period of Game 3. Johnson (13-10—23), Kucherov (10-12—22) and Palat (8-8—16) combined for just under half of the team’s goals during the playoffs (31 of 65, 47.7%).
* 20-year-old Lightning rookie goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy earned the win in Game 2 in relief, playing 9:13 during a pair of stints in the third period. Vasilevskiy became the fourth goaltender to win a game in the Stanley Cup Final that he did not start. The others: NY Rangers' Lester Patrick in Game 2 of the 1928 F at Mtl. Maroons (2-1 OT W), the Sabres' Roger Crozier in Game 3 of the 1975 F vs. Philadelphia (5-4 OT W) and the Penguins' Frank Pietrangelo in Game 5 of the 1991 F vs. Minnesota (6-4 W). Vasilevskiy, who turns 21 on July 25, also became the youngest goaltender to win a game in the Stanley Cup Final since Patrick Roy did so at age 20 for the Canadiens in 1986 (vs. Calgary).
* Vasilevskiy made his first career playoff start in Game 4, becoming the sixth goaltender in League history to make his first career playoff start in the Stanley Cup Final. The others: Joe Miller (NYR) in 1928; Alfie Moore (CHI) in 1938; Paul Goodman (CHI) in 1938; Hank Bassen (DET) in 1961; and Jussi Markkanen (EDM) in 2006.
* Lightning defenseman Jason Garrison scored his first career game-winning goal in the playoffs in Game 2. He has 42 total goals during the regular season (388 GP), 12 of which have been game-winners – that includes three of four goals in 2014-15.
* Lightning forward Cedric Paquette scored the game-winning goal with 3:11 remaining in regulation in Game 3. Paquette scored for the second straight contest and notched his first career playoff game-winner.
A LOOK BACK
The first puck of the 2014-15 NHL season hit the ice at Air Canada Centre on Wednesday, Oct. 8 – when Tomas Plekanec scored the go-ahead goal at 19:17 of the third period to give the visiting Canadiens a 4-3 victory over the Maple Leafs in one of four contests that day – and ended 250 days later at United Center when the Blackhawks defeated the Lightning in Game 6 to win the Stanley Cup on home ice for the first time since 1938.
* A breakdown of the 2014-15 NHL season:
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014
MTL (4) at TOR (3)
PHI (1) at BOS (2)
VAN (4) at CGY (2)
SJS (4) at LAK (0)
First puck drop: 7:15 p.m. ET at Air Canada Centre
First goal of season: Max Pacioretty (MTL, 4:42 of 1st period)
Monday, June 15, 2015
TBL (0) at CHI (2)
Final buzzer: 10:53 PM, ET at United Center
Last goal of season: Patrick Kane (CHI, 14:46 of 3rd period)
Games Played: 1,319 (1,230 regular season, 89 playoffs)
Total Goals: 6,997 (6,549 regular season, 448 playoffs)
Total Shots on Goal: 78,997 (73,595 regular season, 5,402 playoffs)
Total Blocked Shots: 38,545 (35,600 regular season, 2,945 playoffs)
Total Hits: 67,417 (61,476 regular season, 5,941 playoffs)
Total Face-offs: 81,082 (75,375 regular season, 5,707 playoffs)
QUICK HITS
* The Blackhawks improved to 12-1 when scoring first in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Lightning dropped to 3-11 when surrendering the first goal.
* The Stanley Cup-winning goal was orchestrated by three winners of the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs:
Goal: Duncan Keith (Conn Smythe w/ Chicago, 2015)
Assist: Patrick Kane (Conn Smythe w/ Chicago, 2013)
Assist: Brad Richards (Conn Smythe w/ Tampa Bay, 2004)
First Round: Chicago vs. Nashville (4-2)
The Blackhawks opened their Stanley Cup campaign in dramatic fashion, overcoming a three-goal deficit to win Game 1 in Nashville in double overtime. It was the club's first such comeback in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since April 8, 1991 (Division Semifinal at Minnesota). In Game 4, Chicago won 3-2 in triple-overtime, their first of two such wins in the third extra frame in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
GM DATE RESULT GW GOAL SHOTS POWER PLAY FACE-OFFS HITS
1 April 15 CHI 4 at NSH 3 (2OT) Duncan Keith NSH, 54-42 CHI 2/6, NSH 1/6 NSH, 54-34 NSH, 39-28
2 April 17 CHI 2 at NSH 6 Craig Smith NSH, 35-26 CHI 0/3, NSH 1/4 CHI, 42-40 CHI, 25-19
3 April 19 NSH 2 at CHI 4 Brandon Saad NSH, 37-30 CHI 0/2, NSH 0/2 CHI, 34-25 NSH, 53-37
4 April 21 NSH 2 at CHI 3 (3OT) Brent Seabrook NSH, 52-48 CHI 0/4, NSH 1/3 CHI, 55-48 NSH, 66-50
5 April 23 CHI 2 at NSH 5 Colin Wilson CHI, 30-29 CHI 0/2, NSH 2/4 NSH, 26-23 NSH, 36-16
6 April 25 NSH 3 at CHI 4 Duncan Keith CHI, 32-25 CHI 1/2, NSH 1/3 TIE, 34-34 NSH, 53-36
Second Round: Chicago vs. Minnesota (4-0)
The Blackhawks eliminated the Wild from the playoffs for the third consecutive year, becoming the first team to eliminate the same opponent in each of three consecutive postseasons since the Maple Leafs did so to the Senators from 2000-02. They did not trail at any point in the series, a first for them since the 1992 Norris Division Final vs. Detroit. Forward Patrick Kane scored in all four games (5-1—6), which extended his goal streak to five games dating to Game 6 of the First Round vs. NSH (6-2—8). After losing the starting role in the First Round, goaltender Corey Crawford bounced back with five consecutive wins – including all four vs. Minnesota (1.75 GAA, .947 SV%, 1 SO).
GM DATE RESULT GW GOAL SHOTS POWER PLAY FACE-OFFS HITS
1 May 1 MIN 3 at CHI 4 Teuvo Teravainen CHI, 35-33 CHI 0/1, MIN 1/3 CHI, 33-26 MIN, 36-34
2 May 3 MIN 1 at CHI 4 Patrick Kane Tie, 31-31 CHI 0/2, MIN 1/2 CHI, 32-29 MIN, 42-39
3 May 5 CHI 1 at MIN 0 Patrick Kane MIN, 30-22 CHI 1/1, MIN 0/3 CHI, 37-22 MIN, 20-11
4 May 7 CHI 4 at MIN 3 Marian Hossa MIN, 37-25 CHI 1/2, MIN 1/3 Tie, 34-34 MIN, 24-6
Western Conference Final: Chicago vs. Anaheim (4-3)
The Blackhawks avenged their Game 7 loss in the 2014 Western Conference Final vs. Los Angeles by eliminating the Ducks in seven games to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. The Blackhawks registered five goals in three of their final four games, including the series-deciding contest. Captain Jonathan Toews (2-0—2) became the third player in NHL history to score two first-period goals for the road team in a Game 7, while Patrick Kane (0-3—3) became the third player in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68) to record three assists in a Game 7 of the Semifinals/Conference Finals.
GM DATE RESULT GW GOAL SHOTS POWER PLAY FACE-OFFS HITS
1 May 17 CHI 1 at ANA 4 Kyle Palmieri CHI, 33-27 CHI 0/3, ANA 0/1 ANA, 41-38 ANA, 44-34
2 May 19 CHI 3 at ANA 2 (3OT) Marcus Kruger ANA, 62-56 CHI 2/5, ANA 0/5 ANA, 59-53 ANA, 71-45
3 May 21 ANA 2 at CHI 1 Simon Despres CHI, 28-27 CHI 0/5, ANA 1/1 CHI, 35-33 ANA, 45-27
4 May 23 ANA 4 at CHI 5 (2OT) Antoine Vermette ANA, 51-40 CHI 1/4, ANA 0/2 CHI, 48-40 ANA, 60-52
5 May 25 CHI 4 at ANA 5 (OT) Matt Beleskey Tie, 28-28 CHI 0/2, ANA 0/2 ANA, 39-26 ANA, 41-23
6 May 27 ANA 2 at CHI 5 Patrick Kane ANA, 32-23 CHI 0/3, ANA 1/3 CHI, 33-17 ANA, 43-38
7 May 30 CHI 5 at ANA 3 Marian Hossa ANA, 38-26 CHI 2/4, ANA 1/2 Tie, 32-32 ANA, 37-15
Stanley Cup Final: Chicago vs. Tampa Bay (4-2)
The Blackhawks won their third championship in six years, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in a historically close series. The first five games were decided by one goal for just the second time in Stanley Cup Final history and the clubs were tied or separated by one goal at all times in the first five contests. The Blackhawks clinched the Stanley Cup on home ice for the first time since 1938.
GM DATE RESULT GW GOAL SHOTS POWER PLAY FACE-OFFS HITS
1 June 3 CHI 2 at TB 1 Antoine Vermette TB, 23-21 TB 0/2, CHI 0/3 TB, 30-27 TB, 29-21
2 June 6 CHI 3 at TB 4 Jason Garrison CHI, 29-24 TB 1/3, CHI 1/3 CHI, 35-19 TB, 33-28
3 June 8 TB 3 at CHI 2 Cedric Paquette CHI, 38-32 TB 0/2, CHI 1/2 CHI, 39-28 TB, 46-27
4 June 10 TB 1 at CHI 2 Brandon Saad TB, 25-19 TB 0/4, CHI 0/3 CHI, 38-20 TB, 46-34
5 June 13 CHI 2 at TB 1 Antoine Vermette TB, 32-29 TB 0/1, CHI 0/2 CHI, 36-26 TB, 37-15
6 June 15 TB 0 at CHI 2 Duncan Keith CHI, 32-25 TB 0/1, CHI 0/3 CHI, 42-20 TB, 56-32
