The Chicago Blackhawks will look to take back the momentum of the Stanley Cup finals when they face the Boston Bruins in Game 3 on Monday.
The Hawks held a 1-0 lead after one period of play on Saturday and looked like the superior side after 20 minutes. However, the Bruins stifled them after the first intermission and squeezed out a 2-1 overtime victory to even the series and steal home ice advantage away from Chicago.
"Listen, they're in the Stanley Cup Final for a reason; it's not like you're going to have the momentum or dominate a full three periods," Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane said on Sunday. "We know momentum is huge in the playoffs, you want to keep it as long as you can. When you let the other team have it, you want to get it back as quick as possible. That's something we'll try to do."
The Blackhawks outshot Boston 19-4 in the opening period but only managed 15 shots in the remainder of the game.
"We've got to know against this team that trying to make plays could lead to trouble," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "I think the simpler we play it, the more of a direct approach, it can play in our favor. I thought we were standing still too much [after the first period in Game 2] and on the receiving end because we weren't attacking."
"We just need to stick with our speed," Blackhawks left wing Bryan Bickell said during an interview with NHL.com. "When we bring our speed, keep our feet moving and support each other, we're a good team. When we're standing around and waiting for plays to happen we get away from our game. We need to have that mindset to keep our speed.
The Bruins have lost twice at home this post season; they have not lost at the TD Garden since Game 5 against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round of the playoffs. '
Predictions: Boston wins 3-2; the game will not end in overtime.
Start Time: 8 PM EST
TV: NBCSN, CBC, RDS