TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Lightning’s lack of experience had already been baked into the Stanley Cup finals, a ready-made reason for them to acquit themselves well but ultimately lose to the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Lightning had stood their ground in the debate, suggesting that the only way to gain valuable experience was to play in pressure-packed situations like the one they faced Saturday night in Game 2 at Amalie Arena.
The Lightning stood their ground on the ice, too, responding to an opening loss with an electric 4-3 victory that should dispel any notions that they cannot handle the Blackhawks’ best.