Lightning 3, Blackhawks 2 (SO)
CHICAGO -- Valtteri Filppula's goal in the shootout led the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks Saturday night at the United Center.
Filppula's was the only goal by either team in the shootout. Teammate Victor Hedman missed on his attempt, while all three Chicago shooters, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa, were stopped by Tampa Bay goalie Ben Bishop.
Martin St. Louis and Teddy Purcell scored in regulation for the Lightning (1-1). Kane and Brandon Saad scored for Chicago (1-1).
Depending upon your point of view, the game started off as either a defensive masterpiece or a terrible display of offense on both sides. The game's first shot on goal by either team didn't come until almost seven minutes into the first period (by Chicago's Brent Seabrook at 6:53).
Even worse for Tampa Bay, the Lightning didn't record their first shot on Chicago goalie Corey Crawford until 1:22 of the second period by Nate Thompson. Chicago had 12 unmatched shots on Bishop in the first period.
It was the first time in nearly 67 years -- since Dec. 4, 1946 (Detroit Red Wings) -- that a team has not had a shot on goal in the first period against the Blackhawks.
After a scoreless first period, Kane tallied just 59 seconds into the second period, pushing a wrist shot past Bishop.
At 9:14 of the middle period and on the power play, Saad scored on a wide-open net to make it 2-0. Bishop terribly misplayed a carom off the boards, likely anticipating the puck would go behind the net -- which is where he went -- but the puck instead bounced through the crease, leaving a wide open net for Saad.
The Lightning snapped Crawford's bid for a shutout when St. Louis scored his first goal of the season at 10:08 of the third period. Purcell's 15-foot wrist shot less than two minutes later tied the score at 2-2.
NOTES: Attendance was 21,563. ... Chicago's six goals in Tuesday's season-opening 6-4 win over Washington were the most by a defending Cup champion in its opener since Detroit scored six to open the 2002-03 campaign. ... The six goals were the most for the Blackhawks in a season opener since defeating the Nashville Predators 8-6 on Oct. 5, 2006. ... Also, Tuesday was the 600th career NHL game for Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook, and Patrick Kane's goal in that game was the 150th of his NHL career. ... Because of the lockout-shortened season in 2012-2013, the Lightning have not played the Blackhawks since the 2011-12 season. Prior to that, the Lightning had won three straight games at the United Center, with the Hawks' last win on home ice against Tampa dating to Dec. 13, 2009. ... Tampa Bay came into the game having lost its last eight road games dating to last season and including Thursday's season-opening 3-1 loss in Boston. ... Chicago came into the game with a 15-9-5-3 series record against Tampa Bay. ... The Lightning were the third-highest scoring team (3.06 goals per game) in the NHL last season behind the Pittsburgh Penguins (3.38) and Blackhawks (3.10).
