Stay the course: Lightning won't shift from sound strategy for Game 2

TAMPA, Fla. — Change the result, but not the strategy. Alter the outcome, but not the approach. Tweak the effort in the final minutes, but not the drive from the many more that came before.

The Tampa Bay Lightning were close to snatching victory in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday night at Amalie Arena. Oh, so close.

But the Chicago Blackhawks, with their veteran savvy and a postseason perspective that includes two Stanley Cup titles in the past five years, flexed their strength with two goals in the final 6:32. The pivot was a bitter dose of reality for the Lightning, one similar to what they shoved down the Detroit Red Wings' throats during a late rally in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

What should Tampa Bay do about it? Little.

The Lightning, as strange as this may sound, should feel good about where they stand. Sure, they're down 1-0 in a best-of-seven series for the third time in this postseason. But rightfully so, there was a sense of calm in the day-after reflections from players and coach Jon Cooper on Thursday morning. They showed, at least through two-and-a-half periods Wednesday, that the moment wasn't too large for their young group. They skated with the Blackhawks. Early, the Lightning were the aggressors. They played well enough to win until late.

"Video was pretty much the way we saw it," Cooper said. "I thought we did a really good job. I can't sit up here and say, 'Oh, Chicago outplayed us.' Did they deserve to win? I think it was a pretty even game."

The numbers suggest so. The Lightning outshot the Blackhawks 23-21. Tampa outhit the visitors 29-21. They won 30 faceoffs, and the Blackhawks claimed 27.

Of course, Tampa Bay should know now that holding a one-goal lead against Chicago is as dangerous as walking blindfolded in a sketchy alley past midnight. There's no safety that comes with such a slight advantage, not even when it's held late in the third period. Not any time.

But there's no need to scramble to the nearest dry-erase board and scratch out a new strategy. For as much as the Lightning have talked about correcting their loose defense from the third period — they were outshot 8-5 in that time, a stretch that included goals from centers Teuvo Teravainen and Antoine Vermette — they almost won. The Blackhawks weren't decisively better.

"Obviously, it was a good test for us," Lightning defenseman Jason Garrison said. "Don't see them too much during the year. They're a team that's proven to win in the past. I thought we did a really good job of playing our game, and our game seemed to work. It was only unfortunate that (during) a couple shifts in the third period, the puck found the back of our net. We can learn from a couple things. But for the most part, we're going to stick to the same game plan we had from Game 1."

If the Lightning do that, there's a good chance they'll respond in a decisive way. As toothless as Game 1 matchups have become for the Lightning in this postseason, they've flashed their fangs in Game 2 contests. They're 3-0 in these playoffs. They've dragged each opponent behind the woodshed for a date with a gnarly paddle: They beat the Red Wings 5-1, plus they spanked both the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers by a score of 6-2.

There's no guarantee a similar result will happen Saturday. Each series takes on a different personality, and the Blackhawks have enjoyed decent success in Game 2 matchups during this postseason by posting a 2-1 mark.

Still, there's no gulf in ability that separates Chicago and Tampa Bay. On Wednesday, it was more like a puddle. The Blackhawks should hold no intimidation factor over the Lightning. These teams are equals.

But attention to detail and urgency in the hottest moments will lift one Stanley Cup dreamer over the other. Game 1 stands as proof. Those factors will decide a champion.

"I thought we executed the way we wanted to," Lightning winger Ryan Callahan said. "They had very quick players, a lot of skill. It's hard to finish on them, when we had our chances.

"I thought those first two periods we executed our physicality pretty well. Clearly (we) got away from it a little bit, played a little bit more defensive hockey. But for the most part, we played our style."

That style can lead to victory. The Lightning must fine-tune their plan, not tear it up and trash it.

"I think everyone was trying to do the right thing last night," Lightning center Steven Stamkos said. "I mean, it was pretty much a perfect game plan the first two periods."

True perfection will come when mastery through two periods turns to satisfaction after three.

The Lightning remain oh, so close.

You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.