The Blackhawks, meanwhile, are making their 13th Stanley Cup Final appearance in club history and third in the past six seasons (also 2010 and 2013). They are tied for fifth in NHL history with five Stanley Cup victories – only the Canadiens (24), Maple Leafs (14), Red Wings (11) and Bruins (6) have more.

Series Notes:

* The Lightning and Blackhawks have met 36 times since 1992-93, Tampa Bay’s inaugural NHL season. The Lightning have posted a 15-14-7 record (37 points) in those contests (9-4-4 at home), while the Blackhawks have gone 16-10-10 (42 points, including 5-5-7 record on the road).

* The Lightning’s first all-time game (in the regular season) was against the Blackhawks, a 7-3 win at Expo Hall on Oct. 7, 1992. Chris Kontos scored four goals to power the Lightning to their victory – that still stands as a franchise record, only matched one time since (by Martin St. Louis on Jan. 18, 2014 vs. SJS).

* Notable individual point totals against their Stanley Cup Final opponent:

Steven Stamkos (TBL): 11-6—17 in 9 GP vs. CHI
>>> Stamkos has recorded points in five consecutive games against the Blackhawks (dating to Nov. 4, 2011), totaling 7-5—12 in that span. He also notched his first career hat trick vs. CHI (on Feb. 17, 2009).

Marian Hossa (CHI): 25-34—59 in 56 GP vs. TBL
Patrick Kane (CHI): 5-10—15 in 9 GP vs. TBL
Jonathan Toews (CHI): 6-5—11 in 10 GP vs. TBL

* During the regular season, the Lightning paced the NHL and set club records with 32 home wins and 65 home points. That included a franchise-record 10-game home winning streak from Dec. 11 – Jan. 31, the longest such run by any team this season. The Blackhawks, meanwhile, set a franchise record for road victories (24), surpassing the previous high of 23 set in 2008-09.

* Those trends have been reversed during the playoffs – the Lightning lead all teams with a 7-3 road record (CHI: 5-4), while the Blackhawks pace the NHL with a 7-1 home record (TBL: 5-5).

* During the regular season, the Lightning led the NHL with 262 goals, while the Blackhawks shared the William M. Jennings Trophy with 189 goals against. In the playoffs, the Blackhawks rank second with 56 goals (3.29 GPG), while the Lightning sit in third with 55 (2.75 GPG). These clubs also boast the top two individual scorers in the postseason: Lightning forward Tyler Johnson (12-9—21 in 20 GP) and Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane (10-10—20 in 17 GP).

* The Lightning and Blackhawks are a combined 18-1 when scoring first during the playoffs (TBL: 9-0, CHI: 9-1). They also are a combined 15-0 when leading after two periods (TBL: 8-0, CHI: 7-0). Including the regular season, the Blackhawks are 32‑0‑0 in that scenario; they are the only team that has not suffered a loss of any kind when leading after two periods in 2014-15.

* Blackhawks forward Brad Richards, a third-round selection (64th overall) by Tampa Bay in the 1998 NHL Draft, led all players with 12-14—26 (in 23 GP) to earn the Conn Smythe Trophy and help the Lightning win the Stanley Cup in 2003-04. He also set a Stanley Cup Playoffs record with seven game-winning goals; ranked first in power-play goals (7) and points (12); and finished second in goals, assists and shots on goal (88).

* In seven seasons with the Lightning from 2000-08, Richards compiled 150-339—489 (in 552 GP). He also registered 18-29—47 in four trips to the playoffs (45 GP).

* Two Lightning players have experience against the Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Final – defensemen Matt Carle and Braydon Coburn were members of the Flyers during the 2010 Final, which Chicago won in six games. Carle notched 1-2—3 during the six-game series, while Coburn recorded 0-1—1.

* Only four other players on the Lightning roster have previously competed in the Stanley Cup Final – Brian Boyle (w/ NYR in 2014), Valtteri Filppula (w/ DET in 2008 and 2009), Brenden Morrow (w/ DAL in 2000) and Anton Stralman (w/ NYR in 2014). Of those six players, only Filppula has captured the Stanley Cup (w/ DET in 2008).

* Nineteen players on the Blackhawks’ roster have previously appeared in the Stanley Cup Final, including 14 from the team’s 2013 championship. The club also features eight players from its 2010 Stanley Cup victory – Niklas Hjalmarsson, Marian Hossa,Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Patrick Sharp, Jonathan Toews andKris Versteeg (plus head coach Joel Quenneville).

* Three players who participated in the 2014 Stanley Cup Final return this year on different clubs – Lightning teammates Brian Boyle and Anton Stralman and Blackhawks forward Brad Richards. All three were members of the 2013-14 Rangers squad that lost in five games to the Kings in the Final.

Lightning Notes:

* The Lightning became the first team in NHL history to reach the Stanley Cup Final by defeating three Original Six teams. They eliminated the Red Wings in the First Round (4-3), Canadiens in the Second Round (4-2) and Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final (4-3).

* With their 2-0 victory over the Rangers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final, the Lightning improved to 5-1 in six all-time Game 7s, including a 2-0 record this year and 2-1 record on the road. They also improved to 7-2 in their last nine games when facing elimination (dating to Game 5 of the 2011 CQF at PIT) and became the first road team to win a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden (1-7).

* Ben Bishop stopped all 22 shots he faced to lead the Lightning to their Game 7 victory in the Eastern Conference Final. He also denied all 31 shots he faced in the team’s Game 7 win over the Red Wings in the First Round, his first career Game 7 appearance. Among the many record-setting notes from his performance, Bishop became the first goaltender in NHL history to register shutouts in each of his first two career Game 7 appearances; became the third goaltender in NHL history to record two Game 7 shutouts in one playoff year (also Patrick Roy in 2002 w/ COL and Tim Thomas in 2011 w/ BOS); and became the first goaltender in NHL history to earn road shutouts in Games 5 and 7 of one playoff series (also Game 5 of CF at NYR: 26 SV).

* During the regular season, Bishop (Denver, Colo.) ranked fourth in the NHL and set a franchise record with 40 wins, becoming the fourth U.S.-born goaltender to reach the milestone. The others: Tom Barrasso (Boston, Mass.; 43 in 1992-93 w/ PIT), Mike Richter (Abington, Pa.; 42 in 1993-94 w/ NYR) and Ryan Miller (East Lansing, Mich.; 40 in 2006-07 and 41 in 2009-10, both w/ BUF). Bishop posted four shutouts (in 62 GP) during the regular season; he leads the NHL with three shutouts during the playoffs (in 20 GP).

* With their series-clinching win at NYR, the Lightning earned their second all-time road shutout in a Game 7 (also in 2011 CQF at PIT). They became the first team in NHL history to win two Game 7s on the road via a shutout. The Lightning, who also blanked the Rangers in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, also became the first team in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to post road shutouts in Games 5 and 7 of one series.

* The Lightning – who were swept by the Canadiens in the First Round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs (4-0) – became the first team since the 1988 Bruins to advance to the Stanley Cup Final after being swept in the opening round of the previous postseason. The Bruins, who were swept by the Canadiens in the 1987 Adams Division Semifinals (4-0), advanced to the 1988 Stanley Cup Final before ultimately losing to the Oilers (4-0).

* Three Lightning players (with a minimum of 3 GP) have perfect career records in Game 7s: Anton Stralman (7-0), Brian Boyle (6-0) and Matt Carle (5-0). In the Eastern Conference Final, Stralman became the third player in NHL history to win seven consecutive Game 7s (at any point in a career). The others to do so: Red Kelly (7-0 in his career) and former Rangers teammate and current Stanley Cup Final opponentBrad Richards (8-0 in his career). The only players who have earned more career Game 7 victories: Glenn Anderson, Ray Bourque and Richards, each with eight.

* The “Triplets” line of Tyler Johnson (12-9—21), Nikita Kucherov (9-10—19) andOndrej Palat (7-8—15) has combined for 28 of the Lightning’s 55 goals during the playoffs (50.9%). Combined with Steven Stamkos (7-10—17) and Alex Killorn (7-9—16), the five have contributed 42 of the team’s 55 goals this postseason (76.4%).

* Prior to this year, the Lightning contested 13 all-time playoff series – and in only one of them did a player score six (or more) goals: Ruslan Fedotenko in the 2004 Eastern Conference Final vs. PHI (6-1—7 in 7 GP). The Lightning had two such performances in the opening two rounds of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs – by Johnson in the First Round vs. DET (6-1—7 in 7 GP) and Kucherov in the Second Round vs. MTL (6-1—7 in 6 GP).

* In Game 1 at MTL, Kucherov (21 years, 318 days) became the youngest player in Lightning history to register a playoff overtime goal. He then scored the winning goal in Game 2, becoming the first player (on any team) to do so in each of the first two games of a postseason series since Bruins forward David Krejci accomplished that feat in the first three contests of the 2011 Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. PHI.

* After being swept by the Canadiens in the First Round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Lightning went 9-2-0 vs. MTL this season (regular season and playoffs) – including a 4-2 series victory in the Second Round. They became the first team to defeat the Canadiens nine or more times in one season (regular season and playoffs) since the 2008-09 Bruins (9-0-1 overall; 5-0-1 in regular season, 4-0 in playoffs).

* Bishop manned the pipes in all 11 games vs. MTL this season (regular season and playoffs), compiling a 9-2-0 record with a 1.67 goals-against average, .937 save percentage and one shutout in those contests. He became the first goaltender to defeat the Canadiens nine or more times in one season (regular season and playoffs) since 1960-61, when Blackhawks goaltender Glenn Hall went 9-7-4 vs. MTL (5-5-4 in regular season, 4-2 in playoffs).

* In the First Round vs. DET, the Lightning overcame a 3-2 series deficit and improved to 3-0 in three all-time Game 7s at home. Johnson recorded three multi-goal performances (in Games 2, 4 and 6), becoming the first player in franchise history to do so in one postseason series.

* During the regular season, the Lightning set franchise records with 50 wins and 108 points, surpassing the previous marks of 46 and 102, respectively, established when they captured the Stanley Cup in 2003-04.

Blackhawks Notes:

* The Blackhawks avenged their Game 7 loss in the 2014 Western Conference Final vs. LAK (5-4 OT L) by eliminating the Ducks in seven games in the penultimate round. In doing so, they improved to 7-6 in 13 all-time Game 7s, including a 2-3 record on the road. Their only other such win as visitors was during the 1965 Semifinals at DET (4-2 W).

* With their Game 7 victory at ANA, the Blackhawks also improved to 11-4 in their last 15 games when facing elimination (since the start of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs).Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, who made their postseason debuts in 2009, have 5-15—20 and 6-5—11, respectively, in those contests. Kane’s 20 points in elimination games are the second-most in the NHL in that span, behind Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg (7-14—21 in 15 GP).

* By defeating the Ducks, the Blackhawks won a series in which they trailed 3-2 for the third time in franchise history and second time in the past three years (also 2013 CSF vs. DET). The only other such instance was in the 1965 Semifinals vs. DET. The Blackhawks also improved to 15-3 in their last 18 games in which they could eliminate an opponent (since the start of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs).

* The Blackhawks have registered five goals in three of their past four outings (Games 4, 6 and 7 vs. ANA). They became the seventh team in NHL history to win Games 6 and 7 of a playoff series while scoring five or more goals in each contest, but just the second club to achieve that feat after the opening round. The other: the Kings, who posted 5-4 wins in Game 6 (in OT) and 7 of the 1993 Campbell Conference Final vs. TOR.

* In Game 7 at ANA, 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. The others to do so: Maple Leafs forward David Keon (1964 SF at MTL) and Kings forward Ted Irvine (1969 QF at OAK). Toews also became the first player in NHL history to collect multiple goals on the road in Games 5 and 7 of a playoff series (Game 5 at ANA: 2-0—2).

* Toews has seven multi-goal performances since making his playoff debut in 2009. The only player with more in that span: Kane (8).

* In Game 7 at ANA, Kane (0-3—3) became the third player in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68) to record three assists in Game 7 of the Semifinals/Conference Finals. The others to do so: Bruins forward Jean Ratelle (1979 SF at MTL) and Maple Leafs forward Doug Gilmour (1993 CF vs. LAK). Kane has registered multiple points in each of the last five games in which the Blackhawks have faced elimination (dating to Game 5 of the 2014 CF vs. LAK), totaling 3-11—14 in that span.

* Brad Richards (0-2—2) improved to 8-0 in eight career Game 7s following the Blackhawks’ win in the Western Conference Final (2 w/ TBL, 5 w/ NYR, 1 w/ CHI) – that tied an NHL record for career Game 7 wins (w/ Glenn Anderson and Ray Bourque). Richards also became the first player in NHL history to win eight consecutive Game 7s (at any point in a career).

* With his pair of assists in Game 7 at ANA, Richards (35-66—101 in 135 GP) became the 91st player in NHL history to record 100 playoff points – and the 13th active skater to do so. Two of the others are on the Blackhawks: Marian Hossa (49-91—140 in 188 GP) and Kane (47-64—111 in 110 GP). Toews also sits one point shy of the milestone (38-61—99 in 111 GP).

* Duncan Keith leads all defensemen and shares fifth in the NHL with 2-16—18 (in 17 GP) this postseason. He also paces all skaters in plus/minus (+13) and total time on ice (537:04) – nearly 70 minutes more than the next-closest player (Stanley Cup Final opponent Victor Hedman: 468:14). Keith’s 16 assists are the most by any defenseman in one playoff year since Chris Pronger posted an equal number with the Oilers in 2006 (in 24 GP).

* In Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, Joel Quenneville will become the third head coach in NHL history to coach 200 playoff games (Scotty Bowman: 353 GC and Al Arbour: 209 GC). Quenneville (111-87) currently ranks third in all-time postseason wins by a coach, also behind Bowman (223) and Arbour (123).

* The Blackhawks have contested the last four triple-overtime games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including two this year (Game 4 of the FR vs. NSH and Game 2 of the CF at ANA). They also have played two double-overtime games this postseason (Game 1 of the FR at NSH and Game 4 of the CF vs. ANA), going a combined 4-0 in those contests. They are the first team in Stanley Cup Playoffs history that has won four multi-overtime games in one postseason. They also are just the second club to play four such games in one playoff year (other 1994 NJD).

* In the Second Round vs. MIN, the Blackhawks recorded their ninth all-time sweep in a best-of-seven series and first since the 2010 Western Conference Final vs. SJS. They did not trail at any point in the series, a first for them since the 1992 Norris Division Final vs. DET.

* The Blackhawks eliminated the Wild from the playoffs for the third consecutive year, also doing so in the 2013 Western Conference Quarterfinals (4-1) and 2014 Second Round (4-2). They became 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.

* In the Second Round, Kane became the fourth player in Blackhawks history to score in each of the first four (or more) games of a playoff series (5-1—6). The others: Bobby Hull (Games 1-5 of 1965 SF vs. DET), Steve Larmer (Games 1-4 of 1989 DF vs. STL) and Dustin Byfuglien (Games 1-4 of 2010 CF vs. SJS).

* In Game 1 of the First Round at NSH, the Blackhawks overcame a three-goal deficit to win in the playoffs for the first time since April 8, 1991 (DSF at MIN).

GAME 1 TREND
Since the Final went to the best-of-seven format in 1939, the team that has won Game 1 has gone on to capture the Stanley Cup 77.3% of the time (58 of 75 series).

DID YOU KNOW?
Game 1 of the Final has gone to overtime each of the past three years – the winner of that contest ultimately went on to capture the Stanley Cup.

Game 1 of Stanley Cup Final, Since 2012
2014: NYR 2 at LAK 3 (OT) – LAK won series 4-1
2013: BOS 3 at CHI 4 (3OT) – CHI won series 4-2
2012: LAK 2 at NJD 1 (OT) – LAK won series 4-2

PLAYER BLOGS ON NHL.COM
Lightning defenseman Jason Garrison and Blackhawks forward Andrew Desjardinswill post player blogs on NHL.com throughout the Stanley Cup Final.

Click on the respective links to view the first entries by Garrison and Desjardins.

EXPERIENCE OF OFFICIALS IN STANLEY CUP FINAL
The NHL announced the officials for the 2015 Stanley Cup Final:

Referees: Wes McCauley, Dan O’Halloran, Kevin Pollock and Kelly Sutherland

Linesmen: Derek Amell, Shane Heyer, Brian Murphy and Pierre Racicot

Stanley Cup Final Experience

Wes McCauley: 3rd Appearance (2013-14) – 5 Games Worked
Dan O’Halloran: 8th Appearance (2007-08, 2010-14) – 21 Games Worked
Kevin Pollock: 1st Appearance
Kelly Sutherland: 3rd Appearance (2010-11) – 6 Games Worked

Derek Amell: 4th Appearance (2009, 2012, 2014) – 9 Games Worked
Shane Heyer: 5th Appearance (2007-08, 2013-14) – 12 Games Worked
Brian Murphy: 7th Appearance (1995-96, 2002-04, 2013) – 18 Games Worked
Pierre Racicot: 8th Appearance (2006, 2008-13) – 21 Games Worked

LOOSE PUCKS
The Devils hired John Hynes as the 17th head coach in franchise history. Hynes spent the past five seasons as the head coach of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL), compiling a 231-126-10-17 record, including five consecutive 40-win campaigns . . . The Canadiens signed defenseman Jeff Petry to a six-year contract extension . . . ICYMI:Click here for a trailer of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final . . . The mayors of Tampa and Chicago placed a friendly wager of the result of the series . . . Click here for an SAP breakdown of the statistical matchup between the Lightning and Blackhawks.

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the above information.