* The Lightning improved to 4-0 in Game 2s this postseason, outscoring opponents 21-8 in those contests (+13). They have a -7 goal differential in all other games combined.

* In 2004, the Lightning’s lone other appearance in the Stanley Cup Final, the club also dropped Game 1 at home vs. CGY (4-1 L) before bouncing back with a win in Game 2 (4-1 W). Tampa Bay ultimately won that series in seven games.

* Since 2004, there only has been one other split of the opening two games in the Stanley Cup Final (10 total series). In 2013, the Blackhawks won Game 1 (in 3OT) and the Bruins won Game 2 (in OT) – Chicago ultimately won the series in six games.

* Seven of the past nine games between the Lightning and Blackhawks have been decided by one goal dating to March 9, 2011 (TBL: 7-1-1, CHI: 2-3-4), including the opening two games of the Stanley Cup Final.

NAIL-BITING TRENDS CONTINUE
* More than half of the games this postseason (52 of 85, 61.2%) have been tied or within one goal entering the final five minutes of regulation, including the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final.

* More than one-third of the games this postseason have featured a comeback win (31 of 85, 36.5%), including both games thus far in the Stanley Cup Final.

* Dating to Game 6 of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final – which also featured the Blackhawks – six of the past eight Stanley Cup Final games have seen the victorious team overcome a deficit at any point in the contest, including four in the third period.

Last Eight Stanley Cup Final Games, Dating to 2013
2015: Game 2 – CHI 3 at TBL 4 (TBL trailed 2-1 in 2nd period)
2015: Game 1 – CHI 2 at TBL 1 (CHI trailed 1-0 in 3rd period)
2014: Game 5 – NYR 2 at LAK 3 (2OT) (LAK trailed 2-1 in 3rd period)
2014: Game 4 – LAK 1 at NYR 2^
2014: Game 3 – LAK 3 at NYR 0^
2014: Game 2 – NYR 4 at LAK 5 (2OT) (LAK trailed 4-2 in 3rd period)
2014: Game 1 – NYR 2 at LAK 3 (OT) (LAK trailed 2-0 in 1st period)
2013: Game 6 – CHI 3 at BOS 2 (CHI trailed 2-1 in 3rd period)
^ Winning team did not trail

VASILEVSKIY STEPS IN TO LIFT LIGHTNING
Andrei Vasilevskiy, the 19th overall selection by the Lightning in the 2012 NHL Draft, played 9:13 during a pair of relief stints for Ben Bishop in the third period (from 7:17 to 8:49 and 12:19 to 20:00). The 20-year-old Tyumen, Russia, native earned the victory by virtue of having been on the ice when Jason Garrison scored the winning goal at 8:49 of the final frame.

* Vasilevskiy, who made his playoff debut in Game 4 of the Second Round vs. MTL (23 SV) and made one other relief appearance this postseason (in Game 6 of the CF vs. NYR: 6 SV), recorded his first career playoff victory (3 GP).

* Per Elias, Vasilevskiy became the fourth goaltender to win a game in the Stanley Cup Final that he did not start. The others: Rangers goaltender Lester Patrick in Game 2 of the 1928 F at Montreal Maroons (2-1 OT W), Sabres goaltender Roger Crozier in Game 3 of the 1975 F vs. PHI (5-4 OT W) and Penguins goaltender Frank Pietrangeloin Game 5 of the 1991 F vs. MIN (6-4 W).

* Of those three, Elias notes that Patrick was the only other goaltender to earn his first career playoff win with that performance. On April 7, 1928, Patrick – the 44-year-old coach of the Rangers – relieved the club’s starter, Lorne Chabot, who was injured in the game.

* Elias adds that Vasilevskiy became the fourth goaltender in the past 77 years to record his first career playoff win in the Stanley Cup Final. The others: Maple Leafs goaltenderAl Rollins in Game 3 of the 1951 F at MTL (2-1 OT W), Red Wings goaltender Hank Bassen in Game 2 of the 1961 F vs. CHI (3-1 W) and Oilers goaltender Jussi Markkanen in Game 3 of the 2006 F vs. CAR (2-1 W).

* Via Elias, Vasilevskiy, who turns 21 on July 25, also became the youngest goaltender to win a game in the Stanley Cup Final since Patrick Roy did so at age 20 for the Canadiens in 1986 (vs. CGY).

* Vasilevskiy made his NHL debut on Dec. 16, recording 23 saves in a 3-1 victory at PHI. He became the third goaltender in Lightning history to earn a win in his NHL debut. The others: Cedrick Desjardins (Dec. 30, 2010 vs. MTL) and Kristers Gudlevskis(April 11, 2014 vs. CBJ).

* Overall, Vasilevskiy appeared in 16 games during the regular season, compiling a 7-5-1 record with a 2.36 goals-against average, .918 save percentage and one shutout.

* “The one thing about Vasilevskiy – I know we have two unbelievably capable goaltenders,” said head coach Jon Cooper. “When Bish had to leave, there wasn’t an ounce of stress on anybody on our bench, including myself. I mean, the kid proved it when he went in. He was great.”

LIGHTNING STRIKE IN GAME 2
* Jason Garrison scored his first career game-winning goal in the playoffs (27 GP). He has 42 total goals during the regular season (388 GP), 12 of which have been game-winners – that includes three of four goals in 2014-15.

* ICYMI: Click here for an all-access look at the game-winning goal.

* Four Lightning players registered multiple points: Garrison (1-1—2), Nikita Kucherov(1-1—2), Ryan Callahan (0-2—2) and Victor Hedman (0-2—2).

* Tyler Johnson set a single-year franchise record with his 13th goal of the playoffs. He previously shared the mark with Ruslan Fedotenko and (Stanley Cup Final opponent) Brad Richards, who each scored 12 times during the team’s run to the 2003-04 Stanley Cup.

* Johnson continues to lead the NHL in goals (13) and points (22) during the postseason. He is four points shy of the club record in one playoff year, set by Richards in 2004 (12-14—26).

* Dating to the regular season, the Lightning have won each of the past 12 games in which Johnson has scored.

* The “Triplets” line – the trio of Johnson (13), Kucherov (10) and Ondrej Palat (7) – has combined for half of the Lightning’s 60 goals during the playoffs. Combined withAlex Killorn (8) and Steven Stamkos (7), the five have accounted for three-quarters of the team’s goals.

* Hedman ranks second among defensemen with 1-11—12 this postseason. TSN says that is a single-year playoff record for points by a Lightning defenseman, surpassingDan Boyle’s 2-8—10 in 2004.

GAME 2 TREND
Since the Final went to the best-of-seven format in 1939, the team that has won Game 2 has gone on to capture the Stanley Cup 74.7% of the time (56 of 75 series), including in nine of the past 12 series.

PUT THE BROOMS AWAY
There will not be a sweep in the Stanley Cup Final for the 16th consecutive season. The last team to win in four games was the 1997-98 Red Wings (vs. WSH).

TOEWS, SEABROOK REACH MILESTONES FOR BLACKHAWKS
Blackhawks teammates Jonathan Toews and Brent Seabrook each reached milestones in the loss:

* With one assist, Toews (38-62—100) became the 92nd player in NHL history and 14th active skater to reach 100 career playoff points. Four of the 14 active NHLers in that category play for the Blackhawks. The others: Marian Hossa (49-92—141), Patrick Kane (47-64—111) and Brad Richards (35-66—101).

* Toews, who has spent his entire career with the Blackhawks, also became the sixth player in franchise history to reach the 100-point milestone in the postseason. The others: Stan Mikita (59-91—150), Denis Savard (61-84—145), Bobby Hull (62-67—129), Kane (47-64—111) and Steve Larmer (45-66—111).

* Seabrook scored his seventh goal to establish a franchise record for goals by a defenseman in one playoff year. He previously shared that mark with Chris Chelios, who scored six times in 1992.

* Seabrook, who also has spent his entire career with the Blackhawks, also equaled a franchise record for career playoff goals by a defenseman (19). The others with 19: Bob Murray and Doug Wilson.

TEUVO TIME
Blackhawks forward Teuvo Teravainen, who posted 1-1—2 in Game 1, also scored in Game 2 to give the team the lead in the second period. Per Elias, he became the fifth rookie since 1927 to register a goal in each of the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final. The others: Canadiens forward Paul Masnick in 1951 at TOR, Canadiens forward Henri Richard in 1956 vs. DET, North Stars forward Dino Ciccarelli in 1981 at NYI and Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader in 2009 vs. PIT. Of those four, only Ciccarelli scored in each of the first three games of the series.

GARRISON, DESJARDINS BLOGS ON NHL.COM
Lightning defenseman Jason Garrison and Blackhawks forward Andrew Desjardinswill be blogging for NHL.com throughout the Stanley Cup Final, offering insight on what’s happening inside the locker room as well as within the confines of the rink.

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

THEY SAID IT
“For sheer thrills, drama, twists and turns, give me the Stanley Cup playoffs. Game 2 is the latest example.” – Tom Jones (Tampa Bay Times)

“Please play five more like this one, if you can.” – Bruce Arthur (Toronto Star)

“ . . . an all-out skill-fest, with end-to-end action, lead changes and plenty of scoring chances.” – James Mirtle (Globe and Mail)

“Wherever you fall on the spectrum of fandom, whether you’re of the Blackhawks or Lightning ilk, you were not shortchanged Saturday night. Short of breath, quite possibly. Shortchanged, no.” – Rick Morrissey (Chicago Sun-Times)

“Game 2 was played at full throttle from the start with ferocious forechecks and probing for the slightest mistake in the offensive zone.” – Tom Spousta (New York Times)

“The game started in the manner that was expected of the entire series: both teams racing, showing off the embarrassment of skill players on each roster.” – Scott Stinson(National Post)

“ . . . a game that featured more than its share of delightfully wide-open moments of chance-trading back and forth.” – Dave Feschuk (Toronto Star)

“… a whirlwind back-and-forth affair that featured three lead changes and three goaltending changes in the third period.” – Erik Erlendsson (Tampa Tribune)

“Game 2 was jam-packed with the kind of up-and-down action fans were expecting in this series.” – John Dietz (Chicago Daily Herald)

“A game that had more mood swings and story lines than some series . . . a throwback, full-throttle affair from the start.” – Mark Lazerus (Chicago Sun-Times)

“It was a game that had so much . . . after two days off, the teams entertained us wildly. There were 97 shot attempts. You almost wished for overtime.” – Mike Harrington(Buffalo News)

“ . . . the game had lived up to all it was supposed to be. It was the hockey that everyone had been waiting for, anticipating, salivating over, ever since the Blackhawks beat the Ducks and the Lightning beat the Rangers in their conference finals. Here was the speed. Here was the back-and-forth. Here was the fun.” – Amalie Benjamin(Boston Globe)

GAME 2 DELIVERS RECORD RATINGS ON NBC
Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final delivered a 4.8 metered market rating on NBC, making it the network’s best Stanley Cup Final Game 2 overnight ever.

Locally, Game 2 posted a 22.62 rating in Chicago and 15.1 rating in Tampa. NBC was the No. 1 network in each market during the contest.

RECAP OF NHL COMBINE
A total of 119 prospected attended the 2015 NHL Combine presented by Reebok, which concluded on Saturday with fitness testing at HARBORCENTER in Buffalo.

* Click here for a complete recap.

* Click here for the top 10 results from the fitness testing.

* Click on the respective links to find out what top prospects Noah Hanifin (No. 3 North American Skater) and Kyle Connor (No. 13 North American Skater) had to say about their experiences at the combine.

Forward Jack Eichel, the No. 2 North American skater in Central Scouting’s final rankings for the 2015 NHL Draft, completes his fitness testing.

LOOSE PUCKS
The Blackhawks fell to 2-2 in Game 2s during the playoffs . . . The Lightning improved to 9-1 when leading after two periods this postseason. They suffered their first such loss in that scenario during Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final . . . The Lightning also improved to 10-1 when scoring the first goal during the playoffs. Their only such loss was in Game 1 vs. CHI . . . Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw equaled a career high with his fifth goal of the postseason (19 GP). He also reached that number in 2013 (23 GP) . . . Lightning forward Cedric Paquette scored the club’s other goal, his second in 24 career playoff appearances . . . Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford made 20 saves . . . Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop stopped 21 shots before exiting the game . . . Joel Quenneville (CHI) became the third head coach in NHL history to serve behind the bench in 200 playoff games (112-88). The others: Scotty Bowman (223-130) andAl Arbour (123-86). Quenneville also ranks third to them in career wins.

the above information was provided by the NHL PR department