The Lightning and Red Wings teased it, but it took the third game of the first night of the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs to get that beloved, anxiety-racked blessing know as playoff overtime.
It really fits this rugged Chicago Blackhawks - St. Louis Blues game, too.
The first goal of this Game 1 will be the only goal, as both Brian Elliott (28 saves) and Corey Crawford (16 stops) have been perfect through regulation.
The other thing that stands out is that the Blues are aiming to bruise their rivals, generating a 41-19 hit advantage. One can quibble about how much of an advantage that really might be - usually, when you’re delivering checks, you’re also chasing the puck - but it fits with the Blues’ MO.
#Blues have absolutely stapled #Blackhawks on multiple hits tonight. Brouwer the latest, on a big target, Svedberg.
— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) April 14, 2016
"Never let your guard down."#StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/lrIGO8gMQm
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) April 14, 2016
One bounce, one mistake, one brilliant play could be all it takes for the Blackhawks or Blues to go up 1-0 in this series.
It’s beautiful and unnerving, isn’t it?
With No Keith, ice time being gobbled up by 3 Dmen for Chicago...
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) April 14, 2016
Seabrook 28:05
Hjalmarsson 24:36
Van Riemsdyk 24:31
Time for some free hockey! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/o71D9f9Kgf
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) April 14, 2016