This has gotten serious for the Chicago Blackhawks. After coming up with a seventh-game triumph on the road against the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference Final, they were clear favorites to win their third Stanley Cup in six seasons against a Tampa Bay Lightning team that could not match them in the experience category.

The Blackhawks seemed to be in good shape after winning on the road in Game 1, but the Lightning have bounced back in stellar fashion. They have moved ahead in the series 2-1 after Cedric Paquette scored a late third-period goal on a brilliant feed from defenseman Victor Hedman to give them a 3-2 victory at the United Center.

Jon Cooper on Victor Hedman: “He was a monster out there tonight.”

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 9, 2015

The Lightning have shown the ability to bounce back after the Blackhawks have scored big third-period goals. Jason Garrison scored the winning goal in Game 2 after the Blackhawks had tied the score on a goal by Brent Seabrook, and the Lightning responded in shocking fashion after Brandon Saad scored early in the third period to give Chicago a 2-1 lead.

The crowd was still roaring 13 seconds later when Ondrej Palat went to the net and jammed a loose puck past Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford to tie the score. The Blackhawks have made their postseason reputation by scoring big goals in the third period and then shutting down their opponents.

Through the first three games, the Lightning have failed to follow that script. They made it a point to respond quickly after the Saad goal, and Tyler Johnson told Jeremy Roenick of NBC Sports that the Lightning wanted a “bump-up shift” to let the Blackhawks know that they were still in the game.

They have been able to do that two games in a row. In addition to giving up key third-period goals, head coach Joel Quenneville has to be concerned about the production of superstars Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Toews has just one assist in three games, while Kane has nothing to show in the first three games of the series.

Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop deserves quite a bit of the credit for shutting Chicago’s big guns down. Despite looking like he was favoring his knee when moving right to left, he stopped 36 of 38 shots in Game 3 and was at his best in the third period.

Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos has not gotten on the scoreboard, but the Lightning got a big lift from Ryan Callahan. The former captain of the New York Rangers scored the opening goal of the game when he blasted a slap shot past Crawford early in the first period.

While losing at home has cost the Blackhawks the home-ice advantage they gained in their Game 1 victory, this is a veteran team that has been successful when trailing in the Stanley Cup Final before. They trailed the Boston Bruins 2-1 in 2013, and it looked like the Bruins were the better and stronger team.

That’s when Toews and Kane took over and refused to allow their team to go down. They used their speed, quickness and creativity to get the best of the Bruins’ size and strength.

It may be more difficult this time around, because players like Stamkos, Palat, Johnson and Alex Killorn have the speed and quickness to match Chicago.

If they can prove they have a champion’s will, they just may have the inside track on winning the 2015 Stanley Cup.

Game 4 analysis

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The Blackhawks have had lapses in Games 2 and 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, and if they want to win their third Stanley Cup in six seasons, they can’t afford any more.

Those lapses have come in the form of giving up key third-period goals after they had scored goals of their own. That’s not how the Blackhawks usually play.

Their normal way of operating is more of the Game 1 model, when they trailed 1-0 in the third period, scored two third-period goals of their own and shut the Lightning down the rest of the way.

The Blackhawks are a confident bunch, but now it’s time to turn up the intensity and plug up the leaks. Quenneville has to look to Toews and Kane to lead the way, because they are the team’s two best clutch players.

The Lightning would be better off not realizing they are two games away from the Stanley Cup and just continuing to play aggressive and fearless hockey. While they have full respect for the Blackhawks, they don’t appear to be intimidated. 

They have the kind of dynamic offense that should be able to test the Blackhawks defense and goalie Corey Crawford.

Look for another tough, close match in Game 4. However, while the Lightning will push hard, the Blackhawks will play with the proper desperation to square the series. Look for Kane and Toews to both light the lamp, with Kane scoring the winner in overtime.

Prediction: Chicago 4, Tampa Bay 3 (OT)