The 2015 Stanley Cup belongs to the Chicago Blackhawks, the third time in the last six seasons the NHL's Chicago-based franchise has walked away from the season with Lord Stanley's chalice.
The Blackhawks, behind a goal from defenseman Duncan Keith, defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals, ending the best-of-seven series after just six games by a final tally of 4-2. Star forward Patrick Kane added a security goal with just over five minutes remaining in the third and the win for Chicago was sealed.
The Lightning saw the return of talented forward Nikita Kucherov, whose status for the game was in question after he collided with Blackhawks netminder Corey Crawford and then the goalpost in Game 5, and the continued contributions of injured goaltender Ben Bishop, but it wasn't enough to hold off a talented, veteran Blackhawks squad.
Kane, who had struggled to even make it onto the score sheet throughout the finals, assisted on Keith's goal then added a marker of his own. Crawford was at his best in the game, and the series', final moments, helping to secure the victory for the Blackhawks.
With the victory, Chicago has now won three Cups with captain Jonathan Toews and Kane and under head coach Joel Quenneville.
Have the Hawks officially created a dynasty? Maybe. But things in Chicago are set to change this offseason, as cap constraints will almost assuredly force Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman's hand.
For now at least though, Chicago fans are happy as can be.
