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Blackhawks vs. Lightning Stanley Cup Preview: Who has the better narrative?

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 12: Lightning strikes the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) in downtown on June 12, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. A massive storm system with heavy rain, high winds, hail and possible tornadoes is expected to move into Illinois and much of the central part of the Midwest today. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 12: Lightning strikes the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) in downtown on June 12, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. A massive storm system with heavy rain, high winds, hail and possible tornadoes is expected to move into Illinois and much of the central part of the Midwest today. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Leading up to Wednesday's Game 1, Puck Daddy is previewing every facet of the Stanley Cup Final between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Tampa Bay Lightning— on the ice and off the ice. 

CHICAGO

Whether or not you define three Stanley Cups in six years under a salary cap as a “dynasty” or not, the bottom line is that the Blackhawks are attempting to do what no other team has done since the NHL’s financial structure was forever changed in the 2005 lockout. For this core to win Cup No. 3 would be nothing short of extraordinary…

… and it could be the last time we see this core, considering the Blackhawks’ precarious cap situation. The “last hurrah” aspect to this run is one of its most prevalent undercurrents.

If you’re look for magic, then look no further than the return of Patrick Kane to the Blackhawks after a broken clavicle that threatened to keep him out of the postseason.

If you’re looking for heartfelt stories, you have the tragic deaths of trainer Clint Reif and former defenseman Steve Montador this season. The Hawks have dedicated this run to their memories.

If you’re looking for the basics, here they are: This is the accomplished Goliath trying to smack back an upstart David.

TAMPA BAY

The Lightning have a chance to win the Stanley Cup by beating a fourth straight Original Six team. If you want to expand this narrative, they also finished ahead of the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs. So, in essence, this non-traditional 1990s expansion team will have toppled the pillars of the NHL.

(They also have a chance to beat Brad Richards, after defeating 2004 Tampa Bay Stanley Cup champs Marty St. Louis and Dan Boyle in the previous round.)

Their road to the Cup has been arduous. They beat Carey Price. They beat Henrik Lundqvist, in a Game 7 on his home ice no less. They take on a Chicago team on the cusp of a dynasty.

Then there’s the style of play for the Lightning: Aggressive, fast-paced and offensively strong. They have a swagger to them that they can score against anyone, and so far it’s hard to argue that. And if that style of play succeeds, expect many teams to ape it.

Jon Cooper could be the next wunderkind coach. Steven Stamkos can finally get his ring and join that pantheon of stars. And Steve Yzerman, the long-time tormentor of the Blackhawks, has a chance to say he built a team good enough to knock them off.

Advantage: Chicago. They carry heavy hearts into the Final, and they could leave with a three-titles-in-six-seasons dynasty.

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