Veteran Blackhawks, young Lightning open Stanley Cup Final

TAMPA, Fla. — The Chicago Blackhawks headed south this week to secure a dynasty, and the Tampa Bay Lightning are the only obstacle left.

Jonathan Toews and his teammates have raised the Stanley Cup twice in the past five seasons, compiling a wealth of big-game accolades in seven years as an elite team. They are just four wins away from a third NHL title that would establish them as the most accomplished club of their era.

The Blackhawks shrug off the weight of history, preferring to focus on the opener of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday.

“You never want to rest on your laurels,” the Chicago captain said Tuesday after practice at Amalie Arena. “You want to keep creating new moments and new memories.”

The hungry Lightning look at Chicago’s achievements and see everything they want. After surviving a perilous 20-game run through the Eastern Conference playoffs to earn the franchise’s second trip to the final, uncharted territory doesn’t scare this young Tampa Bay core.

“There’s no doubt that’s a team that you measure yourself against,” Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos said. “They’ve been on top for so long, it seems like they were always there.”

While the Blackhawks’ roster is dominated by two-time champions, Valtteri Filppula is the Lightning’s only player with a Stanley Cup ring. Most of Chicago’s stars are still largely in their primes, but Tampa Bay has the youngest roster in the postseason. Chicago coach Joel Quenneville has two rings, while Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper has coached just two full NHL seasons.

“We know they’re more experienced, but we’re still excited to be here,” Tampa Bay forward Ondrej Palat said. “We’re going to do everything it takes to win the Stanley Cup.”