Stanley Cup 2015 Expert Predictions: Chicago Blackhawks Or Tampa Bay Lightning Favored By Analysts?

Patrick Kane Blackhawks 2015 — Experts predict right wing Patrick Kane, center, and the Chicago Blackhawks to lift the Stanley Cup over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Reuters

Odds makers already dubbed the Chicago Blackhawks as the favorites to win the 2015 Stanley Cup over the Tampa Bay Lightning, and media experts from around the country agree.

Seventeen out of the 24 experts from USA Today, CBS Sports, and ESPN picked the Blackhawks to win their second Cup in the last three seasons and third since 2010. However, no one believes Chicago will run over the Lightning, with every expert predicting the seven-game series to last at least six games.

Both teams are coming off impressive Game 7 victories, with the Blackhawks staging a comeback from a 3-2 series deficit against the Anaheim Ducks punctuated by a 5-3 road victory. The Lightning downed the President’s Trophy-winning New York Rangers with a decisive 2-0 shutout, and own home ice throughout the Cup Finals.

However when it comes to home ice Chicago holds a distinct advantage. The Blackhawks are 7-1 at home during the postseason, compared to the Lightning’s 5-6 mark.

Half of the experts picked Chicago to win it all in six games, by far the most common prediction, with another five projecting a Blackhawks' series victory in seven games.

The seven experts to predict an upset by the Lightning evidently believe they’ll need the full seven games to oust Chicago.

The two sides will drop the first puck in Game 1 Wednesday night at Amalie Arena.

Expert Picks

Kevin Allen, USA Today

Prediction: Blackhawks in 6

Peter Barzilai, USA Today

Prediction: Lightning in 7

Mike Brehm, USA Today

Prediction: Blackhawks in 6

Jimmy Hascup, USA Today

Prediction: Lightning in 7

Hemal Jhaveri, USA Today