Blackhawks clinch first title at home since 1938

Duncan Keith scored the eventual winner as the Chicago Blackhawks clinched their first Stanley Cup title on home ice in almost eight decades with a 2-0 win over Tampa Bay on Monday.

Defenseman Keith fired his own rebound into the back of the net to give the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead late in the second and a 4-2 series victory for their third NHL championship in six seasons.

"It feels so good to be a part of a group of guys willing to do whatever it takes," Keith said. "It is awesome. We did it at home. It is special to win it, but to do it in front of our home fans is so much fun now."

Corey Crawford made 25 saves to earn the shutout and Patrick Kane got the insurance marker in the third for Chicago, who won one of the most closely contested finals in league history as game six was the first contest that saw either club take a multi-goal lead.

Canadian Keith was also awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs.

He crossed over the Tampa Bay Lightning blueline and took a shot after receiving a pass from Kane. Keith continued on to the net and collected his own rebound before lifting the puck over the glove of Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop with just under three minutes left in the second period.

The Blackhawks claimed their first title at home in 77 years. They won in 2010 in Philadelphia and capped their 2013 championship run on the road in Boston.

The Blackhawks last celebrated a Cup victory at home in 1938 when they swept the Toronto Maple Leafs in four straight games.

Since then, they have had just one chance to win at home and that was back in 1971 when the Montreal Canadiens beat them four games to three after Chicago lost the final two games including game seven at Chicago Stadium.

Kane finished with a goal and an assist Monday after having a quiet finals series heading into game six. Former Lightning Brad Richards faked a shot before passing cross ice to Kane who dropped to one knee and one-timed the slapshot past Bishop. It was Kane's 11th goal of the postseason.  

The Blackhawks were down 2-1 against the Lightning, but took a three games to two edge with back-to-back wins in games four and five.

Chicago registered 2-1 wins in each of the last two games to set the stage for Monday's thriller.
Source: AFP