Brandon Saad’s third period goal past rookie Andrei Vasilevskiy gave the Chicago Blackhawks a 2-1 lead that they would not relinquish, evening the best-of-seven Stanley Cup final at two games apiece.

It was once again a one-goal game with a third-period game winner. Sensing a theme?

Something was remarkably different tonight though. Warm-ups began in Chicago with a surprise: the away team created a state of shock when the players were lead out for warm-ups behind 20-year-old Russian rookie netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy. The first period then commenced with Vasilevskiy between the pipes.

Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper said the team knew earlier in the day that Bishop could not go and Vasilevskiy confirmed he was informed in the morning after the team skated.

Although he was ultimately tagged with the loss in his first career playoff start, the 20-year-old rookie performed admirably enough. He was hung out to dry on the first goal by a missed assignment and the second can be chalked up to a tough bounce. His performance was just fine.

The Blackhawks also brought out new looks to the lines, hoping to force the Lightning to make an adjustment, which is especially difficult with the home team getting the last chance at a line change.

After the win, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville commented on the changes.

“There’s elements of surprise,” he said. “We expected their other goalie in net. So I guess it’s 50-50.”

In the first period, it was almost like nobody pointed out the goalie switch to the Blackhawks, because they managed a meager two shots on goal. A lot of goalies will welcome a big workload to help them get into a groove but Vasilevskiy probably couldn’t even tell you the color of the puck based on the action.

The myth of Vasilevskiy grew and the mystery surrounding the Lightning’s usual starter Ben Bishop deepened. He missed time in Game 2 and looked injured in parts of Game 3 despite finishing strong for the Lightning.

Offense was at a premium with a jagged pace in the first period. The flow was bogged down by a multitude of penalties – five minors, in total – between both clubs. The Lightning finished with the majority of chances and nine shots on goal, giving them the edge and they were able to keep Chicago’s offense players out of danger areas by sweeping pucks to the sideboards.

Between periods, someone must have mentioned to the Blackhawks’ captain that pucks need to get to net. Jonathan Toews, with his 10th goal of the playoffs, followed up on a Patrick Sharp rebound and put the puck past Vasilevskiy’s right pad.

For just over five minutes, the Blackhawks had the lead. And like the rest of the series, it didn’t last very long.

Stuck below the red line on the equalizer were three Blackhawks. It’s tough to defend in front of your goalie when you’re behind the net. Valtteri Filppula recognized that and chipped the puck to Alex Killorn alone in front of the net. The dagger of a goal felt like a boulder eclipsing a glimmer of light for the Blackhawks. Once again their lead had been thwarted.

At the end of the second, the game was in a familiar place for these teams: the score was tied and the chances were about equal. These teams are separated by an almost negligible gap, which has made for some extremely entertaining third periods.

Wednesday night was no different.

Less than halfway into the third, the Blackhawks would once again take the lead. This time for good.

Saad – a soon-to-be restricted free agent sure to command a hefty raise this summer – calmed a skipping puck and whacked it between the rookie Vasilevskiy’s legs as he attempted to move laterally across the crease. It was a heads-up play by Saad, combined with a bit of puck-bouncing bad luck that led to the goal.

“He wants to be one of the best players,” Quenneville said.

The game then rested on the shoulders of Corey Crawford, who’s tended goal for a Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks team in the past – and some presumably tired defensemen eating up mammoth minutes. Duncan Keith, for example, has been playing nearly 30 minutes a night, which is an average that’s unheard of for any skater.

“Obviously this is the time of the year when nobody is going to use being tired as an excuse,” Keith told NBC after the game. “It just comes down to that will and determination.”

Working in tandem, they were up to the task. The Lightning never really threatened, managing a paltry amount of chances, before ultimately pulling Vasilevskiy for the extra attacker. It didn’t make a difference in the end, as the Blackhawks held on while under siege in the final minute-and-a-half.

“Call it a goalie win,” Quenneville said after the game.

All eyes now turn firmly to the Lightning’s dicey and uncertain goaltending situation. Despite the strong outing from the younger, if healthy, the Lightning will likely go back to Bishop.

“Bishop’s going to play again in this series,” Cooper said. “I just don’t know which game.”

The two teams will head back to Tampa Bay for game five of the series, now even at two wins apiece. Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday at 8pm.