NHL Playoff Schedule 2013: When to Catch Conference Finals Action

The schedule for the conference finals was released by the NHL after the Los Angeles Kings' victory over the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night.

The schedule for the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. the Boston Bruins is set. Two schedules have come out for the Western Conference finals, depending on what happens between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings in Game 7 on Wednesday.

Here are the broadcasting schedules, complete with a breakdown of each potential series below.

Note: Schedule via NHL.com

*If necessary

Pittsburgh Penguins (1) vs. Boston Bruins (4)

Matchup	Date	Time (ET)	Network
Boston at Pittsburgh	Saturday, June 1	8 p.m.	NBC, CBC, RDS
Boston at Pittsburgh	Monday, June 3	8 p.m.	NBC Sports, CBC, RDS
Pittsburgh at Boston	Wednesday, June 5	8 p.m.	NBC Sports, CBC, RDS
Pittsburgh at Boston	Friday, June 7	8 p.m.	NBC Sports, CBC, RDS
Boston at Pittsburgh*	Sunday, June 9	8 p.m.	NBC Sports, CBC, RDS
Pittsburgh at Boston*	Tuesday, June 11	TBD	NBC Sports, CBC, RDS
Boston at Pittsburgh*	Wednesday, June 12	TBD	NBC Sports, CBC, RDS

Chicago Blackhawks (1) vs. Los Angeles Kings (5)—If Chicago Wins

Matchup	Date	Time (ET)	Network
Los Angeles at Chicago	Saturday, June 1	5 p.m.	NBC Sports, TSN, RDS
Los Angeles at Chicago	Sunday, June 2	8 p.m.	NBC Sports, TSN, RDS
Chicago at Los Angeles	Tuesday, June 4	9 p.m.	NBC Sports, TSN, RDS
Chicago at Los Angeles	Thursday, June 6	9 p.m.	NBC Sports, CBC, RDS
Los Angeles at Chicago*	Saturday, June 8	8 p.m.	NBC, CBC, RDS
Chicago at Los Angeles*	Monday, June 10	9 p.m.	NBC Sports, CBC, RDS
Los Angeles at Chicago*	Wednesday, June 12	TBD	NBC Sports, CBC, RDS

Los Angeles Kings (5) vs. Detroit Red Wings (7)—If Detroit Wins

Matchup	Date	Time (ET)	Network
Detroit at Los Angeles	Friday, May 31	9 p.m.	NBC Sports, TSN, RDS
Detroit at Los Angeles	Sunday, June 2	8 p.m.	NBC Sports, TSN, RDS
Los Angeles at Detroit	Tuesday, June 4	8 p.m.	NBC Sports, TSN, RDS
Los Angeles at Detroit	Thursday, June 6	8 p.m.	NBC Sports, CBC, RDS
Detroit at Los Angeles*	Saturday, June 8	8 p.m.	NBC, CBC, RDS
Los Angeles at Detroit*	Monday, June 10	8 p.m.	NBC Sports, CBC, RDS
Detroit at Los Angeles*	Wednesday, June 12	TBD	NBC Sports, CBC, RDS

Breakdown

Pittsburgh Penguins (1) vs. Boston Bruins (4)

The Penguins are widely considered to be the superpower of the Eastern Conference, and for good reason. Led by Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh posted the most points (72) in the conference during the regular season.

In the playoffs, the Penguins defeated the New York Islanders in six games, then disposed of the Ottawa Senators in five.

Pittsburgh has been an offensive powerhouse in the postseason, averaging 4.27 goals per game (tops among all playoff teams).

Defensively, the Penguins rank eighth in the playoffs in goals allowed per game (2.55).

As for the Bruins, they knocked out the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games, complete with a 5-4 overtime victory in Game 7, then dismantled the New York Rangers in five games.

While Pittsburgh is the top scoring team in the playoffs, the Bruins are second-best, averaging 3.17 goals per game. They've also been strong on defense, allowing 2.33 goals per contest (sixth in the playoffs).

While Boston may have the better defense between the two squads, that didn't keep the Penguins from defeating the Bruins all three times they met during the regular season. Then again, those were all one-goal affairs.

This should be a contentious series, but you have to call Pittsburgh the favorite up until this point.

Chicago Blackhawks (1) vs. Los Angeles Kings (5)

While the Penguins are largely considered to be the powerhouse of the East, the Blackhawks were largely considered to be the powerhouse of the West during the regular season.

Of course, the battle with the Red Wings has changed some people's perspective.

Chicago's strength lies in its defense, bolstered by outstanding goaltender Corey Crawford. The Blackhawks are allowing just 1.91 goals per game during the playoffs, second-best in the postseason. 

Offensively, they rank sixth in the postseason in goals per game (2.82).

Of course, Los Angeles has an outstanding goaltender of its own in Jonathan Quick, who posted 25 saves in the Game 7 win over the San Jose Sharks in the conference semifinals. The Kings have allowed 1.54 goals per game during the playoffs, best in the NHL. 

Ultimately, I like Chicago's offense better than Los Angeles' if the Blackhawks advance. The Blackhawks also won the regular-season series, 2-1.

Los Angeles Kings (5) vs. Detroit Red Wings (7)

The Red Wings have gone on a fantastic run headed into Game 7 against the Blackhawks. Despite being the No. 7 seed in the West, Detroit has taken Chicago to seven games after knocking out the No. 2-seeded Anaheim Ducks in the first round.

Detroit's numbers in the postseason aren't overly impressive. The Red Wings rank eighth in goals per game and 10th in goals allowed per game. But they have a way of being two completely different teams from game to game.

In Games 2 through 4, they outscored the Blackhawks, 9-2. Then again, they were outscored 12-5 in their three losses before Game 7.

In the end, I like Los Angeles' consistency over the Red Wings if Detroit advances. It also doesn't hurt to have Jonathan Quick on your side.