NHL Playoff Schedule 2014: Updated TV Info and Potential Stanley Cup Matchups

There's something magical about the Stanley Cup Playoffs that no other sport can duplicate. With the exception of Montreal's four-game destruction of Tampa Bay, the first round has been everything fans could have asked for. 

Entering Friday's games, four series were guaranteed to go at least six games. Even a series like Boston against Detroit, which is a 3-1 advantage for the Bruins, has been compelling to watch with two games decided by one goal, including one in overtime. 

Regardless of what the outcome to these games and series ends up being, no one can say that they have been disappointed. Since the NHL playoff train isn't slowing down, here is a look at the schedule for the remainder of the first round. 

Game	Date	Time (ET)	TV
Flyers at Rangers (Game 5)	Sunday, April 27	12 p.m.	NBC
Rangers at Flyers (Game 6) *If necessary	Tuesday, April 29	TBD	TSN
Flyers at Rangers (Game 7) *If necessary	Wednesday, April 30	TBD	TSN
Game	Date	Time (ET)	TV
Blues at Blackhawks (Game 6)	Sunday, April 27	3 p.m.	NBC
Blackhawks at Blues (Game 7) *If necessary	Tuesday, April 29	TBD	CBC
Game	Date	Time (ET)	TV
Ducks at Stars (Game 6)	Sunday, April 27	8 p.m.	TSN
Stars at Ducks (Game 7) *If necessary	Tuesday, April 29	TBD	TSN
Game	Date	Time (ET)	TV
Red Wings at Bruins (Game 5)	Saturday, April 26	3 p.m.	NBC
Bruins at Red Wings (Game 6) *If necessary	Monday, April 28	TBD	TSN
Red Wings at Bruins (Game 7) *If necessary	Wednesday, April 30	TBD	TSN
Game	Date	Time (ET)	TV
Blue Jackets at Penguins (Game 5)	Saturday, April 26	7 p.m.	NBCSN
Penguins at Blue Jackets (Game 6)	Monday, April 28	TBD	CBC
Blue Jackets at Penguins (Game 7) *If necessary	Wednesday, April 30	TBD	CBC
Game	Date	Time (ET)	TV
Wild at Avalanche (Game 5)	Saturday, April 26	9:30 p.m.	NBCSN
Avalanche at Wild (Game 6) *If necessary	Monday, April 28	TBD	TSN
Wild at Avalanche (Game 7) *If necessary	Wednesday, April 30	TBD	TSN
Game	Date	Time (ET)	TV
Kings at Sharks (Game 5)	Saturday, April 26	10 p.m.	NBCSN
Sharks at Kings (Game 6) *If necessary	Monday, April 28	TBD	CBC
Kings at Sharks (Game 7) *If necessary	Wednesday, April 30	TBD	CBC

NHL.com

Top Stanley Cup Matchups

Boston Bruins vs. Anaheim Mighty Ducks

Carlos Osorio

Sometimes a matchup between the two best teams, regardless of sport, will lead to inevitable disappointment. The hype overtakes everything, and it's impossible for the two teams to live up to it. 

That wouldn't be the case if the Boston Bruins, winners of the Presidents' Trophy in the regular season, met up with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

The Bruins finished in the top three in goals scored, goals against and power-play percentage during the regular season.  Tuukka Rask has been phenomenal in front of the net for Boston against Detroit. 

"

For 1st time in team history @DetroitRedWings scored fewer than 3 goals in 1st 3 games of opening round. Game 4 vs @NHLBruins—8 pm ET, TSN.

— Elias Sports Bureau (@EliasSports) April 24, 2014"

Anaheim has had problems on the road against Dallas so far in the first round, but when the Ducks are firing on all cylinders, they are as exciting as any team in the NHL. They led the league in goals scored, and with 10 players who scored more than 10 goals during the regular season, they can light the lamp in a hurry. 

Just the thought of Boston's defense and goaltending against Anaheim's quick-strike offense is enough to get hockey fans giddy. 

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

While acknowledging that fans don't care about ratings as long as the games are good, the NHL would really benefit from a Stanley Cup Final featuring the best and most popular player (Sidney Crosby) on one of the most high-profile franchises against one of the "Original Six."

Of course, it's entirely possible neither the Penguins nor Blackhawks makes it out of the first round. Pittsburgh's goaltending has been mediocre so far against Columbus, while Crosby has yet to score a goal with a minus-one plus/minus total. 

Bruce Arthur of the Toronto Star brought up an interesting point from one of the television broadcasts about Crosby and his performance thus far:

"

Interesting stuff from the CBC panel on whether Sidney Crosby is playing hurt. Charted his top speed elsewhere and now, and he's slower.

— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) April 24, 2014"

Hopefully there isn't an underlying injury, because Crosby in the playoffs is good news for the NHL. 

The Blackhawks got a brutal draw in the first round with a matchup against St. Louis, though it's made for great theater with three of the first four games going to overtime including a triple-overtime affair in Game 1. 

It wouldn't be surprising if both the Penguins and Blackhawks faced their toughest test in the first round, then made it to the finals if they are able to advance. 

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