NHL Playoff Schedule 2014: Updated Bracket and TV Info for Round 2

The opening salvo of the chase for the Stanley Cup this year was one that quickly reminded the globe why the NHL playoffs are the best the sporting world has to offer.

Numerous overtime affairs, star showcases and more were the story seemingly every night during Round 1.

Believe it or not, Round 2 promises to be just as good.

An old rivalry is rekindled and some of the best matchups fans could ask for are set to commence. Here's a look at the full slate.

EAST
WEST
Game	Matchup	Date	Time (ET)	TV
1	Canadiens at Bruins	May 1	7:30 p.m.	NBCSN
2	Canadiens at Bruins	May 3	12:30 p.m.	NBC
3	Bruins at Canadiens	May 6	7 p.m.	NBCSN
4	Bruins at Canadiens	May 8	7:30 p.m.	NBCSN
5*	Canadiens at Bruins	May 10	TBD	TBD
6*	Bruins at Canadiens	May 12	TBD	TBD
7*	Canadiens at Bruins	May 14	TBD	TBD
Game	Matchup	Date	Time (ET)	TV
1	Rangers at Penguins	May 2	7 p.m.	NBCSN
2	Rangers at Penguins	May 4	7:30 p.m.	NBCSN
3	Penguins at Rangers	May 5	7:30 p.m.	NBCSN
4	Penguins at Rangers	May 7	7:30 p.m.	NBCSN
5*	Rangers at Penguins	May 9	TBD	TBD
6*	Penguins at Rangers	May 11	TBD	TBD
7*	Rangers at Penguins	May 13	TBD	TBD
Game	Matchup	Date	Time (ET)	TV
1	Wild at Blackhawks	May 2	9:30 p.m.	NBCSN
2	Wild at Blackhawks	May 4	3 p.m.	NBC
3	Blackhawks at Wild	May 6	9 p.m.	CNBC
4	Blackhawks at Wild	May 9	TBD	TBD
5*	Wild at Blackhawks	May 11	TBD	TBD
6*	Blackhawks at Wild	May 13	TBD	TBD
7*	Wild at Blackhawks	May 15	TBD	TBD
Game	Matchup	Date	Time (ET)	TV
1	Kings at Ducks	May 3	8 p.m.	NBCSN
2	Kings at Ducks	May 5	10 p.m.	NBCSN
3	Ducks at Kings	May 8	10 p.m.	NBCSN
4	Ducks at Kings	May 10	TBD	TBD
5*	Kings at Ducks	May 12	TBD	TBD
6*	Ducks at Kings	May 14	TBD	TBD
7*	Kings at Ducks	May 16	TBD	TBD

Must-See Series

Penguins vs. Rangers

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Some series are simply more important than others when it comes to a postseason where there is so much great action and a limited amount of time fans can commit to watching.

When the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers step on the ice, it's one fans need to catch. Star power in the form of Sidney Crosby, Rick Nash and Henrik Lundqvist will reel in the casual viewers, but hardcore fans understand how evenly matched both sides are.

The Penguins and Rangers split the season series 2-2 and each won once in regulation at home and once via a shootout on the road.

Still, one would think history will have a say in the proceedings this postseason, as Steve Mears of NHL Network illustrates:

Depth was a major key for the Rangers in the regular season against the Penguins, and that will have to be the case once more as the series kicks off in Pittsburgh.

That may be an issue for New York coming off a seven-game series against Philadelphia, but Pittsburgh was known for shooting itself one too many times in the foot during the regular season.

Given the history between the two and recent matchups, it's easy to see this one going to seven games. Don't miss out.

Ducks vs. Kings

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Few things are better than an in-state rivalry.

Sprinkle in a little postseason and things get even better—especially considering the two sides have never met with so much at stake. Believe it or not, the implications run even deeper than that, as Michael Farber details:

Kings President of Business Operations Luc Robitaille told Brian Compton of NHL.com he believes the series will help to further the league as a whole:

"

This highly anticipated Kings-Ducks playoff series will capture the excitement and the imagination of the most casual hockey and sports fan in Southern California in addition to our loyal, die-hard Kings fans. We believe this series can help continue to spur even more interest in our great sport in our great city.

"

As John Buccigross of ESPN points out, this was an ugly series for one side in the regular season:

Still, both sides have looked a bit strange so far. The Anaheim Kings struggled with the Dallas Stars to start their postseason, and the Los Angeles Kings had to come back from a 3-0 deficit and an offensive onslaught from the San Jose Sharks.

This one screams that fans should side with the Ducks based on the regular season, but that same suffocating defense that shut down the Sharks—led by elite goalie Jonathan Quick—is something to admire.

In the opposite net is goalie Frederik Andersen, who has been mediocre at best. If no goalies step up for the Ducks, it may be a short series. Either way, gritty, defensive hockey isn't a bad thing.