Stanley Cup Playoffs 2014: Updated Postseason Bracket and Weekend TV Schedule

Following a wild opening round, only eight teams remain alive in the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs.

With the conference semifinals already off to a dramatic start with two overtime games in the Eastern Conference, this weekend's action promises to feature plenty more heart-stopping moments. 

Below, you'll find the updated postseason bracket and the complete television schedule for this weekend's matchups. 

2014 Stanley Cup Playoff Bracket (as of Saturday, May 3 at 10 a.m. ET)

First Round	Conference Semifinals
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Boston Bruins (Won 4-1)
	(1) Boston Bruins
(4) Detroit Red Wings
(2) Tampa Bay Lightning
	(3) Montreal Canadiens (Lead 1-0)
(3) Montreal Canadiens (Won 4-0)
(1) Pittsburgh Penguins (Won 4-2)
	(1) Pittsburgh Penguins
(4) Columbus Blue Jackets
(2) New York Rangers (Won 4-3)
	(2) New York Rangers (Lead 1-0)
(3) Philadelphia Flyers
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Colorado Avalanche
	(4) Minnesota Wild
(4) Minnesota Wild (Won 4-3)
(2) St. Louis Blues
	(3) Chicago Blackhawks (Lead 1-0)
(3) Chicago Blackhawks (Won 4-2)
(1) Anaheim Ducks (Won 4-2)
	(1) Anaheim Ducks
(4) Dallas Stars
(2) San Jose Sharks
	(3) L.A. Kings
(3) L.A. Kings (Won 4-3)

Date	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV
Sat, May 3	Game 2: Canadiens at Bruins	12:30 p.m.	NBC
Sat, May 3	Game 1: Kings at Ducks	8 p.m.	NBCSN
Sun, May 4	Game 2: Wild at Blackhawks	3 p.m.	NBC
Sun, May 4	Game 2: Rangers at Penguins	7:30 p.m.	NBCSN

What to Watch For

Boston Bruins Look to Even Series with Montreal Canadiens 

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Following a gut-wrenching double-overtime loss at home on Thursday night, the reigning Eastern Conference champion Boston Bruins will try to even their second-round series with the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday afternoon.

After sweeping the Tampa Bay Lightning in Round 1, the Canadiens are playing with unrivaled confidence—having yet to lose a single playoff game. 

Therefore, Boston can ill afford to suffer another setback at home. 

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Still, it's too early to label Saturday's showdown a must-win for the Bruins.

After all, Boston lost Game 1 of its opening-round series against the Detroit Red Wings only to go on to win the final four games—including two on the road. 

Bruins head coach Claude Julien said it best after Game 1, per The Boston Globe's Dan Shaughnessy: "This is just Game No. 1 here. You don’t get frustrated after one game."

Boston will need goalie Tuukka Rask to play much better both in Game 2 and moving forward if they're going to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.

Montreal's Carey Price let in three goals on Thursday but saved 51 shots to just 33 for Rask. 

Crosstown Rivals Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks Battle 

Noah Graham/Getty Images

A few hours after Game 2 of Canadiens-Bruins wraps up, the Anaheim Ducks and L.A. Kings will begin their second-round playoff series.

It's important to note that both teams took different routes to the Western Conference semifinals.

While the top-seeded Ducks overwhelmed the Dallas Stars in six games, the Kings had to overcome a 3-0 series deficit to knock off the San Jose Sharks in seven games.

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

L.A. won Games 5 and 7 of that series on the road and outscored San Jose 18-5 over the final four games of the series.

Despite their early postseason struggles, the Kings appear ready for a deep playoff run.

Not only are Anze Kopitar (10 points in seven playoff games) and company clicking offensively, but they are dominating defensively and were the top defensive team in the league during the regular season, boasting a goals-against average of 2.0.

Although they're going up against the league's most explosive offense in the Ducks, the Kings have a championship pedigree and can grab an early advantage in this series with a fifth straight playoff win in Game 1 on Saturday. 

Doing so will require another impressive defensive effort and a strong game from Jonathan Quick in the crease. 

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.