NHL Playoff Schedule 2015: TV Coverage, Live Stream Guide for Sunday Matchups

Among Sunday's four NHL playoff matchups, three series will break a 1-1 stalemate with pivotal Game 3 showdowns.

According to Elias Sports Bureau (via NHL Public Relations) the team that takes a tie-breaking Game 3 significantly increases its win probability:

These bouts aren't do or die in a best-of-seven slate, but no squad wants to bury itself in a situation that means it must win three of four to survive the opening round. Even worse, the Ottawa Senators can't afford to fall to a 3-0 deficit against the Montreal Canadiens.

Get comfortable for a full day of playoff hockey.

Time (ET)	Away	Home	TV	Series
12 p.m.	Washington Capitals	New York Islanders	NBC	Tied 1-1
3 p.m.	Nashville Predators	Chicago Blackhawks	NBC	Tied 1-1
7 p.m.	Montreal Canadiens	Ottawa Senators	NBCSN	MON 2-0
10 p.m.	Vancouver Canucks	Calgary Flames	NBCSN	Tied 1-1

Live Stream: NBC Sports

Game of the Day: Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

Victims of the NHL's new seeding structure, the Nashville Predators and Chicago Blackhawks were forced to cross paths despite ranking third and fourth respectively in Western Conference points. 

Although Nashville had two more points, Chicago widely received recognition as a top Stanley Cup contender. Placing second in Corsi percentage behind the eliminated Los Angeles Kings, per Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com, the club's puck dominance stood out among the pack.

Unfortunately, that didn't account for Corey Crawford unraveling.

Through two games, the goalie has already surrendered nine goals. He was abruptly pulled from Game 1 after surrendering a three-goal opening period. Scott Darling recorded 42 saves during a double-overtime victory, playing over a full game's worth of relief duty.

Elias, relayed by ESPN Stats & Info, noted his unconventional performance:

However, head coach Joel Quenneville returned to Crawford on Friday. He discussed his decision during a teleconference, reported by the Chicago Tribune's David Haugh, before Game 2.

"A no-brainer," Quenneville said. "It was probably tougher to pull [Crawford] out. He's our starting goalie [and has] been our strength all year. It was one period."

In hindsight, it's easy to bury the choice. Crawford conceded six goals, two in the opening period, during Game 2's 6-2 loss. After netting a 92.4 save percentage during the season, the 30-year-old is proving a massive liability shielding the net.

Date	MIN	SA	GA	SV	SV %
4/15	20	12	3	9	.750
4/17	60	35	6	29	.829

Quenneville faced a much tougher call heading into Sunday. Despite sticking with Crawford throughout the loss, he will now turn to Darling. The Chicago Tribune's Chris Hine confirmed the coach's choice on Saturday afternoon. 

“Scotty is coming off a spectacular outing and is deserving of getting a start at home based on how well he played in that game,” Quenneville said.

He went on to insist that Crawford hasn't lost his job altogether, telling Hine he'll take it game by game going forward:

"

You look at long term, it’s not like he’s never going to play again. It’s not like he’s discarded off the team. He’s still a part of it. He’s a big part of it. Things change instantly in our game and we saw instantly in Game 1 and here we are with a chance to make a different decision in Game 3. That’s the business we’re in. It’s performance-driven a lot of times.

"

In an admittedly small 14-game sample size, Darling looked worthy of the part this season. The 26-year-old allowed 1.95 goals per game with a 93.6 save percentage—elite numbers if sustained over a longer stretch.

Last year, however, Crawford yielded four goals in each of Chicago's first two playoff games. Facing a 2-0 hole, he allowed six goals as the Blackhawks won the next four to oust the St. Louis Blues. 

Then again, he later endured a rough Western Conference Semifinal against the Kings, who scored at least four goals in each of their victories en route to the Stanley Cup.

A mainstay for the past five years, Crawford cemented a championship for Chicago. Yet his erratic play is now jeopardizing its chances of making another run, forcing Quenneville to remove him from the net.