Stanley Cup Playoffs 2015: Latest Bracket Results, Scores and Notable Stats

With the second-round playoff picture starting to materialize over the weekend, the NHL postseason really ramped up (and so did the end of Game 6 between the Washington Capitals and the New York Islanders; Game 7 should be fun after that). The Western Conference has just one series remaining, while in the East just one series is resolved. 

The action has been compelling, that much is certain. Let's take a look at the full results from each series and break down some of the key stats for the teams that have already advanced. 

Conference	Matchup	Game 1	Game 2	Game 3	Game 4	Game 5	Game 6
Western	St. Louis Blues vs. Minnesota Wild	MIN 4-2	STL 4-1	MIN 3-0	STL 6-1	MIN 4-1	-
Western	Nashville Predators vs. Chicago Blackhawks	CHI 4-3	NSH 6-2	CHI 4-2	CHI 3-2	NSH 5-2	CHI 4-3
Western	Anaheim Ducks vs. Winnipeg Jets	ANA 4-2	ANA 2-1	ANA 5-4	ANA 5-3	-	-
Western	Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames	CGY 2-1	VAN 4-1	CGY 4-2	CGY 3-1	VAN 2-1	CGY 7-4
Eastern	Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators	MTL 4-3	MTL 3-2	MTL 2-1	OTT 1-0	OTT 5-1	-
Eastern	Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Detroit Red Wings	DET 3-2	TB 5-2	DET 3-0	TB 3-2	DET 4-0	-
Eastern	New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins	NYR 2-1	PIT 4-3	NYR 2-1	NYR 2-1	NYR 2-1	-
Eastern	Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders	NYI 4-1	WSH 4-3	NYI 2-1	WSH 2-1	WSH 5-1	NYI 3-1

At this point, only one second-round playoff series is set, as the Anaheim Ducks are preparing to face the Calgary Flames. The key in this series for the Flames might be as simple as containing the Ducks in the third period. Against the Winnipeg Jets, Anaheim scored nine goals in the final period in just four games. 

Considering the Jets led the first three games heading into the third period and trailed by just a goal in Game 4, their woes in the final frame—or perhaps the brilliance of the Ducks down the stretch—was the difference in the series. If the Flames are going to beat the Ducks, they'll need to finish strongly in each game. 

Of course, the Flames did score four third-period goals against the Vancouver Canucks in Game 6 to finish that series off, so they may be up to the task. 

The other team to book its ticket to the second-round in the Western Conference was the Chicago Blackhawks, in large part to Scott Darling, who came on in relief of Corey Crawford in Game 1 and promptly made history, per ESPN Stats & Information:

Darling was brilliant in his first three appearances for Chicago against the Nashville Predators, stopping an amazing 127 of 131 shots and helping lead the Blackhawks to a 3-1 series lead. He struggled in Games 5 and 6, however, and may have conceded the job back to Crawford, the incumbent. 

Indeed, after Crawford stopped all 13 shots he faced in Game 6, Tracey Myers of CSN Chicago couldn't help but wonder the same thing:

"

So, does this mean Crawford’s the starting goaltender again when the Blackhawks face their second-round opponent?

“Well, we’ll let you know but I think you know who’s going to start the next game,” Quenneville said with a grin. “[Crawford] did everything we wanted him to do. He had a couple looks there when he first came in and got comfortable as the game went along. That was a big test right there. Great response.”

"

Still, it was quite the ride for Darling.  

Less is certain in the Eastern Conference, where only the New York Rangers have advanced. The Rangers can thank their stingy defense and Henrik Lundqvist for that: In the team's four wins, they allowed the dangerous Pittsburgh Penguins to score just one goal in each game, while Lundqvist was solid as ever and stopped 37 of 38 shots in Game 5 to close the series. 

Of course, Pittsburgh's lack of discipline was also a killer, as Dan Rosen of NHL.com outlined:

"

The Rangers were 3-for-20 on the power play (15 percent), but [Ryan] McDonagh's power-play goal was the winner in Game 1 and [Derek] Stepan's power-play goal gave the Rangers the early lead in Game 5.

The Penguins scored two power-play goals in Game 2, the game they won, each from their second unit. The Rangers were 9-for-9 on the penalty kill in their four wins.

Discipline was a problem for the Penguins early in the series; they gave the Rangers' 12 power plays through two games. The Rangers gave the Penguins 13 power plays for the series.

"

It's tough to win a series when you spend that much time killing off penalties. It's safe to say the Rangers won the special teams battle in a big way, and it's also safe to say that their next opponent—either the Washington Capitals or New Islanders—will have to be far more disciplined than Pittsburgh was to knock off the Rangers.