NHL Playoffs 2015: Updated Stanley Cup Schedule and Predictions
One first-round series is still up for grabs, but the 2015 NHL playoffs have no intention of slowing down, as the anticipated second-round schedule was released to the public Tuesday.
A single spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals is still available as the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Detroit Red Wings in a Game 7, but the other seven spots have been filled by Stanley Cup-contending clubs. Enticing second-round matchups already grace the upcoming slate, and folks don't have to wait any longer to figure out when their teams will be playing in Round 2.
Here's a look at the updated Stanley Cup playoff schedule, along with predictions.
TOP NEWS
.png?w=256 "NHL Mock Draft")
Who Will Panthers Take at No. 9 ? 🤔
.jpg?w=256 "Kucherov Landing Spots")
Could Isles Trade for Kucherov? 🤯
.png?w=256)
Draft Lottery Winners and Losers
2015 Stanley Cup Playoff Schedule
| Fri., May 1 | Tampa Bay/Detroit at Montreal | 7 p.m. | NBCSN, CBC |
| Sun., May 3 | Tampa Bay/Detroit at Montreal | 6 p.m. | NBCSN, CBC |
| 5/5 if TBL, 5/6 if DET | Montreal at Tampa Bay/Detroit | 7 p.m. | USA, CBC |
| Thurs., May 7 | Montreal at Tampa Bay/Detroit | 7 p.m. | NBCSN, CBC |
| Sat., May 9* | Tampa Bay/Detroit at Montreal | TBD | CBC |
| Tues., May 12* | Montreal at Tampa Bay/Detroit | TBD | CBC |
| Thurs., May 14* | Tampa Bay/Detroit at Montreal | TBD | CBC |
| Thurs., April 30 | Washington at New York Rangers | 7:30 p.m. | NBCSN, CBC |
| Sat., May 2 | Washington at New York Rangers | 12:30 p.m. | NBC |
| Mon., May 4 | New York Rangers at Washington | 7:30 p.m. | NBCSN, CBC |
| Wed., May 6 | New York Rangers at Washington | 7:30 p.m. | NBCSN, CBC |
| Fri., May 8* | Washington at New York Rangers | 7 p.m. | NBCSN |
| Sun., May 10* | New York Rangers at Washington | TBD | TBD |
| Wed., May 13* | Washington at New York Rangers | TBD | TBD |
| Fri., May 1 | Minnesota at Chicago | 9:30 p.m. | NBCSN |
| Sun., May 3 | Minnesota at Chicago | 8:30 p.m. | NBCSN, CBC |
| Tues., May 5 | Chicago at Minnesota | 8 p.m. | NBCSN, CBC |
| Thurs., May 7 | Chicago at Minnesota | 9:30 p.m. | NBCSN |
| Sat., May 9* | Minnesota at Chicago | TBD | TBD |
| Mon., May 11* | Chicago at Minnesota | TBD | TBD |
| Wed., May 13* | Minnesota at Chicago | TBD | TBD |
| Thurs., April 30 | Calgary at Anaheim | 10 p.m. | NBCSN |
| Sun., May 3 | Calgary at Anaheim | 10 p.m. | CNBC |
| Tues., May 5 | Anaheim at Calgary | 9:30 p.m. | USA |
| Fri., May 8 | Anaheim at Calgary | 9:30 p.m. | NBCSN |
| Sun., May 10* | Calgary at Anaheim | TBD | TBD |
| Tues., May 12* | Anaheim at Calgary | TBD | TBD |
| Thurs., May 14* | Calgary at Anaheim | TBD | TBD |
Second-Round Predictions
| Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay or Detroit | Canadiens (over Lightning) in 6 |
| New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals | Rangers in 7 |
| Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild | Wild in 7 |
| Anaheim Ducks vs. Calgary Flames | Ducks in 6 |
Best Bet: Anaheim Ducks over Calgary Flames
It's not hard to figure out which of the two sides will enter this Western Conference semifinal series embracing the underdog role.
Few people expected the Calgary Flames to contend for a playoff spot this season, much less make a deep playoff run. That feeling only amplified when—despite a surprise start to the campaign—captain Mark Giordano went down for the season, but they prevailed to make the cut before ousting the Vancouver Canucks in six games.
The Anaheim Ducks had their hands full with a similar foe in Round 1 in the Winnipeg Jets, but they mustered up three come-from-behind performances to complete a four-game sweep. Now, they're sitting pretty heading into a favorable matchup against another underrated foe.
Calgary used a strong mix of unbreakable goaltending and timely offense to slip past Vancouver, but attempting to do so against the Ducks will be a different story.
Anaheim has not just grown an affinity for winning tight games and mounting late comebacks—the Ducks have become masters at it. They set an NHL record this season by winning 18 games in which they trailed at some point in the third period, per Mark Spector of Sportsnet.
Being able to turn it on late is what separates teams in playoff series, as the Ducks showed by trailing three times in the third period of games against Winnipeg, only to go 4-of-4 and earn a week-long break.
The Ducks are also bigger, taller and more experienced, as Darren Haynes of The Canadian Press noted:
Anaheim's biggest—and perhaps only—question mark this season has been its goaltending, which Frederik Andersen is attempting to shore up. He's been in and out of that starting role all season, but he started all of the Ducks' opening-round wins, conceding just two goals per game.
If head coach Bruce Boudreau gets more performances like that in the next round, the Ducks' offensive firepower and relentless attack is bound to get to Flames goalie Jonas Hiller. It will take an unstoppable series from Hiller for the Flames to pull out of this one, while Andersen has much more help.
As long as they knock the rust off, the Ducks should have no trouble disposing of the Flames in six hard-fought games.
.png?w=480 "NHL Mock Draft")
.jpg?w=480 "Kucherov Landing Spots")
.png?w=480)
.png?w=600 "B/R NHL Staff Second-Round Predictions 🏒")
