Stanley Cup Playoffs 2015: Updated Bracket, Odds and Postseason Schedule
The race for the 2015 Stanley Cup is heating up, with some certain favorites already seeing trouble early on in the NHL playoffs' second round.
When it comes to how the favorites are doing thus far in Round 2, it depends on what conference you're talking about. Both Eastern Conference top seeds were upset in Game 1 of their respective series, while the two darlings of the West in Anaheim and Chicago are still sitting pretty after their second-round debuts.
With that said, there's plenty of reason to pump the brakes—we are, after all, only one game in. Much more clarity is soon to come with a jam-packed weekend of games, so catch up on all of the Round 2 information to make sure you don't miss out.
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2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs Schedule
| Sun., May 3 | Game 2: Tampa Bay at Montreal | 6 p.m. | NBCSN, CBC |
| Tues., May 5 | Game 3: Montreal at Tampa Bay | 7 p.m. | USA, CBC |
| Thurs., May 7 | Game 4: Montreal at Tampa Bay | 7 p.m. | NBCSN, CBC |
| Sat., May 9* | Game 5: Tampa Bay at Montreal | TBD | CBC |
| Tues., May 12* | Game 6: Montreal at Tampa Bay | TBD | CBC |
| Thurs., May 14* | Game 7: Tampa Bay at Montreal | TBD | CBC |
| Sat., May 2 | Game 2: Washington at New York Rangers | 12:30 p.m. | NBC |
| Mon., May 4 | Game 3: New York Rangers at Washington | 7:30 p.m. | NBCSN, CBC |
| Wed., May 6 | Game 4: New York Rangers at Washington | 7:30 p.m. | NBCSN, CBC |
| Fri., May 8* | Game 5: Washington at New York Rangers | 7 p.m. | NBCSN |
| Sun., May 10* | Game 6: New York Rangers at Washington | TBD | TBD |
| Wed., May 13* | Game 7: Washington at New York Rangers | TBD | TBD |
| Sun., May 3 | Game 2: Minnesota at Chicago | 8:30 p.m. | NBCSN, CBC |
| Tues., May 5 | Game 3: Chicago at Minnesota | 8 p.m. | NBCSN, CBC |
| Thurs., May 7 | Game 4: Chicago at Minnesota | 9:30 p.m. | NBCSN |
| Sat., May 9* | Game 5: Minnesota at Chicago | TBD | TBD |
| Mon., May 11* | Game 6: Chicago at Minnesota | TBD | TBD |
| Wed., May 13* | Game 7: Minnesota at Chicago | TBD | TBD |
| Sun., May 3 | Game 2: Calgary at Anaheim | 10 p.m. | CNBC |
| Tues., May 5 | Game 3: Anaheim at Calgary | 9:30 p.m. | USA |
| Fri., May 8 | Game 4: Anaheim at Calgary | 9:30 p.m. | NBCSN |
| Sun., May 10* | Game 5: Calgary at Anaheim | TBD | TBD |
| Tues., May 12* | Game 6: Anaheim at Calgary | TBD | TBD |
| Thurs., May 14* | Game 7: Calgary at Anaheim | TBD | TBD |
Odds to Win 2015 Stanley Cup
| New York Rangers | 13-4 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 4-1 |
| Anaheim Ducks | 9-2 |
| Minnesota Wild | 11-2 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 6-1 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 15-2 |
| Washington Capitals | 9-1 |
| Calgary Flames | 12-1 |
Odds courtesy of Odds Shark
Weekend Game to Watch
Game 2: Minnesota Wild at Chicago Blackhawks
After dispatching Central Division foes in wacky six-game first-round series, dramatics and unpredictability figured to be at the forefront of the Chicago Blackhawks-Minnesota Wild series. Game 1 lived up to every expectation and then some, creating the setting for a long and memorable series.
Unlike their first series, which started in a 3-0 first-period Nashville lead, the Blackhawks were the ones to rattle off three goals in the first period against the Wild. Minnesota then answered with three of their own in the second before Teuvo Teravainen—the unlikeliest of heroes—scored the game-winner for Chicago.
The Wild showed plenty of the grit that got them past the St. Louis Blues in Round 1 but couldn't hold on defensively. Goaltender Devan Dubnyk was far from his usual self, and his defenders left him out to dry on all but one of Chicago's goals.
With that said, the Blackhawks have some issues of their own to worry about, as goalie Corey Crawford—benched for struggles in Round 1—gave up three goals in the span of eight minutes. The Blackhawks' incredible recent span at home, told by ESPN's John Buccigross, could be in trouble if that keeps up:
Minnesota shouldn't be short on confidence after mounting an incredible comeback, especially entering Game 2. The Wild are still on track to accomplish what they set out to do, which is steal one on the road before going back to Minnesota for Game 3.
Of course, the win will have to come Sunday if they plan on evening it up. They will attempt to do so short one forward, as Justin Fontaine will miss Game 2 with a lower-body injury, per Chris Hine of the Chicago Tribune.
Despite being down a skater, the Wild know their surging squad that just knocked off the top-seeded Blues isn't being overlooked. Head coach Mike Yeo said as much to Matthew Carlson:
Having scored three goals on the road and still losing, though, the problems for Minnesota aren't up front. They are in the back, and the Wild don't stand a chance of competing with Chicago's star-studded core of forwards unless that changes.
Dubnyk has been a man possessed at times this season and postseason, but he was far from that in Game 1. Top-line defenders Ryan Suter and Jared Spurgeon can shut down the opposing team's best forwards but have shown plenty of struggles in doing so against Chicago.
Against St. Louis, Minnesota looked the part of a team that could rip through anyone in the West in a seven-game series. They certainly showed signs of that in Game 1, and it only takes one victory for that to resurface.
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