NHL Playoffs 2015: Updated Bracket, TV Schedule for Entire Stanley Cup Race

On the heels of an opening round that featured several close and competitive series, the early portion of the Stanley Cup playoffs' second round has largely been dominated by four teams, but that hasn't made the games any less entertaining.

The Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks and Tampa Bay Lightning have all jumped out to commanding 2-0 leads as many may have anticipated, while the Washington Capitals hold a 2-1 edge over the New York Rangers in a series that could very well go the distance. While 2-0 leads are less than ideal for the teams that are trailing, they certainly aren't safe in playoff hockey.

There is still plenty of hockey left to be played in the second round of the playoffs, and that could yield some surprising results. As teams attempt to progress to the conference finals, here is a look at the remaining second-round schedule, as well as further analysis regarding the top players to watch.

Updated Playoff Bracket (via NHL on Twitter)

Second-Round Playoff Schedule

Game	Away Team	Home Team	Date	Time (ET)	Watch
Game 3	Chicago Blackhawks	Minnesota Wild	Tuesday, May 5	7 p.m.	NBCSN
Game 4	Chicago Blackhawks	Minnesota Wild	Thursday, May 7	8:30 p.m.	NBCSN
Game 5*	Minnesota Wild	Chicago Blackhawks	Saturday, May 9	TBD	TBD
Game 6*	Chicago Blackhawks	Minnesota Wild	Monday, May 11	TBD	TBD
Game 7*	Minnesota Wild	Chicago Blackhawks	Wednesday, May 13	TBD	TBD
Game 3	Anaheim Ducks	Calgary Flames	Tuesday, May 5	7:30 p.m.	USA
Game 4	Anaheim Ducks	Calgary Flames	Friday, May 8	7:30 p.m.	NBCSN
Game 5*	Calgary Flames	Anaheim Ducks	Sunday, May 10	TBD	TBD
Game 6*	Anaheim Ducks	Calgary Flames	Tuesday, May 12	TBD	TBD
Game 7*	Calgary Flames	Anaheim Ducks	Thursday, May 14	TBD	TBD
Game 3	Montreal Canadiens	Tampa Bay Lightning	Wednesday, May 6	7 p.m.	USA
Game 4	Montreal Canadiens	Tampa Bay Lightning	Thursday, May 7	7 p.m.	NBCSN
Game 5*	Tampa Bay Lightning	Montreal Canadiens	Saturday, May 9	TBD	TBD
Game 6*	Montreal Canadiens	Tampa Bay Lightning	Tuesday, May 12	TBD	TBD
Game 7*	Tampa Bay Lightning	Montreal Canadiens	Thursday, May 14	TBD	TBD
Game 4	New York Rangers	Washington Capitals	Wednesday, May 6	7:30 p.m.	NBCSN
Game 5	Washington Capitals	New York Rangers	Friday, May 8	7 p.m.	NBCSN
Game 6*	New York Rangers	Washington Capitals	Sunday, May 10	TBD	TBD
Game 7*	Washington Capitals	New York Rangers	Wednesday, May 13	TBD	TBD

Players to Watch for Remainder of Second Round

Alex Ovechkin

Jared Silber/Getty Images

After surviving a seven-game series against the New York Islanders in the first round, the Washington Capitals entered the second round with momentum on their side against the New York Rangers. That has helped carry them to a 2-1 lead, as has the play of superstar winger Alexander Ovechkin.

The Great Eight has two goals and three points through three games, and there is little doubt that he has been the biggest difference-maker for the Caps thus far.

Ovie has excelled at both ends of the ice, and he has made sure that the Rangers know he has no plans of letting up, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet:

Although Washington lost in Game 2, Ovechkin undoubtedly made his presence felt. As seen in this video courtesy of the NHL's official Twitter account, the Russian superstar victimized the Blueshirts' defense and goalie Henrik Lundqvist with one of the prettiest goals possible:

Following that effort, New York Rangers forward Derick Brassard reiterated the importance of keeping Ovechkin in check, per Sarah Barshop of SI.com: "We learned we can't fall asleep on No. 8. Pretty nice goal there, he's a pretty dynamic player. We have to play him close every time. It takes five guys. We're not going to have possibly the matchups we like, so it's going to be the responsibility of everybody to do a job. They're obviously a productive line."

The Rangers did manage to hold Ovechkin off the score sheet in Game 3, but they couldn't generate any offense of their own, so the Caps were able to come away with the 1-0 victory and a 2-1 series lead.

New York can't afford to lose games in which it holds Ovechkin scoreless and repeating that feat certainly won't be easy as the three-time Hart Trophy winner is on fire and arguably playing the best playoff hockey of his career.

Tyler Johnson

Scott Audette/Getty Images

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Tyler Johnson has flown under the radar throughout much of his hockey-playing career, but the diminutive star won't be able to do that for much longer if he keeps up his current pace of play.

The American-born center posted 72 points during the regular season, but his playoff production has been even better with 10 points thus far. He was especially dominant in the Bolts' first-round series against the Detroit Red Wings as he scored six goals and added one assist en route to winning in seven games.

Johnson also made team history as he managed to score two goals in three different games during that series, according to ESPN Stats & Info:

The Lightning have the Montreal Canadiens reeling through two games as they have a 2-0 series lead. The bulk of Tampa's deep and talented roster has contributed, but Johnson has once again been right in the middle of it with a goal and two assists.

Johnson has essentially taken over the playoffs and established himself as a top Conn Smythe Trophy candidate, which is incredible considering where he came from, per James Mirtle of The Globe and Mail:

The postseason is usually a time when big, physical players rule the day, but Johnson has proven that speed and craftiness can get the job done as well.

Montreal has myriad players to worry about moving forward, including Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat, but unless it can put a stop to Johnson's hot streak, its chances of moving on aren't very good.

Corey Crawford

John Russell/Getty Images

The first round against the Nashville Predators was a series of games Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford would like to forget, and it certainly seems as though he has put his subpar performance behind him.

Crawford struggled so badly against the Preds that he was replaced by Scott Darling for a large chunk of the series. Head coach Joel Quenneville decided to go back to Crawford for the second round, though, and it has paid off thus far.

The Blackhawks are up 2-0 on the Minnesota Wild as Crawford has managed to outplay counterpart Devan Dubnyk, who entered the series with a ton of confidence. He has been victimized at times, however, while Crawford has stood tall.

He was especially strong in Game 2 as he made 30 saves on 31 shots and got the Chicago faithful back on his side after a slow start to the playoffs, according to ESPNChicago.com's Scott Powers:

The Blackhawks are in firm control of the series, and it will be extremely difficult for the Wild to mount a comeback due to the offensive firepower Chicago boasts in the form of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp and more.

Minnesota has some weapons in its own right, though, which is why Crawford must continue to be sharp. If he is able to take his Game 2 performance and replicate it moving forward, then the Blackhawks may be the favorites to win the Stanley Cup.

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