NHL Playoffs 2015: Stanley Cup TV Schedule, Live Stream and More for Thursday

As memorable as the first round of the 2015 NHL playoffs was, Round 2 appears to be fleeing at a fast pace, as Thursday's duo of Game 4 action could bring an end to two second-round series.

The Chicago Blackhawks have the opportunity to complete the sweep over the Minnesota Wild on the road, taking a 3-0 series lead into St. Paul and hoping to return to the Windy City with a spot in the Western Conference Final. Shockingly enough, the Tampa Bay Lightning join Chicago in that regard with the chance to sweep the Montreal Canadiens Thursday—but they can do it on their home ice.

We could have two of the NHL's final four crowned as early as Thursday night, but things can shift with one lucky bounce of the puck in situations such as these. With that in mind, let's break down each of Thursday night's games and take a closer look into one you won't want to miss.

Thursday, May 7 Schedule

Time (ET)	Game: Matchup	TV	Series
7 p.m.	Game 4: Montreal Canadiens at Tampa Bay Lightning	NBCSN	TB leads 3-0
9:30 p.m.	Game 4: Chicago Blackhawks at Minnesota Wild	NBCSN	CHI leads 3-0

Live Stream

NBC Sports Live Extra

Game to Watch

Game 4: Montreal Canadiens at Tampa Bay Lightning

Mike Carlson/Getty Images

These Montreal Canadiens aren't going to go down quietly, but it's hard to imagine they aren't feeling shell-shocked as Game 4 in Tampa Bay looms.

That's because the East's No. 2 overall seed plays the second game of a back-to-back Thursday night against the Lightning with the possibility of being eliminated. 

Down 3-0 in the series, things haven't gone the Canadiens' way, as the Lightning have continued every bit of momentum won in their first-round series over the Detroit Red Wings. That was never on better display than in Game 3 Wednesday night, when Tyler Johnson's last-second goal put them on the brink of elimination.

Buzzer-beaters aren't exactly commonplace in the NHL, but these playoffs just have it all.

Scott Audette/Getty Images

What these playoffs don't have right now, however, is a series that threatens to go the distance. So far, this Canadiens-Lightning series is following suit—and not in the manner most expected when Tampa Bay embarked to Montreal just a few days ago.

Only four times in the 179 instances of a team being down three games to none has that team beat the catastrophic odds to win the series, but the Canadiens aren't downing their chances despite the most heartbreaking defeat imaginable, according to forward Brendan Gallagher, per Montreal Gazette's Dave Stubbs.

"

This team is full of character. I know we’re not going to give up. I know we’re not going to quit. You’ve got to win four but you can’t win four unless you win one. We’ve got to focus on the next one, but obviously, it’s disappointing.

"

If there's any team still alive in the postseason that could accomplish the comeback feat, it's probably the Canadiens. Their suffocating defense along with the star power of goalie Carey Price could turn up over the next couple of games and get them back into it.

But even if that happens, Tampa Bay may simply be too good right now to catch. Goaltender Ben Bishop has saved 131 of 135 shots dating back to when the Lightning were on the brink of elimination in Game 6 against the Red Wings. 

The Canadiens have dropped all eight of their contests with the Lightning this season. The ninth will see an abrupt end to their Stanley Cup aspirations.