NHL Playoff Schedule 2015: Dates, Game Times for Conference Finals

How excited are you for the NHL conference finals? 

You should be pumped. In the East, one of the most exciting and highest-scoring teams in hockey faces a team that has continued to come up big in the clutch. Out West, two teams that have bulldozed their ways through this postseason finally meet in a clash of powerhouses. 

Strap in, folks. Below, you'll find the full schedule and a preview of each series as a berth in the Stanley Cup Final awaits.

Eastern Conference Final Schedule

Game	Date	Location	Time (ET)	TV
Game 1	Saturday, May 16	New York	1 p.m.	NBC
Game 2	Monday, May 18	New York	8 p.m.	NBCSN
Game 3	Wednesday, May 20	Tampa Bay	8 p.m.	NBCSN
Game 4	Friday, May 22	Tampa Bay	8 p.m.	NBCSN
Game 5 (if necessary)	Sunday, May 24	New York	8 p.m.	NBCSN
Game 6 (if necessary)	Tuesday, May 26	Tampa Bay	8 p.m.	NBCSN
Game 7 (if necessary)	Friday, May 29	New York	8 p.m.	NBCSN

Eastern Conference Preview

As talented as the Tampa Bay Lightning are, I think this may actually be an easier series for the New York Rangers after their seven-game tilt against the Washington Capitals. Against the Caps, they were facing a big and physical veteran team with a red-hot goalie (Braden Holtby) and a superstar on a mission (Alex Ovechkin).  

Washington's style of play was a tough matchup for the skilled and deep Rangers, but against the Lightning, they should be able to play their game with less resistance. The fact that the Rangers have managed to win all four of their overtime games in these playoffs—including two overtime wins after going down to Washington 3-1 in that series—bodes well for them, too. 

The return of Martin St. Louis to Tampa will be a major storyline. So, too, will be the fact that the Lightning swept this regular-season series, winning all three games against the Rangers.

But I like the depth of the Rangers and Henrik Lundqvist's penchant for stealing games to put the Rangers through. 

Prediction: Rangers in six.

Western Conference Final Schedule

Game	Date	Location	Time (ET)	TV
Game 1	Sunday, May 17	Anaheim	3 p.m.	NBC
Game 2	Tuesday, May 19	Anaheim	9 p.m.	NBCSN
Game 3	Thursday, May 21	Chicago	8 p.m.	NBCSN
Game 4	Saturday, May 23	Chicago	8 p.m.	NBC
Game 5 (if necessary)	Monday, May 25	Anaheim	9 p.m.	NBCSN
Game 6 (if necessary)	Wednesday, May 27	Chicago	8 p.m.	NBCSN
Game 7 (if necessary)	Saturday, May 30	Anaheim	8 p.m.	NBCSN

Western Conference Preview

I love the Anaheim Ducks' size, skill and physicality, namely on the first line of Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Patrick Maroon. Add in the impact Ryan Kesler has on both sides of the ice and Frederik Andersen's sparkling play this postseason, and the Ducks are going to be a tough out. 

But Chicago Blackhawks like Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook have been through these battles before and, more times than not, have come out on top. Corey Crawford had a rough start to the postseason, but he stopped 124 of 131 shots in the four-game sweep of the Minnesota Wild, so he's come around. 

Oh, and I picked the Blackhawks to win the Stanley Cup before the playoffs began so, you know, I have to stick with the pick.

But I expect the Ducks—who are playing the best hockey of any team in the playoffs, thus far—to give them a heck of a battle. (To hedge my bets, I should note I'd hardly be surprised if they sneak past the Blackhawks.)

Whatever happens, expect this one to go the distance. 

Prediction: Blackhawks in seven.