NHL Playoff Schedule 2015: Complete Dates, TV Info for Conference Finals

The conference finals of the 2015 NHL playoffs began with a bang on Saturday, but the action is only getting started in what promises to be an exhilarating couple of weeks.

The New York Rangers toppled the Tampa Bay Lightning with a late goal in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final, marking their fourth straight win after emerging from the brink of elimination in the last series against Washington.

The puck has yet to drop out West between Anaheim and Chicago, but that will all change before the weekend is over.

With that all said, let's take a look at the complete television schedule for Round 3.

2015 NHL Playoffs Schedule

Game	Date	Matchup (NYR leads 1-0)	Time (ET)	TV
Game	Date	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV
2	Mon., May 18	Tampa Bay at N.Y. Rangers	8 p.m.	NBCSN
3	Wed., May 20	N.Y. Rangers at Tampa Bay	8 p.m.	NBCSN
4	Fri., May 22	N.Y. Rangers at Tampa Bay	8 p.m.	NBCSN
5*	Sun., May 24	Tampa Bay at N.Y. Rangers	8 p.m.	NBCSN
6*	Tues., May 26	N.Y. Rangers at Tampa Bay	8 p.m.	NBCSN
7*	Fri., May 29	Tampa Bay at N.Y. Rangers	8 p.m.	NBCSN
1	Sun., May 17	Chicago at Anaheim	3 p.m.	NBC
2	Tues., May 19	Chicago at Anaheim	9 p.m.	NBCSN
3	Thurs., May 21	Anaheim at Chicago	8 p.m.	NBCSN
4	Sat., May 23	Anaheim at Chicago	8 p.m.	NBC
5*	Mon., May 25	Chicago at Anaheim	9 p.m.	NBCSN
6*	Wed., May 27	Anaheim at Chicago	8 p.m.	NBCSN
7*	Sat., May 30	Chicago at Anaheim	8 p.m.	NBCSN

Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra

Game 1: Chicago at Anaheim (3 p.m. ET, NBC)

Alex Gallardo/Associated Press

The Anaheim Ducks' core of Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf tasted what it was like to win the franchise's first Stanley Cup in 2007. Ever since, they've failed to make a conference final while the Chicago Blackhawks make deep runs almost every spring.

In fact, Chicago has won two Stanley Cups since 2010 and advanced to its fifth conference final in the last seven years.

However, the Blackhawks head to Anaheim to face a team hungry to take it all away from them—at least for this year.

The Ducks didn't blow many folks away throughout the regular season, building a reputation as comeback kids more than anything with their record-breaking 18 third-period, come-from-behind wins. But their dominant edge has surfaced in the postseason, winning eight of nine games and many in convincing fashion.

A scary injury in their closeout game against Calgary last series threatened to sideline Perry, but he returned to notch the series-clinching overtime goal.

His status hasn't yet been divulged for Game 1, but it's quite obvious that he's going to play through it, per Eric Stephens of Orange County Register:

Perry figures to lead a big and burly Anaheim attack that has worn down both of its opponents in these playoffs with the strong net-front presences of Getzlaf, Patrick Maroon and Matt Beleskey.

Chicago's defense has been strong, conceding just seven goals in the Minnesota series, but it faces a whole new animal in Round 3.

The Ducks' power could pose a problem for a Blackhawks defense that is relying heavily upon top blueliners like Duncan Keith. Durability was in question when Chicago boasted a five-man rotation, but Michal Rozsival's broken ankle means Chicago will often rolling with just four blueliners.

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Of course, Chicago has stood up to tests from physical teams such as these Ducks before in their recent playoff lore.

Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane make up a quick and swift-skating core that can take the beating and still score goals.

One foe who is well-versed in succumbing to Blackhawks playoff moments is offseason addition Ryan Kesler. From his days with Vancouver, the hard-nosed two-way center has endured some rough moments against Chicago in the postseason.

However, he is relishing another chance against his rival, per the Chicago Tribune's Chris Hine:

The grittiness is sure to be there from the opening faceoff with a spot in the Stanley Cup Final on the line. It's been over a week since either of them have taken the ice, but that shouldn't show between two teams that have been eyeing one another for quite some time.

The Blackhawks and Ducks may not have any playoff history, but that's about to change drastically in what just might turn out to be the best matchup of these entire Stanley Cup playoffs.