NHL Playoff Schedule 2015: TV Information, Predictions for Conference Finals

The 2015 NHL playoff schedule is coming close to the end, with similar results playing themselves out to start the conference finals.

Yet another one-goal game led to the New York Rangers defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning to pull within three wins of the Stanley Cup Final. Then the Anaheim Ducks held down home ice with a 4-1 triumph over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.

But both of the top seeds need to take care of business in Game 2—otherwise, both series will completely swing as they hit the road.

Below is the full TV schedule, followed by predictions as to how both conference final showdowns will play out.

Game	Date	Matchup (NYR leads 1-0)	Time (ET)	TV
Game	Date	Matchup (ANA leads 1-0)	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
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

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Anaheim Ducks

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The Ducks are now 6-0 at home in the playoffs, so Chicago has its work cut out to steal Game 2 at the Honda Center, especially with how lopsided the score was to start.

Blackhawks star Patrick Kane, who had a great scoring chance early in the first period to give Chicago early momentum, spoke afterward about how his side wasn't taking Anaheim lightly, per the Chicago Sun-Times' Mark Lazerus:

This mindset seemed to permeate the Blackhawks, as they outplayed the Ducks for most of the opening two periods on Sunday, only to fall short. Opposing goaltender Frederik Andersen had a lot to do with that in turning aside 32 of 33 shots.

As tough as Anaheim is proving to be in front of its friendly fans, Game 2 presents immense pressure to keep the perfect record intact. Andersen isn't going to hold forever against the likes of Kane, Jonathan Toews and Chicago's explosive offense.

If the Blackhawks can keep their form up from Game 1, get some key stops from Corey Crawford and play as if their season depends on it, the second game is theirs for the taking.

Even when returning to the United Center, though, Chicago is bound to let one slip in the Windy City. Anaheim is physical and has a stout blue line, evident in the following anecdote from ESPN Stats & Info:

Chicago's defense is what carried it through the regular season, and it's worth noting that the Blackhawks took two of the three meetings with Anaheim during the 2014-15 campaign. They know the winning formula. Sunday wasn't a disaster, because Chicago executed reasonably well and fell to a hot netminder.

Chances are Andersen will realize the gravity of the situation soon, cool off and become a bit more of a sieve, even with such a strong stable of defensemen in front of him.

This has all the makings of a classic conference final for the Western Conference. Both of these clubs are playing Stanley Cup-caliber hockey right now, but the more seasoned, experienced Blackhawks seem keen to assert their collective will and grind out a seven-game triumph.

Series Prediction: Blackhawks in seven.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers

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Enormous fun in the East, that's for sure. Two of the league's top three scoring teams are battling it out, with New York garnering the presumptive as the Presidents' Trophy winners and thanks to having Henrik Lundqvist between the pipes.

The Rangers may be among the final four teams standing, but they haven't looked the part of a prohibitive favorite for Lord Stanley's Cup. All their playoff games have been decided by a single goal.

Living on the edge like that is certainly unusual. To its credit, it seems New York is using it to its advantage. Such resilience in the face of adversity ought to only strengthen the bond between this band of Blueshirts.

Steven Stamkos had a rather quiet Game 1 with just one shot on goal and no points in the 2-1 loss. Don't expect that to continue, because the Lightning's leading scorer is a transcendent talent who makes everyone in his loaded supporting cast even better.

Rangers defenseman Marc Staal did a number on Stamkos, and he spoke about the Tampa Bay star's line that also features dynamic forward Alex Killorn.

"There's definitely a different feel from line to line," said Staal, per Bleacher Report's Dave Lozo. "You have to be strong in front of our net. Killorn can get there and move some people around to create some space for Stamkos. A big part of their success in scoring goals is creating havoc in front of our net."

Thankfully for New York fans, Lundqvist is on their side to navigate any traffic issues and block most of the pucks that fly his way. Whenever the stakes are highest, the savvy goalie seems to rise to the occasion and exude peak form.

In the event Lundqvist faces elimination at some point in this series in Madison Square Garden, it's rather safe to count on him doing his part, per StatsCentre:

What's hurt the Rangers most of late is their surprising lack of scoring. The going has still been rather tough for Rick Nash in the postseason, and New York is averaging a meager two goals per contest during this improbable playoff run.

Yet somehow the Blueshirts have pulled off the magic when they've needed it most, even getting a goal from Chris Kreider with less than two minutes remaining in Game 5 versus the Washington Capitals.

The 3-1 deficit New York found itself in during the conference semifinals was that close to ending in defeat. Suddenly, the Rangers are leading the Eastern Conference Final. That will all count for something as coach Alain Vigneault's club secures a berth in the Stanley Cup Final for the second year in a row.

Series Prediction: Rangers in six.