Stanley Cup Playoffs 2015: Conference Finals Schedule, Title Odds and More

The puck dropped on the third round of the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs over the weekend, and the NHL's final four are already engaged in battle for a spot in the Stanley Cup Final.

Many worthy teams were wiped from the postseason picture in the opening two rounds, but it's hard to argue against the notion that the four left standing are a cut or two above the rest.

Some of them are regulars in the conference finals, while others are returning there from a long absence, but that has little effect at this point. Every team is fighting for its playoff life and knows the window of opportunity is slim.

Two scintillating matchups are already underway, so let's take a complete look at the schedule, updated Stanley Cup odds and a preview for both series.

2015 NHL Playoffs: Conference Finals

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

Odds to Win 2015 Stanley Cup

Team	Odds
New York Rangers	3-2
Anaheim Ducks	8-5
Chicago Blackhawks	7-2
Tampa Bay Lightning	5-1

Odds last updated on May 18.

Conference Finals Outlook

Al Bello/Getty Images

The New York Rangers haven't had it easy so far in the playoffs, but the Presidents' Trophy winners just keep trudging along.

They pulled out a five-game series win in Round 1 over the Pittsburgh Penguins that proved tougher than the short series indicates, but that was nothing. New York had to fight back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Washington Capitals, and as if two overtime must-wins weren't enough, the Rangers have also had all of their playoff games decided by one goal.

That ability to win tight games has paid dividends already in the Eastern Conference Final, as they took Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 2-1 off a late winner.

The Rangers took care of business as expected in Madison Square Garden, but their foes showed their threat by battling back and nearly stealing the series opener.

As ESPN's Pierre LeBrun warned, New York can't let off the gas pedal even for a moment:

The Lightning's star-studded attacking corps featuring Steven Stamkos, Tyler Johnson and others has been dominating top goalies this postseason, but it's facing a completely different beast in Round 3. Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist has been dominant, allowing just one goal in three of his last four starts—all wins.

Tampa Bay didn't exactly have its way in Game 1, but it battled adversity to get back in the contest. Even after a lucky bounce off the skate of Dominic Moore put them in a 1-0 hole, the Lightning should have no shortage of confidence entering Game 2.

However, the same can't be said of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

Having advanced to the Western Conference Final for the fifth time in seven years, Chicago—despite no home-ice advantage—seemed to have a leg up on an Anaheim Ducks team that hasn't been this far since its lone Stanley Cup in 2007.

That edge didn't materialize in Game 1, as the Ducks controlled the pace and cruised to a 4-1 win.

The Blackhawks' speedy, effective star forwards—headlined by Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews—figured to give Anaheim's not-so-stellar defense some problems, but the Ducks blueliners came to play. Their ability to block Chicago's attempts on net in Game 1 made a huge difference, as ESPN Stats & Info observed:

The daunting task of facing a Blackhawks team enjoying the kind of success that the Ducks are trying to emulate didn't shake this Anaheim team, which looks far from intimidated going up against Chicago in the playoffs for the first time.

Recent playoff shortcomings have seasoned a Ducks team that is getting the leadership needed from Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf to overtake a solid Chicago defense.

As Kane told the Chicago Sun-Times' Mark Lazerus, the Blackhawks know they have their hands full:

One game is rarely indicative of the entire series, but the Ducks certainly hope that it is after goaltender Frederik Andersen performed magnificently and the attacking lines clicked well on Sunday. Considering Anaheim's previous two playoff series began with lopsided wins including four or more goals for, Round 3 could be a repeat of history if the Blackhawks don't rebound.

It's important to keep in mind that Chicago had only lost twice this postseason prior to Game 1, and both defeats resulted in win streaks.

But those came against the Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild, who don't come close to matching the team that presides in Anaheim.