NHL Playoffs 2015: Latest Stanley Cup Scores, Standings and Predictions

Anaheim came to Chicago with a purpose, and the Ducks accomplished that goal by beating the Blackhawks 2-1 on their home ice in Game 3.

Many thought that the Ducks were going to be in bad shape after losing Game 2 in triple overtime and then having to go to Chicago. Instead, they were calm and cool for 60 minutes and were simply the better team.

Patrick Maroon scored in the first period for the Ducks to set the tone, and Anaheim was undaunted after Patrick Kane tied the game in the final minute of the period. The Ducks pressed the attack in the second period, and when Corey Crawford offered some space on the short side, Simon Despres fired a quick laser into the back of the net.

The Ducks played a wonderful road game. They continued to press in the third period and refused to sit back as many teams are wont to do. When the Blackhawks applied strong pressure in the final minutes, goalie Frederik Andersen did not succumb to it.

The Ducks got the win they needed to regain home-ice advantage, and their ability to come up with an excellent game against perhaps the most gifted team in the league is an impressive achievement.

Series	Standings	Last Game
Anaheim Ducks vs. Chicago Blackhawks	Anaheim, 2-1	Anaheim 2, Chicago 1
New York Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning	Tampa Bay, 2-1	Tampa Bay 6, New York 5 (OT)

Eastern Conference Final, Game 4: New York Rangers at Tampa Bay Lightning, May 22

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

The Rangers are in danger of falling into another 3-1 hole if they don't improve their defensive play in this game.

Much is being made of Henrik Lundqvist's subpar play in the last two games, but he would not have allowed 12 goals if his defense was not giving the speedy Lightning a slew of excellent scoring opportunities. The defense had been superb in the first two rounds of the playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals, but Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Alex Killorn have exposed that unit.

The Rangers simply have to play better. That means being more disciplined, getting in the passing and shooting lanes with more frequency and not leaving their positions. Blocking a few more shots would also be helpful, because the Lightning have been firing away unencumbered in the last two games.

Lundqvist must also do a better job. The Lightning seem to be the team that gives him the most trouble, but that does not mean they have to dominate him. He can pick it up a bit.

The Rangers scored five goals in Game 3, and while they can't expect to score that many every night, they appear confident shooting against Ben Bishop. The Tampa Bay goalie never looked comfortable in Game 3, and he only stopped 23 of the 28 shots he faced. Additionally, he gave up too many loose rebounds, as the Rangers could have had more.

The Rangers are fully motivated after going to the Stanley Cup Final and losing a year ago. They have played two shaky defensive games in a row, but they will tighten it back up here and square the series.

Prediction: New York Rangers 3, Tampa Bay Lightning 2 (OT)

Western Conference Final, Game 4: Anaheim Ducks at Chicago Blackhawks, May 23

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

The Ducks got the win they needed in Game 3, and that allowed them to regain the lead in the Western Conference Final over the Blackhawks.

Don't expect the Ducks to be satisfied or have any letdown. The Blackhawks will certainly come with their best effort; however, they are short-handed defensively, and Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler and Jakob Silfverberg will press hard to expose those weaknesses.

The Ducks didn't panic after losing the Game 2 triple-overtime heartbreaker, and they responded in Game 3 like champions. That performance means quite a bit in terms of confidence, and they are not going to relinquish any of it here.

Look for the Ducks to score early and put the pressure on the Blackhawks. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane will respond, but it won't be enough. The Ducks and Andersen will get the job done, and Anaheim will take a 3-1 lead back to the West Coast.

Prediction: Anaheim Ducks 4, Chicago Blackhawks 2