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

Whether or not the conference-finals round of the 2015 NHL postseason goes the distance could rely heavily upon how two Game 4s unfold over the start of the weekend.

First up are the New York Rangers Friday evening, who threaten to go down three games to one for the second straight series. The Tampa Bay Lightning are the culprits and can take a commanding series lead at home in Game 4. 

Out in the Western Conference Final, momentum is less pointed, although the Anaheim Ducks did snatch Game 3 on the road from the Chicago Blackhawks. Their 2-1 victory is also their lead in the series, and they could begin to push Chicago to the brink by taking another game in the United Center Saturday.

Take a look below for all you need to know.

2015 NHL Playoffs Schedule

Game	Date	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV
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

Game	Date	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV
4	Sat., May 23	Anaheim Ducks at Chicago Blackhawks	8 p.m.	NBC
5	Mon., May 25	Chicago Blackhawks at Anaheim Ducks	9 p.m.	NBCSN
6*	Wed., May 27	Anaheim Ducks at Chicago Blackhawks	8 p.m.	NBCSN
7*	Sat., May 30	Chicago Blackhawks at Anaheim Ducks	8 p.m.	NBCSN

Odds to Win 2015 Stanley Cup

Team	Odds
Anaheim Ducks	7-4
Tampa Bay Lightning	37-20
New York Rangers	4-1
Chicago Blackhawks	17-4

Odds courtesy of Odds Shark, last updated May 22

Game 4 to Watch: New York Rangers at Tampa Bay Lightning

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Even though they entered the Eastern Conference Final as Stanley Cup favorites and rightfully so, the Rangers' 2-1 series disadvantage to the Tampa Bay Lightning perhaps isn't all that surprising. After all, they're proven masters at overcoming adversity in the postseason.

But the way that the Lightning have taken said lead has produced plenty of uneasiness around the Big Apple.

While the Rangers took an early lead in Game 1 on their typical defensive stability, it flew out the window for Games 2 and 3. Tampa Bay exploded for six goals in each game, making them look easy as the Lightning's swift forwards skated circles around the Rangers defense.

New York is giving up more goals to a single line than it allows per game, as the Lightning's second line of Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov is dominating. Johnson notched the franchise's first postseason hat trick in Game 2, as NHL noted, before the line combined for four goals in Game 3:

Of course, those goals came at the expense of Henrik Lundqvist, whose conceded overtime game-winner in Game 3 was awfully uncharacteristic. But the Rangers' defensive shortcomings start with the blueliners hanging Lundqvist out to dry, as the team has lost its usual fundamental edge.

If the Rangers can quit the fast-and-loose style that plays right into Tampa Bay's strengths, it will make a huge difference and prove even further that benching Lundqvist isn't the option, as Dan Rosen of NHL.com noted:

For all of the weaknesses the Rangers have shown throughout this conference final, there is one silver lining that should will them back into the series.

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

New York's offense has been somewhat of a conundrum at times in these playoffs, but it got going in a big way in Game 3 in Tampa Bay. The Rangers hung five goals on Lightning goalie Ben Bishop, which came on just 28 shots.

With that in mind, there's no lack of confidence from the Rangers' locker room, as told by Chris Johnston of Sportsnet:

Considering the Rangers have one of the best defenses in the NHL, they could retake momentum in the series immediately if the defense can hold up and allow the offense to carry the team. But that's an awfully big "if'" with how the Lightning's top forwards are playing.

The Rangers won the Presidents' Trophy for a reason, and anyone who is doubting their chances should take a close look at the history of two weeks ago when they overcame a 3-1 deficit to beat the Washington Capitals. There won't be any quit in Alain Vigneault's squad until the clock strikes on its season.

If the Rangers don't aspire to return home for Game 5 with that as a possibility, though, taking care of business Friday night will be imperative.