NHL Playoffs 2015: Game 4 TV Schedule and Odds for Ducks vs. Blackhawks

Game 4 of the Western Conference Final isn't an elimination contest, but it could become the last true stand by the conference's recent kings before conceding their throne to a worthy foe.

While this series won't define the legacies of the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks that drastically, it's hard to ignore the implications should Chicago drop Saturday's contest and fall down 3-1 in the series.

Their run of two Stanley Cups in the last four seasons has made them the top dogs out West, but the Ducks are finally beginning to put the pieces together for a championship of their own.

Before all of that materializes, though, the Blackhawks have an opportunity to pull back even on their home ice. Doing so will make this anyone's series, but failing to emerge victorious could mean scraping up the United Center ice for the summer.

Let's take a look at everything to know for Game 4.

Game 4: Anaheim Ducks at Chicago Blackhawks

Date: Saturday, May 23

Time (ET): 8 p.m.

TV: NBC

Odds (per Odds Shark): Blackhawks 20-29, Ducks 131-100

Game 4 Preview

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

When the Blackhawks slipped a goal past Frederik Andersen late in the third overtime of Game 2 in Anaheim, the momentum shifted straight to them with the series heading back to Chicago. But the Ducks had other ideas.

They were certainly tested to their limits, but Anaheim stopped five Blackhawks power plays and pulled out a 2-1 victory in the Ducks' first game in Chicago. Andersen stopped 27-of-28 shots faced in the process but couldn't deny his defense's improvements made the difference.

"Yeah, we just sharpened up on the [penalty kill]," Andersen told the Associated Press (via ESPN). "We weren't satisfied with what we did the last game. That was huge for this group coming off a tough loss where we gave up two goals on the PK. We wanted to be better today."

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

Perhaps more impressive than the special teams edge, however, was the Ducks' ability to grind out scoring chances and overwork the Blackhawks' defense. Chicago's blueliners have been sound against a physical Ducks attack for the most part, but they couldn't continue that in Game 3.

As told by Craig Custance of ESPN, the Ducks have made Chicago pay by getting in front of goaltender Corey Crawford:

On the surface, it's not hard to see how and why the Blackhawks are getting outworked on defense. While Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook are two of the NHL's better defensemen, they are relying almost exclusively on four blueliners as opposed to five or six with Kimmo Timonen struggling to contend.

Chicago could get some reinforcements at the most opportune moment, with Trevor van Riemsdyk attempting a return, as told by the team's Twitter:

Although the problems are most evident on defense, it's no secret the Blackhawks' offense is also lacking, with just one goal scored in each of their two defeats in the series. And in the lone game Chicago won, Andersen made a career-high 53 saves before a tough tip-in ended that triple-overtime contest.

Without a few unfortunate misses from Corey Perry in that contest, the Blackhawks could be entering Game 4 in a 3-0 hole. While things could be better for Chicago, they could certainly be much worse.

All it will take is one strong, cohesive 60-minute performance for Chicago to even up the score in this series heading back to Anaheim. Considering how things have gone in the first 220-plus minutes, the Blackhawks can't be too upset about that.