Stanley Cup 2015: Dates, NBC TV Schedule, Blackhawks vs. Lightning Predictions

The 2015 Stanley Cup Final promises to be an epic showdown between the Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning. Both clubs needed the full seven games to advance through the conference finals, so they've been tested well en route to moving just four wins from hockey's ultimate prize.  

Tampa Bay had the highest-scoring offense in the NHL during the regular season, while Chicago allowed the second-fewest goals. It's going to be a fascinating contrast of strengths, though the Blackhawks' attack has benefited from superstar Patrick Kane's return from injury.

Check out the full dates and NBC's TV schedule ahead of Wednesday's Game 1 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, accompanied with predictions as to how the series will play out.

Game	Date	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV
1	Wednesday, June 3	Chicago at Tampa Bay	8 p.m.	NBC
2	Saturday, June 6	Chicago at Tampa Bay	7:15 p.m.	NBC
3	Monday, June 8	Tampa Bay at Chicago	8 p.m.	NBCSN
4	Wednesday, June 10	Tampa Bay at Chicago	8 p.m.	NBCSN
5*	Saturday, June 13	Chicago at Tampa Bay	8 p.m.	NBC
6*	Monday, June 15	Tampa Bay at Chicago	8 p.m.	NBC
7*	Wednesday, June 17	Chicago at Tampa Bay	8 p.m.	NBC

Blackhawks vs. Lightning Preview, Predictions

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

This Chicago nucleus knows what it takes to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup. Kane, captain Jonathan Toews and Co. have won the championship two of the past five years.

ESPN Stats & Info highlights the history on the line for the Blackhawks entering the grand finale:

As long as Kane and Toews are playing at a high level and goaltender Corey Crawford can come up with a few big stops, Chicago has a great chance to take this series despite not having home-ice advantage.

The NHL's official Twitter account highlights how Chicago is superior in four of five key areas:

Although Tampa Bay is a bit more efficient in terms of scoring, at this point it's about getting the puck on net and perhaps shying away from finesse. That's what the Blackhawks have excelled at. A case in point would be Toews' two late goals in Game 5 of the previous series to force overtime.

The Lightning aren't as seasoned or experienced, with just one Stanley Cup crown to their name that came over a decade ago.

There's no denying their offensive firepower, though, headlined by prolific, prodigious forward Steven Stamkos. A move to the wing has helped Stamkos light it up this postseason with 17 points in 20 games.

ESPN's John Buccigross referenced the roll Stamkos got on in the Eastern Conference Final:

One big weakness on the Blackhawks' roster is a lack of defensive depth. Their blue line deploys just four players, and it was a wonder they advanced past a deep Anaheim Ducks team with such a modest rotation.

Duncan Keith has been perhaps the most valuable player for Chicago. Comcast SportsNet's Christopher Kamka has a statistic to back that assertion:

Despite a thin group at his position, fatigue doesn't seem to be a concern for Keith, as he expressed in a report by NHL.com's Dan Rosen and Corey Masisak:

"

I think we're moving on for a reason, showing a lot of character, using our speed and skill. I don't think anybody's tired anymore this time of year right now. I think we're just excited to move on and be able to beat a great team like Anaheim and have the opportunity to try and beat another great team in Tampa Bay.

"

Keith's dynamic two-way play is unrivaled by almost any defenseman in the NHL, and he'll need to be every bit as brilliant as he was versus the Ducks if the Blackhawks are to defeat their next adversary.

Given the following information, Chicago probably doesn't want to let this series go the distance in light of how well Lightning goalie Ben Bishop has fared in such instances:

Bishop deserves immense credit for bouncing back after letting up five goals in Game 6's home loss to the New York Rangers and preserving a shutout in the decisive contest at Madison Square Garden.

ESPN Chicago logs how stout Bishop's counterpart has been off a 3-2 deficit in the conference final:

"

Corey Crawford stopped 65-of-70 shots for a .929 save percentage & had a .950 even-strength save percentage the last two games.

— ESPN Chicago (@ESPNChiHawks) May 31, 2015"

Numerous pundits will probably tout Chicago as the trendy pick to win it all. For this reason, Tampa Bay ought to come out fired up at home to claim victory in Game 1 courtesy of a lamp-lighting explosion, which will renew doubts in Crawford that linger among the Windy City locals.

But the Blackhawks' intangible edge in having climbed the Stanley Cup mountain before will reveal itself when they take Game 2. Upon seizing momentum by evening the series at one apiece, they will lose no more than one additional contest, with the logical outcome seeing Chicago clinch the Cup in the United Center in Game 6.

Winning the Cup every other year for more than a half-decade would ignite dynasty talk. Based on the inspired hockey the Blackhawks have been playing, they seem almost impossible to deny en route to yet another Stanley Cup title.

Prediction: Blackhawks win Stanley Cup, 4-2.