NHL Playoff Bracket 2018: Game Schedule and Predictions for Conference Finals

The unlikeliest quartet of contenders remains in the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. 

Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals, Vegas Golden Knights and Winnipeg Jets have one Stanley Cup and eight conference finals appearances between them. 

The Lightning, who came into the NHL for the 1992-93 season, carry the best postseason resume of the four, with a championship in 2004 and three other conference final appearances. 

Washington hasn't reached this stage of the postseason since 1998, while Vegas and Winnipeg are in their first conference finals. 

Although the teams carry plenty of postseason inexperience, there are a few stars on each roster that achieved playoff success as members of different teams, and they could be the difference-makers starting Friday. 

TV Schedule

All Times ET

Friday, May 11

Game 1: Washington at Tampa Bay (8 p.m., NBCSN) 

Saturday, May 12

Game 1: Vegas at Winnipeg (7 p.m., NBC) 

Sunday, May 13

Game 2: Washington at Tampa Bay (8 p.m., NBCSN) 

Monday, May 14

Game 2: Vegas at Winnipeg (8 p.m., NBCSN) 

Tuesday, May 15

Game 3: Tampa Bay at Washington (8 p.m., NBCSN) 

Wednesday, May 16 

Game 3: Winnipeg at Vegas (9 p.m., NBCSN) 

Thursday, May 17

Game 4: Tampa Bay at Washington (8 p.m., NBCSN) 

Friday, May 18

Game 4: Winnipeg at Vegas (8 p.m., NBCSN) 

Saturday, May 19

Game 5: Washington at Tampa Bay (7:15 p.m, NBC)*

Sunday, May 20

Game 5: Vegas at Winnipeg (3 p.m., NBC)*

Monday, May 21

Game 6: Tampa Bay at Washington (8 p.m., NBCSN)*

Tuesday, May 22

Game 6: Winnipeg at Vegas (9 p.m., NBCSN)*

Wednesday, May 23

Game 7: Washington at Tampa Bay (8 p.m., NBCSN)*

Thursday, May 24

Game 7: Vegas at Winnipeg (8 p.m., NBCSN) 

*if necessary 

        

Predictions

Tampa Bay over Washington 

Coming down from the emotional high of finally knocking off the Pittsburgh Penguins is going to be tough for the Capitals, but they've had three days to put that in the past and focus on Tampa Bay. 

The Lightning looked like the best team over the first two rounds with dominating wins over the New Jersey Devils and Boston Bruins. 

Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos earn plenty of praise for their respective performances, as they have 12 and 10 playoff points, respectively, but the Lightning's success has come from a team effort. 

Defensemen Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh and Braydon Coburn lead the team in plus-minus, and they'll be key in neutralizing the offensive threat possessed by the Capitals. 

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Tampa Bay's special teams also thrived over 10 games, as it scored 10 goals on the power play, with Alex Killorn leading the team with three. 

If the Lightning capitalize on the man-advantage opportunities against the Capitals, they should be able to gain separation. 

The same argument can be made about Washington's power play, as the Caps scored 13 goals with a member of the opposing team in the penalty box. 

The X-factor in the series for the Capitals could be right winger Tom Wilson, who returns from his three-game suspension for Game 1 against Tampa Bay.

Nick Wass/Associated Press

In order to fend off the Lightning and earn their first Stanley Cup final appearance in 20 years, the Capitals must protect their home ice. 

Tampa Bay earned three road victories in four games in the first two rounds, and it held the best road record in the Eastern Conference during the regular season. 

The pick based off performance over the first two rounds is Tampa Bay in overwhelming fashion, but Friday's Game 1 will show us how Washington responds to the emotional win over Pittsburgh, and if it comes out strong, the series could come down to a Game 7. 

Vegas over Winnipeg

No one expected Vegas and Winnipeg to be playing for a spot in the Stanley Cup final at the start of the season.

The pair of unexpected Western Conference finalists are in uncharted territory as teams, but there are players on each roster with experience at this stage. 

Vegas goalie Marc-Andre Fleury stands out right away because of his three championships with the Penguins. 

Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images

Fleury has let in the least amount of goals of any remaining goalie with 17, a mark buoyed by a strong opening round in which he conceded three times against the Los Angeles Kings. 

Even though the Golden Knights didn't find out their opponent until Thursday, they've had plenty of time to rest and prepare for the Jets, which gives them the chance to go into Winnipeg and steal Game 1. 

If that happens, William Karlsson should be at the center of the attack, as he produced four goals and six assists against the Kings and San Jose Sharks. 

When Vegas hits the power play, look for Alex Tuch to feature in a larger role, as he scored three times with a man advantage in addition to earning an assist. 

Winnipeg has a fast turnaround from Thursday's Game 7 win in Nashville, which could leave it susceptible to defeat at home Saturday. 

Even if the Jets slip up at home at the start of the series, they proved against Nashville they're more than capable of putting together results on the road. 

Center Mark Scheifele is the player to watch on the Winnipeg roster, and he could be the difference maker when the series shifts to Las Vegas, as he set a record of seven road goals in a postseason series versus the Predators, per NHL PR: 

Add in the contributions of Patrik Laine and Blake Wheeler and you have a formidable top part of the Winnipeg offense that is going to put Vegas under pressure. 

But the Jets haven't faced a goalie that's experienced the postseason success of Fleury, who should put Vegas on the front foot in the series by thriving in either Game 1 or Game 2. 

If that is the case, the Golden Knights have an opportunity to take control in front of their raucous home crowd at T-Mobile Arena and storm into the Stanley Cup final in their first season. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from Hockey Reference