NHL Playoffs 2018: Full Dates and TV Schedule for Conference Finals Round

It just might be the Washington Capitals' year for success in the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. 

Washington holds a 1-0 advantage over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference final, a lead it earned following the triumphant win over Pittsburgh in the second round. 

Over in the Western Conference, the Vegas Golden Knights and Winnipeg Jets are both in the conference final for the first time in a postseason where unexpected teams thrived. 

There's still plenty of time ahead of the Stanley Cup final, but the conference championship round should provide plenty of drama before two teams play for the sport's greatest honor. 

TV Schedule

All Times ET

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 

Washington Off To Fast Start 

The Capitals went into Amalie Arena and knocked off the Lightning in Game 1 Friday to set the tone for the Eastern Conference final. 

Washington scored the first four goals of the 4-2 victory, which continued a trend set in the first two rounds of finding the back of the net first. 

In 10 of the 13 games they've played in the postseason, the Capitals scored the first goal, per Capitals PR on Twitter: 

Barry Trotz's team benefited from a man advantage on two occasions in Game 1, as Alexander Ovechkin and Lars Eller netted power-play goals. 

Washington's franchise record of 15 power-play tallies is the most of any team left in the postseason by a wide margin, as Winnipeg's eight is in second place, per NHL PR on Twitter: 

To Tampa Bay's credit, it created chances in the third period and beat Braden Holtby on two occasions to try to create some momentum heading into Game 2. 

Everyone on the Lightning roster was in agreement after Game 1 that their performance simply wasn't good enough, and Washington outperformed them, as right winger Ryan Callahan noted, per the team's official Twitter account: 

The challenge in front of the Lightning, who won both of their postseason series in five games, is to respond right away in the first period of Game 2. 

Jon Cooper's team should carry plenty of motivation into Sunday's game, and if that's the case, the series should head to Washington, D.C., tied at one game apiece. 

But if the Capitals strike first once again, and continue to play with confidence, they could pull off a remarkable achievement and take the first two games of the East final. 

Vegas Carries Plenty Of Playoff Experience Into Western Conference Final 

Although the Golden Knights are an expansion team, the players on their roster are a collection of veterans with postseason experience. 

Thanks to their players' participation in past postseasons, the Golden Knights are riding a wave of confidence into Winnipeg for Game 1 of the Western Conference final. 

Jets right-winger Blake Wheeler said they've never approached Vegas as an expansion team in preparation because of the experience of its players, as he said Friday, per Ed Graney of the Las Vegas Review-Journal: 

Marc-Andre Fleury is the obvious player to point out when it comes to past playoff success, as he won three Stanley Cups with the Penguins before being selected first overall in the expansion draft. 

In addition to Fleury, centers William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault have been key for the Golden Knights, as well as right-winger Reilly Smith and left-winger James Neal. 

Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images

The Golden Knights appear to be in prime position to steal a game from Winnipeg on the road since they've had time off to rest their legs, and the Jets are coming off a Game 7 victory on Thursday in Nashville. 

However, it's hard to ignore the full steam of momentum the Jets come into the West final with, and that could play in their favor at the start of the series. 

Winnipeg begins the series in front of a raucous home crowd, who have been supportive of the franchise since the NHL moved back to Manitoba from Atlanta in 2011. 

Wheeler noted after Game 7 how excited the Jets players are to bring another series home to their fans, per NHL.com's Tim Campbell. 

"Our fans have been with us filling up our building for seven years, and we haven't always had the most success, and they've always been supportive all over the city," Wheeler said. "I don't think I've heard a negative comment in seven years. So now we're just happy to keep playing for them."

The series could come down to the play in net, as Fleury rivals Connor Hellebuyck, who recorded 44 regular-season wins and made 36 saves in Game 7 against Nashville. 

Fleury holds a .951 save percentage and 1.53 goals against average through 10 postseason contests, while Hellebuyck boasts a save percentage of .927 to go along with his 2.25 goals against average. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

Statistics obtained from Hockey Reference.