NHL Playoffs 2018: Stanley Cup Conference Finals Schedule and Predictions

The Vegas Golden Knights were not about to let a loss in the Western Conference Final opener to the Winnipeg Jets throw them off stride.

The first-year team cleaned up their early mistakes, got on the board early with a couple of first-period goals and defeated the Jets 3-1 in Game 2 of the series Monday night.

Former Detroit Red Wing Tomas Tatar opened the scoring when he tucked a shot behind Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck and Jonathan Marchessault followed with a brilliant one-on-one move to push the lead to 2-0, and the Vegas defense did an excellent job of getting in the shooting lanes and preventing scoring opportunities for the home team.

The Jets did not get on the scoreboard until the third period when Kyle Connor sent a quick shot by Marc-Andre Fleury's short side at the 7:17 mark, and that sent the Winnipeg home fans into a frenzy. However, those high hopes ended shortly thereafter as Marchessault scored a second goal after taking a slick pass from linemate Reilly Smith.

The Jets were unable to rally after that, and the Golden Knights got the road win they were looking for before returning home for Game 3 Wednesday night.

Conference Finals Schedule (All times ET)

Eastern Conference Final: Washington Capitals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Game 1: Capitals 4, Lightning 2
Game 2: Capitals 6, Lightning 2, Capitals lead series 2-0
Game 3: May 15 at Washington, 8 p.m. (NBCSN)
Game 4: May 17 at Washington, 8 p.m. (NBCSN)
*Game 5: May 19 at Tampa Bay, 7:15 p.m. (NBC)
*Game 6: May 21 at Washington, 8 p.m. (NBCSN)
*Game 7: May 23 at Tampa Bay, 8 p.m. (NBCSN)

Western Conference Final: Vegas Golden Knights vs. Winnipeg Jets

Game 1: Jets 4, Golden Knights 2
Game 2: Golden Knights 3, Jets 1, Series tied 1-1.
Game 3: May 16 at Vegas, 9 p.m. (NBCSN)
Game 4: May 18 at Vegas, 8 p.m. (NBCSN)
Game 5: May 20 at Winnipeg, 3 p.m. (NBC)
*Game 6: May 22 at Vegas, 9 p.m. (NBCSN)
*Game 7: May 24 at Winnipeg (NBCSN)

The Tampa Bay Lightning find themselves in a desperate situation as they prepare for Game 3 in the Eastern Conference Final Tuesday night.

Tampa Bay lost the first two games of the series at the Amalie Arena in Tampa and now must go to Washington to attempt to get back into their series with the Capitals.

Washington earned a 2-0 lead in the series after registering 4-2 and 6-2 victories. Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy has been vulnerable to this point, and he needs to pick up his level if Tampa Bay is going to get back into this series. 

He stopped just 31 of 37 shots in Game 2 and while the Lightning showed they can fill the net in prior series victories of the New Jersey Devils and Boston Bruins, they are not going to be able to stop Alex Ovechkin and his teammates if the goaltending does not improve. 

The Capitals' superstar is pumped about returning home and hosting Game 3.

"I can't wait to go home and play the game," Ovechkin said after the Game 2 victory, per Tom Gulitti of NHL.com. "The fans are going to be all over the place and we're waiting for this moment for a long time. It's going to be pretty cool, very special."

Predictions

The Lightning have a tough task ahead of them as the Capitals are rolling after beating the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round and getting a huge burden off of their shoulders. After clinching that series by winning Games 5 and 6, they have built a four-game winning streak.

The Capitals are not about to let up as they return home, and they will probably hit the Lightning with a big punch in the early going. It will be up to Vasilevskiy to play like one of the best goaltenders in the league and stop Washington's surge.

Look for Tampa Bay to find a way and earn its first victory. However, the Capitals are the better team and will find a way to survive this series.

The loud and supportive Vegas fans will be in full voice when the Western Conference Final resumes in Sin City. Vegas should be able to win Game 3 on home ice, but look for the Jets to even the series in Game 4.

Still, there's no stopping the Golden Knights at this point and they should find a way to win the series in seven games and get to the Stanley Cup Final in their first season.