NHL Playoff Bracket 2018: Dates, TV Schedule, Game Times, Odds and Picks

The fourth game of each NHL conference final could be a turning point in both series. 

The Washington Capitals hold a 2-1 advantage over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference, but their grasp on the series is looser after the Lightning stormed back to win Game 3 at Capital One Arena. 

Over in the Western Conference, the Vegas Golden Knights are on the verge of busting open the series after thriving at home in Game 3 against the Winnipeg Jets. 

If Washington recovers in Game 4 and Vegas extends its advantage before going back to Winnipeg, the Capitals and Golden Knights could be on a collision course for the Stanley Cup final. 

However, if the Lightning and Jets crawl back into each series, we could be in for an exciting final six games of the conference final stage. 

TV Schedule and Game Times

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

Odds (via OddsShark)

Eastern Conference Final Game 4

Tampa Bay (+103; Bet $100 to win $103) at Washington (-114; Bet $114 to win $100) 

Western Conference Final Game 4

Winnipeg (+112) at Vegas (-124) 

Picks

Tampa Bay 

If you asked anyone about their Eastern Conference final pick before Game 3, the majority sided with the Capitals. 

However, the tables turned in the series after Game 3, as the Lightning picked up their fourth road victory of the postseason. 

In Game 3, the Lightning played like the team that dominated in the first two rounds against New Jersey and Boston. 

Although they're still down a game in the series, the Lightning now have confidence they can string together solid performances, as center Steven Stamkos noted, per the team's official Twitter account: 

The Lightning jumped out to an early advantage in Game 3 thanks to an effective power play, and they'll need the same type of efficiency on special teams to gain an upper hand in Game 4. 

From Washington's perspective, Barry Trotz's team needs to erase Game 3 from its memory right away and focus solely on Game 4. 

The player who needs to put an emphasis on that is goalie Braden Holtby, who gave up four goals for the first time in the postseason on Tuesday. 

Holtby's play hasn't been concerning by any stretch of the imagination, but he's shown that he is a little susceptible to losing at home, as he is 3-3 at Capital One Arena against Columbus, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay. 

If the Lightning are able to slip a goal past Holtby in the first period, it would build up their confidence even more, and it could lead to the Capitals facing the most pressure they have all postseason. 

Vegas 

Sometimes in the postseason, it's easiest to pick a team with an in-form goalie. 

That's the case with Marc-Andre Fleury and the Golden Knights, as the three-time Stanley Cup champion marveled in between the pipes in Game 3 against the Jets. 

After conceding four goals in Game 1, Fleury held the Jets to three goals over 120 minutes while Vegas achieved a 2-1 series lead. 

Fleury has a .924 save percentage over three games, as he's stopped 92 shots, including 30 in Wednesday's momentum-changing Game 3. 

The 33-year-old, who has 128 playoff appearances, is in the middle of the best postseason of his career, as he possesses a .945 save percentage and 1.70 goals against average. 

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

During Pittsburgh's runs to the Stanley Cup in 2009 and 2017, Fleury's goals against average hovered between 2.5 and three, while his save percentage was 0.21 points less than his current number two years ago. 

If Fleury uses Game 3 as a catalyst for the rest of the postseason, the Golden Knights could be seen as the favorite to win the Stanley Cup. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from Hockey Reference