NHL Playoffs Schedule, Predictions & Stream: Chicago Blackhawks, Lightning Look to Take Series Lead
The 2015 NHL playoffs have reached the conference finals. The only four teams remaining are the Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks. The chase for Lord Stanley's Cup is inching closer and closer.
The Blackhawks and Ducks are battling in the West finals while the Lightning and Rangers are facing off in the East. Both series are currently tied 1-1. Let's preview Game 3 and predict a winner for both games.
Rangers at Lightning
The Rangers record streak of one goal games (win or lose) recently came to an end after the Lightning won Game 2, 6-2. To make things worse for the Rangers, the next two games will be played in Tampa Bay after the Lightning stole a game at Madison Square Garden. Goalie Henrik Lundqvist led the Rangers to a Game 1 victory stopping 23 of the 24 shots he faced. Six of the eight goals scored in Game 2 were by way of power play or shorthanded.
The Lightning heavily outhit the Rangers in Game 2, inserting themselves as the far more physical team. The Rangers are trying to make their second consecutive Stanley Cup appearance, but the Lightning are trying to win their second championship since 2004. The Rangers have the skill and talent, but you just can't get outhit the way they did last game and expect to come out on top.
Schedule, Where to Watch
The Rangers and Lightning will play each other on Wednesday night at 8 p.m. EST on the NBC Sports Network. The game will be played at the Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Prediction
The Rangers have to win at least one game in Tampa to avoid dropping to 3-1 in the series. However, the Lightning will win Game 4 thanks to Tyler Johnson (who scored a hat trick in game) and Steven Stamkos. Lightning win a close Game 4 and take a 2-1 series lead.
Ducks at Blackhawks
Just like the Rangers and Lightning, the Blackhawks and Ducks are deadlocked after two games of play. These teams have won a combined three Stanley Cups in since 2007. The Ducks struck first winning Game 1, 4-1, with four different players scoring a goal. Goalie Frederik Andersen was fantastic in net, but the Blackhawks were able to capitalize in Game 2 in a thrilling triple overtime game.
The Blackhawks won Game 2, 3-2 thanks to Corey Crawford making 60 saves. His performance couldn't have come at a better time, considering the Blackhawks will be returning home to the Windy City for the next two games. Crawford was pulled earlier this postseason, so it's a huge sigh of relief to see him playing at an elite level once again.
Joel Quenneville has led the Blackhawks to two Stanley Cup victories, and a third would forever cement him as one of the best coaches in NHL history. The Blackhawks have never even missed the playoffs with Quenneville as their head coach.
Schedule, Where to Watch
The Blackhawks and Ducks will play each other on Thursday night at 8 p.m. EST on NBC Sports Network. The game will be played at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
Prediction
Patrick Kane hasn't recorded a single point in the conference finals, but that should change soon. With the series and momentum returning to the Midwest, the Blackhawks have a great chance to do a lot of damage. Blackhawks win Game 3 and take a 2-1 series lead.
You can watch a live game stream of both games here.