TV's greatest reality series is about to hit the airwaves in North America as the NHL begins their Stanley Cup playoffs tonight on 3 fronts. Here's how I predict each series will go and you can also make your own picks below. I've also included as an added bonus the full schedule for each series so you can catch the games on TV:

Western Conference

Chicago vs Minnesota - The biggest mismatch of the first round. This will be no contest at all. BlackHawks in 4.

Anaheim vs Detroit - The Red Wings had to survive a tough battle from Dallas and Columbus just to get into the playoffs, extending a very impressive record that sees them make the playoffs for the 22nd consecutive season, a streak that will be severely tested next season when they move to the East. However, they may be in tough against the Ducks as Anaheim will look to give them a quick and not-so-fond farewell. Ducks in 7.

Vancouver vs San Jose - This series, more so than the others, will be decided by goaltending. Roberto Luongo has had a tough season, battling constant trade rumours and a threat to his job from Cory Schneider, who has now taken over as the Canucks' top goalie, but he will start the playoffs on the sidelines with an injury and his status is questionable for this series. I'd have to say that Schneider would be questionable even if he's healthy. If Luongo can last through the entire series, the Canucks should win in 7 games. If Schneider does come back, it will be the Sharks in 6.

St. Louis vs Los Angeles - Last year's champs against a serious dark-horse contender for this year's playoffs. This is a very tough series to call but I'll take the Blues based on the fact that they have better goaltending. Blues in 7.

http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/zApPt9Z11esZZncIc9rO.w--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NQ--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusnhlexperts/Screen-Shot-2013-04-28-at-11.30.47-PM.png

http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/9ec4inqlHWhaTDh23rFY_g--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NQ--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusnhlexperts/Screen-Shot-2013-04-28-at-11.30.57-PM.png


EASTERN CONFERENCE

Pittsburgh vs New York Islanders - This looks to be another huge mismatch that shouldn't last very long, but the Isles do have history on their side, winning all three previous series between the two teams. Pittsburgh could be without Sidney Crosby at the start of the series as he tries to come back from a broken jaw, but, even without him, the Penguins should make this quick and painless. Penguins in 5.

Montreal vs Ottawa - My two least favourite NHL teams square off in what could be the start of an outstanding rivalry. Both teams are strong in goal and on defense but weak up front, which could hurt the winners later on in the playoffs. Ottawa did well just to make the playoffs despite severe injuries to their best players but they just may have run out of gas and out of miracles. Canadiens in 6.

Washington vs New York Rangers - In this series, the spotlight will shine squarely on Alexander Ovechkin. He was on fire during the second half of the season after looking uninspired and washed up at the start. In the playoffs, Ovechkin and the Caps have also had to deal with some crushing upsets, first from Crosby and the Penguins in 2009, and the next season from the Habs, led by the sizzling hot goaltending of Jaroslav Halak. The Rangers also have a potentially hot goalie of their own in Henrik Lundqvist, who is very capable of stealing a game and a series single-handedly. But not this year. Washington will keep riding their hot streak for at least one more series. Capitals in 7.

Boston vs Toronto - The series I'll be watching most closely.

The media in both cities have already started turning the heat way up on Phil Kessel, constantly pointing out in great detail (and in some cases, great delight) his past struggles against Boston during his career and his alleged failure to measure up to the draft picks and future stars that he was traded for. As with anything that gets reported in Toronto, this story often gets overblown and gets stressed a little more than it should.

I'll be looking to follow other more interesting storylines and see how they affect the outcome of this series. The most important one for me will be the goaltending battle between Tuukka Rask and James Reimer. Rask had been backing up Tim Thomas ever since the Bruins won the Cup in 2010, but the previous season he was the main figure in a series where Boston had been leading the Flyers 3 games to 0 but incredibly lost the next 4 games. This year, he'll be the main man once again, as will Reimer, who has bounced back very strongly from a concussion suffered at the beginning of last season that affected his play for over a year after coming back. Now, he looks to be better than ever and appears to be unfazed about being in the playoffs for the first time.

If you take away the rather imposing presence of Zdeno Chara, and the fact that the Bruins have dominated the Leafs in the regular season in recent years, both teams are very similar in all areas and have been built for series like this one which should be long, grueling, and sometimes, very nasty --- just the way I like it. The Bruins are the heavy favourites but I will stick with my team all the way. Leafs in 6.

http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/ESXCW95MT0ytFeElTduxvg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NQ--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusnhlexperts/Screen-Shot-2013-04-28-at-11.26.05-PM.png

http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/5BhcoVA0u59n.FnpL1YFMA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NQ--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusnhlexperts/Screen-Shot-2013-04-28-at-11.26.25-PM.png

my picks:

Western Conference


Chicago vs Minnesota - BlackHawks in 4. (rooting for Minnesota)

Anaheim vs Detroit - Ducks in 7. (rooting for Anaheim)

Vancouver vs San Jose - Canucks in 7. (rooting for Vancouver)

St. Louis vs Los Angeles - LA in 7. (rooting for Los Angeles)


Eastern Conference


Pittsburgh vs New York Islanders - Penguins in 4. (rooting for Pittsburgh )

Montreal vs Ottawa - Canadiens in 6. (rooting for Ottawa)

Washington vs New York Rangers - Capitals in 6. (rooting for Washington )

Boston vs Toronto - Bruins in 6. (rooting for Toronto)

..and I'm gonna say Penguins beat Chicago in 6 games for the final

Cory Schneider practised with the team on Monday and as far as I know is starting tonight. Go Canucks Go!

Sal, any comment on Brian Burke's lawsuit?
I was waiting until you posted to ask you this.

Also, some of the media doesn't know of any other players except Sidney Crosby.

Blackhawks over Penguins.

BTW-What time are the games?

http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2013/may/how-to-make-two-fan-bases-angry-at-once.html

Last night, Fox Sports West/Prime Ticket had a rare opportunity when it had three postseason games to air on its two channels. The Prime Ticket chanel had an NHL/NBA playoff doubleheader with Game 1 of Kings-St. Louis followed by Game 5 of the Memphis-Clippers series. On Fox Sports West, it was Game 1 of the Detroit-Anaheim NHL Playoff series.

As the Kings-Blues game was winding down, it appeared things would end on time as the NHL game would end right as the Clippers game would get underway. But a funny thing happened. The Kings' Justin Williams tied it with 31.6 seconds remaining in regulation forcing overtime.

While the Kings game went into intermission, Prime Ticket began airing the Clippers game. The Kings' Twitter account tried to reassure fans that the hockey game would be coming back once overtime was underway. In fact, Fox Sports West's Twitter account also tweeted the same information. However, what happened when overtime began in St. Louis made two fan bases angry.

Prime Ticket went to a double box showing the Clippers on the left and the Kings on the right. But neither game went to full screen and that is how both games remained until St. Louis won in overtime on a Jonathan Quick giveaway in the Kings' zone.

Today's games:

7:00 pm - Pittsburgh/Islanders - TSN, NBC Sports Network

Crosby's back!!!

7:00 pm - Ottawa/Montreal - CBC

Habs will be out for revenge after Game 1 loss and alleged dirty hit by Erik Gryba on Lars Eller. Should be fun!

9:30 pm - Minnesota/Chicago - CBC, NBC Sports Network

Hawks are still heavy favourites despite barely winning the other night.

10:00 pm - San Jose/Vancouver - TSN

Luongo starts again! :) :) :)

Still stunned the Penguins blew game too, I went to bed they were up 3-1 I hope they can rebound quickly.

Today's games

12:30 pm - Rangers at Washington - TSN, NBC Caps up 1 game to 0

First game to be shown on the main NBC network, which means you have to put up with Pierre McGuire all afternoon. Alex Ovechkin always loves the spotlight, so I would expect him to have a big game.

7:00 pm - Toronto at Boston - CBC, CNBC Bruins up 1-0 :mad:

Big chance for the Leafs to bounce back from a bad game in Game 1. The extra day of rest and another fast start might help them. Mike Kostka will be replaced by Jake Gardiner on defense after he suffered a broken finger and a team-worst -3 rating. Bruins will be without Andrew Ference who was suspended for 1 game for elbowing Mikhail Grabovski in Game 1. They won't miss him at all. He sucks!!

7:30 - Anaheim at Detroit - TSN, NBC Sports Network Series 1-1

Wings play their first home game in front of fans who were worried that there may not be any playoff games to attend this season. That extra boost, and a few well-placed octopi along the way, might help Detroit win this game. The series is still a long way from being over.

10:30 - St. Louis at Los Angeles - CBC, NBC Sports Network Blues up 2-0

The champs play their first home game facing a hot goalie and a 2 game deficit, two obstacles that are tough to overcome at any time.

Feeling a lot better this morning after last night's win over the Big Sad Bruins. Can't wait to see the entire city get hyped up for tomorrow's game 3. It will be like one giant tailgate party starting around noon or so in the downtown area. Hopefully there will be more celebrating after the game. But first there's a few interesting match-ups to watch for today as all series switch locations for Game 3.


Today's Games

12:00 pm - Pittsburgh at New York Islanders - Series even 1-1 - TSN, NBC

Who will grab the momentum first? Isles playing at home coming off a huge upset the other night or Pens who finally have a healthy Crosby and a healthy Malkin playing together?

3:00 pm - Chicago at Minnesota - Hawks up 2-0 - CBC, NBC

If you love mercy killings, this is the game to watch. It should be a long Wild summer on the golf course. (With Suter and Parise handing out tips. :lol: )

7:00 pm - Montreal at Ottawa - Series tied 1-1 - CBC, NBC Sports Network

This series has finally turned nasty with the trash talking and name calling overshadowing the games themselves. The big surprise is that so far none of it has come from P K Subban. But it's still early.

10:00 pm - Vancover at San Jose - Sharks up 2-0 - TSN, NBC Sports Network

Sharks get a chance to sweep at home in front of arguably the loudest and most enthusiastic fans in the NHL. For the Canucks, Luongo's been great despite losing both games but the Sedins have gone M.I.A. like they always do in big clutch games and both have to break out soon or they'll be done.

Don't believe me? See below.


BONUS VIDEO - Coach's Corner - Saturday May 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpbf_zrj7cE)

12:00 pm - Pittsburgh at New York Islanders - Series even 1-1 - TSN, NBC

Who will grab the momentum first? Isles playing at home coming off a huge upset the other night or Pens who finally have a healthy Crosby and a healthy Malkin playing together?



Good game so far, 4 unanswered goals by the Pens, still a period to go.

Tonight's games:

7:00 pm - Boston at Toronto - CBC, NHL Network (US) - Series tied 1-1

Let the party begin!!!

http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/leafs/2013/05/03/toronto_maple_leafs_invite_fans_to_square_to_watch_game_2_against_boston_bruins_in_nhl_playoffs/maple_leafs_square.jpg.size.xxlarge.promo.jpg

Toronto mayor Rob Ford has declared today Blue & White Day in great anticipation of the first playoff game in Toronto in 9 years and, as you can see above, the fans have begun celebrating since the last few seconds of Game 2. Hopefully the Leafs can keep the momentum going all night.

7:30 pm - Washington at New York Rangers - TSN, NBC Sports Network - Capitals lead 2-0

Could the Rangers be headed for a quick exit? They better get moving otherwise these fans might get their wish:

http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/.DNDo_k8WZ9l_ufndpHfow--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusnhlexperts/167940456.jpg


8:00 pm - Anaheim at Detroit - TSN, CNBC - Ducks up 2-1

Wings could be in trouble if they lose tonight.

10:00 pm - St. Louis at Los Angeles - CBC, NBC Sports Network - Blues up 2-1

The great goalie battle between Jonathan Quick and Brian Elliott continues.

Enjoy the games tonight folks! I know I will!

Still feeling very down after last night's crushing defeat despite the greatest fans in the world making their presence felt on every occasion. If that isn't enough to rattle the Bruins, maybe nothing else will. But there's always hope. Game 4 is tomorrow. Tonight we have these games on tap:

7:00 pm - Pittsburgh at New York Islanders - TSN, NBC Sports Network - Pens up 2-1

Isles look to pull off another huge upset like they did in Game 2 and could do it if Marc-Andre Fleury has another off night. That's almost never the case with Sidney Crosby so stopping him will be a must.

7:00 pm - Montreal at Ottawa - CBC, CNBC - Ottawa up 2-1

Another episode of "Fight Night In Canada" where another night of UFC-like violence could be in order right from the start, and this series is still a long way from over.

9:30 pm - Chicago at Minnesota - CBC, NBC Sports Network - Hawks up 2-1

Minnesota pulled out a gutsy OT victory the other night but are still heavy underdogs just to win another game. Another great performance by Josh Harding in goal will help a lot.

10:00 pm - Vancouver at San Jose - TSN, CNBC - Sharks up 3-0

Seriously now, did anyone pick the Canucks to be the first team eliminated from the playoffs this year? Cory Schneider gets another start in net to try to prevent it, which I say is a big mistake. Get the brooms ready!

Tonight's games:

Boston at Toronto - CBC, NHL Network (US) - Bruins up 2-1

I will be praying heavily and often for a big Leaf win tonight but it won't be easy since so far the Bruins are outplaying them in all departments. I still believe Boston can be beaten but if the Leafs don't figure it soon they won't get many more chances. Besides, how sad would a Boston/Ottawa second round matchup be? Exactly my point. So, in that case, one more time with great feeling, GO LEAFS GO!!!

Washington at New York Rangers - 7:30 pm - TSN, NBC Sports Network - Caps up 2-1

Rangers did well to prolong this series with a win at home. Let's see if they can keep their momentum going or if Wash. takes a stranglehold on the series going back home.

Los Angeles at St. Louis - 9:00 pm - CBC - Series tied 2-2

A very close series with excellent goaltending on both sides with a nasty physical edge to it as well which is always great to see.

Detroit at Anaheim - 10:00 pm - TSN - Series tied 2-2

Ducks try to take advantage of a shaky Jimmy Howard in goal for Detroit but Wings not ready to give up yet.

Only 3 games on tap for tonight. It will take a lot more than that to erase the awful pain and heartbreak that happened last night. If you're like me and need a little cheering up, keep reading. One bit of good news is that there are no NBA playoff games on TV anywhere, so it's all hockey tonight folks, just like it should be every night!


7:00 pm - Ottawa at Montreal - CBC - Ottawa up 3-1

Carey Price is injured and is out for the series. The Habs will be out also if they lose tonight.

7:00 pm - New York Islanders at Pittsburgh - TSN - Series tied 2-2

Another backup goalie starts in this game as Tomas Vokoun will replace Marc-Andre Fleury in goal for Pittsburgh. Unlike Price, Fleury is healthy. Only his pride has been hurt.

9:30 pm - Minnesota at Chicago - CBC - Hawks up 3-1

Chicago can wrap up the series tonight with a win at home.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

And now for a little fun from the intense, serious atmosphere that tends to engulf fans at playoff time especially in a fanatical hockey crazed city like Toronto where anything to do with the Leafs, no matter how insignificant or unusual, can sometimes get the biggest headlines. So you can imagine how this next item is being played out.

Last night's crushing OT loss to the Bruins came down to two key figures on the team: captain Dion Phaneuf, who made a bad giveaway on the winning goal, and goalie James Reimer, who let in the goal. What made it worse for both of them was that at certain intervals of the game, the CBC cameras would sometimes cut away to where their wives were watching the game. After the OT goal was scored, the cameras went back there and saw Phaneuf's fiancee, Elisha Cuthbert (yes, THAT Elisha Cuthbert) roll her eyes in anger and they appeared to be looking at Reimer's wife April who was sitting in front of her. At that moment, April looked back behind her with an angry look of her own. As you can imagine, the Twitter world ate it up. Have a look;

April Reimer Elisha Cuthbert death glare (http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/gotta-see-it-toronto-maple-leafs-dion-phaneufs-gaffe-april-reimer-elisha-cuthbert-death-glare/)

Like all Hollywood stories, there is a logical reason for all the BS that lurks on the surface. It turns out that both ladies were really mad at some goofball fan who was sitting beside Elisha and made a very rude comment about their men. As you can see below, the two really are best buds and always will be. Talk about "Happy Endings" :) :) :

http://cdn.wl.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/April-Reimer.jpg

“For those who were thinkin @happyelishas and I were rolling our eyes @ eachother. Was the jerk beside us #rudecomment,” April Reimer

“Things are not always what they seem. I'm insulted and disappointed by a lot of these Comments. That's real. Not a 3 sec. Clip,” Elisha Cuthbert

I'm glad the pens won, 2 pretty wins, 2 ugly loses, and 1 ot win that was so-so. One more win to go for the series!

I'm glad the Pens won too. I'm a big Crosby fan! :)

Tonight's games

7:00 pm - Toronto at Boston - CBC - Bruins up 3-1 :(

HUGE game tonight, to say the least! Bruins win tonight and it's all over. I will be doing some very heavy praying before and during the game, keeping my 'game face' locked and focussed at all times.

7:30 - New York Rangers at Washington - TSN - Series tied 2-2

8:00 - Anaheim at Detroit - TSN 2 - Ducks lead 3-2

10:00 - St. Louis at Los Angeles - CBC - Kings up 3-2

Sorry I can't write more today. I'm too nervous and too worried about the first game above. I'll keep you posted again tomorrow.

Yes!!! Leafs stay alive in a big way beating the hated Bruins 2-1 with the series now coming back to Toronto tomorrow night. That means get ready for another big pre-game party downtown which should start around noon and, better yet, potentially more camera shots of April Reimer and Elisha Cuthbert. Life can be so good sometimes!


Tonight there's only one game to watch and follow as the Penguins try to eliminate the pesky Islanders. Game time is 7 pm on TSN and NBC Sports Network. With the offensive firepower that both teams possess, this game should be fun to watch. For me, the real fun starts tomorrow.

Another big night tonight as the first round starts hitting the do-or-die stage for at least 3 teams. In Toronto, the pre-game party has alread started as the Leafs attempt to force a Game 7 back in Boston and make the Bruins fans a little nervous. Today's schedule looks like this:

4:30 pm - Washington at New York Rangers - TSN, CNBC :confused: - Caps up 3-2

Why this game and last night's game weren't on NBC I'll never know. No wonder the network's in 5th place.

7:30 pm - Boston at Toronto - CBC - Bruins up 3-2

Bruins can go to hell! I predict Leafs win tonight!

10:00 pm - Detroit at Anaheim - TSN, NBC Sports Network - Ducks up 3-2

Detroit's another team like Toronto that refuses to give up and die quietly but, honestly, I wish they would!

Leafs come through with another big win last night :) :) :) setting up tonight as Game 7 night in the NHL. Both games are in the East with the winners of each game going on to face each other in Round 2. Neither game will be seen nationally in the US (blame Gary Bettman, as usual). In Canada, Toronto at Boston will be on CBC at 7 pm while Caps and Rangers will be seen at 8 on TSN.

Needless to say, I'll be hoping and praying heavily for a repeat of this scene after tonight's game ends:

http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/3d0/sports/hockey/article11882177.ece/ALTERNATES/w620/fansgallery2.JPG

Did you guys have two games on, different channels or just one?

I just got the Rangers/Capitals but no Bruins/Leafs. I've done a search on my DVR and it shows one game.

i was really shocked that they weren't airing some of these games - you'd think that Washington/New York and Toronto/Boston would draw a bigger audience than whatever golf rerun NBC Sportschannel was airing last night.

See Game 7 of Bruins/Leafs.WOW!!Things were bedlam here in Boston.Absolute bedlam!One more notch in the Beantown's glorious sports history belt!IT was as if we'd won the cup!

NBC only airs NHL games when they need time slots filled.
I hate, hate afternoon lunch time games that start at noon.
If it weren't for the PGA, the Caps/Rangers game would have been scheduled at noon on Sunday.

Tough break for the Leafs last night (and this coming from a Sens Fan).

Ovechkin was complaing about the refs. Doesn't look good when you get blown out in Game 7. However, I do see the point about the league wanting a Game 7.

There was bedlam in Boston but also tears in Toronto as a whole city stood paralyzed with shock and sadness after the stunning ending to last night's Game 7. Personally, I was so devasted and sad that I could not physically move from my couch for about a half-hour and even afterwards I still couldn't believe what I had seen. Unfortunately, this game will end up being remembered for many years to come for all the wrong reasons. The only way to erase the memory would be to erase the Bruins next season, but until then, there are still plenty of games left before this year's champion will be crowned. Here's how Round 2 sets up:

2013 EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
SERIES I TIME (ET) #1 vs. #7 Networks
TUES, May 14, 2013 7:30 p.m. OTTAWA at Pittsburgh NBCSN, CBC, RDS
FRI, May 17, 2013 7:30 p.m. OTTAWA at Pittsburgh NBCSN, CBC
SUN, May 19, 2013 7:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at OTTAWA NBCSN, CBC, RDS
WED, May 22, 2013 7:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at OTTAWA NBCSN, CBC, RDS
*FRI, May 24, 2013 7:30 P.M. OTTAWA at Pittsburgh NBCSN, CBC, RDS
*SUN, May 26, 2013 TBD Pittsburgh at OTTAWA CBC, RDS
*TUES, May 28, 2013 TBD OTTAWA at Pittsburgh CBC, RDS

SERIES J TIME (ET) #4 vs. #6 Networks
THU, MAY 16, 2013 7:30 p.m. NY Rangers at BOSTON NBCSN, TSN, RDS
SUN, MAY 19, 2013 3:00 p.m. NY Rangers at BOSTON NBC, TSN, RDS
TUE, MAY 21, 2013 7:30 p.m. BOSTON at NY Rangers NBCSN, TSN, RDS
THU, MAY 23, 2013 7 p.m. BOSTON at NY Rangers CNBC, TSN, RDS
*SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2013 TBD NY Rangers at BOSTON TSN, RDS
*MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013 TBD BOSTON at NY Rangers TSN, RDS
*WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013 TBD NY Rangers at BOSTON TSN, RDS

2013 WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
SERIES K TIME (ET) #1 vs. #7 Networks
WED, May 15, 2013 8 p.m. DETROIT at Chicago NBCSN, CBC
SAT, May 18, 2013 1 p.m. DETROIT at Chicago NBC, CBC
MON, May 20, 2013 7:30 p.m. Chicago at DETROIT NBCSN, CBC
THU, May 23, 2013 8 p.m. Chicago at DETROIT NBCSN, CBC
*SATURDAY, May 25, 2013 TBD DETROIT at Chicago CBC
*MONDay, May 27, 2013 TBD Chicago at DETROIT CBC
*WEDNESDay, May 29, 2013 TBD DETROIT at Chicago CBC

SERIES L TIME (ET) #5 vs. #6 Networks
TUES, May 14, 2013 10 p.m. SAN JOSE at LOS ANGELES NBCSN, TSN
THU, May 16, 2013 10 p.m. SAN JOSE at LOS ANGELES NBCSN, TSN
SAT, May 18, 2013 9 p.m. LOS ANGELES at SAN JOSE NBCSN, TSN
TUE May 21, 2013 10 p.m. LOS ANGELES at SAN JOSE NBCSN, TSN
*THU, May 23, 2013 10:30 p.m. SAN JOSE at LOS ANGELES NBCSN, TSN
*SUN, May 26, 2013 TBD LOS ANGELES at SAN JOSE TSN
*TUE, May 28, 2013 TBD SAN JOSE at LOS ANGELES TSN

Source: NHL.com website

The Final Four NHL style is only minutes away. Despite the dark winter of the lockout, a short 48 game regular season, and a playoff tournament that is still a long way from ending even though it's now June, the TV ratings have been very good in both Canada and USA with both NBC and NBC Sports getting better than expected numbers --- and it only gets better from this point on. Only 4 teams left from 4 big cities which just happen to also be the last 4 champions. The series look like this:



WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL
(1) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (5) Los Angeles Kings

GAME 1: Saturday at Chicago, 5 p.m. TSN, NBC Sports Network

GAME 2: Sunday at Chicago, 8 p.m. TSN, NBC Sports Network

GAME 3: Tuesday at Los Angeles, 9 p.m. TSN, NBC Sports Network

GAME 4: Thursday at Los Angeles, 9 p.m. CBC, NBC Sports Network

GAME 5: June 8* at Chicago, 8 p.m. CBC

GAME 6: June 10* at Los Angeles, 9 p.m. CBC

GAME 7: June 12* at Chicago, TBA CBC


EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL
(1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (4) Boston Bruins

GAME 1: Saturday at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m. CBC, NBC

GAME 2: Monday at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m., CBC, NBC Sports Network

GAME 3: Wednesday at Boston, 8 p.m. CBC, NBC Sports Network

GAME 4: June 7 at Boston, 8 p.m. CBC, NBC Sports Network

GAME 5: June 9* at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m. CBC

GAME 6: June 11* at Boston, TBA, CBC

GAME 7: June 12* at Pittsburgh, TBA, CBC


* — if necessary
All times Eastern


My prediction: Pittsburgh vs Chicago in the Finals

Pretty shocked to see Pittsburgh get shut out last night, I hope they can even the series in game 2.

Pretty shocked to see Pittsburgh get shut out last night, I hope they can even the series in game 2.

Not happening. The Pens are on the verge of elimination. Looks like it will be an Original 6 Stanley Cup between Boston and Chicago.

Kings and Hawks are in OT tied 3-3 in game 5. If Hawks win they go to the Cup vs. The Bruins!

Hawks-Bruins in Finals

I say Bruins will win it in 6 games

What about you all?

I go with da Hawks in 7.

I'm going with Boston! I would love to see Chicago win, but right now the Bruins look unstoppable. I still can't believe how Pittsburgh, with Crosby and Malkin and all that firepower, only managed 2 goals in the entire series. Kane and Toews have a very tough job ahead of them.

Prediction: Bruins in 5, but I hope I'm wrong.

two teams I can't stand to watch so I'm out...

My gut tells me Chicago is going to win.
Although I have nothing against Boston, I sure don't want to see their owner win.

Sal
About Malkin, I am not at all surprised about his lack of production. I don't think he wants to be playing hockey into June. I would be saying this about most Russian players. The season back in Russia would have been over by now. Also, he did play during the lockout.

So, when is the last possible date for this season?

My gut tells me Chicago is going to win.
Although I have nothing against Boston, I sure don't want to see their owner win.

Sal
About Malkin, I am not at all surprised about his lack of production. I don't think he wants to be playing hockey into June. I would be saying this about most Russian players. The season back in Russia would have been over by now. Also, he did play during the lockout.

So, when is the last possible date for this season?

Glad you asked!

---All games will start at 8:00 pm Eastern.

---All games will be seen in Canada on CBC TV and streamed live on CBC.ca (http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockeynightincanada/).

The US lineup looks like this:

Game 1: Tomorrow at Chicago (NBC)

Game 2: Saturday at Chicago (NBC Sports Network)

Game 3: Monday at Boston (NBC Sports Network)

Game 4: Wednesday June 19 (NBC)

Game 5: Saturday June 22 (NBC)

Game 6: Monday June 24 (NBC)

Game 7: Wednesday June 26 (NBC)

Are the SC finals always on Mon/Wed/Sat so as not to compete with the NBA finals?

It would make better sense for the series to start on a Thursday then you wouldn't have the extra day in between games 1 and 2.
However, the NBA plays on Thursdays.
Fridays are a week night that neither league schedules championship games on.

It is amazing they have never faced each other in the finals before despite being original 6 teams. Still can't get over Pittsburgh was swept, it will be hard to stop Boston. I wonder how Tim Thomas is feeling

It's great the B's have a tremendous amount of playoff momentum stemming from their highly unlikely sweep of Pittsburgh,but I hope this doesn't prove a distraction to the goal at hand...

http://hfboards.hockeysfuture.com/showthread.php?t=1449895

Stanley Cup ratings show the NHL is better off with Comcast than ESPN.

The playoffs are now over and the Chicago BlackHawks are the new 2013 Stanley Cup Champions!

I watched the whole series from beginning to end and I am happy that Chicago won but I'm even happier that Boston lost.

Now begins what is sure to be an unusually short but highly interesting and potentially fun off-season. It started during the Finals when the NHL announced its annual award winners (http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=674034#&navid=nhl-search) in between games (P K Subban as best defenseman? Stop it, you're killing me! :lol: ) and was followed by several coaching changes (John Tortorella in Vancouver??? Get the aspirins ready!), the first of many big trades to follow (Goalie Jonathan Bernier traded from LA to Toronto) (http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs-acquire-jonathan-bernier-from-the-los-angeles-kings/) and buyouts of expensive contracts (Philly says bye bye to Briere and Bryzgalov! Could Luongo be next?) (http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/philadelphia-flyers-to-use-compliance-buyout-on-goalie-ilya-bryzgalov/). This is all leading up to this Sunday's annual NHL Draft starting at 2:30 pm on TSN (http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/) and what broadcasters like to call Free Agent Frenzy on July 5th. I'll be keeping a close watch on all of this and counting down to the new season in October. I can hardly wait!

Congrats to Chicago! Would have been nice to see Jagr get one more, but maybe he'll have one more go at it next year

It was a fun series, I wish it went to 7 games though, it would have been epic!

Congrats to Chicago! Would have been nice to see Jagr get one more, but maybe he'll have one more go at it next year


He might play one more season but it won't be in Boston. After the series, the Bruins informed him that they're releasing him so he's now a free agent and available to any team out there.

Somewhat surprisingly, so is Vincent Lecavalier. After 14 years and 1 Cup title in Tampa Bay, the Lightning let him go too by buying out his contract which now makes him a valuable and much sought after property on the free-agent market, which opens up this Friday.

Before that, there is the draft which takes place tomorrow at 3:00 pm live from New Jersey on TSN and NBC Sports Network. I hope there will a few trades to talk about. That should be fun.