By June 17 the Stanley Cup will rest in one team’s hands. Getting there is the trip everyone is giddy to take.
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First, the finalists must be decided. That comes this weekend, with the rarity of both the Eastern and Western Conference having Game 7s. It happened in the current Stanley Cup playoffs format once — in 2000.
This year’s conference finals:
East: Lightning at Rangers, Friday, 8 p.m. ET. TV: NBC Sports Network, CBC, TVA.
West: Blackhawks at Ducks, Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, TV: NBC, CBC, TVA.
That brings us to the finals. Here is the schedule released Friday by the National Hockey League. All times ET; * — if necessary.
Game 1: Wednesday, June 3Game 2: Saturday, June 6Game 3: Monday, June 8Game 4: Wednesday, June 10Game 5: Saturday, June 13Game 6: Monday, June 15*Game 7: Wednesday, June 17
Not only will this weekend determine the teams, but it also will decide which one has home-ice advantage. That will go to the finalist with the most regular-season points.
It breaks down this way: Rangers, 113 points, Ducks 109, Lightning 108 and Blackhawks 102.
Rangers would have home-ice advantage regardless of opponent.
Ducks would have home-ice advantage vs. Lightning.
Lightning would have home-ice advantage against Blackhawks.
