Full playoff schedule here. Note the start times are ideal for Winnipeg as most games are at 7:00 CST.
Memorial Cup schedule, featuring the Guelph Storm and Scott Kosmachuk, is available here. All games are on all Sportsnet channels.
Montreal Canadiens vs New York Rangers
The New York Rangers have played on 14 games already these playoffs while the Montreal Canadiens have played in 11. Although that seems insignificant, teams that have played seven games in the first round have never won the Conference Final (stick tap to Chris Boyle at EOTP). The Rangers and Habs have both received tremendous scoring from their bottom six and defense.
SBNation Sites:
Habs Injuries: Alex Galchenyuk (cleared for contact, will play in this round)
Rangers Injuries: None
Wild Cards
Habs: Nathan Beaulieu– the young blue liner was inserted into Montreal’s lineup for game six against Boston. Though Therrien has not played him in much, he has been highly effective on the ice and helps Montreal carry the play.
Rangers: Rick Nash scoring. He should be able to break out soon and is getting terrible luck, but him scoring could be a wild card in this series.
Essential GIF:
via i.imgur.com
Chicago Blackhawks vs Los Angeles Kings
As with the New York Rangers, the Los Angeles Kings have already played 14 games and the Blackhawks have only played 12. Remember that stat from Chris Boyle and game sevens? Apply it here as well. This should be a great matchup entertainment wise.
SBNation Sites:
Blackhawks Injuries: Andrew Shaw (LBI, hasn’t started skating yet)
Kings Injuries: Willie Mitchell (LBI, skating), Robyn Regehr (UBI)
Wild Cards
Blackhawks: Match-ups. Jonathan Toews struggled greatly on the road against the Minnesota Wild; specifically Mikko Koivu. If he doesn’t sort himself out and ends up playing against Anze Kopitar, the series could become a series that is won based on home ice and goaltending.
Kings: Slava Voynov. The Hawks generally keep Toews and Patrick Kane apart, meaning that the Doughty/Martinez pair gets one, leaving the Voynov pair to the other. This could become a difference in the series.
Essential GIF:
via i.imgur.com
Predictions:
| Teams | Truck | Arby | Cara | Justin | Yaw Axis |
| Montreal Canadiens | Win in 6 | Win in 6 | Win in 6 | ||
| New York Rangers | Win in 6 | Win in 6 | |||
| Chicago Blackhawks | Win in 7 | Win in 6 | Win in 6 | Lose in 6 | Win in 6 |
| Los Angeles Kings | Win in 6 | ||||
| Right so far | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 9 |
