Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) The NHL’s feverish field of 16 has now been whittled down to a fascinating final four. The San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues emerge from Game 7s out West, while the Boston Bruins will take on the Carolina Hurricanes in the East. Could we see a first-time champion in the Sharks or Blues? Will the Hurricanes go from a decade of playoff misses to glory? Will Brad Marchand get a chance to lick the Stanley Cup? We’ll begin to get answers very soon, as Game 1 of the 2019 Eastern Conference Final kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday on NBCSN. Here’s the full schedule and TV info, so you can start lining up sick days and excuses to leave family functions early. Here is the complete schedule (All times ET, subject to change): EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL Thursday, May 9, 8 p.m.: Hurricanes @ Bruins | NBCSN Sunday, May 12, 3 p.m.: Hurricanes @ Bruins | NBC Tuesday, May 14, 8 p.m.: Bruins @ Hurricanes | NBCSN Thursday, May 16, 8 p.m.: Bruins @ Hurricanes | NBCSN *Saturday, May 18, 7:15 p.m.: Hurricanes @ Bruins | NBC *Monday, May 20, 8 p.m.: Bruins @ Hurricanes | NBCSN *Wednesday, May 22, 8 p.m.: Hurricanes @ Bruins | NBCSN WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL Saturday, May 11, 8 p.m.: Blues @ Sharks | NBC Monday, May 13, 9 p.m.: Blues @ Sharks | NBCSN Wednesday, May 15, 8 p.m.: Sharks @ Blues | NBCSN Friday, May 17, 8 p.m.: Sharks @ Blues | NBCSN *Sunday, May 19, 3 p.m.: Blues @ Sharks | NBC *Tuesday, May 21, 8 p.m.: Sharks @ Blues | NBCSN *Thursday, May 23, 9 p.m.: Blues @ Sharks | NBC * if necessary MORE: 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Schedule, Bracket, Streams and More For the third consecutive postseason, NBC Sports’ coverage of Stanley Cup Playoff first-round games on NBCUniversal cable networks (NBCSN, USA Network and CNBC), as well as NHL Network, will air side-by-side and will be available for streaming on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app in local markets alongside regional sports network game telecasts. (Local blackouts apply in Las Vegas and Pittsburgh in the first round). — James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.<doc-sep>Jay LaPrete/Associated Press The NHL postseason is down to four teams. One of those outfits will end the season by winning the Stanley Cup. But there's one more round to go before the Cup is on the line. The conference finals get underway Thursday with Game 1 in the Eastern Conference between the Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes. The Western Conference Final between the San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues begins Saturday. All four remaining teams have been tested this postseason, with each having played at least one seven-game series in the first two rounds. Conference Finals Schedule (All Times ET) *If necessary Thursday, May 9 Video Play Button Videos you might like Game 1: Carolina at Boston, 8 p.m., NBC Sports Network Saturday, May 11 Game 1: St. Louis at San Jose, 8 p.m., NBC Sunday, May 12 Game 2: Carolina at Boston, 3 p.m., NBC Monday, May 13 Game 2: St. Louis at San Jose, 9 p.m., NBC Sports Network Tuesday, May 14 Game 3: Boston at Carolina, 8 p.m., NBC Sports Network Wednesday, May 15 Game 3: San Jose at St. Louis, 8 p.m., NBC Sports Network Thursday, May 16 Game 4: Boston at Carolina, 8 p.m., NBC Sports Network Friday, May 17 Game 4: San Jose at St. Louis, 8 p.m., NBC Sports Network Saturday, May 18 Game 5: Carolina at Boston, 7:15 p.m., NBC* Sunday, May 19 Game 5: St. Louis at San Jose, 3 p.m., NBC* Monday, May 20 Game 6: Boston at Carolina, 8 p.m., NBC Sports Network* Tuesday, May 21 Game 6: San Jose at St. Louis, 8 p.m., NBC Sports Network* Wednesday, May 22 Game 7: Carolina at Boston, 8 p.m., NBC Sports Network* Thursday, May 23 Game 7: St. Louis at San Jose, 9 p.m., NBC Sports Network* Conference Finals Preview Eastern Conference Gerry Broome/Associated Press The Hurricanes swept the New York Islanders in the second round and then awaited the winner of the series between the Bruins and Columbus Blue Jackets. After a hard-fought six games featuring two that went into overtime, Boston notched the victory and advanced to the Eastern Conference Final. History suggests the Bruins will win this series, as they have had more recent playoff success. The Hurricanes didn't make the playoffs between 2010 and 2018. During that time, the Bruins made the postseason seven times, winning the Stanley Cup in 2011 and reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2013. However, Carolina might be peaking at the right time. The Hurricanes have won six straight games, which includes back-to-back victories in Games 6 and 7 in the first round to eliminate the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals. In Carolina's eight playoff wins, it has allowed more than two goals only once—its 4-3 double overtime Game 7 win over Washington in the first round. But Boston has also had a strong postseason, winning a seven-game series against the Toronto Maple Leafs and a six-game series against the Blue Jackets. "We're happy to be here, but we're not satisfied," Bruins left wing Brad Marchand said, according to NHL.com's Matt Kalman. "This isn't where we want to finish, not where we want to be. ... So at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is if you won the Cup. If not, then you're all losers." Western Conference Jeff Chiu/Associated Press San Jose is the only team of the four remaining that has played two seven-game series. After falling behind 3-1 to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Sharks rallied for three straight wins. Then they alternated wins with the Colorado Avalanche in the second round, winning Game 7 at home Wednesday to advance. The Blues have also faced adversity this postseason. After winning a six-game series against the Winnipeg Jets, they fell behind 3-2 to the Dallas Stars in the second round. However, St. Louis won on the road in Game 6 and returned home for the Game 7 victory that booked the Blues' place in the Western Conference Final. This should be another competitive series. Although San Jose has home-ice advantage, hosting Games 1 and 2—as well as potential Games 5 and 7—St. Louis has had success on the road this postseason, winning five of its six away games. A strong opponent isn't anything new for the Sharks this postseason. The Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Final last year, and the Avalanche had a five-game series win over the Calgary Flames in the first round. The Blues will be another challenge. "That is going to be another tough series," Sharks right wing Joonas Donskoi said, according to NHL.com's David Satriano. "... This was a tough series [against Colorado], one-goal games, it was really fun to play. [The Blues are] going to be the same way. It's going to be tough, and [I'm] looking forward to that."<doc-sep>Another timely call gave the San Jose Sharks the advantage, and they're headed to the Western Conference Final. NHL Playoff 2019 Roundup: San Jose Sharks advance to Western Conference Final originally appeared on nbcsportswashington.com Game 7 between the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars required double overtime to determine a winner. Game 7 between the San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche involved another controversial call, propelling the Sharks to the Western Conference Final. Here is Wednesday's result: Sharks win 3-2 to advance to Western Conference Final The Sharks are headed to the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2016, when they made it to the Stanley Cup Final. Joe Pavelski, who returned from an injury he suffered in the first round against the Vegas Golden Knights, scored the first goal of the game off a deflection. Pavelski now has five points in Game 7s and is 5-2 all-time in those contests. #SJSharks Joe Pavelski improves to 5-2 all-time in playoff Game 7's, recording 5 points in those games (3 G, 2 A). pic.twitter.com/b8Pmcc7pIZ — Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) May 9, 2019 Tomas Hertl added to the lead with a quick shot from the slot. The Avalanche did not go quietly. With six seconds left in the first period, Mikko Rantanen tipped in a Sam Girard point shot to bring the Avs within one. Rantanen is the third youngest player in Avalanche history to score a goal in a Game 7. Story continues MIKKO RANTANEN WE SAID MIKKO RANTANEN#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/NjeifU3inY — Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 9, 2019 In the second period, it looked like the Avalanche tied the game when Colin Wilson put a shot past Martin Jones. However, San Jose challenged for offsides, and the goal was overturned. NHL has now sent out ruling that disallowed Wilson goal. pic.twitter.com/XhlZtR0ZZN — Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 9, 2019 Joonas Donskoi brought the Sharks lead back to two with a wraparound goal, his first goal since January 10. He's the fourth NHL player since the 1997-98 season to score a game-winning goal in Game 7 in under eight minutes of ice time. The Avs battled back again with Tyson Jost's goal. He scored a goal in three consecutive games against the Sharks. But the Sharks came away with the victory and will have home ice advantage when they play the St. Louis Blues in the Western Conference Final. With the win, Martin Jones has won the three consecutive Game 7s. Ahead of him for most consecutive Game 7 wins are Jonathan Quick, Cam Ward and Ed Belfour with four. Standing strong to keep the @SanJoseSharks ahead 3-2 in the 3rd period Wednesday, Martin Jones has won each of his first 3 career Game 7s as only 3 goalies sit ahead of him on this list pic.twitter.com/MK46IgnlSi — StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) May 9, 2019 MORE CAPITALS NEWS:<doc-sep>After a wild and upset-filled first two round of the NHL playoffs, the conference finals are set to begin Thursday night with the Bruins and Hurricanes (NBCSN, 8 p.m. ET). The Sharks and Blues will kick off Saturday (8 p.m. ET, NBCS). Here is who USA TODAY Sports' NHL staff predicts will advance to the Stanley Cup Final. EASTERN CONFERENCE: Boston Bruins vs. Carolina Hurricanes Kevin Allen, Bruins in 7. This is the year of playoff upsets, but the Bruins had the third-best regular-season record and they are finding ways to get it done in the postseason. Tuukka Rask, with a .938 save percentage, might be playing the best hockey of his career. In Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak and David Krejci, the Bruins have a collection of difference makers up front. It seems like the Hurricanes are significant underdogs, but they won only three fewer games in regulation than the Bruins in the regular season. Coach Rod Brind'Amour has the Hurricanes believing they are invincible. Jimmy Hascup, Hurricanes in 6. These "Bunch of Jerks" aren't ready to go home just yet. Carolina has knocked off the defending champion Washington Capitals, a physical team with some world-class offensive players, and it beat the New York Islanders, a defense-first team with Barry Trotz as coach. I look at the Bruins as a hybrid of those teams and think that the Hurricanes' mobile defense and relentless attack matches up well. The Hurricanes have been peaking despite missing several key players to injuries. Now they are close to full health and that will add another dimension to their game. Mike Brehm, Bruins in 7. The team coming off a sweep in the previous round has shown rust in Game 1, so that should help the Bruins overcome the suspension to Charlie McAvoy. After that, the Bruins' versatile top line, superior depth and rejuvenated Tuukka Rask will wear down the Hurricanes over time. Special teams will make a difference. The Bruins' playoff-best power play is connecting at a 28.6% rate while the Hurricanes are at 10.5% Jace Evans, Bruins in 6. I've been wrong about the Hurricanes every round so far, but I'm going to pick against them yet again. The heart and soul of the Bruins – Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Krejci – are the only players left in these playoffs who have won a Stanley Cup together. They know what it takes, and they should be able to do something that no other team has done in these playoffs so far: win on Carolina ice. SCHEDULE:Results, dates, times, TV for NHL postseason OPINION:Bruins are standing firm during the year of the upset WESTERN CONFERENCE: San Jose Sharks vs. St. Louis Blues Kevin Allen, Blues in 6. Rookie goalie Jordan Binnington will be the key to the Blues ending their 49-year Stanley Cup Final absence. His poise and patience were the backbone of their transformation into a strong team in the second half of this season. The Sharks have the talent to win it all, but there's inconsistency to their game that will betray them. Their 3.07 playoff goals-against average is worst among the remaining teams. Look for defenseman Alex Pietrangelo to have a memorable series. Jimmy Hascup, Sharks in 6. Going to keep the run of winning Game 7s alive. While the Sharks seemed to have some trouble with the Avalanche's speed (and the Golden Knights', for that matter in Round 1) last series, the Blues won't turn the series into a track meet in the same way. Eventually, this experienced Sharks group will put a complete series together ... starting with goalie Martin Jones. Mike Brehm, Blues in 6. As much as I'd like to see Joe Thornton competing for his first Stanley Cup against the team that drafted him, I had the Blues reaching the Stanley Cup Final and will stick with that. St. Louis is solid on the road and has been pretty successful at shutting down opponents' top lines and getting clutch goals. Vladimir Tarasenko (one point in his last six games) will need to get going, though. Jace Evans, Sharks in 6. The Sharks have a real "team of destiny" feel with two straight Game 7 wins. While that's a lot of hockey to play, the Blues have actually played one fewer game. The Sharks have home ice, where they've played better, Joe Pavelski is back and goalie Martin Jones appears to have found his game, which might be most important of all.<doc-sep>
The 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs are down to the final four teams, all now within striking distance of claiming the NHL’s top prize. The St. Louis Blues and San Jose Sharks both needed seven games, but they dispatched of the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche, respectively, in the second round to reach the Western Conference final. In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Bruins are the most successful regular-season team remaining after knocking out the Columbus Blue Jackets, and they will play another wild-card team in the Carolina Hurricanes, will look to continue their Cinderella run after beating the New York Islanders. Here’s a look at the two matchups in the conference finals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with full schedules, odds and predictions for each series. All starting times are Eastern, and all series odds are via DraftKings. EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL Carolina Hurricanes vs. Boston Bruins Game 1: Carolina at Boston - 8 p.m. Thursday, May 9 Game 2: Carolina at Boston - 3 p.m. Sunday, May 12 Game 3: Boston at Carolina - 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 14 Game 4: Boston at Carolina - 8 p.m. Thursday, May 16 *Game 5: Carolina at Boston - 7:15 p.m. Saturday, May 18 *Game 6: Boston at Carolina - 8 p.m. Monday, May 20 *Game 7: Carolina at Boston - 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 22 Odds Hurricanes to win series: +128 Bruins to win series: -155 Pick: Bruins in seven The Hurricanes enter the series winners of six straight playoff games after winning the final two games of the first round against the Washington Capitals and then sweeping the Islanders in the second. They’re one of the best stories of the postseason, and there’s no reason they couldn’t pull off a win here. But the Bruins have the experience, fire power up front and the hot goaltending needed to reach the Stanley Cup Final. It takes all seven games, but the Bruins end it on home ice in the finale. WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL St. Louis Blues vs. San Jose Sharks Game 1: St. Louis at San Jose - 8 p.m. Saturday, May 11 Game 2: St. Louis at San Jose - 9 p.m. Monday, May 13 Game 3: San Jose at St. Louis - 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 15 Game 4: San Jose at St. Louis - 8 p.m. Friday, May 17 *Game 5: St. Louis at San Jose - 3 p.m. Sunday, May 19 *Game 6: San Jose at St. Louis - 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 21 *Game 7: St. Louis at San Jose - 9 p.m. Thursday, May 23 Odds Blues to win series: +105 Sharks to win series: -125 Pick: Blues in six Both teams are coming off marathons in the second round, each needing seven games to advance. The Sharks in particular have played a lot of hockey over the past month, completing all 14 possible games in the first two rounds. The Sharks kept finding ways to get the job done, but the Blues have been one of the hottest teams in hockey since January. This time, St. Louis ends it on home ice before it gets to Game 7. Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyan_NJ. Find NJ.com Devils on Facebook.