The 2015 National Hockey League Stanley Cup Playoffs: Round 3

Round 2 Recap:  The Western Conference had two exciting match-ups that thrived on a superb offense guarded by a solid defense… In the East, defense was the strongest aspect of play, and games hinged on who could score in the last minutes of regulation and overtime…Goaltenders were on display as they made amazing saves to keep their teams in the game… Key Injuries:  Mats Zuccarello and Dan Boyle (New York Rangers), Ryan Callahan (Tampa Bay Lightning), and Michal Rozsival (Chicago Blackhawks) …NHL Record Broken: New York Rangers set record for most consecutive playoff games decided by one goal (14)

The Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

#1- Montreal Canadiens

#2-Tampa Bay Lightning-won in 6 games

Metropolitan Division

#1, President’s Trophy winners, and Eastern Conference Champions-The New York Rangers-won in 7 games

#2-Washington Capitals

The Western Conference:

Central Division

#4-Minnesota Wild

#3-Chicago Blackhawks-won in 4 consecutive games

Pacific Division

#1 and Western Conference Champions-Anaheim Ducks-won in 5 games

#3-Calgary Flames

Round 3: The best teams of the East and West face off to decide who advances to the Stanley Cup Finals. Each division has a representative determined to earn the right to claim the NHL’s prized trophy.

 Eastern Conference Final (A.K.A   “What’s a Stanley Cup Title Between Former Friends?”)

Atlantic Division-#2-Tampa Bay Lightning

Metropolitan Division-#1, President’s Trophy winners, and Eastern Conference Champions-The New York Rangers

New York gets to play Tampa Bay, a team who bolstered its offense this past season. The addition of former New York Rangers Ryan Callahan, Anton Stralman, and Brian Boyle to Tampa Bay’s roster gave them Stanley Cup Final experience…New York has solid defense and great goaltending in Henrik Lundqvist. On their side is Stanley Cup Final experience in former Tampa Bay players who won are 2004 NHL Champions- Dan Boyle and Martin St. Louis.

Western Conference Final (A.K.A “The Windy City Meets The West Coast”)

Central Division-#3-Chicago Blackhawks

Pacific Division-#1 and Western Conference Champions-Anaheim Ducks

Both teams have a series sweep in their playoff journey so far… The Chicago Blackhawks have been Stanley Cup champions as recently as 2013, with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews as their guides into greatness… Anaheim won the Stanley Cup in 2007 and built a good team off of that success.

The NHL Conference Finals are underway.