The NHL’s Final Four

Two rounds down, two more to go.  Rangers, Lightning, Black Hawks & Ducks.  Yes, it’s down to 4 teams as the NHL’s Conference Finals get started this weekend.  In the last five or six years, I’ve become a huge hockey fan.  That coincides with the Black Hawks return to power.  To play in their third Stanley Cup Finals in the past six years, they will have to get past Anaheim in the West.  In the East, it comes down to the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay.  Playoff hockey is intense.  Here’s a list of the date and times (all times CST):

• Saturday, 5/16 at Noon: Tampa Bay at New York Rangers – Game 1
• Sunday, 5/17 at 2pm: Chicago at Anaheim – Game 1
• Monday, 5/18 at 7pm: Tampa Bay at New York Rangers – Game 2
• Tuesday, 5/19 at 8pm: Chicago at Anaheim – Game 2
• Wednesday, 5/20 at 7pm: New York Rangers at Tampa Bay – Game 3
• Thursday, 5/21 at 7pm: Anaheim at Chicago – Game 3
• Friday, 5/22 at 7pm: New York Rangers at Tampa Bay – Game 4
• Saturday, 5/23 at 7pm: Anaheim at Chicago – Game 4
• Sunday, 5/24 at 7pm: Tampa Bay at New York Rangers – Game 5 (if necessary)
• Monday , 5/25 at 8pm: Chicago at Anaheim – Game 5 (if necessary)
• Tuesday, 5/26 at 7pm: New York Rangers at Tampa Bay – Game 6 (if necessary)
• Wednesday, 5/27 at 7pm: Anaheim at Chicago – Game 6 (if necessary)
• Friday, 5/29 at 7pm: Tampa Bay at New York Rangers – Game 7 (if necessary)
• Saturday, 5/30 at 7pm: Chicago at Anaheim – Game 7 (if necessary)

You have to think that the NHL is really pulling for Chicago and New York to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.  That would mean two major markets, two “Original Six” teams, and maximum viewership.