One series was decided at Game Six and one at Game Seven to separate the four teams, but we’re finally at the Stanley Cup Finals, and it’s the Pittsburgh Penguins representing the Eastern Conference, with the San Jose Sharks making their first ever appearance at this stage of the playoffs from the Western Conference.
The Pens beat the New York Rangers 4-1 in the first round, before disposing of the President’s Trophy winners and Cup favorites Washington Capitals 4-2. They then beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 to lift the Prince of Wales Trophy.
In the West, the Sharks took out their bogey team the Los Angeles Kings 4-1 in the first round. They then eliminated the Nashville Predators in a hotly-contested seven-game series, before beating the St. Louis Blues 4-2 to claim the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl.
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The Cup Finals start on Monday, and the earliest they could be over is June 9th, with the game seven scheduled for June 15th, if needed. The NHL Entry Draft is scheduled to be held in Buffalo on June 24-25th.
Penguins (2) vs. Sharks (3)
Gm 1 – Mon, May 30
San Jose @ Pittsburgh 8:00 PM ET | NBC, CBC, TVAS
Gm 2 – Wed, Jun 1
San Jose @ Pittsburgh 8:00 PM ET | NBCSN, CBC, TVAS
Gm 3 – Sat, Jun 4
Pittsburgh @ San Jose 8:00 PM ET | NBCSN, CBC, TVAS
Gm 4 – Mon, Jun 6
Pittsburgh @ San Jose 8:00 PM ET | NBC, CBC, TVAS
Gm 5 – Thu, Jun 9
San Jose @ Pittsburgh 8:00 PM ET | NBC, CBC, TVAS
Gm 6* – Sun, Jun 12
Pittsburgh @ San Jose 8:00 PM ET | NBC, CBC, TVAS
Gm 7* – Wed, Jun 15
San Jose @ Pittsburgh 8:00 PM ET | NBC, CBC, TVAS
This thread will be up and running for the duration of the finals, so feel free to stop by and comment during the games.