2015 Stanley Cup playoffs

Playoff tournament of the NHL April 2015 April 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs logo.svg 2015 April 15–June 15, 2015 16 Los Angeles Kings(did not qualify) Chicago Blackhawks Tampa Bay Lightning Scoring leader(s) Tyler Johnson (Lightning) and Patrick Kane (Blackhawks) 23 points MVP Duncan Keith (Blackhawks) 2014 2016 The 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs was the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL) for the 2014–15 season. They began on April 15, 2015, and ended on June 15, 2015, with the Chicago Blackhawks defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning four games to two in the Stanley Cup Finals. The New York Rangers made the playoffs as the Presidents' Trophy winners with the most points (i.e. best record) during the regular season. They also came back from a 3–1 series deficit for the second consecutive year. The Detroit Red Wings increased their consecutive post-season appearance streak to 24 seasons, the longest current streak at the time and tied for the fourth-longest streak in NHL history.http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/red-wings-clinch-24th-straight-playoff-berth/ Red Wings clinch 24th straight playoff berth Sportsnet Scott Lewis April 9, 2015 April 10, 2015 The Winnipeg Jets qualified for the playoffs for the first time since the former Atlanta Thrashers franchise relocated to Winnipeg in 2011; the only time that the Thrashers franchise made the post-season was in 2007, and the last time that the Winnipeg Jets hosted a playoff game was in 1996, the season before it was deactivated and the assets of the original Jets relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, to become the Coyotes.As of 2026, the Winnipeg Jets' franchise records from 1972 to 1996 were consolidated with the modern Jets/Thrashers franchise while the Arizona Coyotes were retconned as a 1996 expansion team.NHL Announces Consolidation of Winnipeg Jets' History https://media.nhl.com/public/news/20034 September 24, 2026 NHL.com September 24, 2026http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-jets-fans-celebrate-as-team-secures-nhl-playoff-spot-1.3027558 Winnipeg Jets fans celebrate as team secures NHL playoff spot CBC News April 10, 2015 April 10, 2015 The Ottawa Senators became the first team in the NHL's modern era (since 1942–43) to overcome a 14-point deficit in the standings to clinch a playoff spot.http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=762887 https://web.archive.org/web/20150413053510/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=762887 dead April 13, 2015 Around the League notebook for Saturday, April 11 NHL.com April 12, 2015 April 11, 2015 The Calgary Flames returned to the playoffs after a six-year absence. In total, five Canadian NHL teams qualified for the post-season, the most since 2004.MacGregor Roy As playoffs near, Canada reasserts its place in the hockey universe https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/as-playoffs-near-canada-reasserts-its-place-in-the-hockey-universe/article23886828/ The Globe and Mail April 11, 2015 April 10, 2015 The Los Angeles Kings became the first defending Stanley Cup champions since the Carolina Hurricanes in 2007 to fail to make the playoffs.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/lak-vs-cgy/2015/04/09/2014021211 Flames qualify for playoffs, eliminate Kings Aaron Vickers April 10, 2015 April 9, 2015 The Boston Bruins failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2007 and became the first reigning Presidents' Trophy winners to miss the post-season since the Buffalo Sabres in 2008 (and the third overall).http://www.csnne.com/boston-bruins/bs-lose-lightning-miss-playoffs-1st-time-2007 B's lose to Lightning, miss playoffs for 1st time since 2007 Joe Haggerty April 11, 2015 Comcast Sportsnet New England April 11, 2015 It was the first time in NHL history where both the defending Stanley Cup champions and the defending Presidents' Trophy winners missed the playoffs in the same post-season. In addition, the San Jose Sharks failed to make the post-season for the first time since 2003, ending the NHL's second-longest active playoff streak.http://www.mercurynews.com/sharks/ci_27861713/sharks-eliminated-from-playoffs-10-season-run-ends Sharks eliminated from playoffs; 10-season run ends Curtis Pashelka April 6, 2015 San Jose Mercury News April 8, 2015 the Sharks, stuck on 87 points, find themselves out of the postseason for the first time since 2003, ending the second-longest active postseason streak in the NHL. For the first time since 2000, both the Eastern and Western Conference finals went the full seven games.Strang Katie May 29, 2015 Strang: Lessons learned from Game 7s in 2000 conference finals https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/12975475/nhl-2015-stanley-cup-playoffs-lessons-learned-2000-conference-finals October 24, 2023 ESPN.com For the sixth consecutive season and tenth out of twelve seasons, a team from California was in the Western Conference final. The Tampa Bay Lightning became the first team in league history to face an Original Six team in all four rounds of the playoffs in the same year, as they played against the Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks, respectively. They also became the fourth team to defeat three consecutive Original Six teams.The Tampa Bay Lightning's playoff journey through the Original Six http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/25200921/the-tampa-bay-lightning-and-their-playoff-journey-through-the-original-six May 31, 2015 May 31, 2015 The Lightning also tied the 1987 Philadelphia Flyers, 2004 Calgary Flames and 2014 Los Angeles Kings for playing the most playoff games (26) in a postseason (later matched by the 2019 St. Louis Blues), all four currently hold the record under a four-round playoff format. The record was subsequently broken by the Dallas Stars during the expanded 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs. Playoff seeds Stanley Cup playoffs#Current format This was the second year in which the top three teams in each division made the playoffs, along with two wild cards in each conference (for a total of eight playoff teams from each conference). The following teams qualified for the playoffs: Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Montreal Canadiens, Atlantic Division champions – 110 points Tampa Bay Lightning – 108 points Detroit Red Wings – 100 points Metropolitan Division New York Rangers, Metropolitan Division champions, Eastern Conference regular season champions, Presidents' Trophy winners – 113 points Washington Capitals – 101 points (40 ROWs Regulation + Overtime Wins, 6 points head-to-head vs. New York Islanders) New York Islanders – 101 points (40 ROWs Regulation + Overtime Wins, 5 points head-to-head vs. Washington) Wild cards Ottawa Senators – 99 points Pittsburgh Penguins – 98 points Western Conference Central Division St. Louis Blues, Central Division champions – 109 points (42 ROWs Regulation + Overtime Wins) Nashville Predators – 104 points Chicago Blackhawks – 102 points Pacific Division Anaheim Ducks, Pacific Division champions, Western Conference regular season champions – 109 points (43 ROWs Regulation + Overtime Wins) Vancouver Canucks – 101 points Calgary Flames – 97 points Wild cards Minnesota Wild – 100 points Winnipeg Jets – 99 points Playoff bracket In each round, teams competed in a best-of-seven series following a 2–2–1–1–1 format (scores in the bracket indicate the number of games won in each best-of-seven series). The team with home ice advantage played at home for games one and two (and games five and seven, if necessary), and the other team was at home for games three and four (and game six, if necessary). The top three teams in each division made the playoffs, along with two wild cards in each conference, for a total of eight teams from each conference. In the First Round, the lower seeded wild card in the conference played against the division winner with the best record while the other wild card played against the other division winner, and both wild cards were de facto #4 seeds. The other two teams from the divisions played against each other, with the second-placed team having home-ice advantage. In the first two rounds, home-ice advantage was awarded to the team with the better seed; in the last two rounds, it was awarded to the team that had the better regular season record. main Bracket First round Second round Conference finals Stanley Cup Finals Eastern Conference Western Conference A1 Montreal 4 WC1 Ottawa 2 A2 Tampa Bay 4 A3 Detroit 3 M1 NY Rangers 4 WC2 Pittsburgh 1 M2 Washington 4 M3 NY Islanders 3 C1 St. Louis 2 WC1 Minnesota 4 C2 Nashville 2 C3 Chicago 4 P1 Anaheim 4 WC2 Winnipeg 0 P2 Vancouver 2 P3 Calgary 4 A1 Montreal 2 A2 Tampa Bay 4 M1 NY Rangers 4 M2 Washington 3 WC1 Minnesota 0 C3 Chicago 4 P1 Anaheim 4 P3 Calgary 1 A2 Tampa Bay 4 M1 NY Rangers 3 C3 Chicago 4 P1 Anaheim 3 A2 Tampa Bay 2 C3 Chicago 4 Legend A1, A2, A3 – The first, second, and third place teams from the Atlantic Division, respectively M1, M2, M3 – The first, second, and third place teams from the Metropolitan Division, respectively C1, C2, C3 – The first, second, and third place teams from the Central Division, respectively P1, P2, P3 – The first, second, and third place teams from the Pacific Division, respectively WC1, WC2 – The first and second place teams in the Wild Card, respectively First round Eastern Conference first round (A1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators The Montreal Canadiens finished first in the Atlantic division, earning 110 points. The Ottawa Senators finished as the Eastern Conference's first wild-card, earning 99 points. This was the second playoff meeting between these teams; their only previous meeting was in the 2013 Eastern Conference quarterfinals, which Ottawa won in five games. Ottawa won three of the four games in the regular season series. The Canadiens won the first three games of the series en route to defeating the Senators in six games. In game one, Brian Flynn scored the game-winning goal at 17:17 of the second period, and recorded two assists as the Canadiens won 4–3.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/ott-vs-mtl/2015/04/15/2014030111 Canadiens down Senators in Game 1, Subban ejected NHL.com April 22, 2015 Montreal's P. K. Subban was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for slashing Ottawa's Mark Stone during the second period, resulting in a microfracture of Stone's right wrist,https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2015/04/16/mark-stone-wrist-injury-pk-subban-slash-playoffs/25875295/ Mark Stone has broken wrist after P.K. Subban slash USA Today April 16, 2015 but did not face any further League discipline.http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/25151298/report-no-additional-discipline-for-pk-subban-following-slash No additional discipline for P.K. Subban following slash vs. Senators CBS Sports April 16, 2015 Alex Galchenyuk's goal at 3:40 into overtime gave the Canadiens a 3–2 win in game two.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/ott-vs-mtl/2015/04/17/2014030112 Galchenyuk, Canadiens take 2–0 lead vs. Senators NHL.com April 22, 2015 Cameron replaced Andrew Hammond with Craig Anderson as his starting goalie for game three, but Dale Weise tied the game with 5:47 left in the third period, then scored at 3:40 into overtime to give Montreal a 2–1 win.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-ott/2015/04/19/2014030113 Weise scores in OT, Canadiens push Senators to brink NHL.com April 22, 2015 Anderson rebounded in game four, stopping all 28 Montreal shots while Mike Hoffman scored the Senators' only goal to win 1–0.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-ott/2015/04/22/2014030114 Hoffman helps Senators avoid sweep by Canadiens NHL.com April 24, 2015 Ottawa then took game five by a score of 5–1 as Anderson stopped 45 of 46 shots, and Bobby Ryan scored two goals.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/ott-vs-mtl/2015/04/24/2014030115 Anderson, Senators stay alive against Canadiens NHL.com April 26, 2015 The Canadiens then eliminated the Senators in Game 6 2–0 as goaltender Carey Price stopped all 43 of Ottawa's shots.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-ott/2015/04/26/2014030116 Price, Canadiens blank Senators, win series NHL.com April 26, 2015 Ottawa Senators Montreal Canadiens Canadian Tire Centre Bell Centre April 15 3–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030111 Milan Michalek (1) – 12:25 No scoring Kyle Turris (1) – pp – 10:36Mika Zibanejad (1) – pp – 12:36 07:53 – Torrey Mitchell (1)08:08 – Tomas Plekanec (1)11:42 – sh – Lars Eller (1)17:17 – Brian Flynn (1) No scoring No scoring Andrew Hammond 35 saves / 39 shots Carey Price 30 saves / 33 shots April 17 2–3 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030112 Clarke MacArthur (1) – 18:42 No scoring No scoring 07:18 – pp – Max Pacioretty (1)16:30 – P.K. Subban (1) Patrick Wiercioch (1) – pp – 13:25 No scoring No scoring 03:40 – Alex Galchenyuk (1) Andrew Hammond 39 saves / 42 shots Carey Price 29 saves / 31 shots April 19 2–1 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030113 11:28 – Clarke MacArthur (2) No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring Dale Weise (1) – 14:13 No scoring Dale Weise (2) – 08:47 Craig Anderson 47 saves / 49 shots Carey Price 33 saves / 34 shots April 22 0–1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030114 No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring 09:05 – Mike Hoffman (1) No scoring Craig Anderson 28 saves / 28 shots Carey Price 31 saves / 32 shots April 24 5–1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030115 Bobby Ryan (1) – 09:29Patrick Wiercioch (2) – 15:39 No scoring Erik Karlsson (1) – pp – 14:29 No scoring Erik Condra (1) – 14:02Bobby Ryan (2) – pp – 19:10 01:44 – Tom Gilbert (1) Craig Anderson 45 saves / 46 shots Carey Price 20 saves / 25 shots April 26 2–0 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030116 No scoring Brendan Gallagher (1) – 13:26 No scoring No scoring No scoring Max Pacioretty (2) – en – 19:59 Craig Anderson 18 saves / 19 shots Carey Price 43 saves / 43 shots Montreal won series 4–2 (A2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (A3) Detroit Red Wings The Tampa Bay Lightning finished second in the Atlantic Division, earning 108 points. The Detroit Red Wings earned 100 points in the regular season to finish third in the Atlantic. This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Tampa Bay won three of the four games in the regular season series. The Lightning defeated the Red Wings in seven games. Detroit goalie Petr Mrazek made 44 saves and Pavel Datsyuk recorded a goal and assist in a 3–2 win in game one.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-tbl/2015/04/16/2014030121 Mrazek (44 saves) helps Red Wings defeat Lightning NHL.com April 27, 2015 Tampa Bay took game two, 5–1, scoring four goals on 18 shots against Mrazek, including two from Tyler Johnson.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-tbl/2015/04/18/2014030122 Johnson helps Lightning even series with Red Wings NHL.com April 27, 2015 Mrazek rebounded in game three, stopping all 22 shots in a 3–0 victory.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tbl-vs-det/2015/04/21/2014030123 Mrazek stifles Lightning, Red Wings take series lead NHL.com April 27, 2015 In game four, the Lightning came back from a 2–0 third-period deficit to tie the game after Johnson and Ondrej Palat scored 1:17 apart. Johnson then scored at 2:25 of overtime for a 3–2 Tampa Bay win.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tbl-vs-det/2015/04/23/2014030124 Johnson, Lightning rally to top Red Wings, even series NHL.com April 27, 2015 Mrazek then recorded another shutout in game five, stopping 28 shots in a 4–0 win.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-tbl/2015/04/25/2014030125 Red Wings shut out Lightning, take 3-2 series lead NHL.com April 27, 2015 In game six, Johnson scored two goals as the Lightning built a 3–0 second-period lead en route to a 5–2 victory.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tbl-vs-det/2015/04/27/2014030126 Johnson, Lightning defeat Red Wings to force Game 7 NHL.com April 27, 2015 Although he was not penalized during game six, Detroit's Niklas Kronwall was later suspended one game by the NHL for charging Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov late in the second period.http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=765599 https://web.archive.org/web/20150501101021/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=765599 dead May 1, 2015 Wings' Kronwall suspended one game for charging NHL.com April 28, 2015 In game seven, Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop stopped all of Detroit's 31 shots, Braydon Coburn scored what proved to be the game-winning goal 3:58 into the third period and Anton Stralman scored the empty netter with 1:18 remaining in the game to give Tampa Bay a 2–0 victory.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/det-vs-tbl/2015/04/29/2014030127 Bishop, Lightning shut out Red Wings, win series NHL.com April 29, 2015 Detroit Red Wings Tampa Bay Lightning Joe Louis Arena Amalie Arena April 16 3–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030121 Pavel Datsyuk (1) – 09:03 14:31 – sh – Brian Boyle (1) Tomas Jurco (1) – pp – 00:08 No scoring Luke Glendening (1) – sh – 05:50 08:26 – Nikita Nesterov (1) Petr Mrazek 44 saves / 46 shots Ben Bishop 11 saves / 14 shots April 18 1–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030122 No scoring 03:05 – pp – Tyler Johnson (1) No scoring 07:56 – Alexander Killorn (1)14:48 – Andrej Sustr (1)19:22 – Tyler Johnson (2) Tomas Tatar (1) – 05:49 15:26 – pp – Valtteri Filppula (1) Petr Mrazek 14 saves / 18 shotsJimmy Howard 11 saves / 12 shots Ben Bishop 23 saves / 24 shots April 21 0–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030123 08:46 – Pavel Datsyuk (2) No scoring No scoring No scoring 06:42 – pp – Riley Sheahan (1)19:11 – en – Luke Glendening (2) No scoring Petr Mrazek 22 saves / 22 shots Ben Bishop 18 saves / 20 shots April 23 3–2 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030124 No scoring No scoring 05:42 – Gustav Nyquist (1)14:24 – Joakim Andersson (1) No scoring No scoring Tyler Johnson (3) – 14:34Ondrej Palat (1) – 15:51 No scoring Tyler Johnson (4) – 02:25 Petr Mrazek 26 saves / 29 shots Ben Bishop 22 saves / 24 shots April 25 4–0 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030125 Riley Sheahan (2) – pp – 19:37 No scoring Drew Miller (1) – 15:46 No scoring Pavel Datsyuk (3) – pp – 15:47Danny DeKeyser (1) – en – 18:22 No scoring Petr Mrazek 28 saves / 28 shots Ben Bishop 26 saves / 29 shots April 27 5–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030126 No scoring Tyler Johnson (5) – 03:47Jason Garrison (1) – 11:10 12:26 – pp – Tomas Tatar (2) Tyler Johnson (6) – 09:09 01:39 – Tomas Tatar (3) Alexander Killorn (2) – 14:51Cedric Paquette (1) – en – 19:03 Petr Mrazek 23 saves / 27 shots Ben Bishop 22 saves / 24 shots April 29 0–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030127 No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring 03:58 – Braydon Coburn (1)18:42 – en – Anton Stralman (1) Petr Mrazek 15 saves / 16 shots Ben Bishop 31 saves / 31 shots Tampa Bay won series 4–3 (M1) New York Rangers vs. (WC2) Pittsburgh Penguins The New York Rangers earned the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's best regular season team, earning 113 points. The Pittsburgh Penguins finished as the Eastern Conference's second wild-card, earning 98 points. This was the sixth playoff meeting between these teams, with Pittsburgh having won four of the five previous series. Their most recent meeting was in the previous year's Eastern Conference Second Round, which New York won in seven games. New York won three of the four games in the regular season series. The Rangers defeated the Penguins in five games. In game one, Derick Brassard and Ryan McDonagh each had goals, while goaltender Henrik Lundqvist stopped 24 out of 25 shots, to help give the Rangers a 2–1 victory.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/pit-vs-nyr/2015/04/16/2014030131 McDonagh sends Rangers past Penguins in Game 1 NHL.com April 24, 2015 In game two, Sidney Crosby scored two goals in a span of 4:39 to help give Pittsburgh a 3–1 second-period lead, en route to a 4–3 win.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/pit-vs-nyr/2015/04/18/2014030132 Crosby helps Penguins even series with Rangers NHL.com April 24, 2015 The Rangers took game three, 2–1, as they held the Penguins to just 11 shots on goal through the first and second periods, and Lundqvist made 12 out of 13 saves in the third.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-pit/2015/04/20/2014030133 Rangers hang on to defeat Penguins, take series lead NHL.com April 24, 2015 Rookie centre Kevin Hayes then scored the game-winning goal 3:14 into overtime of game four to give the Rangers another 2–1 victory.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-pit/2015/04/22/2014030134 Hayes scores in OT, Rangers push Penguins to brink NHL.com April 24, 2015 The Rangers then recorded a third consecutive 2–1 victory in game five, with Carl Hagelin scoring 10:52 into overtime, to take the series.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/pit-vs-nyr/2015/04/24/2014030135 Hagelin, Rangers edge Penguins in OT, win series NHL.com April 24, 2015 Hagelin became the first Ranger to accomplish this feat since Stephane Matteau scored a goal in game seven against the New Jersey Devils in 1994. The Penguins were eliminated in the first round for the first time since 2012. Pittsburgh Penguins New York Rangers Consol Energy Center Madison Square Garden April 16 1–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030131 No scoring 00:28 – Derick Brassard (1)15:16 – pp – Ryan McDonagh (1) Blake Comeau (1) – 06:15 No scoring No scoring No scoring Marc-Andre Fleury 36 saves / 38 shots Henrik Lundqvist 24 saves / 25 shots April 18 4–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030132 No scoring 17:05 – Derek Stepan (1) Brandon Sutter (1) – pp – 10:01Sidney Crosby (1) – 14:07Sidney Crosby (2) – 18:46 No scoring Chris Kunitz (1) – pp – 09:41 03:16 – pp – Derick Brassard (2)19:54 – Rick Nash (1) Marc-Andre Fleury 23 saves / 26 shots Henrik Lundqvist 18 saves / 22 shots April 20 2–1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030133 No scoring Carl Hagelin (1) – 08:43 No scoring Chris Kreider (1) – 11:07 13:12 – Patric Hornqvist (1) No scoring Marc-Andre Fleury 24 saves / 26 shots Henrik Lundqvist 23 saves / 24 shots April 22 2–1 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030134 02:22 – Patric Hornqvist (2) No scoring No scoring Derick Brassard (3) – 17:15 No scoring No scoring No scoring Kevin Hayes (1) – 03:14 Marc-Andre Fleury 22 saves / 24 shots Henrik Lundqvist 22 saves / 23 shots April 24 1–2 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030135 No scoring 04:23 – pp – Derek Stepan (2) Nick Spaling (1) – 17:23 No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring 10:52 – Carl Hagelin (2) Marc-Andre Fleury 34 saves / 36 shots Henrik Lundqvist 37 saves / 38 shots New York won series 4–1 (M2) Washington Capitals vs. (M3) New York Islanders Both the Washington Capitals and the New York Islanders finished tied for second in the Metropolitan Division with 101 points, but Washington was awarded home-ice advantage by winning the head-to-head points tie-breaker (6–5). This was the seventh playoff meeting between these teams, with New York having won five of the six previous series. Their most recent meeting was in the 1993 Patrick Division semifinals, which New York won in six games. The teams split the four-game regular season series, with each team winning twice at home. The Capitals defeated the Islanders in seven games. The Islanders took game one, 4–1, led by Brock Nelson's two goals, and Josh Bailey's goal and an assist.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-wsh/2015/04/15/2014030141 Nelson leads Islanders past Capitals in Game 1 NHL.com April 25, 2015 In game two, Washington came back from a 3–1 second-period deficit to score three unanswered goals to win, 4–3, despite being forced to start rookie goalie Philipp Grubauer in this match in place of an ill Braden Holtby.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-wsh/2015/04/17/2014030142 Capitals, with Grubauer, tie series against Islanders NHL.com April 25, 2015 Games three and four ended in overtime: John Tavares scored 15 seconds into the extra period to give the Islanders a 2–1 victory in Game 3,https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/wsh-vs-nyi/2015/04/19/2014030143 Tavares' overtime goal lifts Islanders past Capitals NHL.com April 25, 2015 and Nicklas Backstrom's goal 11:09 into overtime gave the Capitals a 2–1 victory in game four.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/wsh-vs-nyi/2015/04/21/2014030144 Capitals even series with Islanders on Backstrom goal NHL.com April 25, 2015 Washington then controlled game five with a 5–1 victory, led by Evgeny Kuznetsov's two goals and an assist.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-wsh/2015/04/23/2014030145 Capitals ease past Islanders, take 3–2 series lead NHL.com April 25, 2015 The Islanders then took Game 6, 3–1, as Nikolay Kulemin scored at 10:33 of the third period to break a 1–1 tie, and Cal Clutterbuck added an empty netter.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/wsh-vs-nyi/2015/04/25/2014030146 Islanders stay alive with Game 6 win against Capitals NHL.com April 25, 2015 Game six proved to be the last playoff game that the Islanders played at Nassau Coliseum (until 2019) before moving full-time to the Barclays Center for three seasons, as Washington's Evgeny Kuznetsov scored the game-winning goal 12:42 into the third period of game seven to help give the Capitals the victory, 2–1.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-wsh/2015/04/27/2014030147 Kuznetsov, Capitals win Game 7 against Islanders NHL.com April 27, 2015 New York Islanders Washington Capitals Nassau Coliseum Verizon Center April 15 4–1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030141 Brock Nelson (1) – 06:06 19:03 – Marcus Johansson (1) Ryan Strome (1) – 03:50Josh Bailey (1) – 10:36 No scoring Brock Nelson (2) – en – 18:41 No scoring Jaroslav Halak 24 saves / 25 shots Braden Holtby 23 saves / 26 shots April 17 3–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030142 Cal Clutterbuck (1) – 05:14 No scoring Ryan Strome (2) – 03:24Kyle Okposo (1) – 14:09 11:26 – Karl Alzner (1)16:09 – Alexander Ovechkin (1) No scoring 03:44 – pp – Nicklas Backstrom (1)07:37 – Jason Chimera (1) Jaroslav Halak 31 saves / 35 shots Philipp Grubauer 18 saves / 21 shots April 19 1–2 1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030143 No scoring No scoring 12:37 – Kyle Okposo (2) No scoring No scoring Nicklas Backstrom (2) – 13:54 00:15 – John Tavares (1) No scoring Jaroslav Halak 24 saves / 25 shots Braden Holtby 40 saves / 42 shots April 21 2–1 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030144 19:47 – Casey Cizikas (1) Alexander Ovechkin (2) – 13:06 No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring Nicklas Backstrom (3) – 11:09 Jaroslav Halak 28 saves / 30 shots Braden Holtby 36 saves / 37 shots April 23 1–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030145 Josh Bailey (2) – 05:48 09:05 – Evgeny Kuznetsov (1) No scoring 10:31 – Karl Alzner (2) No scoring 02:42 – Brooks Laich (1)06:19 – Evgeny Kuznetsov (2)09:00 – Jason Chimera (2) Jaroslav Halak 30 saves / 35 shotsMichal Neuvirth 6 saves / 6 shots Braden Holtby 22 saves / 23 shots April 25 1–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030146 06:56 – John Tavares (2) John Carlson (1) – pp – 19:55 No scoring No scoring 10:33 – Nikolay Kulemin (1)19:07 – en – Cal Clutterbuck (2) No scoring Jaroslav Halak 38 saves / 39 shots Braden Holtby 35 saves / 37 shots April 27 1–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030147 No scoring No scoring No scoring 18:35 – Joel Ward (1) Frans Nielsen (1) – 03:13 12:42 – Evgeny Kuznetsov (3) Jaroslav Halak 24 saves / 26 shots Braden Holtby 10 saves / 11 shots Washington won series 4–3 Western Conference first round (C1) St. Louis Blues vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild The St. Louis Blues finished first in the Central Division, earning 109 points. The Minnesota Wild finished as the Western Conference's first wild-card, earning 100 points. This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. The teams split the four-game regular season series, with each team winning once at home and once on the road. The Wild defeated the Blues in six games. Minnesota took game one, 4–2, as goaltender Devan Dubnyk recorded 19 saves.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/min-vs-stl/2015/04/16/2014030151 Wild hang on for Game 1 win against Blues NHL.com April 26, 2015 Vladimir Tarasenko then recorded a hat trick to help lead the Blues to a 4–1 victory in game two.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/min-vs-stl/2015/04/18/2014030152 Tarasenko hat trick helps Blues even series vs. Wild NHL.com April 26, 2015 In game three, Dubnyk stopped all 17 St. Louis shots to lead the Wild to a 3–0 win.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-min/2015/04/20/2014030153 Top line, Dubnyk lead Wild past Blues in Game 3 NHL.com April 26, 2015 The Blues then rebounded in game four, as five different players scored off of Dubnyk in a 6–1 win.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-min/2015/04/22/2014030154 Blues rout Dubnyk, Wild to even series NHL.com April 26, 2015 The Wild goalie responded in game five by making 37 saves while Nino Niederreiter and Mikko Koivu scored in a span of 1:26 in the second period to win 4–1.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/min-vs-stl/2015/04/24/2014030155 Dubnyk's bounce-back effort helps Wild top Blues NHL.com April 26, 2015 Minnesota then eliminated St. Louis in game six with another 4–1 victory, as Dubnyk made 30 saves and Zach Parise scored two goals.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-min/2015/04/26/2014030156 Parise, Dubnyk help Wild down Blues, win series NHL.com April 26, 2015 Minnesota Wild St. Louis Blues Xcel Energy Center Scottrade Center April 16 4–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030151 Jason Zucker (1) – 02:47 No scoring Matt Dumba (1) – pp – 04:10 No scoring Mikael Granlund (1) – en – 18:47Jason Pominville (1) – en – 19:40 07:12 – Jaden Schwartz (1)19:01 – sh – Alexander Steen (1) Devan Dubnyk 19 saves / 21 shots Jake Allen 25 saves / 27 shots April 18 1–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030152 No scoring 13:18 – Vladimir Tarasenko (1)18:01 – pp – Vladimir Tarasenko (2) No scoring No scoring Marco Scandella (1) – 01:46 18:02 – Patrik Berglund (1)19:43 – en – Vladimir Tarasenko (3) Devan Dubnyk 23 saves / 26 shots Jake Allen 24 saves / 25 shots April 20 0–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030153 No scoring No scoring 14:08 – Jason Pominville (2)16:13 – Zach Parise (1) No scoring 17:58 – en – Nino Niederreiter (1) No scoring Devan Dubnyk 17 saves / 17 shots Jake Allen 21 saves / 23 shots April 22 6–1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030154 No scoring Ryan Reaves (1) – 05:34Vladimir Tarasenko (4) – 06:59David Backes (1) – 10:06 01:41 – pp – Jared Spurgeon (1) Paul Stastny (1) – 03:39Vladimir Tarasenko (5) – 15:47Patrik Berglund (2) – 16:50 No scoring No scoring Devan Dubnyk 11 saves / 17 shotsDarcy Kuemper 9 saves / 9 shots Jake Allen 17 saves / 18 shots April 24 4–1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030155 Marco Scandella (2) – 11:06 08:04 – pp – Vladimir Tarasenko (6) Nino Niederreiter (2) – 14:56Mikko Koivu (1) – pp – 16:22 No scoring Charlie Coyle (1) – 14:50 No scoring Devan Dubnyk 36 saves / 37 shots Jake Allen 15 saves / 19 shots April 26 1–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030156 07:14 – sh – Zach Parise (2) No scoring 11:19 – Justin Fontaine (1) T.J. Oshie (1) – 19:56 01:01 – Zach Parise (3)18:08 – en – Nino Niederreiter (3) No scoring Devan Dubnyk 30 saves / 31 shots Jake Allen 11 saves / 13 shotsBrian Elliott 6 saves / 7 shots Minnesota won series 4–2 (C2) Nashville Predators vs. (C3) Chicago Blackhawks The Nashville Predators finished second in the Central Division, earning 104 points. The Chicago Blackhawks earned 102 points during the regular season to finish third in the Central Division. This was the second playoff meeting between these teams; their only previous meeting was in the 2010 Western Conference quarterfinals, which Chicago won in six games. Chicago won three of the four games in the regular season series. The Blackhawks defeated the Predators in six games. In game one, Nashville scored three-straight first period goals on Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford, prompting Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville to put backup Scott Darling in net. Chicago then rallied, scoring three-straight second period goals to tie the game before Duncan Keith scored 7:49 into double overtime to give the Blackhawks a 4–3 victory.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-nsh/2015/04/15/2014030161 Blackhawks rally, edge Predators in double overtime NHL.com April 23, 2015 Crawford again started in game two, but the Predators scored four unanswered goals on him, including two goals from Craig Smith, to tie the series with a 6–2 win.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-nsh/2015/04/17/2014030162 Predators finish off Blackhawks in third, even series NHL.com April 23, 2015 Darling was named the starter for game three and then stopped 35 Nashville shots, while Chicago scored three second-period goals to grab a 4–2 win.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nsh-vs-chi/2015/04/19/2014030163 Darling, Blackhawks top Predators, take series lead NHL.com April 23, 2015 Game four ended exactly a minute into triple overtime when Brent Seabrook's one-timer from the blue line went past Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne into the net, giving the Blackhawks a 3–2 victory.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nsh-vs-chi/2015/04/21/2014030164 Blackhawks top Predators on Seabrook's 3OT goal NHL.com April 23, 2015 Filip Forsberg recorded his first NHL hat-trick, and Nashville scored three goals in a 2:27 span in the third period in game five to win, 5–2.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-nsh/2015/04/23/2014030165 Forsberg hat trick helps Predators extend Blackhawks NHL.com April 25, 2015 In game six, Quenneville pulled Darling after giving up three first period goals on 12 Nashville shots. Chicago then rallied behind Crawford, with Keith scoring the game-winning goal 16:12 into the third period to give the Blackhawks a 4–3 win and the series.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nsh-vs-chi/2015/04/25/2014030166 Blackhawks rally past Predators to win series NHL.com April 25, 2015 Chicago Blackhawks Nashville Predators United Center Bridgestone Arena April 15 4–3 2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030161 No scoring 06:07 – Colin Wilson (1)17:20 – Viktor Stalberg (1)19:33 – pp – Colin Wilson (2) Niklas Hjalmarsson (1) – 01:43Patrick Sharp (1) – pp – 08:32Jonathan Toews (1) – pp – 13:50 No scoring No scoring No scoring Duncan Keith (1) – 07:49 No scoring Corey Crawford 9 saves / 12 shotsScott Darling 42 saves / 42 shots Pekka Rinne 38 saves / 42 shots April 17 2–6 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030162 Patrick Sharp (2) – 16:13 02:47 – pp – Colin Wilson (3)19:56 – Roman Josi (1) Patrick Kane (1) – 10:32 14:54 – Craig Smith (1) No scoring 12:41 – Filip Forsberg (1)14:28 – Craig Smith (2)15:00 – Mike Santorelli (1) Corey Crawford 29 saves / 35 shots Pekka Rinne 24 saves / 26 shots April 19 2–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030163 14:48 – Andrew Desjardins (1) Mike Ribeiro (1) – 15:19 00:36 – Jonathan Toews (2)03:38 – Brandon Saad (1)12:41 – Brent Seabrook (1) Mattias Ekholm (1) – 00:58 No scoring No scoring Scott Darling 35 saves / 37 shots Pekka Rinne 26 saves / 30 shots April 21 2–3 3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030164 13:05 – Antoine Vermette (1) Colin Wilson (4) – pp – 11:38 No scoring James Neal (1) – 17:02 11:03 – Brandon Saad (2) No scoring 01:00 – Brent Seabrook (2) No scoring Scott Darling 50 saves / 52 shots Pekka Rinne 45 saves / 48 shots April 23 2–5 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030165 Brad Richards (1) – 13:27 14:42 – Filip Forsberg (2) No scoring No scoring Kris Versteeg (1) – 14:52 00:47 – James Neal (2)03:02 – pp – Colin Wilson (5)03:14 – Filip Forsberg (3)19:49 – en – Filip Forsberg (4) Scott Darling 24 saves / 28 shots Pekka Rinne 28 saves / 30 shots April 25 3–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030166 10:37 – Patrick Sharp (3)12:14 – pp – Jonathan Toews (3)19:54 – Patrick Kane (2) James Neal (3) – 01:10James Neal (4) – pp – 08:09Matt Cullen (1) – 11:16 No scoring No scoring 16:12 – Duncan Keith (2) No scoring Scott Darling 9 saves / 12 shotsCorey Crawford 13 saves / 13 shots Pekka Rinne 28 saves / 32 shots Chicago won series 4–2 (P1) Anaheim Ducks vs. (WC2) Winnipeg Jets The Anaheim Ducks finished first in the Pacific Division, earning 109 points. The Winnipeg Jets finished as the Western Conference's second wild-card, earning 99 points. This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Anaheim won all three games in the regular season series. This series also marked the first appearance of a team representing Winnipeg in the Stanley Cup playoffs in 19 years, as the Jets made the playoffs for the first time since moving from Atlanta, and for the second time in franchise history since their only playoff appearance in 2007 when they were swept in the conference quarterfinals, leaving them entering the 2014–15 season as the only NHL franchise to never record a post-season win. The most recent team to represent Winnipeg prior to this was the original Winnipeg Jets, who lost in the Western Conference quarterfinals in 1996.https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2427997-nhl-playoffs-2015-stanley-cup-bracket-schedule-and-predictions NHL Michelle Bruton Bleacher Report April 12, 2015 The Ducks won each of the first three games with third-period comebacks en route to sweeping the series against the Jets. Down 2–1 in the third period of game one, Corey Perry scored twice, Ryan Getzlaf scored once and Sami Vatanen scored once to help give Anaheim a 4–2 win.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/wpg-vs-ana/2015/04/16/2014030171 Perry leads Ducks to comeback win vs. Jets NHL.com April 22, 2015 Winnipeg entered the third period of game two with a 1–0 lead, but Anaheim prevailed, 2–1, after Patrick Maroon tied the game midway through the period and then Jakob Silfverberg scored the game-winning goal with 21 seconds left.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/wpg-vs-ana/2015/04/18/2014030172 Ducks stun Jets on Silfverberg's last-minute goal NHL.com April 22, 2015 In game three, the Jets held a 4–3 lead late in the third period, but Ryan Kesler tied the game with 2:14 left in regulation and Rickard Rakell scored 5:12 into overtime to give the Ducks a 5–4 win.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/ana-vs-wpg/2015/04/20/2014030173 Rakell's OT goal completes Ducks' rally against Jets NHL.com April 22, 2015 Anaheim only needed to come from behind from a one-goal deficit in the first period of game four, scoring three unanswered goals between the first and third periods. Kesler scored two third-period goals, and Perry recorded two assists, to close out the series for the Ducks with a 5–2 victory.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/ana-vs-wpg/2015/04/22/2014030174 Kesler, Perry help Ducks eliminate Jets NHL.com April 22, 2015 Winnipeg Jets Anaheim Ducks MTS Centre Honda Center April 16 2–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030171 Adam Lowry (1) – 02:46 01:57 – Sami Vatanen (1) Drew Stafford (1) – 05:00 No scoring No scoring 01:09 – pp – Corey Perry (1)13:21 – Corey Perry (2)16:55 – pp – Ryan Getzlaf (1) Ondrej Pavelec 29 saves / 33 shots Frederik Andersen 25 saves / 27 shots April 18 1–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030172 No scoring No scoring Adam Pardy (1) – 15:43 No scoring No scoring 10:43 – pp – Patrick Maroon (1)19:39 – Jakob Silfverberg (1) Ondrej Pavelec 37 saves / 39 shots Frederik Andersen 28 saves / 29 shots April 20 5–4 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030173 09:38 – Lee Stempniak (1) Cam Fowler (1) – 19:53 06:40 – pp – Tyler Myers (1)09:37 – Blake Wheeler (1)18:18 – Bryan Little (1) Corey Perry (3) – 03:08Jakob Silfverberg (2) – 16:04 No scoring Ryan Kesler (1) – 17:46 No scoring Rickard Rakell (1) – 05:12 Ondrej Pavelec 26 saves / 31 shots Frederik Andersen 31 saves / 35 shots April 22 5–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030174 16:26 – pp – Bryan Little (2) Emerson Etem (1) – 17:52 No scoring Andrew Cogliano (1) – 12:55 10:27 – Mark Stuart (1) Ryan Kesler (2) – 06:41Ryan Kesler (3) – 15:11Sami Vatanen (2) – en – 19:33 Ondrej Pavelec 30 saves / 34 shots Frederik Andersen 25 saves / 27 shots Anaheim won series 4–0 (P2) Vancouver Canucks vs. (P3) Calgary Flames The Vancouver Canucks finished second in the Pacific Division, earning 101 points. The Calgary Flames earned 97 points during the regular season to finish third in the Pacific Division. This was the seventh playoff meeting between these teams with Calgary having won four of the six previous series. Their most recent meeting was in the 2004 Western Conference quarterfinals, which Calgary won in seven games. The Flames qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2009. The teams split the four-game regular season series, with each team winning once at home and once on the road. The Flames defeated the Canucks in six games. Calgary rallied from a one-goal deficit in game one, as David Jones tied the game 7:59 into the third and Kris Russell scored the winning goal with 29.6 seconds left to give the Flames a 2–1 win.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cgy-vs-van/2015/04/15/2014030181 Flames stun Canucks on Russell's last-minute goal NHL.com April 23, 2015 The Canucks tied the series with a 4–1 win, as goalie Eddie Lack made 22 out of 23 saves and Alex Burrows recorded two assists.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cgy-vs-van/2015/04/17/2014030182 Canucks defeat Flames to even series NHL.com April 23, 2015 With 1:17 left to play, a fight broke out that resulted in 132 penalty minutes, with the Flames' Deryk Engelland given a game misconduct for instigating it, but eventually the league rescinded Engelland's penalty and instead fined Calgary head coach Bob Hartley $50,000 for his responsibility for the incident.http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=763991 https://web.archive.org/web/20150419011137/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=763991 dead April 19, 2015 Flames coach Bob Hartley fined $50,000 NHL.com April 23, 2015 Jonas Hiller made 23 saves to help give the Flames a 4–2 win in game three.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/van-vs-cgy/2015/04/19/2014030183 Bennett, Hiller lead Flames past Canucks in Game 3 NHL.com April 23, 2015 In game four, Calgary scored three first-period goals out of seven shots off of Lack. Ryan Miller replaced Lack to start the second period, but Hiller made 28 total saves en route to a 3–1 win.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/van-vs-cgy/2015/04/21/2014030184 Flames defeat Canucks, one win from advancing NHL.com April 23, 2015 Miller then made 20 saves and Daniel Sedin scored the winning goal 1:47 into the third period to help give the Canucks a 2–1 win in Game five.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cgy-vs-van/2015/04/23/2014030185 Canucks stay alive by edging Flames NHL.com April 25, 2015 In game six, Hartley pulled Hiller after he allowed two goals on his first three shots, and put Karri Ramo in net. The Flames tied the game in the second period, and then Matt Stajan scored what proved to be the game-winning goal late in the third period. Two empty net goals in the final minute of the game sealed the series victory for the Flames.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/van-vs-cgy/2015/04/25/2014030186 Flames rally to win Game 6, eliminate Canucks NHL.com April 25, 2015 Calgary Flames Vancouver Canucks Scotiabank Saddledome Rogers Arena April 15 2–1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030181 No scoring No scoring No scoring 12:08 – Bo Horvat (1) David Jones (1) – 07:59Kris Russell (1) – 19:30 No scoring Jonas Hiller 29 saves / 30 shots Eddie Lack 28 saves / 30 shots April 17 1–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030182 No scoring 02:56 – Daniel Sedin (1)07:06 – pp – Chris Higgins (1) No scoring No scoring Kris Russell (2) – pp – 16:26 02:17 – Ronalds Kenins (1)17:59 – en – Radim Vrbata (1) Jonas Hiller 26 saves / 29 shotsKarri Ramo 2 saves / 2 shots Eddie Lack 22 saves / 23 shots April 19 2–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030183 06:35 – Brandon Bollig (1)15:02 – T.J. Brodie (1) Shawn Matthias (1) – 09:09 No scoring No scoring 02:14 – Sam Bennett (1)14:36 – pp – Sean Monahan (1) Jannik Hansen (1) – 17:41 Jonas Hiller 23 saves / 25 shots Eddie Lack 24 saves / 28 shots April 21 1–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030184 03:23 – pp – Johnny Gaudreau (1)09:20 – pp – Jiri Hudler (1)19:18 – Sam Bennett (2) Henrik Sedin (1) – pp – 08:12 No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring Jonas Hiller 28 saves / 29 shots Eddie Lack 4 saves / 7 shotsRyan Miller 15 saves / 15 shots April 23 1–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030185 David Jones (2) – 02:40 No scoring No scoring 13:31 – Nick Bonino (1) No scoring 01:47 – Daniel Sedin (2) Jonas Hiller 41 saves / 43 shots Ryan Miller 20 saves / 21 shots April 25 4–7 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030186 17:02 – Micheal Ferland (1) Brandon McMillan (1) – 02:36Jannik Hansen (2) – 07:32Radim Vrbata (2) – pp – 09:42 01:02 – Sean Monahan (2)05:35 – Johnny Gaudreau (2) Luca Sbisa (1) – 10:36 06:14 – pp – Jiri Hudler (2)15:43 – Matt Stajan (1)19:31 – en – Jiri Hudler (3)19:57 – en – Micheal Ferland (2) No scoring Jonas Hiller 1 save / 3 shotsKarri Ramo 17 saves / 19 shots Ryan Miller 26 saves / 31 shots Calgary won series 4–2 Second round Eastern Conference second round (A1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (A2) Tampa Bay Lightning This was the third playoff meeting for these teams; the teams had split their two previous playoff series. Their most recent meeting was in the previous year's Eastern Conference First Round, in which Montreal swept Tampa Bay out of the playoffs. Tampa Bay won all five games in the regular season series. The Lightning defeated the Canadiens in six games. In game one, Nikita Kucherov scored 2:06 into double overtime to give Tampa Bay a 2–1 win. This winning goal was controversial because the Lightning appeared to have been offside on the play, but nothing was called by the linesmen. Earlier at 2:56 of the first overtime period, Kucherov's apparent winning goal was waved off after officials ruled that he pushed Carey Price's pad into the net after the Montreal goalie made the initial save.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tbl-vs-mtl/2015/05/01/2014030211 Kucherov sends Lightning past Canadiens in Game 1 NHL.com May 7, 2015 The Lightning also won game two, 6–2, scoring four power play goals.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tbl-vs-mtl/2015/05/03/2014030212 Lightning score 4 PPGs, rout Canadiens in Game 2 NHL.com May 7, 2015 Montreal's Brandon Prust was then fined $5,000 for his postgame derogatory public comments directed toward Referee Brad Watson, which he later apologized for the day afterward.http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=766523 https://web.archive.org/web/20150509001206/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=766523 dead May 9, 2015 Canadiens' Prust fined $5,000 for comments NHL.com May 7, 2015 In game three, Tyler Johnson scored with 1.1 seconds left to give Tampa Bay a 2–1 victory.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-tbl/2015/05/06/2014030213 Johnson's goal gives Lightning 3–0 lead vs. Canadiens NHL.com May 7, 2015 The Canadiens stayed alive in game four, as Max Pacioretty recorded a shorthanded goal and two assists, as Montreal built a 5–0 second-period lead en route to a 6–2 win.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-tbl/2015/05/07/2014030214 Canadiens avoid sweep with win against Lightning NHL.com May 7, 2015 Then in game five, P.A. Parenteau scored with 4:07 left in regulation to give the Canadiens a 2–1 victory.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tbl-vs-mtl/2015/05/09/2014030215 Canadiens extend series with Lightning again NHL.com May 10, 2015 In game six, Ben Bishop stopped 18 of 19 Montreal shots, and Kucherov scored two goals, as Tampa Bay won 4–1 to take the series.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-tbl/2015/05/12/2014030216 Lightning defeat Canadiens, advance to East Final NHL.com May 12, 2015 Tampa Bay Lightning Montreal Canadiens Amalie Arena Bell Centre May 1 2–1 2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030211 No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring Tyler Johnson (7) – 02:34 14:47 – Max Pacioretty (3) Nikita Kucherov (1) – 02:06 No scoring Ben Bishop 43 saves / 44 shots Carey Price 33 saves / 35 shots May 3 6–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030212 Valtteri Filppula (2) – pp – 19:36 07:20 – Jeff Petry (1) Steven Stamkos (1) – 08:06Nikita Kucherov (2) – pp – 12:29Victor Hedman (1) – pp – 19:46 No scoring Nikita Kucherov (3) – pp – 06:37J.T. Brown (1) – 16:05 11:06 – Tom Gilbert (2) Ben Bishop 27 saves / 29 shots Carey Price 18 saves / 24 shots May 6 1–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030213 12:00 – Alexander Killorn (3) No scoring No scoring No scoring 19:58 – Tyler Johnson (8) Brendan Gallagher (2) – 10:03 Ben Bishop 30 saves / 31 shots Carey Price 17 saves / 19 shots May 7 6–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030214 No scoring Andrei Markov (1) – 02:44Max Pacioretty (4) – sh – 08:43 12:26 – pp – Nikita Kucherov (4) David Desharnais (1) – 05:08Jeff Petry (2) – pp – 09:39Brendan Gallagher (3) – 09:54 00:17 – pp – Ondrej Palat (2) Brandon Prust (1) – 04:52 Ben Bishop 11 saves / 14 shotsAndrei Vasilevskiy 23 saves / 26 shots Carey Price 22 saves / 24 shots May 9 1–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030215 No scoring 09:01 – Devante Smith-Pelly (1) No scoring No scoring Steven Stamkos (2) – 09:27 15:53 – P.A. Parenteau (1) Ben Bishop 27 saves / 29 shots Carey Price 24 saves / 25 shots May 12 1–4 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030216 15:35 – Nikita Kucherov (5) No scoring 05:12 – Steven Stamkos (3)18:56 – pp – Ondrej Palat (3) No scoring 17:59 – en – Nikita Kucherov (6) Max Pacioretty (5) – 15:03 Ben Bishop 18 saves / 19 shots Carey Price 24 saves / 27 shots Tampa Bay won series 4–2 (M1) New York Rangers vs. (M2) Washington Capitals This was the ninth playoff meeting for these teams, and their fifth in the last seven years; the teams have split their eight previous playoff series. Their most recent meeting was in the 2013 Eastern Conference quarterfinals, which New York won in seven games. New York won three of the four games in the regular season series. The Rangers overcame a 3–1 series deficit to eliminate the Capitals in seven games. Joel Ward scored with 1.3 seconds left to give Washington a 2–1 win in game one.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/wsh-vs-nyr/2015/04/30/2014030221 Ward's last-second goal sends Capitals past Rangers NHL.com May 8, 2015 The Rangers took game two, 3–2, as Chris Kreider and Dan Boyle recorded first-period goals and Henrik Lundqvist stopped 30 out of 32 shots.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/wsh-vs-nyr/2015/05/02/2014030222 Rangers edge Capitals in Game 2 to even series NHL.com May 8, 2015 In game three, Braden Holtby stopped all of the Rangers' 30 shots, and Jay Beagle's second-period goal helped give the Capitals a 1–0 win.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-wsh/2015/05/04/2014030223 Holtby, Capitals shut out Rangers, take series lead NHL.com May 8, 2015 Holtby then made 29 out of 30 saves in game four, while rookie Andre Burakovsky scored his first two postseason goals in a 2–1 victory for Washington.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-wsh/2015/05/06/2014030224 Burakovsky, Capitals push Rangers to brink NHL.com May 8, 2015 In game five, the Capitals appeared to have scored the icebreaker with 2:09 left in the second period when Matt Niskanen's shot went past Lundqvist, but officials waved off the goal and ruled that Ward interfered with the Rangers goalie. Curtis Glencross would later score the icebreaker for Washington at 10:54 of the third period. But Kreider scored with 1:41 remaining in regulation to tie the game, 1–1, then Ryan McDonagh won it at 9:37 into overtime to give the Rangers a 2–1 victory.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/wsh-vs-nyr/2015/05/08/2014030225 Rangers force Game 6 with OT win against Capitals NHL.com May 8, 2015 Game six saw Kreider score two first-period goals to help the Rangers build a 4–1 lead in the third period before holding off a late comeback by the Capitals to win 4–3.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-wsh/2015/05/10/2014030226 Lundqvist, Rangers defeat Capitals, force Game 7 NHL.com May 11, 2015 Then in game seven, Derek Stepan scored at 11:24 into overtime on a set play off the faceoff to give the Rangers a 2–1 victory and the 4–3 series win to move on to the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in as many years.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/wsh-vs-nyr/2015/05/13/2014030227 Stepan gives Rangers Game 7 win against Capitals NHL.com May 13, 2015 This was also the second consecutive playoffs in which the Rangers were able to overcome a 3–1 series deficit, an NHL first.http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=767688 https://web.archive.org/web/20150516020620/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=767688 dead May 16, 2015 Preview: Rangers face Lightning in return trip to ECF As well, this was only the second time the Rangers overcame a 3–1 series deficit in franchise history, as well as the second series in NHL playoffs history to comprise seven games decided by a one-goal margin, after the Capitals' upset of the Bruins in the first round of the 2012 playoffs. With this series loss, the Capitals fell to 6–5 all-time in series when they lead 3–1, with this fifth loss becoming most among NHL teams.http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=31154 https://web.archive.org/web/20090417080650/http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=31154 dead April 17, 2009 Playoff Comebacks - 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs NHL.com June 24, 2015 Washington Capitals New York Rangers Verizon Center Madison Square Garden April 30 2–1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030221 Alex Ovechkin (3) – pp – 18:13 No scoring No scoring No scoring Joel Ward (2) – 19:58 15:21 – Jesper Fast (1) Braden Holtby 31 saves / 32 shots Henrik Lundqvist 27 saves / 29 shots May 2 2–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030222 No scoring 00:38 – Chris Kreider (2)15:40 – pp – Dan Boyle (1) Evgeny Kuznetsov (4) – 13:59 No scoring Alex Ovechkin (4) – 10:29 06:07 – Derick Brassard (4) Braden Holtby 32 saves / 35 shots Henrik Lundqvist 30 saves / 32 shots May 4 0–1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030223 No scoring No scoring 07:31 – Jay Beagle (1) No scoring No scoring No scoring Braden Holtby 30 saves / 30 shots Henrik Lundqvist 21 saves / 22 shots May 6 1–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030224 No scoring No scoring 16:29 – Andre Burakovsky (1) Derick Brassard (5) – 06:12 00:24 – Andre Burakovsky (2) No scoring Braden Holtby 28 saves / 29 shots Henrik Lundqvist 28 saves / 30 shots May 8 1–2 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030225 No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring Curtis Glencross (1) – 10:54 18:19 – Chris Kreider (3) No scoring 09:37 – Ryan McDonagh (2) Braden Holtby 41 saves / 43 shots Henrik Lundqvist 28 saves / 29 shots May 10 4–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030226 No scoring Chris Kreider (4) – 00:40Chris Kreider (5) – pp – 19:59 00:28 – Jason Chimera (3) No scoring 07:40 – Evgeny Kuznetsov (5)10:33 – Joel Ward (3) Rick Nash (2) – 00:54Dan Boyle (2) – 04:24 Braden Holtby 24 saves / 28 shots Henrik Lundqvist 42 saves / 45 shots May 13 1–2 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030227 Alex Ovechkin (5) – 12:50 No scoring No scoring 06:22 – pp – Kevin Hayes (2) No scoring No scoring No scoring 11:24 – Derek Stepan (3) Braden Holtby 37 saves / 39 shots Henrik Lundqvist 35 saves / 36 shots New York won series 4–3 Western Conference second round (C3) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild This was the third year in a row in which the Blackhawks and Wild had met in the postseason, and their third meeting overall. The Blackhawks won both previous series, their most recent meeting was in the previous year's Western Conference Second Round where Chicago won in six games. Chicago won three of the five games in the regular season series. The Blackhawks swept the Wild. In game one, after Chicago scored three unanswered first-period goals, followed by Minnesota scoring three of their own to tie the game, Teuvo Teravainen scored with 59 seconds left in the second period to help give the Blackhawks a 4–3 win.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/min-vs-chi/2015/05/01/2014030231 Teravainen, Blackhawks edge Wild in Game 1 NHL.com May 7, 2015 Patrick Kane then scored two goals in game two to help give Chicago a 4–1 victory.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/min-vs-chi/2015/05/03/2014030232 Blackhawks' stars overpower Wild in Game 2 NHL.com May 7, 2015 In game three, Corey Crawford stopped all of Minnesota's 30 shots, and Kane's power play goal in the first period helped give the Blackhawks a 1–0 win.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-min/2015/05/05/2014030233 Blackhawks shut out Wild, take 3–0 series lead NHL.com May 7, 2015 Chicago then won game four, 4–3, with four different Blackhawks recording goals, but had to hold off an attempted comeback by Minnesota, who scored two goals 51 seconds apart in the final minutes of the game.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-min/2015/05/07/2014030234 Blackhawks sweep Wild, advance to conference final NHL.com May 7, 2015 Minnesota Wild Chicago Blackhawks Xcel Energy Center United Center May 1 3–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030231 No scoring 01:15 – Brandon Saad (3)13:11 – Patrick Kane (3)15:15 – Marcus Kruger (1) Jason Zucker (2) – 01:21Zach Parise (4) – pp – 05:07Mikael Granlund (2) – 09:30 19:01 – Teuvo Teravainen (1) No scoring No scoring Devan Dubnyk 31 saves / 35 shots Corey Crawford 30 saves / 33 shots May 3 1–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030232 No scoring No scoring No scoring 12:28 – sh – Jonathan Toews (4)19:40 – Patrick Kane (4) Matt Dumba (2) – pp – 01:20 07:39 – Patrick Sharp (4)17:53 – en – Patrick Kane (5) Devan Dubnyk 27 saves / 30 shots Corey Crawford 30 saves / 31 shots May 5 1–0 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030233 No scoring Patrick Kane (6) – pp – 14:06 No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring Devan Dubnyk 21 saves / 22 shots Corey Crawford 30 saves / 30 shots May 7 4–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030234 No scoring Brent Seabrook (3) – 10:23 06:42 – Erik Haula (1) Andrew Shaw (1) – pp – 03:28 17:42 – pp – Jason Pominville (3)18:33 – Nino Niederreiter (4) Patrick Kane (7) – 13:20Marian Hossa (1) – en – 16:53 Devan Dubnyk 21 saves / 24 shots Corey Crawford 34 saves / 37 shots Chicago won series 4–0 (P1) Anaheim Ducks vs. (P3) Calgary Flames This was the second playoff meeting between these teams; their only previous meeting was in the 2006 Western Conference quarterfinals, which Anaheim won in seven games. Anaheim won three of the five games in the regular season series. The Ducks eliminated the Flames in five games. Anaheim took game one, 6–1, scoring three goals apiece against both Calgary starting goalie Jonas Hiller and backup Karri Ramo.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cgy-vs-ana/2015/04/30/2014030241 Ducks overpower Flames in series opener NHL.com May 10, 2015 Flames coach Bob Hartley then decided to start Ramo for the rest of the series. In game two, Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen stopped all of Calgary's 30 shots in a 3–0 victory.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cgy-vs-ana/2015/05/03/2014030242 Andersen, Ducks shut down Flames in Game 2 NHL.com May 10, 2015 In game three, Anaheim held a 3–2 lead in the third period when Sam Bennett appeared to have tied the game with 6:22 left in regulation, but officials said no goal on the ice and video review ruled that it was inconclusive as to whether the puck completely crossed the goal line. However, with 19.5 seconds remaining in regulation, and the Flames on essentially a 5-on-3 advantage because of pulling their goalie for an extra attacker, coincidental minors against both teams, and a delay of game penalty on Sami Vatanen of Anaheim, Johnny Gaudreau scored to tie the game. Then at 4:24 of overtime, Mikael Backlund scored his first postseason goal on a delayed penalty to give Calgary the win, 4–3.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/ana-vs-cgy/2015/05/05/2014030243 Flames rally to beat Ducks in OT in Game 3 NHL.com May 10, 2015 The Ducks responded with a 4–2 win in game four, as a high-sticking double minor penalty on Calgary's Joe Colborne at the end of the second period led to Matt Beleskey's power play goal to give Anaheim a 3–2 lead, followed by Patrick Maroon's empty netter.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/ana-vs-cgy/2015/05/08/2014030244 Power-play goals help Ducks defeat Flames in Game 4 NHL.com May 10, 2015 In game five, Corey Perry scored 2:26 into overtime, giving the Ducks the series win.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cgy-vs-ana/2015/05/10/2014030245 Ducks edge Flames in OT, advance to conference final NHL.com May 11, 2015 Calgary Flames Anaheim Ducks Scotiabank Saddledome Honda Center April 30 1–6 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030241 No scoring 10:17 – Matt Beleskey (1)13:11 – Patrick Maroon (2) No scoring 02:13 – Corey Perry (4)10:11 – Emerson Etem (2) Sam Bennett (3) – 09:16 00:44 – pp – Corey Perry (5)02:32 – pp – Ryan Getzlaf (2) Jonas Hiller 11 saves / 14 shotsKarri Ramo 18 saves / 21 shots Frederik Andersen 23 saves / 24 shots May 3 0–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030242 No scoring 07:27 – Matt Beleskey (2) No scoring No scoring No scoring 11:15 – Hampus Lindholm (1)17:44 – en – Nate Thompson (1) Karri Ramo 31 saves / 33 shots Frederik Andersen 30 saves / 30 shots May 5 3–4 1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030243 02:07 – Brandon Bollig (2) Patrick Maroon (3) – 06:57Corey Perry (6) – 14:10 04:17 – sh – Joe Colborne (1) Matt Beleskey (3) – 08:20 19:40 – pp – Johnny Gaudreau (3) No scoring 04:24 – Mikael Backlund (1) No scoring Karri Ramo 18 saves / 21 shots Frederik Andersen 17 saves / 21 shots May 8 4–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030244 04:37 – Sean Monahan (3)05:44 – Micheal Ferland (3) Jakob Silfverberg (3) – pp – 03:58 No scoring Andrew Cogliano (2) – 16:42 No scoring Matt Beleskey (4) – pp – 01:11Patrick Maroon (4) – en – 19:23 Karri Ramo 25 saves / 28 shots Frederik Andersen 25 saves / 27 shots May 10 2–3 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030245 Jiri Hudler (4) – pp – 10:43 No scoring Johnny Gaudreau (4) – 05:55 04:59 – pp – Ryan Kesler (4) No scoring 00:59 – pp – Matt Beleskey (5) No scoring 02:26 – Corey Perry (7) Karri Ramo 44 saves / 47 shots Frederik Andersen 17 saves / 19 shots Anaheim won series 4–1 Conference finals NHL conference finals Eastern Conference final (M1) New York Rangers vs. (A2) Tampa Bay Lightning This was the first playoff meeting between these teams. This was the Rangers' second consecutive Conference finals appearance, and their third overall in the last four years; they defeated the Montreal Canadiens in six games in the previous year. Tampa Bay most recently made it to the conference finals in 2011, where they lost in seven games to the Boston Bruins. Tampa Bay won all three games in the regular season series. The Lightning defeated the Rangers in seven games. In game one, Dominic Moore scored with 2:25 left to give the Rangers a 2–1 win.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tbl-vs-nyr/2015/05/16/2014030311 Moore scores late, Rangers defeat Lightning in opener NHL.com May 26, 2015 Tyler Johnson then recorded a hat trick, scoring a shorthanded, a power play and an even strength goal, as he led the Lightning to a 6–2 victory in game two.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tbl-vs-nyr/2015/05/18/2014030312 Johnson powers Lightning past Rangers in Game 2 NHL.com May 26, 2015 In game three, Nikita Kucherov scored 3:33 into overtime to give Tampa Bay a 6–5 win.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-tbl/2015/05/20/2014030313 Lightning defeat Rangers in OT, take series lead NHL.com May 26, 2015 The Rangers then responded with a 5–1 win in game four, as Rick Nash scored twice and Henrik Lundqvist stopped 38 out of 39 shots.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-tbl/2015/05/22/2014030314 Lundqvist, Rangers get even against Lightning NHL.com May 26, 2015 Ben Bishop shut out the Rangers in game five, stopping all 26 shots in the Lightning's 2–0 win.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tbl-vs-nyr/2015/05/24/2014030315 Bishop, Lightning shut out Rangers, take series lead NHL.com May 26, 2015 In game six, Derick Brassard recorded a hat trick and two assists as the Rangers went on to win, 7–3.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-tbl/2015/05/26/2014030316 Brassard, Rangers down Lightning to force Game 7 NHL.com May 26, 2015 Game seven, however, saw Tampa Bay record another 2–0 victory to eliminate the Rangers — the first time the Rangers had lost a game seven at home in their history (and the first time they lost an elimination game at home since the 2007 playoffs) — as Bishop stopped all 22 New York shots while the Lightning scored two goals out of their first three third-period shots.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tbl-vs-nyr/2015/05/29/2014030317 Lightning defeat Rangers, advance to Cup Final NHL.com May 29, 2015 Tampa Bay Lightning New York Rangers Amalie Arena Madison Square Garden May 16 1–2 2 https://web.archive.org/web/20150516215737/http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030311 No scoring No scoring No scoring 19:47 – Derek Stepan (4) Ondrej Palat (4) – pp – 06:45 17:35 – Dominic Moore (1) Ben Bishop 28 saves / 30 shots Henrik Lundqvist 23 saves / 24 shots May 18 6–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030312 Tyler Johnson (9) – sh – 05:38Tyler Johnson (10) – pp – 11:15 08:50 – pp – Chris Kreider (6) Tyler Johnson (11) – 08:17 14:17 – pp – Derek Stepan (5) Alex Killorn (4) – 03:09Steven Stamkos (4) – pp – 06:28Alex Killorn (5) – pp – 17:58 No scoring Ben Bishop 35 saves / 37 shots Henrik Lundqvist 20 saves / 26 shots May 20 5–6 1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030313 11:07 – Steven Stamkos (5) Derick Brassard (6) – pp – 01:02Jesper Fast (2) – 09:55 10:32 – pp – Ondrej Palat (5)13:17 – Tyler Johnson (12)17:18 – Alex Killorn (6) Jesper Fast (3) – 17:47 14:15 – Ondrej Palat (6) Ryan McDonagh (3) – pp – 02:28 Dan Boyle (3) – 18:04 03:33 – Nikita Kucherov (7) Ben Bishop 23 saves / 28 shots Henrik Lundqvist 34 saves / 40 shots May 22 5–1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030314 No scoring Rick Nash (3) – 12:18 11:30 – Steven Stamkos (6) Chris Kreider (7) – 15:16Keith Yandle (1) – 17:04 Martin St. Louis (1) – pp – 05:08 Rick Nash (4) – pp – 12:18 Ben Bishop 19 saves / 24 shots Henrik Lundqvist 38 saves / 39 shots May 24 2–0 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030315 No scoring No scoring Valtteri Filppula (3) – 13:29Steven Stamkos (7) – pp – 18:22 Ben Bishop 26 saves / 26 shots Henrik Lundqvist 20 saves / 22 shots May 26 7–3 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030316 17:20 – pp – Ryan Callahan (1) Derick Brassard (7) – 03:36Keith Yandle (2) – 15:30 No scoring No scoring 07:50 – Nikita Kucherov (8)13:21 – Nikita Kucherov (9) J. T. Miller (1) – 03:02James Sheppard (1) – 06:00Derick Brassard (8) – 07:14Rick Nash (5) – pp – 10:21Derick Brassard (9) – en – 18:19 Ben Bishop 21 saves / 26 shotsAndrei Vasilevskiy 6 saves / 7 shots Henrik Lundqvist 36 saves / 39 shots May 29 2–0 1 https://web.archive.org/web/20150530072003/http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030317 No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring Alex Killorn (7) – 01:54Ondrej Palat (7) – 11:17 No scoring Ben Bishop 22 saves / 22 shots Henrik Lundqvist 23 saves / 25 shots Tampa Bay won series 4–3 Western Conference final (P1) Anaheim Ducks vs. (C3) Chicago Blackhawks This was the first playoff meeting between these teams. Anaheim most recently made it to the conference finals in 2007, when they defeated the Detroit Red Wings in six games. This was Chicago's third consecutive Conference finals appearance, and their fifth overall in the last seven years; they were defeated by the Los Angeles Kings in seven games in the previous year. Chicago won two of the three games in the regular season series. The Blackhawks eliminated the Ducks in seven games. Anaheim took game one, 4–1, getting goals from four different players and Frederik Andersen stopping 26 out of 27 shots.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-ana/2015/05/17/2014030321 Andersen, Ducks defeat Blackhawks in Game 1 NHL.com May 27, 2015 Game two was the longest game in Chicago franchise history as Marcus Kruger scored 16:12 into triple-overtime to give the Blackhawks a 3–2 victory.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-ana/2015/05/19/2014030322 Blackhawks win in third OT, even series with Ducks NHL.com May 27, 2015 Anaheim defeated Chicago in game three, 2–1, as Simon Despres' first career Stanley Cup playoff goal with 55 seconds left in the second period proved to be the difference.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/ana-vs-chi/2015/05/21/2014030323 Ducks edge Blackhawks in Game 3, take series lead NHL.com May 27, 2015 In game four, a total of six goals were scored during the third period. After the period began with a 1–1 tie, the Blackhawks scored two consecutive goals, followed by the Ducks scoring three in 37 seconds, before Patrick Kane's power play goal tied it again at 4–4. The contest ended when Antoine Vermette scored at 5:37 of double overtime to give Chicago a 5–4 victory.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/ana-vs-chi/2015/05/23/2014030324 Vermette helps Blackhawks even series with Ducks NHL.com May 27, 2015 The Ducks built a 3–0 first period lead before Chicago scored two in the second to cut the score to 3–2. Patrick Maroon scored at 14:45 of the third period to increase Anaheim's lead to 4–2, but Jonathan Toews scored twice inside the final two minutes of regulation to tie the game and force overtime. This time, Matt Beleskey scored 45 seconds into the extra period to give the Ducks the 5–4 victory.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-ana/2015/05/25/2014030325 Ducks defeat Blackhawks in OT, on verge of Cup Final NHL.com May 27, 2015 But in game six, the Blackhawks built a 3–0 second-period lead, with Duncan Keith recording an assist in each of those three goals, en route to a 5–2 win.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/ana-vs-chi/2015/05/27/2014030326 Blackhawks defeat Ducks to force Game 7 NHL.com May 27, 2015 And in game seven, Toews scored twice as Chicago built a 4–0 second-period lead en route to a 5–3 victory.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-ana/2015/05/30/2014030327 Blackhawks hold off Ducks, advance to Cup Final NHL.com May 30, 2015 Chicago Blackhawks Anaheim Ducks United Center Honda Center May 17 1–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030321 No scoring 08:48 – Hampus Lindholm (2) Brad Richards (2) – 19:20 04:17 – Kyle Palmieri (1) No scoring 12:05 – Nate Thompson (2)18:42 – en – Jakob Silfverberg (4) Corey Crawford 20 saves / 23 shots Frederik Andersen 26 saves / 27 shots May 19 3–2 3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030322 Andrew Shaw (2) – pp – 02:14Marian Hossa (2) – pp – 06:19 09:14 – Andrew Cogliano (3) No scoring 17:30 – Corey Perry (8) No scoring No scoring Marcus Kruger (2) – 16:12 No scoring Corey Crawford 60 saves / 62 shots Frederik Andersen 53 saves / 56 shots May 21 2–1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030323 19:03 – Patrick Kane (8) Patrick Maroon (5) – pp – 12:55 No scoring Simon Despres (1) – 19:05 No scoring No scoring Corey Crawford 25 saves / 27 shots Frederik Andersen 27 saves / 28 shots May 23 4–5 2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030324 19:13 – sh – Brandon Saad (4) No scoring No scoring Emerson Etem (3) – 18:14 02:38 – Jonathan Toews (5)07:38 – Brent Seabrook (4)12:39 – pp – Patrick Kane (9) Ryan Kesler (5) – 08:42Matt Beleskey (6) – 09:05Corey Perry (9) – 09:19 05:37 – Antoine Vermette (2) No scoring Corey Crawford 47 saves / 51 shots Frederik Andersen 35 saves / 40 shots May 25 4–5 1 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030325 No scoring 05:10 – Cam Fowler (2)05:42 – Ryan Kesler (6)14:37 – Sami Vatanen (3) Teuvo Teravainen (2) – 01:11Brent Seabrook (5) – 19:35 No scoring Jonathan Toews (6) – 18:10Jonathan Toews (7) – 19:22 14:45 – Patrick Maroon (6) No scoring 00:45 – Matt Beleskey (7) Corey Crawford 23 saves / 28 shots Frederik Andersen 24 saves / 28 shots May 27 2–5 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030326 No scoring No scoring 08:23 – Brandon Saad (5)10:41 – Marian Hossa (3)12:08 – Patrick Kane (10) Patrick Maroon (7) – pp – 14:13 16:28 – Andrew Shaw (3)19:11 – en – Andrew Shaw (4) Clayton Stoner (1) – 01:57 Corey Crawford 30 saves / 32 shots Frederik Andersen 18 saves / 22 shots May 30 5–3 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030327 Jonathan Toews (8) – 02:23Jonathan Toews (9) – pp – 11:55 No scoring Brandon Saad (6) – 01:18Marian Hossa (4) – 13:45 18:51 – Ryan Kesler (7) Brent Seabrook (6) – pp – 13:23 11:36 – Corey Perry (10)19:18 – pp – Matt Beleskey (8) Corey Crawford 35 saves / 38 shots Frederik Andersen 21 saves / 26 shots Chicago won series 4–3 Stanley Cup Finals 2015 Stanley Cup Finals This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Both teams won their last appearance in the Finals; Tampa Bay defeated Calgary in seven games in 2004, while Chicago defeated Boston in six games in 2013. This was the Lightning's second appearance in the Finals; the Blackhawks made their thirteenth Finals appearance, and their third in six years. Upon winning the Finals, Chicago had won three Stanley Cups in the past six years. This was also the first Stanley Cup Finals not to have a game go into overtime since 2009. Chicago Blackhawks Tampa Bay Lightning United Center Amalie Arena June 3 2–1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030411 No scoring 04:31 – Alex Killorn (8) No scoring No scoring Teuvo Teravainen (3) – 13:28Antoine Vermette (3) – 15:26 No scoring Corey Crawford 22 saves / 23 shots Ben Bishop 19 saves / 21 shots June 6 3–4 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030412 No scoring 12:56 – Cedric Paquette (2) Andrew Shaw (5) – 03:04Teuvo Teravainen (4) – pp – 05:20 06:52 – Nikita Kucherov (10)13:58 – Tyler Johnson (13) Brent Seabrook (7) – 03:38 08:49 – pp – Jason Garrison (2) Corey Crawford 20 saves / 24 shots Ben Bishop 21 saves / 24 shotsAndrei Vasilevskiy 5 saves / 5 shots June 8 3–2 2 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030413 14:22 – pp – Brad Richards (3) Ryan Callahan (2) – 05:09 No scoring No scoring 04:14 – Brandon Saad (7) Ondrej Palat (8) – 04:27Cedric Paquette (3) – 16:49 Corey Crawford 29 saves / 32 shots Ben Bishop 36 saves / 38 shots June 10 1–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030414 No scoring No scoring 06:40 – Jonathan Toews (10) Alex Killorn (9) – 11:47 06:22 – Brandon Saad (8) No scoring Corey Crawford 24 saves / 25 shots Andrei Vasilevskiy 17 saves / 19 shots June 13 2–1 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030415 Patrick Sharp (5) – 06:11 No scoring No scoring 10:53 – Valtteri Filppula (4) Antoine Vermette (4) – 02:00 No scoring Corey Crawford 31 saves / 32 shots Ben Bishop 27 saves / 29 shots June 15 0–2 1 www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030416 No scoring No scoring 17:13 – Duncan Keith (3) No scoring 14:46 – Patrick Kane (11) No scoring Corey Crawford 25 saves / 25 shots Ben Bishop 30 saves / 32 shots Chicago won series 4–2 Player statistics Skaters These are the top ten skaters based on points.https://www.nhl.com/stats/player?reportType=season&report=skatersummary&season=20142015&gameType=3&sort=points&aggregate=0&pos=S NHL Stats NHL.com May 24, 2025 Player Team GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points +/– Plus/minus PIM Penalties in minutes Tyler Johnson ice hockey Tampa Bay Lightning 26 13 10 23 +7 24 Patrick Kane Chicago Blackhawks 23 11 12 23 +7 0 Nikita Kucherov Tampa Bay Lightning 26 10 12 22 +7 14 Jonathan Toews Chicago Blackhawks 23 10 11 21 +7 8 Duncan Keith Chicago Blackhawks 23 3 18 21 +16 4 Ryan Getzlaf Anaheim Ducks 16 2 18 20 +6 6 Corey Perry Anaheim Ducks 16 10 8 18 +6 14 Alex Killorn Alexander Killorn Tampa Bay Lightning 26 9 9 18 +3 12 Steven Stamkos Tampa Bay Lightning 26 7 11 18 +2 20 Jakob Silfverberg Anaheim Ducks 16 4 14 18 +6 16 Goaltenders This is a combined table of the top five goaltenders based on goals against average and the top five goaltenders based on save percentage, with at least 420 minutes played. The table is sorted by GAA, and the criteria for inclusion are bolded.https://www.nhl.com/stats/player?reportType=season&report=goaliesummary&season=20142015&gameType=3&sort=wins&aggregate=0&pos=G NHL Stats NHL.com May 24, 2025 Player Team GP Games played W Wins L Losses SA Shots against GA Goals against GAA Goals against average SV% Save percentage SO Shutouts TOI Time on ice (minutes:seconds) Braden Holtby Washington Capitals 13 6 7 412 23 1.71 .944 1 805-43 805:43 Henrik Lundqvist New York Rangers 19 11 8 570 41 2.11 .928 0 1166-10 1166:10 Ben Bishop Tampa Bay Lightning 25 13 11 669 53 2.18 .921 3 1458-58 1458:58 Carey Price Montreal Canadiens 12 6 6 352 28 2.23 .920 1 751-43 751:43 Corey Crawford Chicago Blackhawks 20 13 6 616 47 2.31 .924 2 1222-57 1222:57 Television This was the first postseason under Rogers Media' 12-year contract for Canadian television and digital media rights. On television, national coverage of playoff games aired across Sportsnet, SN1, SN360, FX, and CBC (through Hockey Night in Canada). French-language coverage of all games was carried by TVA Sports. Selected games were simulcast with Punjabi-language commentary on Omni Television.Stanley Cup playoffs broadcast schedule http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/stanley-cup-playoffs-broadcast-schedule/ Sportsnet.ca Rogers Media April 12, 20152015 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 schedule http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=762688 https://web.archive.org/web/20150413053235/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=762688 dead April 13, 2015 NHL.com April 12, 2015 In the United States, national coverage of playoff games aired on either NBC, NBCSN, CNBC, NHL Network, or USA Network.Stanley Cup Playoff Games to Air on USA http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/stanley-cup-playoff-games-air-usa/138885 Broadcasting & Cable March 18, 2014 USA Network broadcast NHL games for the first time since they aired them from 1979 to 1985. During the first round, these national telecasts co-existed with those of regional rightsholders, after which NBC had exclusive rights to the remaining games. Seven first-round games were televised exclusively in the U.S. on NBC.http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2015/04/nhl-nbc-stanley-cup-playoffs-primetime-first-round-games-usa-network-nbcsn-cnbc/ NBC to Air First Round NHL Playoff Games in Primetime Sports Media Watch April 1, 2015 April 4, 2015 In Canada, first-round viewership improved over the previous season, with one of the games in the Montreal-Ottawa series on CBC seen by 3.76 million viewers.The Great Canadian Ratings Report: NHL playoffs give Rogers a glimpse of its dream https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/eh-game/the-great-canadian-ratings-report--rogers-looking-forward-to-next-nhl-playoff-round-135750116.html Yahoo! Sports Canada June 2, 2015Pucks and profit: CEO opens up about Rogers' rookie NHL season https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rogers-hockey-guy-laurence/article24702297/ 31 May 2015 The Globe and Mail However, following the elimination of Canadian teams from contention and an all-U.S. final, ratings dropped significantly, with Numeris estimating an overall decrease of 8% in average viewership on CBC, and a 14% decrease in average viewership for Sportsnet in comparison to TSN's 2014 playoff coverage. Game six of the Final, facing competition from a Team Canada match in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup on CTV and TSN, and the Toronto Blue Jays (in the midst of a major winning streak) on Sportsnet, was the lowest-rated deciding game since game seven in 2003.The Great Canadian Ratings Report: NHL playoffs failed to produce big ratings for Rogers https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/eh-game/the-great-canadian-ratings-report--201309600.html Yahoo! Sports Canada June 17, 2015 By contrast, ratings in the United States were strong for NBC and its cable networks. This also extended to the Montreal-Ottawa first-round series, where it faced no competition from a U.S. regional rightsholder: games six and three of the all-Canadian series on NBCSN ended up being the top and the second-most watched first-round contests on U.S. cable, respectively.http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2015/04/nhl-playoffs-ratings-canadiens-senators-largest-audience-nbcsn-red-wings-lightning-canucks-flames/ Canadiens/Senators Strong Again For NBCSN Sports Media Watch April 28, 2015 June 19, 2015 Game seven of the N.Y. Rangers-Tampa Bay Eastern Conference finals produced a 2.65 metered market overnight rating, making it NBCSN's second-highest rated non-Final NHL game. Game seven of the Anaheim-Chicago Western Conference finals then generated a 3.27 metered market rating, the highest rated non-Final overnight NHL game on NBC.http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/31/blackhawks-ducks-game-7-sets-new-nbc-ratings-mark-outside-of-stanley-cup-final/ Blackhawks – Ducks Game 7 sets new NBC ratings mark (outside of Stanley Cup Final) ProHockeyTalk May 31, 2015 June 19, 2015 During the Final, game six was seen by 7.6 million viewers nationally on NBC. Ratings for game six were especially strong in Chicago and Tampa Bay: it was the most-watched NHL broadcast locally in Chicago history, and the second-highest in Tampa Bay.Ratings: Stanley Cup Final's Game 6 on NBC Rules Monday https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/stanley-cup-final-ratings-bachelorette-ratings-1201520669/ Variety June 16, 2015 June 17, 2015 Overall, it was the second-most-watched Stanley Cup Finals since 1995, averaging a 3.2 rating and 5.6 million viewers on NBC and NBCSN, trailing only the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals.http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2015/06/stanley-cup-final-ratings-second-most-watched-series-since-1995-blackhawks-lightning-nhl/ 2015 Stanley Cup Final Second-Most Watched in Past Two Decades Sports Media Watch June 16, 2015 June 19, 2015 Notes References 30em 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs Stanley Cup playoffs 2015 Category:Stanley Cup playoffs playoffs