Everything you need to know about the NHL Conference finals

The third round of the NHL playoffs is set to begin Saturday when the New York Rangers face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning in a matinee at Madison Square Garden. New York, which became the first team in league history to win a best-of-seven series after being down 3-1 in consecutive seasons, will look to become the first team since the 2008-09 Pittsburgh Penguins to represent the East in the Stanley Cup Finals in back-to-back seasons.

The Lightning look to return to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since the 2004 season when they defeated the Calgary Flames in seven games.

Related: Henrik Lundqvist: Mr. Game 7

The West will feature the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks in a series that will begin Sunday afternoon. The Blackhawks are in the West final for the fifth time in the last seven seasons, while the Ducks return to the conference final for the first time since 2007.

Here's what you need to know for the conference finals.

Previews

Lightning vs. Rangers: 3 things you need to know

Is Stamkos Back?

The Lightning haven't had any trouble scoring in the postseason, averaging 2.62 goals, despite their top scoring threat - Steven Stamkos - not doing much of anything until Game 5 and 6 of the Canadiens series.

But you can't keep a goal scorer like Stamkos - who has 276 regular season and 11 postseason goals to his credit - off the scoresheet for long.

Though the 25-year-old struggled to get shot attempts for a short stint against the Canadiens, he seems to have figured it out, giving the Lightning more ammunition to fire at Lundqvist. (READ MORE)

Schedule

Team Stats

Tampa Bay

New York

Head-to-Head

Nov. 17, 2014: Tampa Bay 5, New York 1

Nov. 26, 2014: Tampa Bay 4, New York 3

Dec. 1, 2014: Tampa Bay 6, New York 3

Poll

Blackhawks vs. Ducks: 3 things you need to know

Two offensive beasts

Both clubs' goalies might be a bit nervous heading into the next round, as each team will be facing their toughest offensive challenge so far.

The Ducks and Blackhawks are averaging the most goals per game of any of the teams remaining in the postseason. Anaheim is averaging 3.89 goals per game, while Chicago isn't far behind with 3.2.

The two clubs combined have seven of the top-10 playoff scorers. Often when two offensive teams face off, things dry up, but the red lights could get quite the workout if each team's defense fails to step up. (READ MORE)

Schedule

Team Stats

Chicago

Anaheim

Head-to-Head

Oct. 28, 2014: Anaheim 1, Chicago 0

Nov. 28 2014: Chicago 4, Anaheim 1

Jan. 30: Chicago 4, Anaheim 1

Poll

Features

5 best goals through 2 rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs

5 best saves through 2 rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs

Blackhawks' Toews: 'We feel we can go (to Anaheim) and steal one, if not two'

Further Reading

Sam Hitchcock of NBC Sports looks at how the West will be won.

The Chicago Blackhawks and the Anaheim Ducks both have superstars at the height of their powers who have led them to the Western Conference finals. Unfortunately, age will cause these stars to decline, and the salary cap will diminish their supporting ranks. There is no certainty in either team's future, so for both, the time is now.

Sean McIndoe of Grantland previews the East and West Conference finals which include the following thoughts.

East

Is something wrong with Steven Stamkos? After going goalless through the opening round, Stamkos rebounded with three against the Canadiens, including the winner in the clinching game. But he still hasn't looked right, and I've talked to more than a few people who assume he's secretly hurt. (He's not listed on any injury report.) If he gets healthy and/or heats up, this Lightning offense may go from dangerous to unstoppable.

West

Which Corey Crawford shows up? In the first round, Crawford struggled and lost his job to backup Scott Darling, who eventually struggled and handed it back. In the second round, Crawford was excellent. Maybe you look at him as a guy who needed a wake-up call in Round 1 and is now locked in and ready to win another Cup, but I’m still a little nervous if I'm a Blackhawks fan.

Odds

To win Stanley Cup

Exact Matchup

Related: Conn Smythe Power Rankings: King Henrik Lundqvist assumes the throne

Conn Smythe updated odds

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