Stanley Cup Finals 2014 schedule released, begins June 4
The National Hockey League announced Wednesday that the Stanley Cup Finals 2014 schedule has been decided. According to NHL.com, the series will begin Wednesday, June 4 with all games falling on these dates:
| 2014 STANLEY CUP FINAL SCHEDULE | |
| Game | Date |
| Game 1 | Wednesday, June 4 |
| Game 2 | Saturday, June 7 |
| Game 3 | Monday, June 9 |
| Game 4 | Wednesday, June 11 |
| *Game 5 | Friday, June 13 |
| *Game 6 | Monday, June 16 |
| *Game 7 | Wednesday, June 18 |
| * if necessary |
The venues, start times and broadcasting information will be released as soon as they are known.
In one week’s time, it will be decided exactly which two teams will be battling for the ever coveted Stanley Cup. The schedule is similar to last year which also started on a Wednesday and had two days off between Game 1 and Game 2.
The Los Angeles Kings will face the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday. The Kings are currently ahead in the series 3-1 and are looking to eliminate the Blackhawks in Chicago.
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville stated they are “Just looking to win Game 5. That’s it. Get the momentum back and go from there.” The 5-2 loss on Monday was a hard one. But the plan is to keep pushing and not focus on past games.
The Kings have another thought in their minds having been eliminated in the Western Conference Finals last year. Kings forward Justin Williams wants to make up for not heading to the finals:
“Losing last year makes you drive a little bit harder to win. You don’t want anyone to take anything from you. Chicago took it from us last year. We’re trying to reciprocate. We won in 2012, then we lost last year. That might get the fire going a little bit more, knowing that someone got the better of you.”
The Montreal Canadiens will face the New York Rangers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Thursday. The Rangers currently lead the series 3-2, but after a loss to the Canadiens on Tuesday, it may be a battle to Game 7.
If Chicago beats LA, it will have a home ice advantage over either Eastern team. If LA wins, it would have home ice over the Rangers but not the Canadiens.