The National Hockey League published two possible schedules for the 2022 Stanley Cup Final.
The start date for the league championship series is dependent on the outcome of the Eastern Conference Final between the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning.
If the Lightning win Game 6 to advance past the Eastern Conference Final, they’ll take on the Colorado Avalanche in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on June 15.
If the Rangers win Game 6 to push the Eastern Conference Final to its maximum length, Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final will take place between the Avalanche and either the Rangers or Lightning on June 18.
Here’s the full breakdown of both scheduling scenarios, as published by the NHL in a press release on Friday.
The Lightning currently lead the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Final three games to two. Game 6 between the Lightning and Rangers will take place at Amalie Arena in Tampa on the evening of June 11.
If necessary, Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final is scheduled for June 14 at Madison Square Garden in Midtown Manhattan.
The Lightning are the defending back-to-back Stanley Cup champions and have advanced to the Final on four separate occasions (2004, 2015, 2020, 2021) since the Rangers’ last appearance (1994).
Regardless of whether the Lightning or Rangers capture the Prince of Wales Trophy as Eastern Conference champions, Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final will take place at Ball Arena in Denver.
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