The Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks Game 7 of the Western Conference Final on Saturday has been shifted to televise on NBC, reports Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register.
The decisive game was originally scheduled to air on NBCSN, but will now close out the conference finals on major network television with a 7 p.m. CT puck drop. The Hawks forced Game 7 with a 5-2 win, led by three second-period goals assisted by Duncan Keith, over the Ducks on Wednesday at the United Center.
The Eastern Conference Final Game 7 between the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning at Madison Square Garden in New York City will be broadcast on NBCSN on Friday.
Regardless of the victors, the 2015 Stanley Cup Final will begin Wednesday, June 3.
It is only the second time in the expansion era since 1967-1968 playoffs that both conference finals series are going seven games. The first time was in 2000 when the New Jersey Devils beat the Philadelphia Flyers and the Dallas Stars dispatched the Colorado Avalanche. The Devils would go on to win their second Stanley Cup in five years.
The Hawks and Ducks each dropped a home Game 7 to the Los Angeles Kings last season. Anaheim blew a 3-2 series lead against the Kings in the second round, and the Hawks lost 5-4 in overtime in the West final. The Hawks are 1-2 in Game 7s under coach Joel Quenneville.
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