DARRYL DYCK
So there is only one weekend game, the first two-day break comes early and doesn't cover a period of travel, and if the Stanley Cup final extends to seven games, it will finish on June 15.
Those realities are setting in after NBC Sports unveiled the Cup schedule on its website Thursday.
There will be only one weekend game (Game 2) between the Vancouver Canucks and the Eastern Conference champion. It takes place next Saturday, June 4, at Rogers Arena, after a two-day break following Game 1.
Every game will start at 5 p.m. PT, meaning you can also bet that commerce will shutdown across British Columbia at about 4:30 -- if not sooner -- on every game night.
Should Game 5 and Game 6 be necessary, the NHL and its broadcast partners are bypassing what would be the second weekend of the final. Game 5 is scheduled for Friday, June 10 in Vancouver, while Game 6 would come after a weekend break, and be played Monday, June 13, in either Boston or Tampa.
Wednesday, June 1
Stanley Cup finals Game 1: Boston or Tampa Bay at Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET
Saturday, June 4
Stanley Cup finals Game 2: Boston or Tampa Bay at Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET
Monday, June 6
Stanley Cup finals Game 3: Vancouver at Boston or Tampa Bay, 8 p.m. ET
Wednesday, June 8
Stanley Cup finals Game 4: Vancouver at Boston or Tampa Bay, 8 p.m. ET
Friday, June 10
Stanley Cup finals Game 5 (if necessary): Boston or Tampa Bay at Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET
Monday, June 13
Stanley Cup finals Game 6 (if necessary): Vancouver at Boston or Tampa Bay, 8 p.m. ET
Wednesday, June 15
Stanley Cup finals Game 7 (if necessary): Boston or Tampa Bay at Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET