Stanley Cup Playoffs Conference Finals & IIHF World Championship 2015 Semifinals

It's that weekend. Not only the Stanley Cup playoffs reaching the conference final weekend, but also it is semifinal Saturday in the IIHF World Championship.

As far as the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Rangers came down from 3-1 to win their East semifinal series with the Capitals. The Bolts back in the conference final for the first time since 2011, after coming back against the Habs in the conference semifinals.

In the West, the Blackhawks returning to the conference final for the third consecutive year. But we want more Steve Darling! The Ducks back in the conference final since 2007, when they won the Cup in five against the Senators.

CONFERENCE FINALS
(Best of seven)

WEST
(1P) Ducks v (3C) Blackhawks
Game 1 Sunday (at the same time of the IIHF World's final)
Game 2 Tuesday
Game 3 Thursday
Game 4 5/23
Game 5 5/25*
Game 6 5/27*
Game 7 5/30*

EAST
(1M) Rangers v (2A) Lightning
Game 1 Saturday
Game 2 Monday
Game 3 Wednesday
Game 4 5/22
Game 5 5/24*
Game 6 5/26*
Game 7 5/29*
*-If necessary.

In Canada, from Saturday on through the Final series, all will be on CBC. In the US, it is on NBC and NBCSN.

As far as the IIHF World Championship is concerned, both semifinals on Saturday. The host nation Czech Republic takes on Hockey Canada at 8:15am NACDT, while at 12:15pm it is USA Hockey against Russia. Both games on tape later that night on NBCSN here in the states, while in Canada, both on TSN1. The final is on Sunday and live on NBCSN and TSN1, counteracting the West final game 1 on NBC and CBC. Ratings gold and a big boost for the sport.

IIHF Women's World Championship 2015 Malmo: Starts Saturday

Malmo is back in the spotlight, but not for EUROVISION (see 1992 and 2013). However it is for this every two year tradition: the IIHF Women's World Championship.

This year's field of eight is not a surprise, considering these are the same eight who qualified for the Sochi tournament last year, including the host country Sweden.

All eight teams will open play on Saturday, and will last the next two weeks. On Saturday, the 2013 world champions (USA Hockey) takes on the four time defending Olympic gold medalists (Hockey Canada) to help kick off the tournament.

Sadly, there is no US television for this, but try IIHF.com.

FIBA World Championship For Women 2014 Starts Saturday!

The men had their worlds capped off by the United States with yet another dominating final against Serbia in Spain. Now heading east, FIBA's next tournament starts Saturday as the World Championship for Women is in Turkey.

All sixteen teams will play the first two days in games, including the United States and Turkey. Turkey will play later, while USA Basketball's game against China will be shown Saturday at 3pm NAEDT on NBATV here in the states. The final is next Sunday, the 5th of October.

At least one game will be shown during the tournament here in the states, whether it's on NBATV or the ESPN networks.