May 29, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Members of the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings shake hands after game seven of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. The Blackhawks won 2-1 to win the series four games to three. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

It’s finally here – the last matchup before the ultimate battle for the Stanley Cup. And if these matchups are anything like those in the semi-finals, neither series will lack entertainment, intensity and overall hockey greatness.

Here are the schedules for the Stanley Cup Conference finals:

Western Conference

#1 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #5 Los Angeles Kings

This battle will undoubtedly be the most heated series either of these two teams has seen in the playoffs yet. Not only because only one team will advance to the final round, but because both teams ended a season raising the Stanley Cup in the past three years.

Both ended their respective semi-final series in game seven by just a point. The Kings were able to finish off the Sharks in regulation, but the Blackhawks were sent into overtime with the Red Wings after a controversial string of penalties just minutes before the end of regulation negated a goal by Niklas Hjalmersson.

It’ll certainly be a battle getting the puck in the net with both teams boasting such strong goalies in net with Jonathan Quick and Corey Crawford.

So, who’s headed to the finals? The Stanley Cup champions or the champions two years before?

Game 1: Kings at Blackhawks – Saturday June 1, 5:00 p.m. – NBCSN

Game 2: Kings at Blackhawks – Sunday June 2, 8:00 p.m. – NBCSN

Game 3: Blackhawks at Kings – Tuesday June 4, 9:00 p.m. – NBCSN

Game 4: Blackhawks at Kings – Thursday, June 6 9:00 p.m. – NBCSN

*Game 5: Kings at Blackhawks – Saturday, June 8 8:00 p.m. – NBC

*Game 6: Blackhawks at Kings – Monday June 10, 9:00 p.m. NBCSN

*Game 7: Kings at Blackhawks – Wednesday June 12, TBD – NBCSN

Eastern Conference

#1 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #4Boston Bruins

In almost complete contrast of how each of the Western Conference teams made it to the conference finals, the Penguins and the Bruins both nearly swept their semi-final competitors, ending both series in five games. And who can forget the Bruins won the Cup just a year before the Kings?

Motivation? Sure, you could say that.

This series is likely to be as intense, if not more so, than the Western Conference battle, simply because neither team gives up the goods. With Sidney Crosby, James Neal, Jarome Iginla, and of course, our beloved Brenden Morrow, the Pens have been pretty much unstoppable since the acquisition of captains in April. But Boston has its own arsenal up its sleeve with Zdeno Chara, Torey Krug, and former Dallas Star Jaromir Jagr.

Either way, you could say Stars fans can somewhat lovingly say they have a dog in the fight.

Game 1: Bruins at Penguins – Saturday June 1, 8:00 p.m. – NBC

Game 2: Bruins at Penguins – Monday June 3, 8:00 p.m. – NBCSN

Game 3: Penguins at Bruins – Wednesday June 5, 8:00 p.m. – NBCSN

Game 4: Penguins at Bruins – Friday June 7, 8:00 p.m. – NBCSN

*Game 5: Bruins at Penguins – Sunday June 9, 8:00 p.m. – NBCSN

*Game 6: Penguins at Bruins – Tuesday June 11, TBD – NBCSN

*Game 7: Bruins at Penguins – Wednesday June 12, TBD – NBCSN

*Denotes games played if necessary.

Apr 1, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Saku Koivu (11) and Dallas Stars center Cody Eakin (20) fight for the puck in the face-off during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Stars are in Anaheim, California tonight to continue a three-game series against the Ducks. Anaheim took home the first win of the three, shutting out Dallas 4-0 Monday.

The night is sure to be an interesting one, with yesterday’s trades of Jaromir Jagr to Boston, Derek Roy to Vancouver and Thomas Vincour to Colorado. Without Jagr, and Brenden Morrow who the Stars traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins last week, the Stars will likely be lacking in a reliable goal-scorer and a strong leader.

Jamie Benn and Loui Eriksson will be Stars forwards to watch tonight, with Eriksson now leading the team in goals and Benn leading the team in overall points.

The Stars have also made roster moves too and from Texas, sending Reilly Smith and Francis Wathier to Texas and recalling Tom Wandell, Alex Chaisson, Colton Sceviour and Matt Fraser from the Austin-based AHL team, which currently sits in first place in the league.

Dallas’ defense will be under just as much pressure as it was Monday, and with no defensive acquisitions after yesterday’s events, it’s unlikely there will be a significant change in performance. The game will, again, come down to the strength of Kari Lehtonen, who has faced a total of 69 shots in the last two games.

Not only will the Ducks be fully amped up after Monday’s shutout victory, the team is also launching into a five-game home stand of its own, and now trails behind the Western Conference-leading Chicago Blackhawks by only four points.

Corey Perry, Bobby Ryan and Ryan Getzlaf will be Dallas’ biggest threats tonight, who together contributed two goals and three assists in Dallas on Monday. Ryan and Getzlaf were also responsible for Anaheim’s two shoot out goals in the Ducks’ only other victory against Dallas this season.

Regardless of who is in net for the Ducks tonight, scoring for Dallas will be a significant challenge. Viktor Fasth denied each of Dallas’ 27 attempts Monday, and Jonas Hiller has only allowed two goals for Dallas this season.

The first puck drops tonight at 9 p.m. at the Honda Center in Anaheim, and will be broadcast on Fox Sports Southwest.