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.

May 25, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; J.P. and Paul Norden, who were injured during the Boston Marathon bombings, wave the “Boston Strong” flag before the start of game five of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ivins-USA TODAY Sports

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are coming to a close, and the end of the semi-finals is just around the corner. But until that glorious Cup is raised by the best team in the league, we’ll keep you updated on which teams are still in the running.

Western Conference

Series A

With an impressive three-goal third period last night, the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings head into game seven in the series. Detroit had led the series since game three, beating the Blackhawks 3-1, 2-0 in Detroit, but began the fall to Chicago with a 4-1 loss in game five and 4-3 loss in game six. Daniel Cleary scored for the Red Wings in both game four and game five, but was shut down in game six, and Andrew Shaw put up two of the four goals in game four for Chicago. Game seven kicks off Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on NBCSN.

Series B

The San Jose Sharks held on to a second period lead in Sunday’s game six against the Los Angeles Kings to force a game seven. The teams were also tied in the series at two games apiece with the Sharks’ 2-1 victory in game four two weeks ago.  It seems safe to say this has been the tightest race of the four remaining series’ in the playoffs; only two games have been decided by more than a goal. T.J. Galiardi and Joe Thornton continue to put up big points for the Sharks, while Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar and Jonathan Quick refuse to let the dream of consecutive championships die. The puck drops tonight at 9:00 p.m., with the victory deciding the first team headed to the conference finals.

Eastern Conference

Series C

On Friday, the Pittsburgh Penguins officially clinched a spot in the Eastern Conference finals and pushed out the Ottawa Senators, winning the series 4-1. The Senators’ sole victory was a 2-1 win over the Penguins in Ottawa. Pittsburgh closed out the series with some of the largest goal differentials since the playoffs began last month, beating Ottawa 7-3 in game four and 6-2 in game five. James Neal and Jarome Iginla scored four goals combined in game four, and Neal notched another hat trick in his repertoire in game five. Former Dallas Stars captain Brenden Morrow scored Pittsburgh’s first goal of game five.

Series D

The Boston Bruins closed out the series against the New York Rangers four-games-to-one, and it looked as if the Rangers were going to be the first team in the playoffs to get swept in a series. New York’s sole victory was a 4-3 overtime victory in game four. Boston squashed any hope of a Rangers come back with a 3-1 victory in game five. Torey Krug and Gregory Cambell combined for four goals for Boston in games four and five. Chris Kreider scored his first goal of the playoffs and the game-winning goal in overtime for the Rangers in game five, and Derick Brassard posted two assists to contribute to the Rangers’ only victory.

We’re almost down to just four teams, and as the off season progresses and the cup gets closer, we’re committed to keeping you updated with which teams are winning and which ones are headed home. Check back Thursday for a highlight into the conference finals!