Protecting Home Ice Could Decide NHL’s Conference Finals

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks have a sellout streak of 323 games and counting. The New York Rangers play in the world’s most famous arena, and the Anaheim Ducks are undefeated at home in the playoffs. The Tampa Bay Lightning set a franchise record with an NHL-best 32 home wins.

Welcome to the NHL’s final four, where one road win could go a long way.

The Rangers host the Lightning on Saturday in the opener of the Eastern Conference finals. The Ducks put their perfect postseason home record on the line Sunday in Game 1 against the Blackhawks, who also are 5-0 at home in the postseason.

The final four teams are a combined 19-5 at home in the postseason. The home team is 42-27 in this year’s NHL playoffs overall.