Weekend watchdog

If you're an ice hockey fan, you're about to embark on the best two months of the year.

The quest for the Stanley Cup continues Friday with the second game between the Capitals and Islanders on NBC Sports network at 7 p.m. (also on Comcast) then Nashville meets Chicago at 9:30 p.m. North of the border, Montreal hosts Ottawa at 7 p.m. on CNBC and Calgary clashes with Vancouver at 10 p.m.

NBC has a pair of games Saturday at 3 p.m. - Detroit against Tampa Bay or Minnesota facing St. Louis - and Penguins-Rangers at 8 p.m. The Ducks and Jets battle at 10:30 p.m. on NBC Sports network.

The Islanders start their final postseason at Nassau Coliseum Sunday at noon, meeting the Capitals in Game 3. The Predators take on the Blackhawks at 3 p.m. The Canadiens and Senators meet at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports network, followed by Vancouver-Calgary at 10 p.m.

Multiple games continue each night throughout the coming week.

The NBA's postseason tips Saturday on ESPN, with the Wizards meeting the Raptors at 12:30 p.m. West top-seed Golden State hosts New Orleans at 3:30 p.m. on ABC, then ESPN has an evening doubleheader - Bulls against Bucks at 7 p.m. and Rockets-Mavericks at 9:30 p.m.

LeBron James and the Cavaliers battle the Celtics Sunday at 3 p.m. on ABC. TNT has the rest of the first round action, with Nets-Hawks at 5:30 p.m. followed by Portland visiting Memphis at 8 p.m. and San Antonio against the Clippers at 10:30 p.m.

The WNBA gears up for its new season with its draft Thursday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.

The Nationals host the Phillies for the weekend, with action on MASN2 Friday, MASN Saturday at 1 p.m. and MASN2 Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The Orioles head to Boston Friday at 7 p.m. on MASN, Saturday at 4 p.m. on MASN2 and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. on MASN.

FoxSports1 has Saturday's Orioles-Red Sox game at 4 p.m., followed by the Rays against Yankees at 7 p.m. ESPN offers the Reds battling the Cardinals Sunday at 8 p.m.

On the college diamond, Texas-San Antonio takes on Rice on Comcast Saturday at 3 p.m. FoxSports1 has St. John's against Creighton Friday at 7 p.m. and Vanderbilt meets South Carolina on ESPN2 Saturday at 1 p.m.

NASCAR visits Bristol this weekend, with the Sprint Cup race Sunday at 1 p.m. on Fox. FoxSports1 has the Xfinity series contest Saturday at 1 p.m.

Bahrain hosts the Formula One race Sunday at 11 a.m. on NBC Sports network. There's practice Friday at 11 a.m.

The IndyCar circuit goes to Long Beach Sunday at 4 p.m. on NBC Sports network.

After the Masters, the PGA tour heads to Hilton Head for the Heritage on CBS Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.

D.C. United hosts Houston Saturday at 7 p.m. on Comcast. Philadelphia takes on New England Sunday at 5 p.m. on ESPN2 and Portland heads to New York City Sunday at 7 p.m. on FoxSports1.

Liverpool and Aston Villa meet in a semifinal of FA Cup Sunday at 10 a.m. on FoxSports1.

Everton takes on Burnley Saturday at 10 a.m. on NBC Sports network. Manchester City battles West Ham United Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

NBC Sports network offers Notre Dame's Blue-Gold game Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

Cleveland and Philadelphia meet in Arena Football Saturday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.

In college softball, Baylor battles Oklahoma on ESPN2 Thursday at 9 p.m. and Florida faces Georgia Saturday at 4 p.m. Mercer meets Samford Saturday at 1 p.m. on Comcast and ESPN offers Oregon against Stanford Sunday at 3 p.m.