Your weekend viewing guide - A handful of the best games of the weekend and why you should watch. Everything from College Football, to the English Premier League, to the NHL.

The Triple-Dub – April 29th – May 2nd

National Hockey League:

Outside of Detroit sweeping Phoenix, the first round of the NHL playoffs were excellent. The Blackhawks climbed out of a 3-0 deficit to force a game 7 against the Canucks only to lose in overtime. The Penguins-Lightning, Sabres-Flyers, and Canadiens-Bruins series also went seven games and the Sharks-Kings and Ducks-Predators series went to six games respectively. To top things off, a game went to overtime for nine consecutive nights setting an NHL record.

Photo via zimbio.com

The conference semi-final match ups are Red Wings-Sharks and Canucks-Predators in the West and Capitals-Lightning and Flyers-Bruins in the East.  Since the Avs missed the playoffs completely – at least we have the #2 pick in the draft – and Chicago is out, I’m not sure who I’ll be rooting for now (perhaps the Flyers??).. I can tell you it wont be Vancouver, San Jose or Boston – but I am interested to see Red Wings-Sharks series out West and the Bruins-Flyers series back East. Here are all the scheduled games for the weekend:

• Friday April 29th

Tampa Bay Lightning @ Washington Capitals – Game 1 – (Verizon Center – Washington, D.C.) 7:00 PM ET – Versus

Detroit Red Wings @ San Jose Sharks – Game 1 – (HP Pavilion – San Jose, CA) 10:00 PM ET – Versus

• Saturday April 30th

Boston Bruins @ Philadelphia Flyers – Game 1 - (Wells Fargo Center – Philadelphia, PA) 3:00 PM ET – NBC

Nashville Predators @ Vancouver Canucks – Game 1 - (Roger’s Arena – Vancouver, B.C.) 9:00 PM ET – Versus

• Sunday May 1st

Detroit Red Wings @ San Jose Sharks – Game 2 – (HP Pavilion – San Jose, CA) 3:00 PM ET – NBC

Tampa Bay Lightning @ Washington Capitals – Game 2 – (Verizon Center – Washington, D.C.) 7:00 PM ET – Versus

• Monday May 2nd

Boston Bruins @ Philadelphia Flyers – Game 1 - (Wells Fargo Center – Philadelphia, PA) 7:30 PM ET – Versus

National Basketball Association:

The NBA regular season isn’t my favorite but I certainly can’t complain about this year’s playoffs. Who expected the Spurs to be trailing the Grizzlies 3-2, the Lakers pushed to six games against the Hornets, and Orlando getting knocked out in the first round?

Photo via nba.com

The second round match ups that are already set include – Celtics-Heat, Bulls-Hawks and Lakers-Mavericks while the Thunder are waiting for the winner of the Spurs-Grizzlies series. All the second round series are intriguing but I’ll be watching the Boston-Miami and whoever the Thunder end up playing. Here’s the paltry schedule for the weekend thanks to the Spurs and Grizzlies:

• Friday April 29th

San Antonio Spurs @ Memphis Grizzlies – Game 6 (Grizzlies lead 3-2) – (FedExForum – Memphis, TN) 9:00 PM ET – ESPN

• Sunday May 1st

Memphis Grizzlies @ San Antonio Spurs – Game 7 **If Necessary** – (AT&T Center – San Antonio, TX) 1:00 PM ET – ABC

Boston Celtics @ Miami Heat – Game 1 - (American Airlines Arena – Miami, FL) 3:30 PM ET – ABC

• Monday May 2nd

Atlanta Hawks @ Chicago Bulls – Game 1 – (United Center – Chicago, IL) 8:00 PM ET – TNT

Dallas Mavericks @ Los Angeles Lakers – Game 1 – (Staples Center – Los Angeles, CA) 10:30 PM ET – TNT

English Premier League:

• Sunday May 1st

Manchester United (21-10-3 – 73 pts) @ Arsenal (18-10-6 – 64 pts) (Emirates Stadium – London, England) 9:05 AM ET – FSC

Photo via zimbio.com

A few weeks ago this looked like a potential clash to determine the EPL title winner but Gunners have failed to meet expectations yet again. Arsenal has fallen 9 points behind the Red Devils with just four games remaining having gone 1-5-1 in the Premier League since March. That said, I’m still expecting an exciting match on Sunday with the likes of Rooney, Giggs, Hernandez, Ferdinand, Fabregas, van Persie, Walcott, Nasri and others on the pitch. Don’t be surprised if Arsenal gives the game away late especially with United’s penchant for scoring late goals. Regardless of who wins – this should be fun to watch on Sunday.

What games are you watching this weekend?