WATCH Capitals vs. Rangers Live Stream Online, Eastern Conference Semifinals: Listen To Free NHL Game 5 Coverage, 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs Rankings

It's finally that time of year - the Stanley Cup playoffs are here!

The Washington Capitals battle it out on the ice against the New York Rangers as part of the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday, May 8 at 7:00 p.m. EST at NYC's Madison Square Garden. Read on to see where fans can watch and listen to a live stream of the Eastern Conference Semifinals online and catch up-to-date feeds and coverage on highlight plays and scores.

Check out a thorough preview of Game 3 over at FoxSports.

A total of eight teams remain in the playoffs. According to SportingNews.com reporter Sean Gentille: 

Rangers (5): "Henrik Lundqvist is going to give them a chance to win any series they play, but they'll need to be better than they were against Pittsburgh to get past Washington. The Rangers are a quick-strike team with just average shot-generation abilities, which makes them susceptible to decent goaltending and a fairly opportunistic offensive attack. Pittsburgh managed just one of the two in Round 1. Washington can do better... Mats Zuccarello's absence is also an issue, as is a third line that didn't show up until Game 5 of the first round. Still, the winner of the series should be viewed as the favorite to make it out of the Eastern Conference."

Capitals (4): "Before turning in a virtuoso defensive performance in Game 7, the Capitals had struggled with the Islanders; they were down in the series twice, and they deserved it. Then Braden Holtby faced 11 shots, and that was that... Washington has the forward depth and breakout-capable defensemen that Pittsburgh lacked. They'll have more wiggle room than the Penguins did, and that should manifest itself in something other than five one-goal losses. Picking them over the Rangers is something of an upset, but why not. None of this matters!"

New York proved victorious against the Pittsburgh Penguins in that series earlier this month. Now this series is currently tied 1-1. Now, heading into Game 3, the Capitals lead the series 3-1.

The game will be broadcasted live on local channels NBCS and TVA, but fans can also listen in on the radio at WTOP, WFED, KTUI-FM, and ESPN NY. 

For fans who want to try out a free live stream (which may mean downloading a torrent), click here. Also try this or another option.

For a one-time fee, fans can access a NHL Gamecenter Live pass.

Get more info on the Stanley Cup playoffs.

ESPN, ESPN Scoreboard, and NHL.com  are both good sources for up-to-date game coverage and feeds.

More radio listening options for Capitals and Rangers.

Official NHL team websites: Capitals and Rangers.

Enjoy the semifinals hockey game!