The battle for this year’s Stanley Cup starts Wednesday, April 11, with three series openers. The two-time defending champion Penguins will host their bitter cross-state rival Flyers, the Wild and Jets will face off in the first Central Division post-season matchup, and the expansion Golden Knights will take on the Kings in their first playoff game in franchise history.
On Thursday, April 12, the remaining five series will start up, highlighted by the Predators and Lightning, two heavy Cup favorites and the top seeds in their respective conferences.
The first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs could last a full 14 days with potential Game 7s scheduled for April 25.
Check out the complete schedule of dates and start times for each playoff team. A positive sidenote for all the Easterners… No first round puck drop will be past 7:30 p.m.
First Round NHL Playoffs Schedule & TV Times:
(All times Eastern; * If necessary)
Eastern Conference
Lightning (A1) vs. Devils (WC2)
Game 1: April 12 at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m.
Game 2: April 14 at Tampa Bay, 3 p.m.
Game 3: April 16 at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.
Game 4: April 18 at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.
*Game 5: April 21 at Tampa Bay, TBD
*Game 6: April 23 at New Jersey, TBD
*Game 7: April 25 at Tampa Bay, TBD
Bruins (A2) vs. Maple Leafs (A3)
Game 1: April 12 at Boston, 7 p.m.
Game 2: April 14 at Boston, 7 p.m.
Game 3: April 16 at Toronto, 7 p.m.
Game 4: April 19 at Toronto, 7 p.m.
*Game 5: April 21 at Boston, TBD
*Game 6: April 23 at Toronto, TBD
*Game 7: April 25 at Boston, TBD
Capitals (M1) vs. Blue Jackets (WC1)
Game 1: April 12 at Washington, 7:30 p.m.
Game 2: April 15 at Washington, 7:30 p.m.
Game 3: April 17 at Columbus, 7:30 p.m.
Game 4: April 19 at Columbus, 7:30 p.m.
*Game 5: April 21 at Washington, TBD
*Game 6: April 23 at Columbus, TBD
*Game 7: April 25 at Washington, TBD
Penguins (M2) vs. Flyers (M3)
Game 1: April 11 at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Game 2: April 13 at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Game 3: April 15 at Philadelphia, 3 p.m.
Game 4: April 18 at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
*Game 5: April 20 at Pittsburgh, TBD
*Game 6: April 22 at Philadelphia, TBD
*Game 7: April 24 at Pittsburgh, TBD
Western Conference
Predators (C1) vs. Avalanche (WC2)
Game 1: April 12 at Nashville, 9:30 p.m.
Game 2: April 14 at Nashville, 3 p.m.
Game 3: April 16 at Colorado, 10 p.m.
Game 4: April 18 at Colorado, 10 p.m.
*Game 5: April 20 at Nashville, TBD
*Game 6: April 22 at Colorado, TBD
*Game 7: April 24 at Nashville, TBD
Jets (C2) vs. Wild (C3)
Game 1: April 11 at Winnipeg, 7 p.m.
Game 2: April 13 at Winnipeg, 7:30 p.m.
Game 3: April 15 at Minnesota, 7 p.m.
Game 4: April 17 at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
*Game 5: April 20 at Winnipeg, TBD
*Game 6: April 22 at Minnesota, TBD
*Game 7: April 25 at Winnipeg, TBD
Golden Knights (P1) vs. Kings (WC1)
Game 1: April 11 at Vegas, 10 p.m.
Game 2: April 13 at Vegas, 10 p.m.
Game 3: April 15 at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.
Game 4: April 17 at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.
*Game 5: April 19 at Vegas, 10 p.m.
*Game 6: April 21 at Los Angeles, TBD
*Game 7: April 23 at Vegas, TBD
Ducks (P2) vs. Sharks (P3)
Game 1: April 12 at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m.
Game 2: April 14 at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m.
Game 3: April 16 at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.
Game 4: April 18 at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.
*Game 5: April 20 at Anaheim, TBD
*Game 6: April 22 at San Jose, TBD
*Game 7: April 24 at Anaheim, TBD
