The Stanley Cup Playoffs will open on Wednesday with four games, the NHL revealed on Sunday as it released its playoff schedule for the opening round. The Tampa Bay Lightning -- fresh off winning a record-tying 62 games in the regular season -- will open play against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first game of the playoffs at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
The defending champion Washington Capitals will begin their quest to repeat against the Carolina Hurricanes the following night. Here's the full first-round schedule (all times Eastern):
EASTERN CONFERENCE Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
Wednesday, April 10, 7 p.m.: @ Lightning Friday, April 12, 7 p.m.: @ Lightning
Sunday, April 14, 7 p.m.: @ Blue Jackets Tuesday, April 16, 7 p.m.: @ Blue Jackets
*Friday, April 19 (time TBD): @ Lightning *Sunday, April 21 (time TBD): @ Blue Jackets
*Tuesday, April 23 (time TBD): @ Lightning Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Thursday, April 11, 7 p.m.: @ Bruins Saturday, April 13, 8 p.m.: @ Bruins
Monday, April 15, 7 p.m.: @ Maple Leafs Wednesday, April 17, 7 p.m.: @ Maple Leafs
*Friday, April 19 (time TBD): @ Bruins *Sunday, April 21 (time TBD): @ Maple Leafs
*Tuesday, April 23 (time TBD): @ Bruins Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Thursday, April 11, 7:30 p.m.: @ Capitals Saturday, April 13, 3 p.m.: @ Capitals
Monday, April 15, 7 p.m.: @ Hurricanes Thursday, April 18, 7 p.m.: @ Hurricanes
*Saturday, April 20 (time TBD): @ Capitals *Monday, April 22 (time TBD): @ Hurricanes
*Wednesday, April 24 (time TBD): @ Capitals New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Wednesday, April 10, 7:30 p.m.: @ Islanders Friday, April 12, 7:30 p.m.: @ Islanders
Sunday, April 14, 12 p.m.: @ Penguins Tuesday, April 16, 7:30 p.m.: @ Penguins
*Thursday, April 18 (time TBD): @ Islanders *Saturday, April 20 (time TBD): @ Penguins
*Monday, April 22 (time TBD): @ Islanders WESTERN CONFERENCE
Nashville Predators vs. Dallas Stars Wednesday, April 10, 9:30 p.m.: @ Predators
Saturday, April 13, 6 p.m.: @ Predators Monday, April 15, 9:30 p.m.: @ Stars
Wednesday, April 17, 8 p.m. @ Stars *Saturday, April 20 (time TBD): @ Predators
*Monday, April 22 (time TBD): @ Stars *Wednesday, April 24 (time TBD): @ Predators
Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues Wednesday, April 10, 8 p.m.: @ Jets
Friday, April 12, 9:30 p.m.: @ Jets Sunday, April 14, 7:30 p.m.: @ Blues
Tuesday, April 16, 9:30 p.m.: @ Blues *Thursday, April 18 (time TBD): @ Jets
*Saturday, April 20 (time TBD): @ Blues *Monday, April 22 (time TBD): @ Jets
Calgary Flames vs. Colorado Avalanche Thursday, April 11, 10 p.m.: @ Flames
Saturday, April 13, 10:30 p.m.: @ Flames Monday, April 15, 10 p.m.: @ Avalanche
Wednesday, April 17, 10 p.m.: @ Avalanche *Friday, April 19 (time TBD): @ Flames
*Sunday, April 21 (time TBD): @ Avalanche *Tuesday, April 23 (time TBD): @ Flames
San Jose Sharks vs. Vegas Golden Knights Wednesday, April 10, 10:30 p.m.: @ Sharks
Friday, April 12, 10:30 p.m.: @ Sharks Sunday, April 14, 10 p.m.: @ Golden Knights
Tuesday, April 16, 10:30 p.m.: @ Golden Knights *Thursday, April 18 (time TBD): @ Sharks
*Sunday, April 21 (time TBD): @ Golden Knights *Tuesday, April 23 (time TBD): @ Sharks
* if necessary
(With inputs from agencies.)
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