Stanley Cup Playoffs 2016: Schedule, TV Channels For First-Round Series

Sixteen teams but only one Stanley Cup. That’s the situation in the NHL, with the postseason scheduled to begin Wednesday.

The Washington Capitals won the Presidents’ Trophy as owners of the league’s best regular-season record, and while they’ll have home ice throughout the playoffs, they’ll also have history to fight. Just eight Presidents’ Trophy-winning teams have claimed the Stanley Cup since the award was first handed out in 1986.

See all how all 16 teams’ paths will begin in the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs schedule below.

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS 2016 SCHEDULE (All times Eastern)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Florida Panthers (Atlantic No. 1) vs. New York Islanders (Wild Card No. 1)
Thursday, April 14: Islanders 5, Panthers 4
Friday, April 15: Panthers 3, Islanders 1
Sunday, April 17: Islanders 4, Panthers 3 (OT)
Wednesday, April 20: Panthers 2, Islanders 1
Friday, April 22: Islanders 2, Panthers 1 (2OT)
Sunday, April 24: Islanders 2, Panthers 1 (2OT); New York wins series 4-2

Tampa Bay Lightning (Atlantic No. 2) vs. Detroit Red Wings (Atlantic No. 3)
Wednesday, April 13: Lightning 3, Red Wings 2
Friday, April 15: Lightning 5, Red Wings 2
Sunday, April 17: Red Wings 2, Lightning 0
Tuesday, April 19: Lightning 3, Red Wings 2
Thursday, April 21: Lightning 1, Red Wings 0; Tampa Bay wins series 4-1

Washington Capitals (Metropolitan No. 1) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (Wild Card No. 2)
Thursday, April 14: Capitals 2, Flyers 0
Saturday, April 16: Capitals 4, Flyers 1
Monday, April 18: Capitals 6, Flyers 1
Wednesday, April 20: Flyers 2, Capitals 1
Friday, April 22: Flyers 2, Capitals 0
Sunday, April 24: Capitals 1, Flyers 0; Washington wins series 4-2

Pittsburgh Penguins (Metropolitan No. 2) vs. New York Rangers (Metropolitan No. 3)
Wednesday, April 13: Penguins 5, Rangers 2
Saturday, April 16: Rangers 4, Penguins 2
Tuesday, April 19: Penguins 3, Rangers 1
Thursday, April 21: Penguins 5, Rangers 0
Saturday, April 23: Penguins 5, Rangers 0; Pittsburgh wins series 4-1

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Dallas Stars (Central No. 1) vs. Minnesota Wild (Wild Card No. 2)
Thursday, April 14: Stars 4, Wild 0
Saturday, April 16: Stars 2, Wild 1
Monday, April 18: Wild 5, Stars 3
Wednesday, April 20: Stars 3, Wild 2
Friday, April 22: Wild 5, Stars 4 (OT)
Sunday, April 24: Stars 5, Wild 4; Dallas wins series 4-2

St. Louis Blues (Central No. 2) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (Central No. 3)
Wednesday, April 13: Blues 1, Blackhawks 0 (OT)
Friday, April 15: Blackhawks 3, Blues 2
Sunday, April 17: Blues 3, Blackhawks 2
Tuesday, April 19: Blues 4, Blackhawks 3
Thursday, April 21: Blackhawks 4, Blues 3 (2OT)
Saturday, April 23: Blackhawks 6, Blues 3
Monday, April 25: Blues 3, Blackhawks 2; Blues win series 4-3

Anaheim Ducks (Pacific No. 1) vs. Nashville Predators (Wild Card No. 1)
Friday, April 15: Predators 3, Ducks 2
Sunday, April 17: Predators 3, Ducks 2
Tuesday, April 19: Ducks 3, Predators 0
Thursday, April 21: Ducks 4, Predators 1
Saturday, April 23: Ducks 5, Predators 2
Monday, April 25: Predators 3, Ducks 1
Wednesday, April 27: Predators 2, Ducks 1; Nashville wins series 4-3

Los Angeles Kings (Pacific No. 2) vs. San Jose Sharks (Pacific No. 3)
Thursday, April 14: Sharks 4, Kings 3
Saturday, April 16: Sharks 2, Kings 1
Monday, April 18: Kings 2, Sharks 1 (OT)
Wednesday, April 20: Sharks 3, Kings 2
Friday, April 22: Sharks 6, Kings 3; San Jose wins series 4-1