It’s the best time of the year for hockey fans because the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs begin Wednesday.
The Pittsburgh Penguins will attempt to become the first team since the 1998 Detroit Red Wings to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. It won’t be easy for the Pens, though, especially with No. 1 defenseman Kris Letang unavailable because of an injury.
A few teams ended notable playoff droughts this season. The Edmonton Oilers are back in for the first time since losing Game 7 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Final, and the Boston Bruins have returned for the first time since 2014.
Here’s the schedule for every first-round playoff series (all times ET). Games 5 through 7 are if necessary.
Eastern Conference
A1 Montreal Canadiens vs. W1 New York Rangers
Game 1: April 12 at Montreal, 7 p.m., NBCSN
Game 2: April 14 at Montreal, 7 p.m., USA
Game 3: April 16 at New York, 7 p.m., NBCSN
Game 4: April 18 at New York, 7 p.m., NBCSN
Game 5: April 20 at Montreal (TBD)
Game 6: April 22 at New York (TBD)
Game 7: April 24 at Montreal (TBD)
A2 Ottawa Senators vs. A3 Boston Bruins
Game 1: April 12 at Ottawa, 7 p.m., NESN
Game 2: April 15 at Ottawa, 3 p.m., NBC (pregame and postgame on NESN)
Game 3: April 17 at Boston, 7 p.m., NESN
Game 4: April 19 at Boston, 7:30 p.m., NESN
Game 5: April 21 at Ottawa (TBD), NESN
Game 6: April 23 at Boston (TBD), NESN
Game 7: April 26 at Ottawa (TBD), NESN
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M1 Washington Capitals* vs. W2 Toronto Maple Leafs
Game 1: April 13 at Washington, 7 p.m., USA
Game 2: April 15 at Washington, 7 p.m., NBCSN
Game 3: April 17 at Toronto, 7 p.m., NBCSN
Game 4: April 19 at Toronto, 7 p.m., NBCSN
Game 5: April 21 at Washington (TBD)
Game 6: April 23 at Toronto (TBD)
Game 7: April 25 at Washington (TBD)
M2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. M3 Columbus Blue Jackets
Game 1: April 12 at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., USA
Game 2: April 14 at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m., NHL Network
Game 3: April 16 at Columbus, 6 p.m., CNBC
Game 4: April 18 at Columbus, 7:30 p.m., CNBC
Game 5: April 20 at Pittsburgh (TBD)
Game 6: April 23 at Columbus (TBD)
Game 7: April 25 at Pittsburgh (TBD)
Western Conference
C1 Chicago Blackhawks* vs. W2 Nashville Predators
Game 1: April 13 at Chicago, 8 p.m., NBCSN
Game 2: April 15 at Chicago, 8 p.m., NBC
Game 3: April 17 at Nashville, 9:30 p.m., CNBC
Game 4: April 20 at Nashville (TBD)
Game 5: April 22 at Chicago (TBD)
Game 6: April 24 at Nashville (TBD)
Game 7: April 26 at Chicago (TBD)
C2 Minnesota Wild vs. C3 St. Louis Blues
Game 1: April 12 at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m., NBCSN
Game 2: April 14 at Minnesota, 8 p.m., NBCSN
Game 3: April 16 at St. Louis, 3 p.m., NBC
Game 4: April 19 at St. Louis, 9:30 p.m., NBCSN
Game 5: April 22 at Minnesota (TBD)
Game 6: April 24 at St. Louis (TBD)
Game 7: April 26 at Minnesota (TBD)
P1 Anaheim Ducks vs. W1 Calgary Flames
Game 1: April 13 at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m., NBCSN
Game 2: April 15 at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m., NBCSN
Game 3: April 17 at Calgary, 10 p.m., NBCSN
Game 4: April 19 at Calgary, 10 p.m., USA
Game 5: April 21 at Anaheim (TBD)
Game 6: April 23 at Calgary (TBD)
Game 7: April 25 at Anaheim (TBD)
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 San Jose Sharks
Game 1: April 12 at Edmonton, 10 p.m., USA
Game 2: April 14 at Edmonton, 10:30 p.m., NBCSN
Game 3: April 16 at San Jose, 10 p.m., NBCSN
Game 4: April 18 at San Jose, 10 p.m., NBCSN
Game 5: April 20 at Edmonton (TBD)
Game 6: April 22 at San Jose (TBD)
Game 7: April 24 at Edmonton (TBD)
*Denotes best record in respective conference
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
