Even though the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights don’t know exactly who they will be playing just yet, the NHL has released the playoff schedules for the first round. Things will kick off on Saturday with a game between the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals, while the North Division won’t get going until May 19—the same day the regular season ends.
All times ET
East Division:
NYI @ PIT – Sunday, May 16, 12:00pm
NYI @ PIT – Tuesday, May 18, 7:30pm
PIT @ NYI – Thursday, May 20, 7:00pm
PIT @ NYI – Saturday, May 22, 3:00pm
NYI @ PIT – Monday, May 24, TBD*
PIT @ NYI – Wednesday, May 26, TBD*
NYI @ PIT – Friday, May 28, TBD*
BOS @ WSH – Saturday, May 15, 7:15pm
BOS @ WSH – Monday, May 17: 7:30pm
WSH @ BOS – Wednesday, May 19, 6:30pm
WSH @ BOS – Friday, May 21, 6:30pm
BOS @ WSH – Sunday, May 23, TBD*
WSH @ BOS – Tuesday, May 25, TBD*
BOS @ WSH – Thursday, May 27, TBD*
Central Division:
NSH @ CAR – Monday, May 17, 8:00pm
NSH @ CAR – Wednesday, May 19, 8:00pm
CAR @ NSH – Friday, May 21, 7:00pm
CAR @ NSH – Sunday, May 23, TBD
NSH @ CAR – Tuesday, May 25, TBD*
CAR @ NSH – Thursday, May 27, TBD*
NSH @ CAR – Saturday, May 29, TBD*
TBL @ FLA – Sunday, May 16, 7:30pm
TBL @ FLA – Tuesday, May 18, 8:00pm
FLA @ TBL – Thursday, May 20, 6:30pm
FLA @ TBL – Saturday, May 22, 12:30pm
TBL @ FLA – Monday, May 24, TBD*
FLA @ TBL – Wednesday, May 26, TBD*
TBL @ FLA – Friday, May 28, TBD*
West Division:
STL @ COL/VGK – Monday, May 17, 10:00pm
STL @ COL/VGK – Wednesday, May 19, 10:30pm
COL/VGK @ STL – Friday, May 21, 9:30pm
COL/VGK @ STL – Sunday, May 23, TBD
STL @ COL/VGK – Tuesday, May 25, TBD*
COL/VGK @ STL – Thursday, May 27, TBD*
STL @ COL/VGK – Saturday, May 29, TBD
MIN @ COL/VGK – Sunday, May 16, 3:00pm
MIN @ COL/VGK – Tuesday, May 18, 10:00pm
COL/VGK @ MIN – Thursday, May 20, 9:30pm
COL/VGK @ MIN – Saturday, May 22, 8:00pm
MIN @ COL/VGK – Monday, May 24, TBD*
COL/VGK @ MIN – Wednesday, May 26, TBD*
MIN @ COL/VGK – Friday, May 28, TBD*
North Division:
MTL @ TOR – Thursday, May 20, 7:30pm
MTL @ TOR – Saturday, May 22, 7:00pm
TOR @ MTL – Monday, May 24, TBD
TOR @ MTL – Tuesday, May 25, TBD
MTL @ TOR – Thursday, May 27, TBD*
TOR @ MTL – Saturday, May 29, TBD*
MTL @ TOR – Monday, May 31, TBD*
WPG @ EDM – Wednesday, May 19, 9:00pm
WPG @ EDM – Friday, May 21, 9:00pm
EDM @ WPG – Sunday, May 23, TBD
EDM @ WPG – Monday, May 24, TBD
WPG @ EDM – Wednesday, May 26, TBD*
EDM @ WPG – Friday, May 28, TBD*
WPG @ EDM – Sunday, May 30, TBD*
*If necessary
Only two east vs west matchups pre-Cup Final are guaranteed. Hopefully the league has common sense for the conference finals and makes it so if it’s split 2-2 they match the teams up in their traditional conference.