The NHL’s playoff picture did not get locked in until the final game of the last night of the regular season.
As the Colorado Avalanche defeated the Nashville Predators 4-3 on Friday night, they clinched the top spot in the Central Division to set a best-of-seven matchup against the Seattle Kraken, thus solidifying all of the Stanley Cup Playoff’s first-round series.
The playoffs start Monday with all games on Sportsnet and Sportsnet NOW.
The Edmonton Oilers are the first Canadian team to play as they host the Los Angeles Kings in a first-round rematch on Monday. The Toronto Maple Leafs open their series at home in a first-round rematch against the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning while the Winnipeg Jets are in Vegas to battle the Golden Knights on Tuesday.
Here is the first-round schedule.
Editor’s note: All times are Eastern. Times and television listings for the final three games of each series will be determined as they are finalized.
Eastern Conference
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Tuesday, April 18: at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. (Sportsnet/CBC)
Thursday, April 20: at Toronto, 7 p.m. (Sportsnet/CBC)
Saturday, April 22: at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m. (Sportsnet/CBC)
Monday, April 24: at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m. (Sportsnet/CBC)
*Thursday, April 27: at Toronto
*Saturday, April 29: at Tampa Bay
*Monday, May 1: at Toronto
Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers
Monday, April 17: at Boston, 7:30 p.m. (Sportsnet/CBC)
Wednesday, April 19: at Boston, 7:30 p.m. (Sportsnet/CBC)
Friday, April 21: at Florida, 7:30 p.m. (Sportsnet/CBC)
Sunday, April 23: at Florida, 3:30 p.m. (Sportsnet ONE)
*Wednesday, April 26: at Boston
*Friday, April 28: at Florida
*Sunday, April 30: Boston
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders
Monday, April 17: at Carolina, 7 p.m. (Sportsnet 360)
Wednesday, April 19: at Carolina, 7 p.m. (Sportsnet 360)
Friday, April 21: at New York, 7 p.m. (Sportsnet ONE)
Sunday, April 23: at New York, 1 p.m. (Sportsnet 360)
*Tuesday, April 25: at Carolina
*Friday, April 28: at New York
*Sunday, April 30: at Carolina
New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers
Tuesday, April 18: at New Jersey, 7 p.m. (Sportsnet 360)
Thursday, April 20: at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m. (Sportsnet 360)
Saturday, April 22: at New York, 8 p.m. (Sportsnet ONE/City TV)
Monday, April 24: at New York, 7 p.m. (Sportsnet 360)
*Thursday, April 27: at New Jersey
*Saturday, April 29: at New York
*Monday, May 1: at New Jersey
Western Conference
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Winnipeg Jets
Tuesday, April 18: at Vegas, 9:30 p.m. (Sportsnet West)
Thursday, April 20: at Vegas, 10 p.m. (Sportsnet/CBC)
Saturday, April 22: at Winnipeg, 4 p.m. (Sportsnet/CBC)
Monday, April 24: at Winnipeg, 9:30 p.m. (Sportsnet West)
*Thursday, April 27: at Vegas
*Saturday, April 29: at Winnipeg
*Monday, May 1: at Vegas
Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings
Monday, April 17: at Edmonton, 10 p.m. (Sportsnet/CBC)
Wednesday, April 19: at Edmonton, 10 p.m. (Sportsnet/CBC)
Friday, April 21: at Los Angeles, 10 p.m. (Sportsnet/CBC)
Sunday, April 23: at Los Angeles, 9 p.m. (Sportsnet/CBC)
*Tuesday, April 25: at Edmonton
*Saturday, April 29: at Los Angeles
*Monday, May 1: at Edmonton
Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars
Monday, April 17: at Dallas, 9:30 p.m. (Sportsnet 360)
Wednesday, April 19: at Dallas, 9:30 p.m. (Sportsnet 360)
Friday, April 21: at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m. (Sportsnet ONE)
Sunday, April 23: at Minnesota, 6:30 p.m. (Sportsnet East, Ontario, Pacific)
*Tuesday, April 25: at Dallas
*Friday, April 28: at Minnesota
*Sunday, April 30: at Dallas
Seattle Kraken vs. Colorado Avalanche
Tuesday, April 18: at Colorado, 10 p.m. (Sportsnet 360)
Thursday, April 20: at Colorado, 9:30 p.m. (Sportsnet 360/FX)
Saturday, April 22: at Seattle, 10 p.m. (Sportsnet 360)
Monday, April 24: at Seattle, 10 p.m. (Sportsnet 360)
*Wednesday, April 26: at Colorado
*Friday, April 28: at Seattle
*Sunday, April 30: at Colorado
