NHL Releases First-Round 2021 Playoff Schedule

The playoff schedule has been made and almost every team knows who and when they’ll be playing. Depending on how long each respective series lasts, the games have all been outlined and barring some sort of COVID emergency, fans can start setting the alerts to make sure they don’t miss any of the action.

The NHL released the schedules for each division on Thursday. The Honda West Division is the only division where teams don’t know their opponents yet. the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights could play the St. Louis Blues or Minnesota Wild, with games beginning as early as Sunday, May 16th in one series and Monday, May 17 in the other. They’ll play on alternating days but the time for Game 4 has yet to be determined.

In the Scotia North Division, the matchups are set as the Edmonton Oilers will take on the Winnipeg Jets. That series will start Wednesday, May 19th and includes one back-to-back set of games on May 23rd and May 24th if necessary. The Toronto Maple Leafs will meet the Montreal Canadiens beginning on May 20th and their series has one back-to-back on May 24th and 25th if necessary.

#StanleyCup West and North schedule. pic.twitter.com/dnxrP2VKIo

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 13, 2021

Meanwhile, in the Mass Mutual East Division, the Pittsburgh Penguins know they’ll be facing the New York Islanders in a series that begins May 16th. There are no back-to-back games scheduled as the series will end of May 28th if it goes seven games. The other divisional matchup will see the Washington Capitals faceoff against the Boston Bruins beginning May 15th. This series will be fan’s first taste of playoff hockey this season and it’s a great rivalry to kick things off with Zdeno Chara going up against his old team.

#Stanley Cup East and Central schedule. pic.twitter.com/kYrPMG7ZXV

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 13, 2021

Finally, the Discover Central Division playoffs will begin on May 16th as the Tampa Bay Lightning meet up with the Florida Panthers followed by the Carolina Hurricanes vs. the Nashville Predators.

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