The chase for the most iconic trophy in sports is officially on. The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs begin this afternoon, and the intensity is about to be dialed up to eleven. The postseason kicks off with a fantastic Eastern Conference showdown as the Ottawa Senators visit the Carolina Hurricanes at 3 PM ET on ESPN.
Opening Day features a triple-header of playoff action. Following the Sens/Canes clash, the highly-anticipated Central Division battle between the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild gets underway. The nightcap brings a classic rivalry to the forefront as the Philadelphia Flyers face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The action continues to ramp up on Sunday with four more series getting started. The final first-round matchup, which many see as the most lopsided, begins Monday night when the Anaheim Ducks travel to face the powerhouse Edmonton Oilers.
Every moment of the drama will be available to watch. The first round is split between ESPN/ABC and the TNT/TBS/truTV family of networks, with ESPN hosting today's opening slate. Be sure to pay close attention to the schedule, as overtime in an early game could mean a later contest starting on a different channel.
For cord-cutters, streaming is a seamless option. Games on ESPN or ABC are available on the ESPN+ app with a subscription, while TNT broadcasts can be streamed on HBO Max.
Grab your favorite jersey, settle in, and get ready for two months of heart-stopping hockey. Here is the complete first-round schedule to plan your viewing.
Eastern Conference
Boston Bruins (WC1) vs. Buffalo Sabres (A1)
Game 1: At Buffalo, Sunday, 7:30 PM ET (ESPN)
Game 2: At Buffalo, Tuesday, 7:30 PM ET (ESPN)
Game 3: At Boston, Thursday, 7:00 PM ET (TNT, truTV)
Game 4: At Boston, Friday, April 26, TBD (TNT, truTV)
*Game 5: At Buffalo, Sunday, April 28, TBD
*Game 6: At Boston, Wednesday, May 1, TBD
*Game 7: At Buffalo, Friday, May 3, TBD
Montreal Canadiens (A3) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (A2)
Game 1: At Tampa Bay, Sunday, 5:45 PM ET (TNT, truTV)
Game 2: At Tampa Bay, Tuesday, 7:00 PM ET (ESPN2)
Game 3: At Montreal, Friday, 7:00 PM ET (TNT, truTV)
Game 4: At Montreal, Friday, April 26, 7:00 PM ET (ESPN)
*Game 5: At Tampa Bay, Monday, April 29, TBD
*Game 6: At Montreal, Wednesday, May 1, TBD
*Game 7: At Tampa Bay, Friday, May 3, TBD
Ottawa Senators (WC2) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (M1)
Game 1: At Carolina, Today, 3:00 PM ET (ESPN)