2018 NHL Playoffs Schedule: Predators, Lightning Look to Capitalize on Strong Regular Seasons
The NHL playoffs are finally here and the schedule is set.
The chase for the Stanley Cup will commence on Wednesday, April 11 with three series openers. The Pittsburgh Penguins, champions of the past two seasons, host state rivals Philadelphia Flyers and the Vegas Golden Knights play their first playoff game in franchise history.
Thursday, April 12 will see the remaining five series begin, with the Lightning and Predators hoping to live up to their lofty expectations as favorites.
Below are the schedule and available channel listings for the entire first round of the playoffs.
Eastern Conference
Tampa Bay Lightning (A1) vs. New Jersey Devils (WC2)
Thursday, April 12, 7 p.m. ET: Devils at Lightning (NHL Network)
Saturday, April 14, 3 p.m. ET: Devils at Lightning (NBC/CNBC - check local listings)
Monday, April 16, 7:30 p.m. ET: Lightning at Devils (CNBC)
Wednesday, April 18, 7:30 p.m. ET: Lightning at Devils (Golf Channel - no, seriously)
Saturday, April 21, TBD (if necessary): Devils at Lightning
Monday, April 23, TBD (if necessary): Lightning at Devils
Wednesday, April 25, TBD (if necessary): Devils at Lightning
Boston Bruins (A2) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (A3)
Thursday, April 12, 7 p.m. ET: Maple Leafs at Bruins (NBCSN)
Saturday, April 14, 8 p.m. ET: Maple Leafs at Bruins (NBC)
Monday, April 16, 7 p.m. ET: Bruins at Maple Leafs (NBCSN)
Thursday, April 19, 7 p.m. ET: Bruins at Maple Leafs (NBCSN)
Saturday, April 21, TBD (if necessary): Maple Leafs at Bruins
Monday, April 23, TBD (if necessary): Bruins at Maple Leafs
Wednesday, April 25, TBD (if necessary): Maple Leafs at Bruins
Washington Capitals (M1) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (WC1)
Thursday, April 12, 7:30 p.m. ET: Blue Jackets at Capitals (USA)
Sunday, April 15, 7:30 p.m. ET: Blue Jackets at Capitals (NBCSN)
Tuesday, April 17, 7:30 p.m. ET: Capitals at Blue Jackets (NBCSN)
Thursday, April 19, 7:30 p.m. ET: Capitals at Blue Jackets (USA)
Saturday, April 21, TBD (if necessary): Blue Jackets at Capitals
Monday, April 23, TBD (if necessary): Capitals at Blue Jackets
Wednesday, April 25, TBD (if necessary): Blue Jackets at Capitals
Pittsburgh Penguins (M2) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (M3)
Wednesday, April 11, 7 p.m. ET: Flyers at Penguins (NBCSN)
Friday, April 13, 7 p.m. ET: Flyers at Penguins (NBCSN)
Sunday, April 15, 3 p.m. ET: Penguins at Flyers (NBC)
Wednesday, April 18, 7 p.m. ET: Penguins at Flyers (NBCSN)
Friday, April 20, TBD (if necessary): Flyers at Penguins
Sunday, April 22, TBD (if necessary): Penguins at Flyers
Tuesday, April 24, TBD (if necessary): Flyers at Penguins
Western Conference
Nashville Predators (C1) vs. Colorado Avalanche (WC2)
Thursday, April 12, 9:30 p.m. ET: Avalanche at Predators (NBCSN)
Saturday, April 14, 3 p.m. ET: Avalanche at Predators (NBC/CNBC - check local listings)
Monday, April 16, 10 p.m. ET: Predators at Avalanche (NBCSN)
Wednesday, April 18, 10 p.m. ET: Predators at Avalanche (NBCSN)
Friday, April 20, TBD (if necessary): Avalanche at Predators
Sunday, April 22, TBD (if necessary): Predators at Avalanche
Tuesday, April 24, TBD (if necessary): Avalanche at Predators
Winnipeg Jets (C2) vs. Minnesota Wild (C3)
Wednesday, April 11, 7 p.m. ET: Wild at Jets (CNBC)
Friday, April 13, 7:30 p.m. ET: Wild at Jets (USA)
Sunday, April 15, 7 p.m. ET: Penguins at Flyers (USA)
Tuesday, April 17, 8 p.m. ET: Penguins at Flyers (CNBC)
Friday, April 20, TBD (if necessary): Wild at Jets
Sunday, April 22, TBD (if necessary): Penguins at Flyers
Wednesday, April 25, TBD (if necessary): Wild at Jets
Vegas Golden Knights (P1) vs. Los Angeles Kings (WC1)
Wednesday, April 11, 10 p.m. ET: Kings at Golden Knights (NBCSN)
Friday, April 13, 10 p.m. ET: Kings at Golden Knights (NBCSN)
Sunday, April 15, 10:30 p.m. ET: Golden Knights at Kings (NBCSN)
Tuesday, April 17, 10:30 p.m. ET: Golden Knights at Kings (NBCSN)
Thursday, April 19, TBD (if necessary): Kings at Golden Knights
Saturday, April 21, TBD (if necessary): Golden Knights at Kings
Monday, April 23, TBD (if necessary): Kings at Golden Knights
Anaheim Ducks (P2) vs. San Jose Sharks (P3)
Thursday, April 12, 10:30 p.m. ET: Sharks at Ducks (USA)
Saturday, April 14, 10:30 p.m. ET: Sharks at Ducks (NBCSN)
Monday, April 16, 10:30 p.m. ET: Ducks at Sharks (CNBC)
Wednesday, April 18, 10:30 p.m. ET: Ducks at Sharks (Golf Channel)
Friday, April 20, TBD (if necessary): Sharks at Ducks
Sunday, April 22, TBD (if necessary): Ducks at Sharks
Tuesday, April 24, TBD (if necessary): Sharks at Ducks