When do NHL playoffs begin? Times, TV channels for first games of postseason bracket
The full NHL Stanley Cup playoffs first-round schedule is known after the conclusion of the 2023-24 regular season on Thursday.
The first set of Eastern Conference Game 1s will be played on Saturday and the second set will begin Sunday. The Western Conference series open Sunday and Monday.
The New York Islanders at Carolina Hurricanes series will be up first on Saturday, followed by the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Boston Bruins.
The Battle of Florida — Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers — will be up first on Sunday, followed by the Washington Capitals at New York Rangers.
The Western Conference playoffs open Sunday with the Colorado Avalanche at the Winnipeg Jets, followed by the Nashville Predators at the Vancouver Canucks.
The final two series - defending champion Vegas Golden Knights at Dallas Stars and Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers - open on Monday.
Here's what to know about the opening games of the eight Stanley Cup playoff series:
When do the NHL playoffs begin?
Here are the opening games for each of the eight postseason series (all times p.m. ET):
Saturday
New York Islanders at Carolina Hurricanes, 5
Toronto Maple Leafs at Boston Bruins, 8
Sunday
Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers, 12:30
Washington Capitals at New York Rangers, 3
Colorado Avalanche at Winnipeg Jets, 7
Nashville Predators at Vancouver Canucks, 10
Monday
Vegas Golden Knights at Dallas Stars, 9:30
Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers, 10
How can I watch the NHL playoffs?
Saturday's Eastern Conference openers will be shown on TBS, truTV and the MAX streaming service.
Sunday's Eastern Conference openers will be shown on ESPN.
Sunday's Avalanche-Jets game will be on ESPN2 and the Predators-Canucks game will be on ESPN.
Monday's Golden Knights-Stars game will be on ESPN and the Kings-Oilers game will be on ESPN2.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When do NHL playoffs start? NHL playoffs bracket, game times, TV info
