NHL Playoffs 2023: Bracket, start dates, TV times, and matchups for first round
Here’s every matchup and the times for the first round.
This has been a legendary and historic NHL season. The Boston Bruins became the winningest regular season team of all time, while Connor McDavid transcended his own consistent dominance to become the first player to register 150+ points since Mario Lemieux in 1995-96.
These 2022-23 Stanley Cup Playoffs are the end of an era too. This is the first time since 2007-08 that the playoffs won’t feature Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin, with the Penguins and Capitals getting squeezed out in the Metropolitan Division.
Obviously, the Bruins are the odds-on favorite to hoist the cup this year, but lest we forget how unpredictable playoff hockey can be. A year ago, the 58-win Florida Panthers looked unstoppable, before getting bounced 4-0 by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Boston will hope to avoid the same fate and push away the mammoth weight of expectation on their shoulders.
Eastern Conference matchups
Monday, April 17
New York Islanders (WC1) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (1): 7 p.m. ET — ESPN2
Florida Panthers (WC2) vs. Boston Bruins (1): 7:30 p.m. ET — ESPN
Tuesday, April 18
New York Rangers (3) vs. New Jersey Devils (2): 7 p.m. ET — TBS
Tampa Bay Lightning (3) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (2): 7:30 p.m ET. — ESPN
Western Conference matchups
Monday, April 17
Minnesota Wild (3) vs. Dallas Stars (1): 9:30 p.m. ET — ESPN2
Los Angeles Kings (3) vs. Edmonton Oilers (2) 10 p.m. ET — ESPN
Tuesday, April 18
Winnipeg Jets (WC2) vs. Las Vegas Golden Knights (1): 9:30 p.m. ET — ESPN2
Seattle Kraken (WC1) vs. Colorado Avalanche (1): 10 p.m. ET — ESPN