NHL Playoffs 2016 Schedule & Bracket: Dates, Times and Where to Watch Each Round 1 Stanley Cup Playoff Series [POLL, VIDEO]

After 82 grueling NHL games, the stage is set for Season 2 as the puck drops on the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs Wednesday.

All the matchups are set after Sunday's action as 16 teams vie for the greatest trophy in sports. It's a long-winding road to crown a Stanley Cup champion and every series is certain to be filled with drama.

In the Atlantic Division bracket, the top-seeded Panthers battle the Wild Card-winning Islanders, while the No. 2 Lightning play the No. 3 Red Wings. Over in the Metropolitan Division the top-seeded Capitals take on the Wild Card-winning Flyers as the No. 2 Penguins have home ice over the No. 3 Rangers.

The Central Division will send five teams to the postseason once again as the top-seeded Stars host the Wild Card-winning Wild and the No. 2 Blues hold home ice over the No. 3 Blackhawks. The Predators also made the postseason by way of the Wild Card, but will be playing in the Pacific Division bracket against the No. 1 Ducks. The No. 2 Kings hold home ice over the No. 3 Sharks.

Here is the complete schedule for the first-round action of the Stanley Cup playoffs. (Note: * indicates if necessary).

Capitals vs. Flyers (season series 2-2)

 Date

 Time (ET)

 Location

 Networks

Thurs. 4/174

7 p.m.

Washington, D.C.

NBCSN/CBC/TVA

 Sat. 4/16

7 p.m.

Washington, D.C.

CNBC/CBC/TVA

Mon. 4/18

7 p.m.

Philadelphia

CNBC/CBC/TVA

Wed. 4/20

7 p.m.

Philadelphia

NBCSN/CBC/TVA

Fri. 4/22*

TBD

Washington

TBD

Sun. 4/24*

TBD

Philadelphia

TBD

Wed. 4/27*

TBD

Washington

TBD

Penguins vs. Rangers (season series 3-1 PIT)

Date

Time (ET)

Location

National Network

Wed. 4/13

8 p.m.

Pittsburgh

USA/Sportsnet/TVA/MSG

Sat. 4/16

3 p.m.

Pittsburgh

NBC/CBC/TVA

Tue. 4/19

7 p.m.

New York

USA/Sportsnet/TVA/MSG

Thurs. 4/21

TBD

New York

Sportsnet/TVA/MSG

Sat. 4/23*

TBD

Pittsburgh

TBD

Mon. 4/25*

TBD

New York

TBD

Wed. 4/27

TBD

Pittsburgh

TBD

Panthers vs. Islanders (season series 2-1 FLA)

Date

Time (ET)

Location

Networks

Thurs. 4/14

8 p.m.

Florida

CBC/Sportsnet

Fri. 4/15

7:30 p.m.

Florida

NHL Network/SN380/TVA

Sun. 4/17

8 p.m.

New York

NBCSN/Sportsnet/TVA

Wed. 4/20

8 p.m.

New York

USA/Sportsnet/TVA

Fri. 4/22*

TBD

Florida

TBD

Sun. 4/24*

TBD

New York

TBD

Tues. 4/26

TBD

Florida

TBD

Lightning vs. Red Wings (season series 2-2)

Date

Time (ET)

Location

Networks

Wed. 4/13

7 p.m.

Tampa Bay

NBCSN/CBC/TVA Sports

Fri. 4/15

7 p.m.

Tampa Bay

CNBC/CBC/TVA

Sun. 4/17

7 p.m.

Detroit

CNBC/CBC/TVA

Tue. 4/19

7 p.m.

Detroit

NBCSN/CBC/TVA

Thu. 4/27*

TBD

Tampa Bay

TBD

Sun. 4/24*

TBD

Detroit

TBD

Tue. 4/26*

TBD

Tampa Bay

TBD

Stars vs. Wild (season series 4-1 DAL)

Date

Time (ET)

Location

Networks

Thurs. 4/14

8:30 p.m.

Dallas

NBCSN/SN360/TVA

Sat. 4/16

8 p.m.

Dallas

NBCSN/Sportsnet/TVA

Mon. 4/18

8:30 p.m.

Minnesota

CNBC/Sportsnet/TVA

Wed. 4/20

9:30 p.m.

Minnesota

NBCSN/SN360/TVA

Fri. 4/22*

TBD

Dallas

TBD

Sun. 4/24*

TBD

Minnesota

TBD

Tue. 4/26*

TBD

Dallas

TBD

Blues vs. Blackhawks (season series 3-2 STL)

Date

Time (ET)

Location

Networks

Wed. 4/13

9:30 p.m.

St. Louis

NBCSN/SN360/TVA

Fri. 4/15

8 p.m.

St. Louis

NBCSN/Sportsnet/TVA

Sun. 4/17

3 p.m.

Chicago

NBC/Sportsnet/TVA

Tue. 4/19

9:30 p.m.

Chicago

NBCSN/Sportsnet/TVA

Thurs. 4/21*

TBD

St. Louis

TBD

Sat. 4/23*

TBD

Chicago

TBD

Mon. 4/25*                  

TBD

St. Louis

TBD

Ducks vs. Predators (season series 2-1 NSH)

Date

Time (ET)

Location

Networks

Fri. 4/15

10:30 p.m.

Anaheim

NBCSN/CBC/TVA

Sun. 4/17

10:30 p.m.

Anaheim

NBCSN/Sportsnet/TVA

Tue. 4/19

9:30 p.m.

Nashville

USA/SN360/TVA

Thurs. 4/21

8 p.m.

Nashville

CNBC/FX Canada/TVA

Sat. 4/23*

TBD

Anaheim

TBD

Mon. 4/25*

TBD

Nashville

TBD

Wed. 4/27*

TBD

Anaheim

TBD

Kings vs. Sharks (season series 3-2 LAK)

Date

Time (ET)

Location

Networks

Thurs. 4/14

10:30 p.m.

Los Angeles

CNBC/CBC/TVA

Sat. 4/16

10:30 p.m.

Los Angeles

NBCSN/CBC/TVA

Mon. 4/18

10:30 p.m.

San Jose

USA/CBC/TVA

Wed. 4/20

10:30 p.m.

San Jose

USA/CBC/TVA

Fri. 4/22*

TBD

Los Angeles

TBD

Sun. 4/24*

TBD

San Jose

TBD

Tue. 4/26*

TBD

Los Angeles

TBD


Which division winner has the best chance of hoisting the Stanley Cup?


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