When do NHL playoffs begin? First round schedule, 2021 Stanley Cup chances to chase

While the 2021 NHL regular season won’t officially end until the final Horns sound at the conclusion of Wednesday afternoon’s match between the Canucks and Flames, the playoffs will already be completed. The 2021 playoffs begin Saturday when the Bruins and Capitals play Washington, DC. I was snowed

Unlike the summer bubble of 2020, there will be no qualifying round in 2021; That’s right, we’re generally below the Sweet 16. But, hockey fans, this is the only part of this postseason that is normal. This year no one will avoid touching – or perhaps they will, every team has its own superstition – Campbell Bowl (Western Conference Champion) or Prince of Wales Trophy (Eastern Conference Champion).

With the teams regrouping due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the division champions will compete in the Final Four, with the winners contending for the biggest trophy in all sports: the Stanley Cup.

Who’s going to stand in the end is someone’s guess, which is what makes the NHL playoffs so mesmerizing and heart-wrenching. Below is the full 2021 NHL playoff bracket and schedule, along with updated odds to extend the Lord Stanley Cup.

When does the 2021 NHL playoff begin?

The Stanley Cup playoffs were scheduled to begin on May 11, which began on May 8, following the conclusion of the regular season. The NHL announced on May 10 that the Bruins and Capital would begin their first-round series on Saturday, May 15.

The NHL announced the remainder of the playoff schedule on Thursday, with the North Division making their latest debut. No. 1 seed Toronto will make their series debut on Thursday May 20 against their fellow Original Six Squad Montreal. Connor McDavid, Leon Drysettle and the Oilers will make their best seven sets debut against the Jets one night earlier.

2021 nhl playoff bracket

coming soon . . .

How do 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs work?

The 2021 season is unlike any other, and includes a playoff. Unlike previous years, there will not be an Eastern Conference or a Western Conference Champion. Instead, there will be four division champions meeting in the semi-finals.

The playoffs will begin with teams battling inside their division, before the teams reach the final four. The top seeded team in each division will face the No. 4 team in the division; The second-placed team will play from the No. 3 team.

The winner of the first round will win the second round and then the champions of each division reach the semi-finals of the 2021 Stanley Cup. Teams must resume regularly for half-season points; The team with the best regular-season record will play the team with the fourth-best record, and No. 2 at No. 3. The semi-final winners will compete for the Lord Stanley Cup in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final.

Each series will be the best of seven in 2021.

more: In the US, watch every NHL game on fuboTV (7-day free trial)

First round of NHL playoffs

(All time eastern)

Eastern division

(1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (4) New York Islanders

(* if necessary)

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(2) Washington Capitals vs. (3) Boston Bruins

(* if necessary)

North board

(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (4) Montreal Canadiens

(* if necessary)

(2) Edmonton Oilers vs. (3) Winnipeg Jets peg

(* if necessary)

Central department

(1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (4) Nashville Predators

(* if necessary)

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(2) Florida Panthers vs. (3) Tampa Bay Lightning

(* if necessary)

West board

(1) Colorado Avalanche / Vegas Golden Knights vs. (4) St. Louis Blues

(* if necessary)

(2) Colorado Avalanche / Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Minnesota Wild

(* if necessary)

Updated Odds to win 2021 Stanley Cup

Aud according to * Fanduel.