NHL 2012 Stanley Cup: Playoffs First-Round Schedule Complete

Photo Credit: Michael Miller/Wikimedia Commons

It’s that time again folks, the NHL 2012 Playoffs have finally arrived! Are you ready for all the excitement? Get yourself together because it’s going to be crazy!

This year’s post-season will begin on Wednesday, April 11, 2012. Three games will be televised with the first game beginning at exactly 7:30 PM (ET).

The fourth seed Pittsburgh Penguins will face off against the fifth seed Philadelphia Flyers on Game 1. Evgeni Malkin has literally been a one-man wrecking machine this season. He’s worth your undivided attention.

At 8:00 PM (ET), nearly thirty minutes later, the fourth seed Nashville Predators will square off with the Detroit Red Wings who hold the fifth seed. The Red Wings will need to be aggressive, but be disciplined enough to limit the Predators from gaining power plays. Nashville is ranked #1 overall in the NHL in power plays scoring 21.6% of the time.

The last and final game will be played at 10:30 PM (ET) between the number one seed Vancouver Canucks and the eight seed Los Angeles Kings. That’s right, a rematch of the 2010 Western Conference Quarterfinals. There is without a doubt that the Canucks are easily the heavy favorites in this matchup. However, the Kings have a great goalie in Jonathan Quick. The Kings have had a good stretch run lately, which could continue in the playoffs.

Other teams to watch: The Boston Bruins have sights in a repeat after winning last year’s Stanley Cup. The #1 team in the Eastern Conference New York Rangers led by their all-star goalie, Henrik Lundqvist also look to be major contenders.

Below is the complete quarterfinals playoff schedule for your viewing. Enjoy!

EASTERN CONFERENCE – [Eastern Time]

[1] New York vs. [8] Ottawa Date Time TV

Game 1: Senators at Rangers Thurs., April 12 7 p.m. NHLN
Game 2: Senators at Rangers Sat., April 14 7 p.m. NBCSN
Game 3: Rangers at Senators Mon., April 16 7:30 p.m. CNBC
Game 4: Rangers at Senators Weds., April 18 7:30 p.m. CNBC
Game 5: Senators at Rangers* Sat., April 21 7 p.m. NBSCN
Game 6: Rangers at Senators* Mon., April 23 TBD TBD
Game 7: Senators at Rangers* Thurs., April 26 TBD TBD

[2] Boston vs. [7] Washington Date Time TV

Game 1: Capitals at Bruins Thurs., April 12 7:30 p.m. CSN, NBCSN
Game 2: Capitals at Bruins Sat., April 14 3 p.m. NBC
Game 3: Bruins at Capitals Mon., April 16 7:30 p.m. CSN, NBCSN
Game 4: Bruins at Capitals Thurs., April 19 7:30 p.m. CSN, NBCSN
Game 5: Capitals at Bruins* Sat., April 21 3 p.m. NBC
Game 6: Bruins at Capitals* Sun., April 22 TBD TBD
Game 7: Capitals at Bruins* Weds., April 25 TBD TBD

[3] Florida vs. [6] New Jersey Date Time TV

Game 1: Devils at Panthers Fri., April 13 7 p.m. NHLN
Game 2: Devils at Panthers Sun., April 15 7:30 p.m. NBCSN
Game 3: Panthers at Devils Tues., April 17 7 p.m. NHLN
Game 4: Panthers at Devils Thurs., April 19 7 p.m. NHLN
Game 5: Devils at Panthers* Sat., April 21 6:30 p.m. NHLN
Game 6: Panthers at Devils* Tues., April 24 TBD TBD
Game 7: Devils at Panthers* Thurs., April 26 TBD TBD

[4] Pittsburgh vs. [5] Philadelphia Date Time TV

Game 1: Flyers at Penguins Weds., April 11 7:30 p.m. NBCSN
Game 2: Flyers at Penguins Fri., April 13 7:30 p.m. NBCSN
Game 3: Penguins at Flyers Sun., April 15 3 p.m. NBC
Game 4: Penguins at Flyers Weds., April 18 7:30 p.m. NBCSN
Game 5: Flyers at Penguins* Fri., April 20 7:30 p.m. NBCSN
Game 6: Penguins at Flyers* Sun., April 22 TBD TBD
Game 7: Flyers at Penguins* Tues., April 24 TBD TBD

WESTERN CONFERENCE- [Eastern Time]

[1] Vancouver vs. [8] Los Angeles Date Time TV

Game 1: Kings at Canucks Weds., April 11 10:30 p.m. NBCSN
Game 2: Kings at Canucks Fri., April 13 10 p.m. NBCSN
Game 3: Canucks at Kings Sun., April 15 10:30 p.m. NBCSN
Game 4: Canucks at Kings Weds., April 18 10 p.m. NBCSN
Game 5: Kings at Canucks* Sun., April 22 TBD TBD
Game 6: Canucks at Kings* Tues., April 24 TBD TBD
Game 7: Kings at Canucks* Thurs., April 26 TBD TBD

[2] St. Louis vs. [7] San Jose Date Time TV

Game 1: Sharks at Blues Thurs., April 12 7:30 p.m. CNBC
Game 2: Sharks at Blues Sat., April 14 7:30 p.m. CNBC
Game 3: Blues at Sharks Mon., April 16 10 p.m. NBCSN
Game 4: Blues at Sharks Thurs., April 19 10:30 p.m. NBCSN
Game 5: Sharks at Blues* Sat., April 21 7:30 p.m. CNBC
Game 6: Blues at Sharks* Mon., April 23 TBD TBD
Game 7: Sharks at Blues* Weds., April 25 TBD TBD

[3] Phoenix vs. [6] Chicago Date Time TV

Game 1: Blackhawks at Coyotes Thurs., April 12 10 p.m. NBCSN
Game 2: Blackhawks at Coyotes Sat., April 14 10 p.m. NBCSN
Game 3: Coyotes at Blackhawks Tues., April 17 9 p.m. CNBC
Game 4: Coyotes at Blackhawks Thurs., April 19 8 p.m. CNBC
Game 5: Blackhawks at Coyotes* Sat., April 21 10 p.m. NBCSN
Game 6: Coyotes at Blackhawks* Mon., April 23 TBD TBD
Game 7: Blackhawks at Coyotes* Weds., April 25 TBD TBD

[4] Nashville vs. [5] Detroit Date Time TV

Game 1: Red Wings at Predators Weds., April 11 8 p.m. CNBC
Game 2: Red Wings at Predators Fri., April 13 7:30 p.m. CNBC
Game 3: Predators at Red Wings Sun., April 15 12 p.m. NBC
Game 4: Predators at Red Wings Tues.., April 17 7:30 p.m. NBCSN
Game 5: Red Wings at Predators* Fri., April 20 8 p.m. CNBC
Game 6: Predators at Red Wings* Sun., April 22 TBD TBD
Game 7: Red Wings at Predators* Tues., April 24 TBD TBD

*if necessary

Sources: TSN, The Washington Post