The NHL postseason will launch Saturday with three playoff matchups, though final seeding won’t be determined until Thursday evening when the last Western Conference regular season games conclude.
Saturday’s playoff action begins at 3 p.m. ET when the Ottawa Senators take on the Carolina Hurricanes, who claimed the Eastern Conference’s top position. The day continues with Minnesota Wild facing the Dallas Stars at 5:30 p.m. ET, followed by a Pennsylvania rivalry showdown as Philadelphia Flyers travel to face Pittsburgh Penguins at 8 p.m. ET.
Carolina secured the Eastern Conference’s number one ranking by finishing four points ahead of Buffalo, earning the right to host the second wild card team. Though Pittsburgh and Philadelphia ended the regular season tied in points within the Metropolitan Division, the Penguins gained home ice advantage through a tiebreaker based on regulation victories, winning 34 compared to Philadelphia’s 27.
The Western Conference picture remains partially unclear, though Dallas and Minnesota have been confirmed for the Central Division’s second-versus-third seed battle longer than any other playoff pairing. Only one additional Western series has been finalized: Pacific Division champions Vegas will meet the top wild card team Utah Mammoth, beginning Sunday.
Sunday’s schedule, with start times yet to be announced, features Boston visiting Buffalo, Montreal traveling to Tampa Bay, and the Presidents’ Trophy champion Colorado hosting the West’s second wild card team.
The Pacific Division’s second and third seeds will start their series Monday, though their exact positioning awaits Thursday’s results. Edmonton (40-30-11, 91 points), Anaheim (42-33-6, 90 points), and Los Angeles (35-26-20, 90 points) will complete their regular seasons Thursday night, determining the final playoff seeding order.
