Happy Stanley Cup Playoffs day to all. After the exhibition games, round-robin and qualifying rounds in Toronto and Edmonton, it’s now time for real playoff action to begin.
Four of the playoff series open Tuesday, with the other four kicking off on Thursday. Most games are televised nationally in both the United States and Canada. Tuesday’s action begins at 3 p.m. with Columbus facing off against Tampa Bay on NBCSN.
A full schedule for the first round of the playoffs can be found here.
Here’s a quick look at the first-round series ahead, and how some Die By The Blade staff members think each series is going to go.
Philadelphia Flyers (1) vs. Montreal Canadiens (8)
Chad: Flyers in 5
Anthony: Flyers in 5
Ryan: Flyers in 6
Melissa: Canadiens in 7
Calvin: Flyers in 5
Steve: Flyers in 5
Kerra: Flyers in 6
Alexander: Flyers in 5
Tampa Bay Lightning (2) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (7)
Chad: Lightning in 6
Anthony: Blue Jackets in 7
Ryan: Blue Jackets in 7
Melissa: Blue Jackets in 7
Calvin: Blue Jackets in 7
Steve: Lightning in 6
Kerra: Lightning in 7
Alexander: Lightning in 6
Washington Capitals (3) vs. New York Islanders (6)
Chad: Capitals in 6
Anthony: Capitals in 6
Ryan: Capitals in 6
Melissa: Capitals in 5
Calvin: Islanders in 6
Steve: Islanders in 7
Kerra: Capitals in 6
Alexander: Islanders in 6
Boston Bruins (4) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (5)
Chad: Bruins in 6
Anthony: Bruins in 7
Ryan: Hurricanes in 7
Melissa: Hurricanes in 6
Calvin: Bruins in 7
Steve: Bruins in 6
Kerra: Bruins in 5
Alexander: Bruins in 7
Vegas Golden Knights (1) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (8)
Chad: Golden Knights in 4
Anthony: Golden Knights in 5
Ryan: Golden Knights in 5
Melissa: Golden Knights in 6
Calvin: Golden Knights in 6
Steve: Golden Knights in 6
Kerra: Golden Knights in 6
Alexander: Golden Knights in 5
Colorado Avalanche (2) vs. Arizona Coyotes (7)
Chad: Avalanche in 5
Anthony: Avalanche in 5
Ryan: Avalanche in 5
Melissa: Coyotes in 6
Calvin: Avalanche in 5
Steve: Avalanche in 5
Kerra: Avalanche in 7
Alexander: Avalanche in 6
Dallas Stars (3) vs. Calgary Flames (6)
Chad: Flames in 7
Anthony: Flames in 7
Ryan: Flames in 6
Melissa: Stars in 7
Calvin: Flames in 6
Steve: Stars in 7
Kerra: Stars in 7
Alexander: Flames in 6
St. Louis Blues (4) vs. Vancouver Canucks (5)
Chad: Blues in 6
Anthony: Blues in 6
Ryan: Blues in 5
Melissa: Blues in 5
Calvin: Blues in 6
Steve: Blues in 6
Kerra: Blues in 6
Alexander: Canucks in 7
How do you like our picks? What are yours?