The 2023 NHL Playoffs begin Monday when the first-round series kicks off the postseason.
The field of 16 is set, eight teams from each conference want to fight for the Stanley Cup.
There are many intriguing storylines surrounding the first round. After such a dominant regular season, can the Bruins avoid the 2019 Lightning fate? Can the Kraken spoil the Avalanche’s chances of a rerun? Is this finally the year the Maple Leafs win a playoff series?
MORE: NHL playoff schedule, results, series
The Sporting News has the full bracket and schedule for the 2023 NHL playoffs first round.
NHL Playoff Bracket 2023
First round
east conference
| Match |
series |
| (A1) Boston Bruins vs. (WC2) Florida Panthers |
0-0 |
| (A2) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (A3) Tampa Bay Lightning |
0-0 |
| (M1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (WC1) New York Islanders |
1-0 |
| (M2) New Jersey Devils vs. (M3) New York Rangers |
0-0 |
Western Conference
| Match |
series |
| (C1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (WC1) Seattle Kraken |
0-0 |
| (C2) Dallas Stars vs. (C3) Minnesota Wild |
0-0 |
| (P1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC2) Winnipeg Jets |
0-0 |
| (P2) Edmonton Oilers vs. (P3) Los Angeles Kings |
0-0 |
2023 NHL playoff schedule
(All times in East)
(* = if required)
Monday, April 17th
| Game |
Match |
TV channel |
time (ET) |
| game 1 |
hurricanes 2islander 1 |
ESPN2, SN360, TVAS2 |
19 o’clock |
| game 1 |
brown 3panthers 1 |
ESPN, SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC, TVAS |
19:30 o’clock |
| game 1 |
Stars vs Wild |
ESPN2, SN360, TVAS2 |
9:30 p.m |
| game 1 |
Oilers vs. Kings |
ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS |
22 O `clock |
Tuesday, April 18th
| Game |
Match |
TV channel |
time (ET) |
| game 1 |
Devils vs Rangers |
TBS, SN360, TVAS2 |
19 o’clock |
| game 1 |
Maple leaves against lightning |
ESPN, SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC, TVAS |
19:30 o’clock |
| game 1 |
Golden Knights vs. Jets |
ESPN2, SNW, TVAS2 |
9:30 p.m |
| game 1 |
Avalanche vs Rift |
ESPN, SN360, TVAS |
22 O `clock |
Wednesday, April 19th
| Game |
Match |
TV channel |
time (ET) |
| game 2 |
Hurricanes against islanders |
ESPN2, SN360, TVAS |
19 o’clock |
| game 2 |
Bruins vs Panthers |
ESPN, SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC, TVAS |
19:30 o’clock |
| game 2 |
Stars vs Wild |
ESPN2, SN360, TVAS |
9:30 p.m |
| game 2 |
Oilers vs. Kings |
ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS |
22 O `clock |
Thursday, April 20th
| Game |
Match |
TV channel |
time (ET) |
| game 2 |
Maple leaves against lightning |
ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS |
19 o’clock |
| game 2 |
Devils vs Rangers |
TBS, SN360, TVAS |
19:30 o’clock |
| game 2 |
Avalanche vs Rift |
ESPN, SN360, FX, TVAS |
9:30 p.m |
| game 2 |
Golden Knights vs. Jets |
ESPN2, SNW, TVAS2 |
22 O `clock |
Friday, April 21st
| Game |
Match |
TV channel |
time (ET) |
| game 3 |
Islanders vs. Hurricanes |
TBS, SN1, TVAS |
19 o’clock |
| game 3 |
Panthers vs Bruins |
TNT, SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC, TVAS |
19:30 o’clock |
| game 3 |
Wild Against Stars |
TBS, SN1, TVAS |
9:30 p.m |
| game 3 |
Kings vs Oilers |
TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS |
22 O `clock |
Saturday, April 22nd
| Game |
Match |
TV channel |
time (ET) |
| game 3 |
Jets versus Golden Knights |
TBS, SN, CBC, TVAS |
4 p.m |
| game 3 |
Blitz vs. Maple Leafs |
TBS, SN, CBC, TVAS |
19 o’clock |
| game 3 |
Ranger vs Devil |
ABC, SN1, City, TVAS |
8 p.m |
| game 3 |
Rift vs. Avalanche |
TBS, SN360, TVAS |
22 O `clock |
Sunday, April 23
| Game |
Match |
TV channel |
time (ET) |
| game 4 |
Islanders vs. Hurricanes |
TNT, SN360, TVAS |
13 o’clock |
| game 4 |
Panthers vs Bruins |
TNT, SN1, TVAS |
3:30 p.m |
| game 4 |
Wild Against Stars |
TBS, SNE, SNO, SNP, TVAS |
6:30 p.m |
| game 4 |
Kings vs Oilers |
ESPN, SNW, TVAS |
21 clock |
Monday, April 24th
| Game |
Match |
TV channel |
time (ET) |
| game 4 |
Ranger vs Devil |
ESPN, SN360, TVAS |
19 o’clock |
| game 4 |
Blitz vs. Maple Leafs |
TBS, SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC |
19:30 o’clock |
| game 4 |
Jets versus Golden Knights |
ESPN, SNW, TVAS |
9:30 p.m |
| game 4 |
Rift vs. Avalanche |
TBS, SN360, TVAS |
22 O `clock |
Tuesday, April 25th
| Game |
Match |
TV channel |
time (ET) |
| Game 5* |
Hurricanes against islanders |
open |
open |
| Game 5* |
Stars vs Wild |
open |
open |
| Game 5* |
Oilers vs. Kings |
open |
open |
Wednesday, April 26th
| Game |
Match |
TV channel |
time (ET) |
| Game 5* |
Bruins vs Panthers |
open |
open |
| Game 5* |
Avalanche vs Rift |
open |
open |
Thursday, April 27th
| Game |
Match |
TV channel |
time (ET) |
| Game 5* |
Maple leaves against lightning |
open |
open |
| Game 5* |
Devils vs Rangers |
open |
open |
| Game 5* |
Golden Knights vs. Jets |
open |
open |
Friday, April 28th
| Game |
Match |
TV channel |
time (ET) |
| Game 6* |
Islanders vs. Hurricanes |
open |
open |
| Game 6* |
Panthers vs Bruins |
open |
open |
| Game 6* |
Wild Against Stars |
open |
open |
| Game 6* |
Rift vs. Avalanche |
open |
open |
Saturday, April 29th
| Game |
Match |
TV channel |
time (ET) |
| Game 6* |
Blitz vs. Maple Leafs |
open |
open |
| Game 6* |
Ranger vs Devil |
open |
open |
| Game 6* |
Jets versus Golden Knights |
open |
open |
| Game 6* |
Kings vs Oilers |
open |
open |
Sunday, April 30th
| Game |
Match |
TV channel |
time (ET) |
| Game 7* |
Hurricanes against islanders |
open |
open |
| Game 7* |
Bruins vs Panthers |
open |
open |
| Game 7* |
Stars vs Wild |
open |
open |
| Game 7* |
Avalanche vs Rift |
open |
open |
Monday May 1st
| Game |
Match |
TV channel |
time (ET) |
| Game 7* |
Maple leaves against lightning |
open |
open |
| Game 7* |
Devils vs Rangers |
open |
open |
| Game 7* |
Golden Knights vs. Jets |
open |
open |
| Game 7* |
Oilers vs. Kings |
open |
open |
