NHL Playoff TV Schedule: 1st-Round Series You Don't Want to Miss

With eight first-round NHL playoff series about to begin, it is important to decide which ones are must see. There simply isn't enough time, or eyes, to catch them all. 

This year, there are three series that stick out above the others in terms of entertainment value. These will all be thrilling from start to end and well worth your viewing time. 

You can view the full first-round TV schedule here. The schedule for the highlighted series is included below. 

4. Pittsburgh Penguins (108 points) vs. 5. Philadelphia Flyers (103 points)

Wednesday, April 11, 2012	7:30 p.m.	Philadelphia at Pittsburgh	NBC Sports Network, TSN
Friday, April 13, 2012	7:30 p.m.	Philadelphia at Pittsburgh	NBC Sports Network, TSN
Sunday, April 15, 2012	3:00 p.m.	Pittsburgh at Philadelphia	NBC, TSN
Wednesday, April 18, 2012	7:30 p.m.	Pittsburgh at Philadelphia	NBC Sports Network, TSN
*Friday, April 20, 2012	7:30 p.m.	Philadelphia at Pittsburgh	NBC Sports Network, TSN
*Sunday, April 22, 2012	TBD	Pittsburgh at Philadelphia	TBD
*Tuesday, April 24, 2012	TBD	Philadelphia at Pittsburgh	TBD

More than any other series, this is the one you do not want to miss. It has everything you are looking for. 

Most importantly, these two teams do not like each other. Not only are they in-state rivals, but just over a week ago, they got in a full-on brawl after Sidney Crosby and Brayden Schenn got into it. 

But bad blood is not the only reason to tune into this series. These are two extremely evenly-matched teams. Oh, there is also the Sidney Crosby factor. 

Sid the Kid is ready to take part in his first playoff action in two years. This series truly does have it all.

2. St. Louis Blues (109 points) vs. 7. San Jose Sharks (96 points)

Thursday, April 12, 2012	7:30 p.m.	San Jose at St. Louis	CNBC, TSN
Saturday, April 14, 2012	7:30 p.m.	San Jose at St. Louis	CNBC, TSN
Monday, April 16, 2012	10:00 p.m.	St. Louis at San Jose	NBC Sports Network, TSN
Thursday, April 19, 2012	10:30 p.m.	St. Louis at San Jose	NBC Sports Network, TSN
*Saturday, April 21, 2012	7:30 p.m.	San Jose at St. Louis	CNBC, TSN
*Monday, April 23, 2012	TBD	St. Louis at San Jose	TBD
*Wednesday, April 25, 2012	TBD	San Jose at St. Louis	TBD

The two-seven matchup is not typically one that warrants a must-see label before they start. These matchups are not supposed to be close. 

This one is different. The Sharks have been to the Western Conference Finals the previous two seasons. This group knows how to win a playoff series. They are much better suited for the playoffs than the regular season. 

The Blues cannot match the playoff experience of the Sharks. This will undoubtedly lead to more than a few problems in this series, and it is destined to go seven games. 

Nashville Predators (104 points) vs. 5. Detroit Red Wings (102 points)

Wednesday, April 11, 2012	8:00 p.m.	Detroit at Nashville	CNBC, CBC
Friday, April 13, 2012	7:30 p.m.	Detroit at Nashville	CNBC, CBC
Sunday, April 15, 2012	Noon	Nashville at Detroit	NBC, CBC
Tuesday, April 17, 2012	7:30 p.m.	Nashville at Detroit	NBC Sports Network, CBC
*Friday, April 20, 2012	8:00 p.m.	Detroit at Nashville	CNBC, CBC
*Sunday, April 22, 2012	TBD	Nashville at Detroit	TBD
*Tuesday, April 24, 2012	TBD	Detroit at Nashville	TBD

This series is going to feature some wonderful goaltending. Nashville's Pekka Rinne led the league in wins, and he faced the most shots. 

And Detroit's Jimmy Howard was right with Rinne to lead the league in wins until he broke his finger, but he should be ready for this series.

These two will make sure these games competitive, as these two evenly-matched teams battle in a series that is destined to go the distance.