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NHL Playoffs 2016: Schedule, Stanley Cup Bracket Format and Predictions
April 13, 2016
Based on the way the seeding lined up, NHL fans could be in store for an exciting few weeks in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The recent format changes over the past few years have created even more parity, and that likely won't change with many division-rivalry games set to take place right out of the gate. The lack of reseeding after the first round also allows us to picture some dream matchups if the top teams can advance.
No matter which teams are able to win the best-of-seven series, there will likely be some memorable action that takes place in Round 1. In order to make sure you don't miss a moment, here is the full schedule for the opening round as well as predictions for each series.
Note: Full bracket is available at NHL.com.
Eastern Conference
| Eastern Conference Schedule | |||
| Florida Panthers (A1) vs. New York Islanders (WC1) | |||
| Game | Matchup | Date | Time (ET) |
| 1 | NYI at FLA | 4/14 | 8 p.m. |
| 2 | NYI at FLA | 4/15 | 7:30 p.m. |
| 3 | FLA at NYI | 4/17 | 8 p.m. |
| 4 | FLA at NYI | 4/20 | 8 p.m. |
| 5 | NYI at FLA | 4/22 | TBD |
| 6 | FLA at NYI | 4/24 | TBD |
| 7 | NYI at FLA | 4/26 | TBD |
| Tampa Bay Lightning (A2) vs. Detroit Red Wings (A3) | |||
| 1 | DET at TBL | 4/13 | 7 p.m. |
| 2 | DET at TBL | 4/15 | 7 p.m. |
| 3 | TBL at DET | 4/17 | 7 p.m. |
| 4 | TBL at DET | 4/19 | 7 p.m. |
| 5 | DET at TBL | 4/21 | TBD |
| 6 | TBL at DET | 4/24 | TBD |
| 7 | DET at TBL | 4/26 | TBD |
| Washington Capitals (M1) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (WC2) | |||
| 1 | PHI at WAS | 4/14 | 7 p.m. |
| 2 | PHI at WAS | 4/16 | 7 p.m. |
| 3 | WAS at PHI | 4/18 | 7 p.m. |
| 4 | WAS at PHI | 4/20 | 7 p.m. |
| 5 | PHI at WAS | 4/22 | TBD |
| 6 | WAS at PHI | 4/24 | TBD |
| 7 | PHI at WAS | 4/27 | TBD |
| Pittsburgh Penguins (M2) vs. New York Rangers (M3) | |||
| 1 | NYR at PIT | 4/13 | 8 p.m. |
| 2 | NYR at PIT | 4/16 | 3 p.m. |
| 3 | PIT at NYR | 4/19 | 7 p.m. |
| 4 | PIT at NYR | 4/21 | TBD |
| 5 | NYR at PIT | 4/23 | TBD |
| 6 | PIT at NYR | 4/25 | TBD |
| 7 | NYR at PIT | 4/27 | TBD |
| Source: NHL.com | |||
Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers
While the Capitals have been the best team in the NHL throughout the majority of the season, there is a major concern with the level of play down the stretch. They went just 3-3-3 in the final nine games and had only a single victory in the last five.
In reality, the last month of the season wasn't to the level we have come to expect from this team.
With that said, this is still the best top-to-bottom lineup in the sport, with Alex Ovechkin leading a deep roster of talent. The Capitals finished second in both goals scored and goals against and can beat anyone in the league when they are playing well.
Even if the struggles continue, there is still enough ability to handle Philadelphia in the first round.
Prediction: Capitals win 4-2
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers
One of the big stories for this series will be the health concerns for Pittsburgh. Josh Getzoff of PensTV noted key players Evgeni Malkin, Matt Murray and Bryan Rust did not practice Tuesday. Murray's absence could be especially noteworthy with fellow goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury also day-to-day, as the team announced.
Murray has given the Penguins a huge boost down the stretch, but if he and Fleury are out, the team would have to rely on Jeff Zatkoff between the pipes.
Despite the injuries, though, head coach Mike Sullivan remains confident in his players:
Considering this squad won 14 of 15 games before resting its stars in the final game, there is reason to believe. The Rangers have their strengths, but the Penguins are playing better at this stage of the year.
Prediction: Penguins 4-2
Florida Panthers vs. New York Islanders
Unlike some of the series in these playoffs, neither the Panthers nor the Islanders have a lot of recent history to showcase. Matt Porter of the Palm Beach Post noted the drought for each team:
Obviously, players such as Jaromir Jagr and Roberto Luongo have plenty of experience for Florida, but otherwise this team won't enter the week with too much confidence for a No. 1 seed. Another reason for caution is the poor special teams during the season as the Panthers ranked 23rd in power-play percent and 24th in penalty-kill percent.
If the Islanders can get an extra man, this could lead to some success throughout the series.
New York also has a true difference-maker in John Tavares, who is red-hot with nine points in his last four games. If he can play to his ability and get everyone involved, the wild-card team can pull off the upset.
Prediction: Islanders win 4-3
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Detroit Red Wings
If Tampa Bay were at full strength, this would be a different series. Unfortunately, injuries have destroyed this roster, including top scorer Steven Stamkos. As good as Nikita Kucherov has been, it's difficult to replace 36 goals heading into the playoffs.
With a handful of other players also expected to miss time or at least be limited, the door is open for Detroit to take advantage.
The Red Wings are the weakest team in the Eastern Conference, finishing with just 93 points on the year while being outscored by 10 goals, but they have good balance offensively and can pull off a surprise over last year's conference winners.
Prediction: Red Wings win 4-3
Western Conference
| Western Conference Schedule | |||
| Dallas Stars (C1) vs. Minnesota Wild (WC2) | |||
| Game | Matchup | Date | Time (ET) |
| 1 | MIN at DAL | 4/14 | 9:30 p.m. |
| 2 | MIN at DAL | 4/16 | 8 p.m. |
| 3 | DAL at MIN | 4/18 | 8:30 p.m. |
| 4 | DAL at MIN | 4/20 | 9:30 p.m. |
| 5 | MIN at DAL | 4/22 | TBD |
| 6 | DAL at MIN | 4/24 | TBD |
| 7 | MIN at DAL | 4/26 | TBD |
| St. Louis Blues (C2) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (C3) | |||
| 1 | CHI at STL | 4/13 | 9:30 p.m. |
| 2 | CHI at STL | 4/15 | 8 p.m. |
| 3 | STL at CHI | 4/17 | 3 p.m. |
| 4 | STL at CHI | 4/19 | 9:30 p.m. |
| 5 | CHI at STL | 4/21 | TBD |
| 6 | STL at CHI | 4/23 | TBD |
| 7 | CHI at STL | 4/25 | TBD |
| Anaheim Ducks (P1) vs. Nashville Predators (WC1) | |||
| 1 | NSH vs. ANA | 4/15 | 10:30 p.m. |
| 2 | NSH vs. ANA | 4/17 | 10:30 p.m. |
| 3 | ANA vs. NSH | 4/19 | 9:30 p.m. |
| 4 | ANA vs. NSH | 4/21 | 8 p.m. |
| 5 | NSH vs. ANA | 4/23 | TBD |
| 6 | ANA vs. NSH | 4/25 | TBD |
| 7 | NSH vs. ANA | 4/27 | TBD |
| Los Angeles Kings (P2) vs. San Jose Sharks (P2) | |||
| 1 | SJS vs. LAK | 4/14 | 10:30 p.m. |
| 2 | SJS vs. LAK | 4/16 | 10:30 p.m. |
| 3 | LAK vs. SJS | 4/18 | 10:30 p.m. |
| 4 | LAK vs. SJS | 4/20 | 10:30 p.m. |
| 5 | SJS vs. LAK | 4/22 | TBD |
| 6 | LAK vs. SJS | 4/24 | TBD |
| 7 | SJS vs. LAK | 4/26 | TBD |
| Source: NHL.com | |||
Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild
There are enough question marks on defense for people to question the Dallas Stars as a legitimate contender, but the offense will easily be enough to get into the second round.
Dallas finished the year with the most goals in the NHL, featuring three players scoring at least 30 on their own. Even if Tyler Seguin doesn't return from his recent injury, Jamie Benn and Jason Spezza are each dangerous enough. Considering 15 different players tallied at least 10 assists during the season, this is clearly an attack that is tough to stop.
Minnesota should be happy it got to this point, but winning this series appears to be a long shot.
Prediction: Stars win 4-1
St. Louis Blues vs. Chicago Blackhawks
This might be the best first-round series in the playoffs. Both teams have had excellent regular seasons, and both have the talent on both ends to make a deep postseason run.
The biggest difference between these squads is the recent playoff history, which heavily favors the Blackhawks.
While the Blues have suffered numerous early exits and disappointing showings at this stage of the year, Chicago has raised the Stanley Cup in three of the last six years. Even with the success, the players remain hungry and don't take anything for granted. Captain Jonathan Toews explained his mindset, per Brian Hedger of NHL.com:
You can kind of consider the amount of hockey some of these guys [in here] have played [the past few seasons]. This is the meaningful hockey to us. It's an opportunity that we don't want to throw away. You work hard to get here. It's not a given you're going to make the playoffs every year. It's not a given that you're going to get this type of opportunity so I think the slate is clean. We're starting over.
The focus to not settle for past success is what keeps the Blackhawks a contender every year. They won it all from this exact spot in the bracket a year ago, and they should challenge for another title this time around.
Prediction: Blackhawks win 4-3
Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators
It seems like most top contenders have one goalie they can rely upon for the bulk of the season, but that hasn't been the case with the Anaheim Ducks. Both John Gibson and Frederik Andersen have been effective in net, and they could both remain active throughout the playoffs.
This strategy hasn't been a problem this year, as the team allowed the fewest goals in all of hockey. Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com credits this to head coach Bruce Boudreau:
The defense prevents many easy looks at the goal, which in turn makes anyone look good in net.
With a balanced offensive attack led by excellent passer Ryan Getzlaf, the Ducks have what it takes to easily get by Nashville.
Prediction: Ducks win 4-2
Los Angeles Kings vs. San Jose Sharks
This will likely be a competitive series after these teams produced a memorable battle two years ago. The Kings came back from down 3-0, allowing them to go on a run to win the Stanley Cup.
San Jose will be back with a vengeance behind elite centers Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski, either one of them capable of making a major impact on a game. Still, this series will likely come down to goaltending, which gives the advantage to Los Angeles.
Martin Jones has had a strong season for the Sharks, but Jonathan Quick is as trustworthy in net in big moments as anyone in the league. The former Conn Smythe Trophy winner tends to step up when it matters, and he can lead the Kings to a narrow win in a highly anticipated series.
Prediction: Kings win 4-3
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