NHL Playoffs Schedule 2018: Dates, Matchups, Game Times and TV Coverage Info

The 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs have arrived.

Below, we'll provide a comprehensive overview of each first-round series schedule, complete with dates, start times and viewing information. You'll also find a few storylines to watch as the playoffs unfold.

Here's a look at what's coming down the pipe beginning Wednesday.

Games will be broadcast on NBC, NBC Sports Network, CNBC, USA, NHL Network and NBC Sports' website, as well as Sportsnet, Sportsnet 360, Sportsnet One, CBC, GOLF and TVA Sports. The schedule is per NHL.com.

Schedule and Television Information

Western Conference: Nashville Predators vs. Colorado Avalanche

Game 1: Avalanche at Predators on Thursday, April 12 at 9:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN, TVA Sports

Game 2: Avalanche at Predators on Saturday, April 14 at 3 p.m. ET; NBC, CNBC, SN, TVA Sports

Game 3: Predators at Avalanche on Monday, April 16 at 10 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN, TVA Sports

Game 4: Predators at Avalanche on Wednesday, April 18 at 10 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN, TVA Sports

*Game 5: Avalanche at Predators on Friday, April 20 at TBD

*Game 6: Predators at Avalanche on Sunday, April 22 at TBD

*Game 7: Avalanche at Predators on Tuesday, April 24 at TBD

Western Conference: Winnipeg Jets vs. Minnesota Wild

Game 1: Wild at Jets on Wednesday, April 11 at 7 p.m. ET; SN, TVA Sports, CNBC

Game 2: Wild at Jets on Friday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET; SN, TVA Sports, USA

Game 3: Jets at Wild on Sunday, April 15 at 7 p.m. ET; USA, SN, TVA Sports

Game 4: Jets at Wild on Tuesday, April 17 at 8 p.m. ET; CNBC, SN, TVA Sports

*Game 5: Wild at Jets on Friday, April 20 at TBD

*Game 6: Jets at Wild on Sunday, April 22 at TBD

*Game 7: Wild at Jets on Wednesday, April 25 at TBD

Western Conference: Vegas Golden Knights vs. Los Angeles Kings

Game 1: Kings at Golden Knights on Wednesday, April 11 at 10 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports

Game 2: Kings at Golden Knights on Friday, April 13 at 10 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports

Game 3: Golden Knights at Kings on Sunday, April 15 at 10:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports

Game 4: Golden Knights at Kings on Tuesday, April 17 at 10:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports

*Game 5: Kings at Golden Knights on Thursday, April 19 at 10 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports

*Game 6: Golden Knights at Kings on Saturday, April 21 at TBD

*Game 7: Kings at Golden Knights on Monday, April 23 at TBD

Western Conference: Anaheim Ducks vs. San Jose Sharks

Game 1: Sharks at Ducks on Thursday, April 12 at 10:30 p.m. ET; USA, SN360, TVA Sports

Game 2: Sharks at Ducks on Saturday, April 14 at 10:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN360, TVA Sports

Game 3: Ducks at Sharks on Monday, April 16 at 10:30 p.m. ET; CNBC, SN1, TVA Sports

Game 4: Ducks at Sharks on Wednesday, April 18 at 10:30 p.m. ET; GOLF, SN1, TVA Sports

*Game 5: Sharks at Ducks on Friday, April 20 at TBD

*Game 6: Ducks at Sharks on Sunday, April 22 at TBD

*Game 7: Sharks at Ducks on Tuesday, April 24 at TBD

Eastern Conference: Washington Capitals vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

Game 1: Blue Jackets at Capitals on Thursday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET; USA, SN360, TVA Sports

Game 2: Blue Jackets at Capitals on Sunday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN360, TVA Sports

Game 3: Capitals at Blue Jackets on Tuesday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN360, TVA Sports

Game 4: Capitals at Blue Jackets on Thursday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET; USA, SN, TVA Sports

*Game 5: Blue Jackets at Capitals on Saturday, April 21 at TBD

*Game 6: Capitals at Blue Jackets on Monday, April 23 at TBD

*Game 7: Blue Jackets at Capitals on Wednesday, April 25 at TBD

Eastern Conference: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers

Game 1: Flyers at Penguins on Wednesday, April 11 at 7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports

Game 2: Flyers at Penguins on Friday, April 13 at 7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports

Game 3: Penguins at Flyers on Sunday, April 15 at 3 p.m. ET; NBC, CBC, TVA Sports

Game 4: Penguins at Flyers on Wednesday, April 18 at 7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports

*Game 5: Flyers at Penguins on Friday, April 20 at TBD

*Game 6: Penguins at Flyers on Sunday, April 22 at TBD

*Game 7: Flyers at Penguins on Tuesday, April 24 at TBD

Eastern Conference: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New Jersey Devils

Game 1: Devils at Lightning on Thursday, April 12 at 7 p.m. ET; NHL Network, SN, TVA Sports

Game 2: Devils at Lightning on Saturday, April 14 at 3 p.m. ET; NBC, CNBC, SN360, TVA Sports

Game 3: Lightning at Devils on Monday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET; CNBC, SN, TVA Sports

Game 4: Lightning at Devils on Wednesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET; GOLF, SN, TVA Sports

*Game 5: Devils at Lightning on Saturday, April 21 at TBD

*Game 6: Lightning at Devils on Monday, April 23 at TBD

*Game 7: Devils at Lightning on Wednesday, April 25 at TBD

Eastern Conference: Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Game 1: Maple Leafs at Bruins on Thursday, April 12 at 7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports

Game 2: Maple Leafs at Bruins on Saturday, April 14 at 8 p.m. ET; NBC, CBC, TVA Sports

Game 3: Bruins at Maple Leafs on Monday, April 16 at 7 p.m. ET; CBC, TVA Sports, NBCSN

Game 4: Bruins at Maple Leafs on Thursday, April 19 at 7 p.m. ET; CBC, TVA Sports, NBCSN

*Game 5: Maple Leafs at Bruins on Saturday, April 21 at TBD

*Game 6: Bruins at Maple Leafs on Monday, April 23 at TBD

*Game 7: Maple Leafs at Bruins on Wednesday, April 25 at TBD

*If necessary

Storylines to Watch

Can the Penguins Three-peat?

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

No NHL team has won three titles in a row since the New York Islanders ripped off four straight between 1980 and 1983.

However, the Pittsburgh Penguins have a chance to join elite company if they can channel the poise that's allowed them to hoist the Stanley Cup two years running.

And given the Pens' tremendous collection of goal scorers in Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, Patric Hornqvist, Jake Guentzel and trade-deadline acquisition Derick Brassard, there's reason to believe such an experienced group can produce the firepower necessary to keep the Pens' championship aspirations alive.

"It's hard to go against Pittsburgh," Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane said, according to the Chicago Tribune's Paul Skrbina. "They haven't been beaten in the playoffs the last couple of years, and they look like they're poised to make another run. They made a big move there at the deadline. I'd probably pick them."

If there's a concern with the Penguins, it's that they've proved vulnerable on defense because of concerted efforts to be aggressive and push defensemen forward in the offensive zone.

As a result, the defending champions surrendered 248 goals this season—the most among Eastern Conference postseason qualifiers.

In other words, the Penguins need to play their most disciplined hockey of the season come playoff time. If they can, it's not inconceivable to think a historic title run could be in order.

All Eyes on Vegas

John Locher/Associated Press

All things considered, the Vegas Golden Knights can confidently chalk up the 2017-18 campaign as a success.

In their first year of existence, the Golden Knights cleared every expansion-team hurdle standing in their way and established themselves as the class of the Pacific Division en route to their first postseason berth.

"To make the playoffs is real tough," head coach Gerard Gallant said, according to ESPN.com's Emily Kaplan. "For an expansion team to make the playoffs, it's incredible."

This isn't just a feel-good story, though.

As this year has proved, the Golden Knights are legitimate threats to win the Stanley Cup—and the odds reflect that. According to CBSSports.com, the Golden Knights are listed at plus-700 (bet $100 to win $700) to take home the title.

That's fourth among all teams and second among Western Conference clubs behind only the Nashville Predators (+350).

Can the Capitals Finally Break Through?

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

The Washington Capitals are no strangers to postseason disappointment.

They've bowed out of the playoffs in the second round three seasons running, and the last two exits have come after they were awarded the Presidents' Trophy.

But now that the Capitals aren't at the head of the class, they may actually be flying under the radar.

And that's just fine with them.

"The crown gets pretty heavy when you're carrying it for the regular season," head coach Barry Trotz said, per the Washington Post's Isabelle Khurshudyan.

Defenseman Brooks Orpik echoed that sentiment.

"I think there was some external pressure that creeped in the room," he said. "I think maybe as a veteran group, you probably don't want to admit that it affected us. I think at the time, it definitely did. ... More enjoyable to talk about it this year than the last couple years."

Now unburdened by the expectations of years past, the Capitals will ramp up their pursuit of the franchise's first conference final appearance since 1998 while the Penguins, Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning serve as the headliners out East.