Playoff Matchups All Set, Round 1 sched released

Before I move on and go out, with the season almost done with just the Ducks and Oilers finishing up the final game in period three, the playoff match-ups are all set. A quick glance at both conferences:

EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERS

(1) Washington Capitals vs (8) Montreal Canadiens

(2) New Jersey Devils vs (7) Philadelphia Flyers

(3) Buffalo Sabres vs (6) Boston Bruins

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs (5) Ottawa Senators


WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERS

(1) San Jose Sharks vs (8) Colorado Avalanche

(2) Chicago Blackhawks vs (7) Nashville Predators

(3) Vancouver Canucks (6) Los Angeles Kings

(4) Phoenix Coyotes vs (5) Detroit Red Wings


Some intriguing first round series include the heated I-95 rivalry renewed between the Devils and Flyers. Plus an classic Adams throwback with the Sabres battling the Bruins who I'm sure our Buffalo blogger is fearing the worst based on the past. The Sens meet the Pens for a third time in four years but minus Alex Kovalev. Can an unpredictable Hab team with Halak in net scare the loaded Caps? Out West, you got the ever dreaded upstart Avs challenging the Sharks. The Canucks versus Kings promises to be entertaining. Could be a lot of fireworks. How will the Hawks fare against an overlooked Pred team? And can the surprising 'Yotes best the Wings? We'll have our picks in a couple of days.


Looks like the NHL has already announced the playoff schedule. So, here ya go:

2010 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINALS



SERIES A TIME (ET) #1 Washington vs. #8 Montreal

Thursday, April 15, 2010 7 p.m. Montreal at Washington

Saturday, April 17, 2010 7 p.m. Montreal at Washington

Monday, April 19, 2010 7 p.m. Washington at Montreal

Wednesday, April 21, 2010 7 p.m. Washington at Montreal

*Friday, April 23, 2010 7 p.m. Montreal at Washington

*Monday, April 26, 2010 7 p.m. Washington at Montreal

*Wednesday, April 28, 2010 TBD Montreal at Washington


SERIES B TIME (ET) #2 New Jersey vs. #7 Philadelphia


Wednesday, April 14, 2010 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at New Jersey


Friday, April 16, 2010 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at New Jersey


Sunday, April 18, 2010 6 p.m. New Jersey at Philadelphia


Tuesday, April 20, 2010 7:30 p.m. New Jersey at Philadelphia


*Thursday, April 22, 2010 7 p.m. Philadelphia at New Jersey


*Sunday, April 25, 2010 TBD New Jersey at Philadelphia


*Tuesday, April 27, 2010 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at New Jersey


SERIES C TIME (ET) #3 Buffalo vs. #6 Boston


Thursday, April 15, 2010 7 p.m. Boston at Buffalo


Saturday, April 17, 2010 1 p.m. Boston at Buffalo


Monday, April 19, 2010 7 p.m. Buffalo at Boston


Wednesday, April 21, 2010 7 p.m. Buffalo at Boston


*Friday, April 23, 2010 7 p.m. Boston at Buffalo


*Monday, April 26, 2010 7 p.m. Buffalo at Boston


*Wednesday, April 28, 2010 7 p.m. Boston at Buffalo


SERIES D TIME (ET) #4 Pittsburgh vs. #5 Ottawa

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 7 p.m. Ottawa at Pittsburgh

Friday, April 16, 2010 7 p.m. Ottawa at Pittsburgh

Sunday, April 18, 2010 6:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at Ottawa

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 7 p.m. Pittsburgh at Ottawa

*Thursday, April 22, 2010 7 p.m. Ottawa at Pittsburgh

*Saturday, April 24, 2010 7 p.m. Pittsburgh at Ottawa

*Tuesday, April 27, 2010 7 p.m. Ottawa at Pittsburgh


2010 WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINALS


SERIES E TIME (ET) #1 San Jose vs. #8 Colorado

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 10:30 p.m. Colorado at San Jose

Friday, April 16, 2010 10:30 p.m. Colorado at San Jose

Sunday, April 18, 2010 9:30 p.m. San Jose at Colorado

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 10 p.m. San Jose at Colorado

*Thursday, April 22, 2010 10:30 p.m. Colorado at San Jose

*Saturday, April 24, 2010 TBD San Jose at Colorado

*Monday, April 26, 2010 TBD Colorado at San Jose


SERIES F TIME (ET) #2 Chicago vs. #7 Nashville

Friday, April 16, 2010 8:30 p.m. Nashville at Chicago

Sunday, April 18, 2010 8:30 p.m. Nashville at Chicago

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 9 p.m. Chicago at Nashville

Thursday, April 22, 2010 8:30 p.m. Chicago at Nashville

*Saturday, April 24, 2010 3 p.m. Nashville at Chicago

*Monday, April 26, 2010 TBD Chicago at Nashville

*Wednesday, April 28, 2010 TBD Nashville at Chicago


SERIES G TIME (ET) #3 Vancouver vs. #6 Los Angeles

Thursday, April 15, 2010 10 p.m. Los Angeles at Vancouver

Saturday, April 17, 2010 10 p.m. Los Angeles at Vancouver

Monday, April 19, 2010 10 p.m. Vancouver at Los Angeles

Wednesday, April 21, 2010 10 p.m. Vancouver at Los Angeles

*Friday, April 23, 2010 10 p.m. Los Angeles at Vancouver

*Sunday, April 25, 2010 TBD Vancouver at Los Angeles

*Tuesday, April 27, 2010 TBD Los Angeles at Vancouver


SERIES H TIME (ET) #4 Phoenix vs. #5 Detroit

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 10 p.m. Detroit at Phoenix

Friday, April 16, 2010 10 p.m. Detroit at Phoenix

Sunday, April 18, 2010 3 p.m. Phoenix at Detroit

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 6:30 p.m. Phoenix at Detroit

*Friday, April 23, 2010 10 p.m. Detroit at Phoenix

*Sunday, April 25, 2010 2 p.m. Phoenix at Detroit

*Tuesday, April 27, 2010 TBD Detroit at Phoenix