Here are the first-round games which will open the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Wednesday (all times are Eastern):
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
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7 p.m.: Rangers @ Canadiens | CBC, TVA Sports, NBCSN
The New York Rangers (48-28-6) are considered a really tough draw for the Atlantic Division-winning Montreal Canadiens (47-26-9). This series will feature two world-class goalies in Carey Price and Henrik Lundqvist. The Canadiens will have to find the back of the net with more regularity while the Rangers have been one of the higher-scoring teams in the league backed up by Lundqvist.
7 p.m.: Bruins @ Senators | Sportsnet, TVA Sports, NHL Network
The Boston Bruins (44-31-7) weren't looking like a playoff team, especially after long-time coach Claude Julien's firing. But now they're back and will try to keep rolling as they play the now-stingy Ottawa Senators (44-28-10). Coach Guy Boucher has the Sens playing better defense, but it's goalie Craig Anderson and his .926 save percentage which have this team in a good playoff spot.
7:30 p.m.: Blue Jackets @ Penguins | USA, SN 360, TVA Sports
This is a rivalry which has been brewing for a few seasons now. Sidney Crosby's Pittsburgh Penguins (50-21-11) might be a bit banged up -- most notably defenseman Kris Letang who is out for the season -- but they are still the team to beat in the east. Coach John Tortorella had the Blue Jackets (50-24-8) running on all cylinders this year, but they are slumping into the playoffs. They need to wake up before this first-round meeting with the defending Stanley Cup champions.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
9:30 p.m.: Blues @ Wild | NBCSN, SN 360, TVA Sports
The St. Louis Blues (46-29-7) are hungry to get back to the conference finals, and beyond. But the fast, high-scoring Minnesota Wild (49-25-8) stand in their path. The Wild finally look like a team to reckon with in the playoffs as their play jumped to a new level this season with coach Bruce Boudreau.
10 p.m.: Sharks @ Oilers | Sportsnet, TVA Sports, USA
Connor McDavid has taken the Edmonton Oilers (47-26-9) back to the playoffs where they'll be greeted by the defending Western Conference champion San Jose Sharks (46-29-7). This is the ultimate test for the 20-year-old captain and his Oilers, a team which hasn't seen the post season in more than 10 years.