First-round playoff schedule

First-round playoff schedule

By QMI Agency

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo makes a save against the Edmonton Oilers during their game in Vancouver on April 7, 2012. (REUTERS/Ben Nelms)

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The Boston Bruins will open defence of the Stanley Cup title Thursday night against the upstart Washington Capitals after the NHL released its schedule for the first round of playoffs Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks, who were on the losing end against the Bruins in the final last season, start their best-of-seven series the night before against the Los Angeles Kings.

In perhaps the most intriguing series of the first round, the Pittsburgh Penguins open at home Wednesday against their cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers.

And Canada's other playoff team -- the Ottawa Senators -- open in New York against the Rangers on Thursday night.

NHL Playoffs

EAST

Ottawa vs. N.Y. Rangers

Game 1: Ottawa at Rangers --Thursday, April 12 at 7 p.m. ET on CBC

Game 2: Ottawa at Rangers -- Saturday, April 14 at 7 p.m.ET on CBC

Game 3: Rangers at Ottawa -- Monday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBC

Game 4: Rangers at Ottawa -- Wednesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBC

*Game 5: Ottawa at Rangers -- Saturday, April 21 at 7 p.m. ET on CBC

*Game 6: Rangers at Ottawa -- Monday April 23 at TBA on CBC

*Game 7: Ottawa at Rangers -- Thursday, April 26 at TBA on CBC

Boston vs. Washington

Game 1: Washington at Boston --Thursday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBC

Game 2: Washington at Boston -- Saturday, April 14 at 3 p.m. ET on CBC

Game 3: Boston at Washington -- Monday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBC

Game 4: Boston at Washington-- Thursday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBC

*Game 5: Washington at Boston-- Saturday, April 21 at 3 p.m. ET on CBC

*Game 6: Boston at Washington -- Sunday, April 22 at TBA on CBC

*Game 7: Washington at Boston -- Wednesday, April 25 at TBA on CBC

Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia

Game 1: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh - Wednesday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN

Game 2: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh - Friday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN

Game 3: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia - Sunday, April 15 at 3 p.m. ET on TSN

Game 4: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia - Wednesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN

*Game 5: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh - Friday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN

*Game 6: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia - Sunday, April 22 at TBD p.m. ET on TSN

*Game 7: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh - Tuesday, April 24 at TBD p.m. ET on TSN

Florida vs. New Jersey

Game 1: New Jersey at Florida - Friday, April 13 at 7 p.m. ET on TSN2

Game 2: New Jersey at Florida - Sunday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN

Game 3: Florida at New Jersey - Tuesday, April 17 at 7 p.m. ET on TSN

Game 4: Florida at New Jersey - Thursday April 19 at 7 p.m. ET on TSN2

*Game 5: New Jersey at Florida - Saturday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m. ET on TSN2

*Game 6: Florida at New Jersey - Tuesday, April 24 at TBD p.m. ET on TSN

*Game 7: New Jersey at Florida - Thursday, April 26 at TBD p.m. ET on TSN

WEST

Nashville vs. Detroit

Game 1: Detroit at Nashville -- Wednesday, April 11 at 8 p.m. ET on CBC

Game 2: Detroit at Nashville -- Friday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBC

Game 3: Nashville at Detroit -- Sunday, April 15 at noon ET on CBC

Game 4: Nashville at Detroit -- Tuesday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBC

*Game 5: Detroit at Nashville -- Friday, April 20 at 8 p.m. ET on CBC

*Game 6: Nashville at Detroit -- Sunday, April 22 at TBA on CBC

*Game 7: Detroit at Nashville -- Tuesday, April 24 at TBA on CBC

Vancouver vs. Los Angeles Kings

Game 1: Los Angeles at Vancouver -- Wednesday, April 11 at 10:30 p.m. ET on CBC

Game 2: Los Angeles at Vancouver -- Friday, April 13 at 10 p.m. ET on CBC

Game 3: Vancouver at Los Angeles -- Sunday, April 15 at 10:30 p.m. ET on CBC

Game 4: Vancouver at Los Angeles -- Wednesday, April 18 at 10 p.m. on CBC

*Game 5: Los Angeles at Vancouver -- Sunday, April 22 at TBA on CBC

*Game 6: Vancouver at Los Angeles -- Tuesday, April 24 at TBA on CBC

*Game 7: Los Angeles at Vancouver -- Thursday, April 26 at TBA on CBC

St. Louis vs. San Jose

Game 1: San Jose at St. Louis - Thursday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN

Game 2: San Jose at St. Louis - Saturday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN

Game 3: St. Louis at San Jose - Monday, April 16 at 10 p.m. ET on TSN

Game 4: St. Louis at San Jose - Thursday, April 19 at 10:30 p.m. ET on TSN

*Game 5: San Jose at St. Louis - Saturday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN

*Game 6: St. Louis at San Jose - Monday, April 23 at TBD p.m. ET on TSN

*Game 7: San Jose at St. Louis - Wednesday, April 25 at TBD p.m. ET on TSN

Phoenix vs. Chicago

Game 1: Chicago at Phoenix - Thursday, April 12 at 10 p.m. ET on TSN

Game 2: Chicago at Phoenix - Saturday, April 14 at 10 p.m. ET on TSN

Game 3: Phoenix at Chicago - Tuesday, April 17 at 9 p.m. ET on TSN

Game 4: Phoenix at Chicago - Thursday, April 19 at 8 p.m. ET on TSN

*Game 5: Chicago at Phoenix - Saturday, April 21 at 10 p.m. ET on TSN

*Game 6: Phoenix at Chicago - Monday, April 23 at TBD p.m. ET on TSN

*Game 7: Chicago at Phoenix - Wednesday, April 25 at TBD p.m. ET on TSN

* If necessary