NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: First Round TV Schedule

It’s that time of year again. The time of year that hockey fans around the world wait for all years long. Just because our beloved Tampa Bay Lightning missed the post season this year doesn’t mean that hockey season is over just yet. Tuesday, April 30th marks the beginning of the 2012-13 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

June 11, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23) hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the New Jersey Devils 6-1 in game six of the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals at the Staples Center. The Kings won the series four games to two. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

After missing half of the season to what we will continue to disdainfully refer to as the 2012 NHL Lockout, the chase for the cup is a welcome arrival.

We here at Bolts By The Bay are committed to keeping the Bolts Nation up-to-date with not only the latest Tampa Bay Lightning news and updates with our own special brand of opinion, but it’s also our mission to keep you in the loop of all the other goings on in the NHL during this off-season.

The first step in attaining this goal is the Television Schedule for the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This way, you know just where to find your favorite non-Lightning team as they navigate the chase for Lord Stanley’s Cup.

Below is that schedule via NHL.com.

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals:

Series A

#1 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #8 New York Islanders (all times EST)

Game 1 – Wednesday, May 1 – 7:30 p.m.   Islanders at Penguins – NBC Sports Network, TSN

Game 2 – Friday, May 3 – 7:30 p.m.   Islanders at Penguins – NBC Sports Netowrk, TSN

Game 3 – Sunday, May 5 – 12:00 p.m. Penguins at Islanders – NBC, TSN

Game 4 – Tuesday, May 7 – 7:00 p.m.   Penguins at Islanders – NBC Sports Network, TSN

* Game 5 – Thursday, May 9 – 7:00 p.m.   Islanders at Penguins – TSN

* Game 6 – Saturday, May 11 – TBD   Penguins at Islanders – TSN

* Game 7 – Sunday, May 12 – TBD   Islanders at Penguins – TSN

Series B

#2 Montreal Canadiens vs. #7 Ottawa Senators

Game 1 – Thursday, May 2 – 7:00 p.m.   Senators at Canadiens – CNBC, CBC, RDS

Game 2 – Friday, May 3 – 7:00 p.m.    Senators at Canadiens – CNBC, CBC, RDS

Game 3 – Sunday, May 5 – 7:00 p.m.   Canadiens at Senators – NBCSN, CBC, RDS

Game 4 – Tuesday, May 7 – 7:00 p.m.   Canadiens at Senators – CNBC, CBC, RDS

* Game 5 – Thursday, May 9 – 7:00 p.m.   Senators at Canadiens – CBC, RDS

* Game 6 – Saturday, May 11 – TBD    Canadiens at Senators – CBC, RDS

* Game 7 – Sunday, May 12 – TBD   Senators at Canadiens – CBC, RDS

Series C

#3 Washington Capitals vs. #6 New York Rangers

Game 1 – Thursday, May 2 – 7:30 p.m.  Rangers at Capitals – NBCSN, TSN

Game 2 – Saturday, May 4 – 12:30 p.m.   Rangers at Capitals – NBC, TSN

Game 3 – Monday, May 6 – 7:30 p.m.   Capitals at Rangers – NBCSN, TSN

Game 4 – Wednesday, May 8 – 7:30 p.m.   Capitals at Rangers – NBCSN, TSN

*Game 5 – Friday, May 10 – 7:30 pm   Rangers at Capitals – TSN

*Game 6 – Sunday, May 12 – TBD   Capitals at Rangers – TSN

* Game 7 – Monday, May 13 – TBD Rangers at Capitals – TSN

Series D

#4 Boston Bruins vs. #5 Toronto Maple Leafs

Game 1 – Wednesday, May 1 – 7:00 p.m.  Leafs at Bruins – CNBC, CBC, RDS

Game 2 – Saturday, May 4 – 7:00 p.m.  Leafs at Bruins – CNBC, CBC, RDS

Game 3 – Monday, May 6 – 7:00 p.m.  Bruins at Leafs – NHLN-US, CBC, RDS

Game 4 – Wednesday, May 8 – 7:00 p.m.  Bruins at Leafs – NHLN-US, CBC, RDS

* Game 5 – Friday, May 10 – 7:00 p.m.  Leafs at Bruins – CBC, RDS

* Game 6 – Sunday, May 12 – TBD Bruins at Leafs – CBC, RDS

* Game 7 – Monday, May 13 – TBD Leafs at Bruins – CBC, RDS

Western Conference Quarterfinals

Series E

#1 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #8 Minnesota Wild

Game 1 – Tuesday, April 30 – 8:00 p.m.  Wild at Blackhawks – NBCSN, CBC

Game 2 – Friday, May 3 – 9:30 p.m.  Wild at Blackhawks – NBCSN, CBC

Game 3 – Sunday, May 5 – 3:00 p.m.  Blackhawks at Wild – NBC, CBC

Game 4 – Tuesday, May 7 – 9:30 p.m.  Blackhawks at Wild – NBCSN, CBC

* Game 5 – Thursday, May 9 – TBD Wild at Blackhawks – CBC

* Game 6 – Saturday, May 11 – TBD Blackhawks at Wild – CBC

* Game 7 – Sunday, May 12 – TBD Wild at Blackhawks – CBC

Series F

#2 Anaheim Ducks vs. #7 Detroit Red Wings

Game 1 – Tuesday, April 30 – 10:30 p.m.   Wings at Ducks – NBCSN, TSN

Game 2 – Thursday, May 2 – 10:00 p.m.   Wings at Ducks – NBCSN, TSN

Game 3 – Saturday, May 4 – 7:30 p.m.  Ducks at Wings – NBCSN, TSN

Game 4 – Monday, May 6 – 8:00 p.m.  Ducks at Wings – CNBC, TSN

* Game 5 – Wednesday, May 8 – 10:00 p.m.  Wings at Ducks – TSN

* Game 6 – Friday, May 10 – TBD Ducks at Wings – TSN

* Game 7 – Sunday, May 12 – TBD Wings at Ducks – TSN

Series G

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 San Jose Sharks

Game 1 – Wednesday, May 1 – 10:30 p.m.   Sharks at Canucks – NBCSN, TSN

Game 2 – Friday, May 3 – 10:00 p.m.   Sharks at Canucks – CNBC, TSN

Game 3 – Sunday, May 5 – 10:00 p.m.   Canucks at Sharks – NBCSN, TSN

Game 4 – Tuesday, May 7 – 10:00 p.m.   Canucks at Sharks – CNBC, TSN

* Game 5 – Thursday, May 9 – 10:00 p.m.   Sharks at Canucks – TSN

* Game 6 – Saturday, May 11 – TBD   Canucks at Sharks – TSN

* Game 7 – Monday, May 13 – TBD   Sharks at Canucks – TSN

Series H

#4 St. Louis Blues vs. #5 Los Angeles Kings

Game 1 – Tuesday, April 30 – 8:00 p.m.   Kings at Blues – CNBC, CBC

Game 2 – Thursday, May 2 – 9:30 p.m.   Kings at Blues – CNBC, CBC

Game 3 – Saturday, May 4 – 10:00 p.m.   Blues at Kings – NBCSN, CBC

Game 4 – Monday, May 6 – 10:00 p.m.   Blues at Kings – NBCSN, CBC

* Game 5 – Wednesday, May 8 – TBD   Kings at Blues – CBC

* Game 6 – Friday, May 10 – TBD   Blues at Kings – CBC

* Game 7 – Monday, May 13 – TBD   Kings at Blues – CBC

*If necessary

Will the Kings hold Lord Stanley’s Cup up high for two years in a row, or will the Chicago Blackhawks continue their fantastic season all the way to the Cup? Will Sidney Crosby return to lead his team past the Islanders, or will they fall flat?

There are SO many questions that need answers, and answers we shall have. The road to the Stanley Cup begins tonight. Bolts By The Bay will be here for you every step of the way as we watch teams vie for arguably the biggest prize in all of sports.

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