2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Second-round bracket, schedule and TV info
As a hectic first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs nears its end, it looks like hockey fans will be in for quite the treat as the attention turns to the bracket’s quarterfinals.
While the delayed start to Canada’s North Division playoff matchups impacted some things, the NHL’s other three divisions did their part to get the second round started in a timely fashion on Memorial Day weekend.
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The Colorado Avalanche set the tone as the first team to advance past the first round, sweeping the St. Louis Blues in rapid fashion.
The Boston Bruins followed suit shortly thereafter, knocking out the Washington Capitals in just five games after falling in the two teams’ series opener. The New York Islanders locked down a second-round spot against the Bruins by defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games.
The Winnipeg Jets completed a sweep against the Edmonton Oilers one night later, advancing to the second round in impressive fashion.
The reigning Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning eliminated the Florida Panthers in six games to become the Central Division’s first second-round qualifier. A day later, the Carolina Hurricanes solidified a spot as Tampa Bay’s opponent by beating the Nashville Predators in six games.
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Rounding out the United States-based first-round matchups, the Vegas Golden Knights got the win in the first Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, taking down the Minnesota Wild en route to arguably the biggest matchup of this year’s postseason: a second-round tango with the Avalanche.
Finishing up the first round, the Montreal Canadiens shocked the hockey world by overcoming a 3-1 series deficit against the top-seeded Toronto Maple Leafs, winning a Game 7 to advance to the second round.
Per NHL Public Relations, the Canadiens’ win locked in a fixed bracket for the rest of the postseason. The winners of the Honda West Division and the Scotia North Division will square off in the Stanley Cup Semifinals, along with the winners of the MassMutual East Division and the Discover Central Division.
As chaotic and entertaining as the first round was, the second round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs is sure to provide sheer insanity as the calendar shifts from May to June.
To help you plan out your nightly schedule, here’s the timing for each game of the NHL’s second-round slate.
Schedule:
MassMutual East Division: No. 3 Boston Bruins vs. No. 4 New York Islanders
Game 1: Saturday, May 29 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Sportsnet 360
Game 2: Monday, May 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN and Sportsnet One
Game 3: Thursday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN and CBC
Game 4: Saturday, June 5 at 7:15 p.m. ET on NBC and Sportsnet
Game 5: Monday, June 7 at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN
Game 6 (if needed): Wednesday, June 9, time TBD
Game 7 (if needed): Friday, June 11, time TBD
Discover Central Division: No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. No. 3 Tampa Bay Lightning
Game 1: Sunday, May 30 at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN and Sportsnet
Game 2: Tuesday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN and Sportsnet
Game 3: Thursday, June 3 at 8 p.m. ET on USA Network and Sportsnet
Game 4: Saturday, June 5 at 4 p.m. ET on USA Network and Sportsnet
Game 5: Tuesday, June 8, time TBD
Game 6 (if needed): Thursday, June 10, time TBD
Game 7 (if needed): Saturday, June 12, time TBD
Honda West Division: No. 1 Colorado Avalanche vs. No. 2 Vegas Golden Knights
Game 1: Sunday, May 30 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Sportsnet
Game 2: Wednesday, June 2 at 10 p.m. ET on NBCSN and Sportsnet
Game 3: Friday, June 4 at 10 p.m. ET on NBCSN and Sportsnet
Game 4: Sunday, June 6 at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN and Sportsnet
Game 5: Tuesday, June 8, time TBD
Game 6 (if needed): Thursday, June 10, time TBD
Game 7 (if needed): Saturday, June 12, time TBD
Scotia North Division: No. 3 Winnipeg Jets vs. No. 4 Montreal Canadiens
Game 1: Wednesday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m. on NBCSN and Sportsnet
Game 2: Friday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET on USA Network and Sportsnet
Game 3: Sunday, June 6 at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN and Sportsnet
Game 4: Monday, June 7 at 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN
Game 5 (if needed): Wednesday, June 9, time TBD
Game 6 (if needed): Friday, June 11, time TBD
Game 7 (if needed): Sunday, June 13, time TBD
Which teams are you picking in the second round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs? Let us know by following @SOTSports on Twitter or by liking our Facebook page!
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