The Stanley Cup Playoffs logo. (NHL.com, Tamir Moore)
* 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs begins on Monday, April 17 at 7 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2 with Islanders vs. Hurricanes, Game 1
* ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, and ABC to televise first-round Stanley Cup playoff action
* Can Colorado repeat as Stanley Cup champions? Avalanche set to face off with first-time playoff team, the Seattle Kraken in the first round
* Can Tampa Bay go their fourth straight Cup Final? Lightning to face Maple Leafs in the opening round; mind you, Toronto has not won a first-round series since the 2003-04 season
* Can the Bruins finish up their historic season with a championship? Bruins to face off with Panthers in Round 1
The 2022-23 NHL regular season is now officially complete. That means the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs are almost set to begin, with 16 teams battling it out for Lord's Stanley Cup.
The 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin on Monday, April 17, with four games on the ESPN family of networks (a doubleheader on ESPN and ESPN2).
Monday's Stanley Cup Playoffs action begins at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2 as the New York Islanders visit the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh. The Islanders earned the East's top wild card spot this season, while the Hurricanes clinched a postseason spot for the fifth straight season. Mike Monaco and AJ Mleczko will provide commentary for Islanders/Hurricanes, with Dominic Moore reporting.
Monday's Stanley Cup Playoffs action continues at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN as the Florida Panthers take on the Boston Bruins in Boston. Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, who scored 60 goals for Boston this year, lead the Bruins -- this year's President Trophy winner -- into a Round 1 series against a Florida Panthers team that had to scrape together wins late in the season to earn the Eastern Conference's second wild card position. Lead NHL on ESPN play-by-play announcer Sean McDonough is on the call, with analyst Ray Ferraro and reporter Emily Kaplan.
The Western Conference will take center stage for the first time in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 as Jason Robertson and the Dallas Stars, winners of six straight, take on the Minnesota Wild from St. Paul. Bob Wischusen provides play-by-play commentary alongside analyst Brian Boucher and reporter Leah Hextall.
ESPN's Monday playoff slate concludes at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN when the Los Angeles Kings square off against the Edmonton Oilers in a rematch of last year's First Round Series between these same two teams. John Buccigross (play-by-play), Kevin Weekes (analyst) & Ryan Callahan (reporter) will call the action in Edmonton.
The 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs continue on Tuesday, April 18, with four more Game 1's across TBS, ESPN and ESPN2.
Tuesday's Stanley Cup Playoff coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET on TBS with another edition of the "Hudson River Rivalry" - New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils. Announcers for this game are Kenny Albert (play-by-play), Keith Jones (analyst) & Jackie Redmond (reporter).
Tuesday's playoff coverage continues at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN with the Tampa Bay Lightning (the team that has appeared in the last three Stanley Cup Finals) taking on the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team looking to snap a near two-decade long drought of not advancing past the first round. McDonough, Ferraro, and Kaplan are on the call from Toronto.
ESPN2 takes a turn with some Tuesday late-night hockey at 9:30 p.m. ET with Game 1 between the Winnipeg Jets and Vegas Golden Knights. This marks the second playoff meeting between Winnipeg and Vegas. The first meeting between these two teams occurred in the 2018 Western Conference Final, as Vegas advanced to their Stanley Cup Final following a series win. Play-by-play commentator Roxy Bernstein will work the contest with analyst Weekes. Linda Cohn will serve as a reporter.
Tuesday's slate ends at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN with Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche -- the defending Stanley Cup champion and three-time Central Division winners -- begin their title defense against the Seattle Kraken, who qualify for the postseason in just their second season as a NHL franchise. Wischusen, Boucher and Hextall serve as the broadcast team for the game.
The 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs television schedule and announcer details for the Conference Quarterfinals can be found below:
Mandatory credit for NHL team logos: SportsLogos.net.
- 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Conference Quarterfinals Series Summary
Eastern Conference:
* (A1) Boston Bruins vs. (WC2) Florida Panthers == Florida wins series, 4-3 (Series begins Monday, Apr. 17)
. Game 1 - Monday, April 17 - Panthers vs. Bruins - ESPN, 7:30 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan
. Game 2 - Wednesday, April 19 - Panthers vs. Bruins - ESPN, 7:30 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan
. Game 3 - Friday, April 21 - Bruins vs. Panthers - TNT, 7:30 PM (ET) - Jim Jackson, Jody Shelley, Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre
. Game 4 - Sunday, April 23 - Bruins vs. Panthers - TNT, 3:30 PM (ET) - Jim Jackson, Jody Shelley, Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre
. Game 5 - Wednesday, April 26 - Panthers vs. Bruins - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan
. Game 6 - Friday, April 28 - Bruins vs. Panthers - TNT, 7:30 PM (ET) - Jim Jackson, Jody Shelley, Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre
. Game 7 - Sunday, April 30 - Panthers vs. Bruins - TNT, 6:30 PM (ET) - Brendan Burke, Darren Pang, Jackie Redmond
* (A2) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (A3) Tampa Bay Lightning == Toronto wins series, 4-2 (Series begins Tuesday, Apr. 18)
. Game 1 - Tuesday, April 18 - Lightning vs. Maple Leafs - ESPN, 7:30 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan
. Game 2 - Thursday, April 20 - Lightning vs. Maple Leafs - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - John Buccigross, Kevin Weekes, Ryan Callahan
. Game 3 - Saturday, April 22 - Maple Leafs vs. Lightning - TBS, 7:00 PM (ET) - Brendan Burke, Butch Goring, Darren Pang
. Game 4 - Monday, April 24 - Maple Leafs vs. Lightning - TBS, 7:30 PM (ET) - Brendan Burke, Jennifer Botterill, Darren Pang
. Game 5 - Thursday, April 27 - Lightning vs. Maple Leafs - TBS, 7:00 PM (ET) - Brendan Burke, Darren Pang, Tarik El-Bashir
. Game 6 - Saturday, April 29 - Maple Leafs vs. Lightning - TBS, 7:00 PM (ET) - Brendan Burke, Darren Pang, Jackie Redmond
. Game 7 (if nec.) - Monday, May 1 - Lightning vs. Maple Leafs - TBD
* (M1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (WC1) New York Islanders == Carolina wins series, 4-2 (Series begins Monday, Apr. 17)
. Game 1 - Monday, April 17 - Islanders vs. Hurricanes - ESPN2, 7:00 PM (ET) - Mike Monaco, AJ Mleczko, Dominic Moore
. Game 2 - Wednesday, April 19 - Islanders vs. Hurricanes - ESPN2, 7:00 PM (ET) - Mike Monaco, AJ Mleczko, Dominic Moore
. Game 3 - Friday, April 21 - Hurricanes vs. Islanders - TBS, 7:00 PM (ET) - Dave Randorf, Keith Jones, Bryce Salvador
. Game 3 - Friday, April 21 - Hurricanes vs. Islanders - TBS, 7:00 PM (ET) - Dave Randorf, Keith Jones, Bryce Salvador
. Game 4 - Sunday, April 23 - Hurricanes vs. Islanders - TNT, 1:00 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Keith Jones, Bryce Salvador
. Game 5 - Tuesday, April 25 - Islanders vs. Hurricanes - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - Steve Levy, AJ Mleczko, Emily Kaplan
. Game 6 - Friday, April 28 - Hurricanes vs. Islanders - TBS, 7:00 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Keith Jones, Bryce Salvador
. Game 6 - Friday, April 28 - Hurricanes vs. Islanders - TBS, 7:00 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Keith Jones, Bryce Salvador
. Game 7 (if nec.) - Sunday, April 30 - Islanders vs. Hurricanes - TBD
* (M2) New Jersey Devils vs. (M3) New York Rangers == New Jersey wins series, 4-3 (Series begins Tuesday, Apr. 18)
. Game 1 - Tuesday, April 18 - Rangers vs. Devils - TBS, 7:00 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Keith Jones, Jackie Redmond
. Game 2 - Thursday, April 20 - Rangers vs. Devils - TBS, 7:30 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Keith Jones, Jackie Redmond
. Game 3 - Saturday, April 22 - Devils vs. Rangers - ABC, 8:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan
. Game 4 - Monday, April 24 - Devils vs. Rangers - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan
. Game 3 - Saturday, April 22 - Devils vs. Rangers - ABC, 8:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan
. Game 4 - Monday, April 24 - Devils vs. Rangers - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan
. Game 5 - Thursday, April 27 - Rangers vs. Devils - ESPN2, 7:30 PM (ET) - Steve Levy, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan
. Game 6 - Saturday, April 29 - Devils vs. Rangers - ABC, 8:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan
. Game 7- Monday, May 1 - Rangers vs. Devils - ESPN, 8:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan
Western Conference:
* (P1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC2) Winnipeg Jets == Vegas wins series, 4-1 (Series begins Tuesday, Apr. 18)
. Game 1 - Tuesday, April 18 - Jets vs. Golden Knights - ESPN2, 9:30 PM (ET) - Roxy Bernstein, Kevin Weekes, Linda Cohn
. Game 2 - Thursday, April 20 - Jets vs. Golden Knights - TBS, 10:00 PM (ET) - Alex Faust, Eddie Olczyk, Shane Hnidy
. Game 3 - Saturday, April 22 - Golden Knights vs. Jets - TBS, 4:00 PM (ET) - Rick Ball, Jennifer Botterill, Alyson Lozoff
. Game 3 - Saturday, April 22 - Golden Knights vs. Jets - TBS, 4:00 PM (ET) - Rick Ball, Jennifer Botterill, Alyson Lozoff
. Game 4 - Monday, April 24 - Golden Knights vs. Jets - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - Mike Monaco, Dominic Moore, Leah Hextall
. Game 5 - Thursday, April 27 - Jets vs. Golden Knights - ESPN2, 10:00 PM (ET) - Mike Monaco, Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Linda Cohn
* (P2) Edmonton Oilers vs. (P3) Los Angeles Kings == Edmonton wins series, 4-2 (Series begins Monday, Apr. 17)
. Game 1 - Monday, April 17 - Kings vs. Oilers - ESPN, 10:00 PM (ET) - John Buccigross, Kevin Weekes, Ryan Callahan
. Game 2 - Wednesday, April 19 - Kings vs. Oilers - ESPN, 10:00 PM (ET) - John Buccigross, Kevin Weekes, Ryan Callahan
. Game 3 - Friday, April 21 - Oilers vs. Kings - TNT, 10:00 PM (ET) - John Forslund, Eddie Olczyk, Shane Hnidy
. Game 4 - Sunday, April 23 - Oilers vs. Kings - TBS, 9:00 PM (ET) - John Forslund, Eddie Olczyk, Shane Hnidy
. Game 5 - Tuesday, April 25 - Kings vs. Oilers - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - Mike Monaco, Dominic Moore
. Game 6 - Saturday, April 29 - Oilers vs. Kings - TBS, 10:00 PM (ET) - John Forslund, Eddie Olczyk, Shane Hnidy
.Game 7 (if nec.) - Monday, May 1 - Kings vs. Oilers - TBD
. Game 4 - Sunday, April 23 - Oilers vs. Kings - TBS, 9:00 PM (ET) - John Forslund, Eddie Olczyk, Shane Hnidy
. Game 5 - Tuesday, April 25 - Kings vs. Oilers - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - Mike Monaco, Dominic Moore
. Game 6 - Saturday, April 29 - Oilers vs. Kings - TBS, 10:00 PM (ET) - John Forslund, Eddie Olczyk, Shane Hnidy
.
* (C1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (WC1) Seattle Kraken == Seattle wins series, 4-3 (Series begins Tuesday, Apr. 18)
. Game 1 - Tuesday, April 18 - Kraken vs. Avalanche - ESPN, 10:00 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Brian Boucher, Leah Hextall
. Game 2 - Thursday, April 20 - Kraken vs. Avalanche - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Brian Boucher, Leah Hextall
. Game 3 - Saturday, April 22 - Avalanche vs. Kraken - TBS, 10:00 PM (ET) - Alex Faust, Patrick Sharp, Kathryn Tappen
. Game 3 - Saturday, April 22 - Avalanche vs. Kraken - TBS, 10:00 PM (ET) - Alex Faust, Patrick Sharp, Kathryn Tappen
. Game 4 - Monday, April 24 - Avalanche vs. Kraken - TBS, 10:00 PM (ET) - Alex Faust, Patrick Sharp, Kathryn Tappen
. Game 5 - Wednesday, April 26 - Kraken vs. Avalanche - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Brian Boucher, Leah Hextall
. Game 6 - Friday, April 28 - Avalanche vs. Kraken - TNT, 10:00 PM (ET) - Alex Faust, Eddie Olczyk, Shane Hnidy
. Game 7 - Sunday, April 30 - Kraken vs. Avalanche - TNT, 9:30 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Eddie Olczyk, Shane Hnidy, Alyson Lozoff
* (C2) Dallas Stars vs. (C3) Minnesota Wild == Dallas wins series, 4-2 (Series begins Monday, Apr. 17)
. Game 1 - Monday, April 17 - Wild vs. Stars - ESPN2, 9:30 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Brian Boucher, Leah Hextall
. Game 2 - Wednesday, April 19 - Wild vs. Stars - ESPN2, 9:30 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Brian Boucher, Leah Hextall
. Game 3 - Friday, April 21 - Stars vs. Wild - TBS, 9:30 PM (ET) - Randy Hahn, Bret Hedican, Darren Pang
. Game 3 - Friday, April 21 - Stars vs. Wild - TBS, 9:30 PM (ET) - Randy Hahn, Bret Hedican, Darren Pang
. Game 4 - Sunday, April 23 - Stars vs. Wild - TBS, 6:30 PM (ET) - Randy Hahn, Bret Hedican, Jackie Redmond
. Game 5 - Tuesday, April 25 - Wild vs. Stars - TBS, 8:00 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Eddie Olczyk, Keith Jones
. Game 6 - Friday, April 28 - Stars vs. Wild - TBS, 9:30 PM (ET) - Randy Hahn, Patrick Sharp, Kathryn Tappen
. Game 7 (if nec.) - Sunday, April 30 - Wild vs. Stars - TBD
- 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Conference Quarterfinals Daily Schedule
* Monday, April 17
. Game 1 - Islanders vs. Hurricanes - ESPN2, 7:00 PM (ET) - Mike Monaco, AJ Mleczko, Dominic Moore
. Game 1 - Panthers vs. Bruins - ESPN, 7:30 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan
. Game 1 - Wild vs. Stars - ESPN2, 9:30 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Brian Boucher, Leah Hextall
. Game 1 - Kings vs. Oilers - ESPN, 10:00 PM (ET) - John Buccigross, Kevin Weekes, Ryan Callahan
* Tuesday, April 18
. Game 1 - Rangers vs. Devils - TBS, 7:00 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Keith Jones, Jackie Redmond
. Game 1 - Lightning vs. Maple Leafs - ESPN, 7:30 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan
. Game 1 - Jets vs. Golden Knights - ESPN2, 9:30 PM (ET) - Roxy Bernstein, Kevin Weekes, Linda Cohn
. Game 1 - Kraken vs. Avalanche - ESPN, 10:00 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Brian Boucher, Leah Hextall
* Wednesday, April 19
. Game 2 - Islanders vs. Hurricanes - ESPN2, 7:00 PM (ET) - Mike Monaco, AJ Mleczko, Dominic Moore
. Game 2 - Panthers vs. Bruins - ESPN, 7:30 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan
. Game 2 - Wild vs. Stars - ESPN2, 9:30 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Brian Boucher, Leah Hextall
. Game 2 - Kings vs. Oilers - ESPN, 10:00 PM (ET) - John Buccigross, Kevin Weekes, Ryan Callahan
* Thursday, April 20
. Game 2 - Lightning vs. Maple Leafs - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - John Buccigross, Kevin Weekes, Ryan Callahan
. Game 2 - Rangers vs. Devils - TBS, 7:30 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Keith Jones, Jackie Redmond
. Game 2 - Kraken vs. Avalanche - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Brian Boucher, Leah Hextall
. Game 2 - Jets vs. Golden Knights - TBS, 10:00 PM (ET) - Alex Faust, Eddie Olczyk, Shane Hnidy
* Friday, April 21
. Game 3 - Hurricanes vs. Islanders - TBS, 7:00 PM (ET) - Dave Randorf, Keith Jones, Bryce Salvador
. Game 3 - Bruins vs. Panthers - TNT, 7:30 PM (ET) - Jim Jackson, Jody Shelley, Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre
. Game 3 - Stars vs. Wild - TBS, 9:30 PM (ET) - Randy Hahn, Bret Hedican, Darren Pang
. Game 3 - Oilers vs. Kings - TNT, 10:00 PM (ET) - John Forslund, Eddie Olczyk, Shane Hnidy
* Saturday, April 22
. Game 3 - Golden Knights vs. Jets - TBS, 4:00 PM (ET) - Rick Ball, Jennifer Botterill, Alyson Lozoff
. Game 3 - Maple Leafs vs. Lightning - TBS, 7:00 PM (ET) - Brendan Burke, Butch Goring, Darren Pang
. Game 3 - Devils vs. Rangers - ABC, 8:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan
. Game 3 - Avalanche vs. Kraken - TBS, 10:00 PM (ET) - Alex Faust, Patrick Sharp, Kathryn Tappen
* Sunday, April 23
. Game 4 - Hurricanes vs. Islanders - TNT, 1:00 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Keith Jones, Bryce Salvador
. Game 4 - Bruins vs. Panthers - TNT, 3:30 PM (ET) - Jim Jackson, Jody Shelley, Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre
. Game 4 - Stars vs. Wild - TBS, 6:30 PM (ET) - Randy Hahn, Bret Hedican, Jackie Redmond
. Game 4 - Oilers vs. Kings - TBS, 9:00 PM (ET) - John Forslund, Eddie Olczyk, Shane Hnidy
* Monday, April 24
. Game 4 - Devils vs. Rangers - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan
. Game 4 - Maple Leafs vs. Lightning - TBS, 7:30 PM (ET) - Brendan Burke, Jennifer Botterill, Darren Pang
. Game 4 - Golden Knights vs. Jets - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - Mike Monaco, Dominic Moore, Leah Hextall
. Game 4 - Avalanche vs. Kraken - TBS, 10:00 PM (ET) - Alex Faust, Patrick Sharp, Kathryn Tappen
* Tuesday, April 25
. Game 5 - Islanders vs. Hurricanes - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - Steve Levy, AJ Mleczko, Emily Kaplan
. Game 5 - Wild vs. Stars - TBS, 8:00 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Eddie Olczyk, Keith Jones
. Game 5 - Kings vs. Oilers - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - Mike Monaco, Dominic Moore
* Wednesday, April 26
. Game 5 - Panthers vs. Bruins - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan
. Game 5 - Kraken vs. Avalanche - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Brian Boucher, Leah Hextall
* Thursday, April 27
. Game 5 - Lightning vs. Maple Leafs - TBS, 7:00 PM (ET) - Brendan Burke, Darren Pang, Tarik El-Bashir
. Game 5 - Rangers vs. Devils - ESPN2, 7:30 PM (ET) - Steve Levy, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan
. Game 5 - Jets vs. Golden Knights - ESPN2, 10:00 PM (ET) - Mike Monaco, Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Linda Cohn
* Friday, April 28
. Game 6 - Hurricanes vs. Islanders - TBS, 7:00 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Keith Jones, Bryce Salvador
. Game 6 - Bruins vs. Panthers - TNT, 7:30 PM (ET) - Jim Jackson, Jody Shelley, Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre
. Game 6 - Stars vs. Wild - TBS, 9:30 PM (ET) - Randy Hahn, Patrick Sharp, Kathryn Tappen
. Game 6 - Avalanche vs. Kraken - TNT, 10:00 PM (ET) - Alex Faust, Eddie Olczyk, Shane Hnidy
* Saturday, April 29
. Game 6 - Maple Leafs vs. Lightning - TBS, 7:00 PM (ET) - Brendan Burke, Darren Pang, Jackie Redmond
. Game 6 - Devils vs. Rangers - ABC, 8:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan
. Game 6 - Oilers vs. Kings - TBS, 10:00 PM (ET) - John Forslund, Eddie Olczyk, Shane Hnidy
* Sunday, April 30
. Game 7 - Panthers vs. Bruins - TNT, 6:30 PM (ET) - Brendan Burke, Darren Pang, Jackie Redmond
. Game 7 - Kraken vs. Avalanche - TNT, 9:30 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Eddie Olczyk, Shane Hnidy, Alyson Lozoff
* Monday, May 1
. Game 7 - Rangers vs. Devils - ESPN, 8:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan
* Source(s): Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, ESPN Press Room.