The best time of the year has finally arrived––the 2025 NHL Playoffs! All 16 playoff teams have been accounted for and each of the first eight first-round matchups are locked in.
Buckle up for plenty of highly competitive hockey—here’s the start date and full schedule for the first round of the NHL Playoffs.
When do the NHL Playoffs start?
The first round of the NHL Playoffs begins on Saturday, April 19, and it includes two Western Conference matchups––Jets vs. Blues at 6:00 p.m. ET and Stars vs. Avalanche at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Where to watch the NHL Playoffs?
As for where to watch your favorite superstars and teams battle it out on the ice, games are scheduled to air across a handful of TV and streaming channels. Fans can watch games on channels such as ESPN, TNT, truTV and TBS as well as Max throughout the playoffs.
Full first-round NHL Playoffs schedule
Saturday, April 19
- Blues at Jets — Game 1, 6:00 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV/Max
- Avalanche at Stars — Game 1, 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV/Max
Sunday, April 20
- Devils at Hurricanes — Game 1, 3:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Senators at Maple Leafs — Game 1, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2
- Wild at Golden Knights — Game 1, 10:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Monday, April 21
- Canadiens at Capitals — Game 1, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Blues at Jets — Game 2, 7:30. ET, ESPN2
- Avalanche at Stars –– Game 2, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Oilers at Kings –– Game 1, 10:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Tuesday, April 22
- Devils at Hurricanes — Game 2, 6:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Senators at Maple Leafs — Game 2, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
- Panthers at Lightning — Game 1, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Wild at Golden Knights –– Game 2, 11:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Wednesday, April 23
- Canadiens at Capitals — Game 2, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Stars at Avalanche — Game 3, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Oilers at Kings — Game 2, 10:00 p.m. ET, TBS/Max
Thursday, April 24
- Panthers at Lightning — Game 2, 6:30 p.m. ET, TBS/truTV/Max
- Maple Leafs at Senators — Game 3, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2
- Golden Knights at Wild — Game 3, 9:00 p.m. ET, TBS/truTV/Max
- Jets at Blues –– Game 3, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Friday, April 25
- Capitals at Canadiens — Game 3, 7:00 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV/Max
- Hurricanes at Devils — Game 3, 8:00 p.m. ET, TBS/Max
- Kings at Oilers — Game 3, 10:00 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV/Max
Saturday, April 26
- Lightning at Panthers — Game 3, 1:00 p.m. ET, TBS/truTV/Max
- Golden Knights at Wild — Game 4, 4:00 p.m. ET, TBS/truTV/Max
- Maple Leafs at Senators — Game 4, 7:00 p.m. ET, TBS/truTV/Max
- Stars at Avalanche — Game 4, 9:30 p.m., TBS/truTV/Max
Sunday, April 27
- Jets at Blues — Game 4, 1:00 p.m. ET, TBS/truTV/Max
- Hurricanes at Devils — Game 4, 3:30 p.m., TBS/truTV/Max
- Capitals at Canadiens — Game 4, 6:30 p.m. ET, TBS/truTV/Max
- Kings at Oilers — Game 4, 9:30 p.m. ET, TBS/truTV/Max
Monday, April 28
- Lightning at Panthers — Game 4, time/channel TBD
- Avalanche at Stars — Game 5 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
Tuesday, April 29
- Senators at Maple Leafs — Game 5 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Devils at Hurricanes — Game 5 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Wild at Golden Knights — Game 5 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Oilers at Kings — Game 5 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
Wednesday, April 30
- Panthers at Lightning — Game 5 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Canadiens at Capitals — Game 5 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Blues at Jets — Game 5 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
Thursday, May 1
- Maple Leafs at Senators — Game 6 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Stars at Avalanche — Game 6 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Golden Knights at Wild — Game 6 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Kings at Oilers — Game 6 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
Friday, May 2
- Lightning at Senators — Game 6 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Capitals at Canadiens — Game 6 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Hurricanes at Devils — Game 6 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Jets at Blues — Game 6 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
Saturday, May 3
- Senators at Maple Leafs — Game 7 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Avalanche at Stars — Game 7 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Wild at Golden Knights — Game 7 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Oilers at Kings — Game 7 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
Sunday, May 4
- Panthers at Lightning — Game 7 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Canadiens at Capitals — Game 7 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Devils at Hurricanes — Game 7 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Blues at Jets — Game 7 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
