2021 NHL playoff schedule: full group, dates, times, TV channels for each series

After a 56-game sprint and some COVID-19-related delays, the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs are officially here.

The most poignant, fascinating playoffs, and if you’re a fan of a team in the chase, will begin on Saturday when the Capitals host the Bruins.

Things are a little different this year, if you haven’t already noticed that the Capitals and the Bruins met in the first round. Due to COVID-19 protocols limiting travel at the start of the season and the closure of the Canada-US border, the teams were placed in one of four divisions. There will not be a Western Conference or Eastern Conference champion and the playoffs are structured differently, which we will delve into in a moment.

MORE: Watch NHL playoff games live and on demand with fuboTV (7-day trial)

The only thing familiar to me this year is that the road to lifting the Lord Stanley Cup will be long and winding, but the finish will taste so sweet. Who will be the ones to drink from the biggest trophy in sport? Only time will tell.

Until then, below is everything you need to know about how to watch the 2021 NHL playoffs, including series-by-series television schedules and live broadcast information.

NHL 2021 playoff support

2021 NHL Playoffs: TV Channels, Live Stream

• TV (US): NBC, NBCSN, US, CNBC, NHLN
• TV (Canada): Sportsnet, Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet 360, CBC, FX, FXX and OMNI
• Stream (US): NBC Sports.com | fuboTV (free trial)
• Stream (Canada): SN now, SN NOW +, NHL Live
• Life points: SN marker

The 2021 postseason marks the last year the NBC family of networks will broadcast the NHL road to the Stanley Cup. The first round games will be shown on the NHL Network and NBC channels in the United States, while in Canada the games will be shown on FX, FXX, Sportsnet channels and CBC.

In Canada, Chris Cuthbert and Craig Simpson will describe the Maple Leafs-Canadiens series, while Harnarayan Singh and Louie DeBrusk will bring Oilers-Jets fans. David Amber and Ron McLean will host the study and will be joined by a rotating team of analysts and insiders.

NBC will also employ a rotating team that will include broadcasters Kenny Albert, John Forslund and Brendan Burke and analysts Eddie Olczyk, AJ Mleczko and Dominic Moore.

How will the NHL playoffs work in 2021?

Here’s a quick overview of how the 2021 postseason will work out, with each best-of-seven series:

• Four teams from each division advanced to the Stanley Cup playoffs. The first round matchups will be No. 1 vs. No. 4 and No. 2 vs. No. 3 in each division.
• The first round winners of each division will face off to determine the division champion.
• Once the winners of the four divisions are crowned, they will meet in the semifinals of the Stanley Cup. Qualification for this round will be based on regular season point totals.
• The winners of the semi-finals will meet in the final of the Stanley Cup.

NHL playoff schedule, results by series

(All the eastern time)

First round

Eastern Division: (1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (4) New York Islanders

(* If necessary)

MORE: Islander Legend Bryan Trottier Enters NFT World With Works Commemorating HOF Race

East Division: (2) Washington Capitals vs. (3) Boston Bruins

(* If necessary)

North Division: (1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (4) Montreal Canadiens

(* If necessary)

North Division: (2) Edmonton Oilers vs. (3) Winnipeg Jets

(* If necessary)

Central Division: (1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (4) Nashville Predators

(* If necessary)

MORE: Tripp Tracy talks the playoffs and why a Cannes star ranks with Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews

Central Division: (2) Florida Panthers vs. (3) Tampa Bay Lightning

(* If necessary)

Western Division: (1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (4) St. Louis Blues

(* If necessary)

Western Division: (2) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Minnesota Wild

(* If necessary)