WASHINGTON — The Capitals will begin the playoffs at the Capital One Arena at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 12, against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The NHL released its schedule for the first round of the playoffs on Sunday, but wasn’t finalized until the Florida Panthers won the regular season finale 4-2 over the Boston Bruins. The result clinched the Atlantic Division title and the top spot in the Eastern Conference for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The NHL Playoffs follow a 2-2-1-1-1 format, meaning the first two games of the first round will be at the Capital One Arena as well as Game 5 and Game 7, if necessary.
- Game 1: Thursday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m.
- Game 2: Sunday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m.
- Game 3: Tuesday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m.
- Game 4: Thursday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m.
- Game 5 (if necessary): Saturday, April 21, time to be determined
- Game 6 (if necessary): Monday, April 23, time to be determined
- Game 7 (if necessary): Wednesday, April 25, time to be determined
