The NHL First Round playoff matchups are set.
The remaining 16 teams will participate in the best-of-seven series after advancing to the qualifying match and Round Robin game. Games of the first round are scheduled to start on Tuesday, August 11th.
Eastern Conference First Round Matchups
Western Conferences First Round Matchups
- Vegas Golden Knights (1) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (8)
- Colorado Avalanche (2) vs. Arizona Coyotes (7)
- Dallas Stars (3) vs. Calgary Flames (6)
- St. Louis Blues (4) vs. Vancouver Canucks (5)
Seeding the top four teams in each conference was decided by Round Robin competition, while their opponents advanced from best-of-five qualifiers.
Teams eliminated in the qualifying rounds include the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs. They were one of 24 teams included in the NHL’s modified playoff format amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of August 3, the NHL report zero positive COVID-19 tests among players and staff since teams entered the location of the two hub locations “bubble” locations on July 26th. Eastern Conference teams played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto and Western Conference programs competed at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
The Stanley Cup Final, which is currently scheduled, will end no later than October 4, and the conference finals are expected to take place in Edmonton after the second round of the league ends.
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