Schedule Released

It's official, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to start Wednesday, April 15th at 7 pm. The seven game series goes something like this:

Wednesday 4/15 7pm at Washington
Saturday 4/18 1pm at Washington
Monday 4/20 7pm at New York
Wednesday 4/22 7pm at New York
Friday 4/24 7pm at Washington - if necessary
Sunday 4/26 2pm at New York - if necessary
Tuesday 4/28 7pm at Washington - if necessary

Two things jump out at me looking at the schedule, the jump between games 1 and 2 and also the two national televised games on NBC in game 2 and game 6.

A longer gap between games 1 and 2 bodes badly for the Rangers who have to be on the road a day or two longer then they might like. The Caps also have time in their own house to fix any problems that come along.

Since the Capitals are playing the number one market in the U.S., it makes sense that NBC wants follow up on the series as much as possible. Hence the schedule national broadcasts for both games 2 and 6.