It’s finally here.
The 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs kick off Wednesday night as the Anaheim Ducks meet the Dallas Stars in the first round of the new playoff format.
After clinching the Pacific Division and top spot in the Western Conference, the Ducks will play the final wild card team, the Stars.
The Colorado Avalanche finished second in the conference and will play the first wild card team to make the playoffs, the Minnesota Wild.
After that, the San Jose Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings will go toe-to-toe in a battle of two California teams. The two squads met last postseason as the Kings pulled out the series in seven games.
The St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks will do battle as the two finished second and third in the Central Division.
Moving on over to the Eastern Conference, President’s Trophy winner the Boston Bruins will face the red-hot Detroit Red Wings, a team that extended their streak of consecutive playoff appearances to 23.
Led by Sidney Crosby, the Pittsburgh Penguins will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. Pittsburgh will look to bounce back after being swept out of the Eastern Conference Finals last season by the Bruins.
The Montreal Canadians will be Canada’s lone team in the playoffs as they will fly south to visit Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Rounding out the East will be the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers in what surely will be a highly contested series.
Check out the Round 1 schedule for the Anaheim Ducks below.
* indicates if necessary.
For the rest of the playoff schedules, click on the link below.
2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Schedule
Follow Pucks of a Feather on Twitter.
Like Pucks of a Feather on Facebook.