NHL Eastern Conference Stanley Cup playoffs Game 1 schedule: Start time, TV and streaming options and more

The Stanley Cup playoffs are just around the corner as the regular season winds down in the Eastern Conference tonight.

The matchups are set for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs in the East, kicking off on Saturday, April 20. Here is a look at the matchups:

• The Carolina Hurricanes host the New York Islanders at the PNC Arena. The game begins at 5 pm EST. The game will be available on TBS, TRUTV, MAX, SNE, SNW, SN360, and TVAS.
• The Toronto Maple Leafs start the postseason on the road at the TD Garden against the Boston Bruins. Viewers can catch the action on TBS, TRUTV, MAX, SN, CBC, and TVAS. Puck drop is at 8 pm EST.

The action continues on Sunday, April 21:

• The battle of South Florida kicks off with the Tampa Bay Lightning visiting the Florida Panthers at the Amerant Bank Arena. This game’s an early start at 12:30 EST. ESPN, SN and TVAS will carry the action.
• The New York Rangers will host the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden at 3 pm EST. ESPN, SN, and TVAS will have all the action.

The first-round matchups were locked in on Tuesday night, with the Panthers beating the Leafs and the Bruins losing to the Senators. The Capitals secured their playoff ticket, setting the stage for four epic series.

The winner of the Panthers-Lightning series will face the winner of the Leafs-Bruins matchup. The winner of the Islanders-Hurricanes showdown takes on the winner of the Capitals-Rangers tilt. Be sure to check local listings for start times in your area.

The Capitals hold on to the final spot for the Stanley Cup playoffs

The Capitals beat the Philadelphia Flyers last night 2-1. With the victory, the Capitals avoided the drama that would have come with a three-way tie for the final wildcard spot in this year's Stanley Cup playoffs.

There were a number of wildcard scenarios, including a four-way chase featuring the Capitals, Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, and Pittsburgh Penguins. The Capitals’ win avoided a long night of mathematical mayhem.

Washington picked up steam at the right time. After a mostly inconsistent season, the club turned up the juice down the stretch, claiming key victories over the Lightning, Bruins, and Detroit Red Wings. Entering last night’s game, the Caps were in the driver’s seat for the final spot. They delivered, winning their game in regulation.

Now, the Capitals look to take that momentum into their series against the Rangers. New York has been atop the Eastern Conference all year. But if the Florida Panthers taught the hockey world anything last year, it’s that a streaking team can make a deep Stanley Cup playoffs run, even as the second wildcard team.