Some people won’t watch the NHL playoffs tonight. Their team was eliminated from the intense postseason play, and now they’re not interested. Others, though, will want to watch, as there’s now a clock ticking down to the dog days of summer without live hockey on at all.
Dallas Stars fans are no different than other NHL fans in this regard.
For those of us that are interested in watching the games tonight, we want to give you the information on the various series kicking off and offer a place to chat about it in real-time. Here’s what you need to know:
Tampa Bay Lightning vs New Jersey Devils
Puck drop: 6 p.m. CDT
TV: NHL Network
Bar trivia fact: Tampa didn’t win a single game versus the Devils this season. Bet you wouldn’t have guessed that.
Boston Bruins vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Puck drop: 6 p.m. CDT
TV: NBC Sports Network
Bar trivia fact: Five years ago, the Leafs blew a three goal lead in Game 7 to be eliminated from the playoffs — against the Bruins, no less.
Washington Capitals vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Puck drop: 6:30 p.m. CDT
TV: USA
Bar trivia fact: Braden Holtby, who has looked fantastic in the last several years’ postseasons for the Capitals, will not start Game 1. Instead, Philip Grubauer gets the nod. We definitely had Washington under the “team least likely to have a goalie controversy in the playoffs” category on our NHL Playoff Jeopardy.
Nashville Predators vs Colorado Avalanche
Puck drop: 8:30 p.m. CDT
TV: NBC Sports Network
Bar trivia fact: Mike Fisher came out of retirement in February to try to win a Cup with the team he used to captain.
Anaheim Ducks vs San Jose Sharks
Puck drop: 9:30 p.m. CDT
TV: USA
Bar trivia fact: Ryan Getzlaf could dress like a monk, and you’d 100% believe he actually was one. (It’s the hair — or lack of it, rather.)