Stanley Cup Playoffs: NHL First Round Matchups Set

The First Round series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to begin on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

The NHL's First Round playoff matchups are set.

The remaining 16 teams will participate in best-of-seven series after advancing past the Qualifying Round and Round Robin play. First Round games are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Aug. 11. 

Eastern Conference First Round Matchups

• Philadelphia Flyers (1) vs. Montreal Canadiens (8)
• Tampa Bay Lightning (2) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (7)
• Washington Capitals (3) vs. New York Islanders (6)
• Boston Bruins (4) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (5)

Western Conference 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) 

The seeding of the top four teams in each conference was decided by Round Robin competition, while their opponents advanced from best-of-five Qualifying matchups. 

Teams that were eliminated in the Qualifying Round include the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs. Each of the eight departed teams has a 12.5% chance of winning the No. 1 pick for the 2020 draft in a lottery that will be held Monday night. 

As of Aug. 3, the NHL has reported zero positive COVID-19 tests among players and staff since teams entered the league's two hub city "bubble" locations on July 26. Eastern Conference teams have played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto and Western Conference squads have competed at Rogers Place in Edmonton.

The Stanley Cup Final, which is currently scheduled to finish no later than Oct. 4, and the Conference Finals are slated to take place in Edmonton after the league's Second Round concludes.