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Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:35 am EDT

Kiss loved ones goodbye: NHL releases first-round schedule

By Greg Wyshynski

Russell Crowe once got so Cup Crazy that he threw a phone at a dude and made out with Meg Ryan. And while that might not be entirely accurate, here's what is: The NHL's official schedule of first-round games for the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Here on Puck Daddy, we have some rather interesting things planned for the next three days before faceoff. Our previews of individual series will run on Tuesday and Wednesday; we'll have our official staff picks coming up and some unorthodox methodologies for selecting winners; and we'll also have some special videos for you to view in preparation for the playoffs. Much fun will be had by all.

In looking at the schedules, the Washington Capitals/New York Rangers series and the Pittsburgh Penguins/Philadelphia Flyers series are both scheduled to be on NBC twice if necessary. The Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils won't be on national television in the U.S. until Game 6; and only Game 2 of the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens is scheduled for Versus.

Every game of the San Jose Sharks/Anaheim Ducks series and the Vancouver Canucks/St. Louis Blues series are scheduled to be on Versus. The Vancouver series also has a quirk: Game 4 is on a Tuesday and Game 5 is on a Friday. A few extra days of ice packs for Misters Tkachuk and Sundin.

The schedules follow. What a ride this is going to be.

From the NHL:

2009 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINALS

No. 1 Boston Bruins vs. No. 8 Montreal Canadiens

Thursday, April 16        7 p.m.  Montreal at Boston       CBC, RDS
Saturday, April 18        8 p.m.  Montreal at Boston       VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Monday, April 20         7 p.m.  Boston at Montreal       CBC, RDS
Wednesday, April 22    7 p.m.  Boston at Montreal       CBC, RDS
*Saturday, April 25      7 p.m.  Montreal at Boston       CBC, RDS
*Monday, April 27       TBD     Boston at Montreal       CBC, RDS
*Wednesday, April 29 TBD     Montreal at Boston       CBC, RDS

No. 2 Washington Capitals vs. No. 7 New York Rangers

Wednesday, April 15    7 p.m.  NY Rangers at Washington       TSN
Saturday, April 18        1 p.m.  NY Rangers at Washington       NBC, TSN
Monday, April 20         7 p.m.  Washington at NY Rangers       VERSUS, TSN
Wednesday, April 22    7 p.m.  Washington at NY Rangers       VERSUS, TSN
*Friday, April 24          7 p.m.  NY Rangers at Washington       VERSUS, TSN, RDS
*Sunday, April 26        2 p.m.  Washington at NY Rangers     NBC, TSN, RDS
*Tuesday, April 28       TBD     NY Rangers at Washington       VERSUS, TSN, RDS

No. 3 New Jersey Devils vs. No. 6 Carolina Hurricanes

Wednesday, April 15    7:30 p.m.         Carolina at New Jersey TSN, RIS
Friday, April 17            7:30 p.m.         Carolina at New Jersey TSN, RIS
Sunday, April 19          7:30 p.m.         New Jersey at Carolina TSN, RIS
Tuesday, April 21         7:30 p.m.        New Jersey at Carolina TSN, RIS
*Thursday, April 23      7:30 p.m.        Carolina at New Jersey  TSN, RIS
*Sunday, April 26        TBD                 New Jersey at Carolina TSN, VERSUS
*Tuesday, April 28       7:30 p.m.        Carolina at New Jersey  TSN

No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers

Wednesday, April 15    7 p.m.  Philadelphia at Pittsburgh          VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Friday, April 17            7 p.m.  Philadelphia at Pittsburgh          VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Sunday, April 19          3 p.m.  Pittsburgh at Philadelphia          NBC, CBC, RDS
Tuesday, April 21         7 p.m.  Pittsburgh at Philadelphia          VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Thursday, April 23      7 p.m.  Philadelphia at Pittsburgh          VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Saturday, April 25      3 p.m. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia          NBC, CBC
*Monday, April 27       TBD    Philadelphia at Pittsburgh          VERSUS, CBC        

2009 WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINALS

No. 1 San Jose Sharks vs. No. 8 Anaheim Ducks

Thursday, April 16        10:30 p.m.        Anaheim at San Jose     VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Sunday, April 19          10 p.m.            Anaheim at San Jose     VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Tuesday, April 21         10:30 p.m.        San Jose at Anaheim     VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Thursday, April 23        10:30 p.m.        San Jose at Anaheim     VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Saturday, April 25      10 p.m.            Anaheim at San Jose     VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Monday, April 27       TBD                San Jose at Anaheim     VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Wednesday, April 29 TBD                 Anaheim at San Jose     VERSUS, CBC, RDS

No. 2 Detroit Red Wings vs. No. 7 Columbus Blue Jackets

Thursday, April 16        7 p.m.  Columbus at Detroit      VERSUS, TSN
Saturday, April 18        6 p.m.  Columbus at Detroit      TSN
Tuesday, April 21         7 p.m.  Detroit at Columbus      TSN
Thursday, April 23        7 p.m.  Detroit at Columbus     TSN
*Saturday, April 25      7 p.m.  Columbus at Detroit      VERSUS, TSN
*Monday, April 27       TBD    Detroit at Columbus      TSN
*Wednesday, April 29 TBD     Columbus at Detroit      VERSUS, TSN

No. 3 Vancouver Canucks vs. No. 6 St. Louis Blues

Wed., April 15             10 p.m.         St. Louis at Vancouver CBC, VERSUS, RDS
Friday, April 17            10 p.m.         St. Louis at Vancouver        CBC, VERSUS, RDS
Sunday, April 19          7 p.m.        Vancouver at St. Louis        CBC, VERSUS
Tuesday, April 21         8 p.m.        Vancouver at St. Louis        CBC, VERSUS
*Friday, April 24          10 p.m.        St. Louis at Vancouver        CBC, VERSUS, RDS
*Sunday, April 26        8 p.m.        Vancouver at St. Louis        CBC, VERSUS, RDS
*Tuesday, April 28       TBD           St. Louis at Vancouver        CBC, VERSUS, RDS

No. 4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. No. 5 Calgary Flames

Thursday, April 16        8:30 p.m.          Calgary at Chicago       TSN, VERSUS
Saturday, April 18        TBD                 Calgary at Chicago       TSN
Monday, April 20         9:30 p.m.          Chicago at Calgary       TSN, VERSUS
Wednesday, April 22    TBD                 Chicago at Calgary       TSN, VERSUS
*Saturday, April 25      10 p.m.            Calgary at Chicago       TSN, RIS
*Monday, April 27       TBD                 Chicago at Calgary       TSN
*Wednesday, April 29 TBD                 Calgary at Chicago       TSN

Related: Stanley Cup Playoffs, Hockey Fans

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306 Comments

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  1. Carol R
    1. Posted by Carol R Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:04 pm EDT

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    Let the games begin.
  2. Jeff
    2. Posted by Jeff Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:47 pm EDT

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    Go Blues!
  3. pooponastick
    3. Posted by pooponastick Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:04 pm EDT

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    versus sucks, go sharks!
  4. EVIL EMPIRE
    4. Posted by EVIL EMPIRE Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:34 pm EDT

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    canucks all the way
  5. R S
    5. Posted by R S Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:10 pm EDT

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    Let's go Flyers!!
  6. The Canuck Fan
    6. Posted by The Canuck Fan Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:40 pm EDT

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    odd to see the Red Wings only ahve 3 games scheduled to be televised nationally. I'm also surprised that every single Canucks-Blues game is goign to be nationally televised on Versus. It disappoints me to see the NHL not take advantage of weekends and havign a quadruple header that starts with the early game on NBC
  7. utahutes86
    7. Posted by utahutes86 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:29 pm EDT

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    As a Blues fan, I would've much rather seen the struggling Wings than the Canucks. Vancouver is a solid team, and Luongo is the best in the game right now. But we're the hottest team in the league right now, so I'm nothing but confident.
    It's hard not to love Philly/Pitt and Ana/SJ. Those will be two fantastic series.
  8. Carlos D
    8. Posted by Carlos D Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:33 pm EDT

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    All the Vancouver-St.Louis games on Versus... all the Philadelphia-Pittsburgh series on NBC or Versus... and only one Boston-Montreal game on those channels?
    No respect for the Eastern top seed... plus its a more entertaining series than the Canucks-Blues...
  9. THE CHAMP!!!
    9. Posted by THE CHAMP!!! Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:28 pm EDT

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    Canucks in 5, thats right the blues will win one game(lucky bounce probably).
  10. Wyshynski
    10. Posted by Wyshynski Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:21 pm EDT

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    @ The Canuck Fan --
    I think that has more to do with the fact that the four games in Vancouver work as doubleheader games for Versus.
  11. leaffan93
    11. Posted by leaffan93 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:37 pm EDT

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    wysh
    predictions??
  12. Satan (not to be confused with the NHL player)
    12. Posted by Satan (not to be confused with the NHL player) Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:56 pm EDT

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    Every game televised here in Canada? Damn, I hate living in the good country. :)
  13. Kevin
    13. Posted by Kevin Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:48 pm EDT

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    I don't care what anyone says but I wouldn't be surprised if the blues made it the finals. I'm not saying they're goin to win even though I, and stl fans, would LOVE to see. Bash on the blues all you want but they made it to the playoffs when no one said they could. If not this year it's goin to b in the next couple years. Hope to see some great games. GO BLUES!!!
  14. Guppy
    14. Posted by Guppy Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:08 pm EDT

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    Versus really does suck! Ducks for the win!
  15. Weg
    15. Posted by Weg Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:42 pm EDT

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    expect surprises from these series the one you least suspect is going to take the cup home, it just going to be tight
  16. AJ
    16. Posted by AJ Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:48 pm EDT

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    Biron is about to commence his yearly vanishing act. Pens in six.
  17. Janet D
    17. Posted by Janet D Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:17 pm EDT

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    LETS GO DEVILS!
    Suck my balls!
    [/Cartman]
  18. Brandon F
    18. Posted by Brandon F Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:10 pm EDT

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    How is Versus broadcasting three games on Thursday? They are going to show the last two periods of CGY-CHI and miss the first period of ANA-SJ? They really need a spillover channel for when an early game goes into overtime, especially when they get to exclusive coverage games. Does this channel exist in any universe? Make it the Golf Channel!
  19. pickle
    19. Posted by pickle Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:58 pm EDT

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    Going to Game 4 @ The Ponda Center! Quack! Quack!
  20. B Mack
    20. Posted by B Mack Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:10 pm EDT

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    versus = nationally televised? versus does not count as national television. versus sucks.
  21. Andy V
    21. Posted by Andy V Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    sucks for the rest of you americans...youre going to miss the best series...canes/devils. in fact, the last 3 times the canes/devils have met, the series winner went on to win the prince of wales. 4th time in last 4 playoffs that the canes meet the devils, and surely it will be another epic series. why the caps/rangers get 4 games is beyond me, it is clearly the worst series. flyers/pens and habs/b's will also be great. the east is set up perfectly.
  22. firewing
    22. Posted by firewing Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:01 pm EDT

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    i hope fox sports detroit picks up the wings games. the champs getting no respect. bettman you are a tool. you let nbc take the wings in the regular season. change our schedule and times to pick up ratings but dont get us more then 1 of our first 4 on tv.
  23. MikeDugent
    23. Posted by MikeDugent Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:19 pm EDT

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    cool, Flyers vs. Pens... maybe once the Phillies games are over I'll watch the end of a game.
  24. JoshuaB
    24. Posted by JoshuaB Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:41 pm EDT

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    go ducks!
  25. J Mill
    25. Posted by J Mill Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:37 pm EDT

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    The good news the entire Blues/'Nucks series being on Versus is that I don't have to listen to either set of annoying TV announcers ruin the games - I get to (have to) listen to Chris Kerber and Kelly Chase on-line.
    I'm obviously pulling for the Note, but either way, that series is going 6 or 7 easy.
    Oh, and F**K DETROIT!

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