Do you feel that? The excitement? That’s right, it’s time for some playoff hockey!
The 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs kick off tonight as 16 teams vie for the most coveted trophy in all of sports: The Stanley Cup, which even at 123 years old looks as amazing as ever.
Tonight, the Red Wings take on the Lightning (7pm NBC Sports Network), the Rangers face off against the Penguins (8pm, USA), and the Blackhawks and Blues battle it out in the Western Conference (9:30pm, NBC Sports Network).
On Thursday, the Flyers take on the Capitals (7pm, NBC Sports Network), the Islanders face the Panthers (8pm, CNBC), the Wild take on the Stars (9:30pm, NBC Sports Network), and the Sharks and Kings do battle (10:30pm, CNBC).
On Friday, quarterfinal action continues as the Predators face off against the Ducks in game one along with game two action from other teams.
Our writers shared their picks for the Stanley Cup Quarterfinals:
EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
(3) Detroit Red Wings vs. (2) Tampa Bay Lightning
ALYSSA: RED WINGS over Lightning in 7 games
LIZZIE: RED WINGS over Lightning in 6 games
BEATA: RED WINGS over Lightning in 7 games
(4) New York Islanders vs. (1) Florida Panthers
ALYSSA: PANTHERS over Islanders in 6 games
LIZZIE: PANTHERS over Islanders in 6 games
BEATA: PANTHERS over Islanders in 6 games
(3) New York Rangers vs. (2)Pittsburgh Penguins
ALYSSA: PENGUINS over Rangers in 7 games
LIZZIE: PENGUINS over Rangers in 7 games
BEATA: PENGUINS over Rangers in 6 games
(4) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (1) Washington Capitals
ALYSSA: CAPITALS over Flyers in 5 games
LIZZIE: CAPITALS over Flyers in 6 games
BEATA: CAPITALS over Flyers in 6 games
WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
(3) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (2) St. Louis Blues
ALYSSA: BLACKHAWKS over Blues in 7 games
LIZZIE: BLACKHAWKS over Blues in 5 games
BEATA: BLUES over Blackhawks in 7 games
(4) Minnesota Wild vs. (1) Dallas Stars
ALYSSA: STARS over Wild in 5 games
LIZZIE: STARS over Wild in 6 games
BEATA: STARS over Wild in 4 games
(3) San Jose Sharks vs. (2) Los Angeles Kings
ALYSSA: KINGS over Sharks in 6 games
LIZZIE: KINGS over Sharks in 6 games
BEATA: KINGS over Sharks in 6 games
(4) Nashville Predators vs. (1) Anaheim Ducks
ALYSSA: DUCKS over Predators in 6 games
LIZZIE: DUCKS over Predators in 5 games
BEATA: DUCKS over Predators in 5 games