Sun Apr 20 22:00:00 UTC 2025: **NHL Playoffs Begin Saturday: Underdogs and Streaming Options Take Center Stage**

NEW YORK, NY – The 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to begin this Saturday, April 19th, with a compelling matchup of contenders and underdogs. This year’s tournament sees some notable absences from powerhouse teams like the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and Chicago Blackhawks, opening the door for smaller market teams to shine.

The Eastern Conference features the Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals, New Jersey Devils, and Carolina Hurricanes. In the West, the St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, and Los Angeles Kings will battle for supremacy.

The opening round will see a clash of titans and exciting underdog stories. The St. Louis Blues will face the Winnipeg Jets at 6 PM ET on TNT/TruTV (streamed on Max), followed by the Colorado Avalanche taking on the Dallas Stars at 8:30 PM ET on the same channels. Additional matchups on opening night include the Devils vs. Hurricanes on ESPN and the Senators vs. Maple Leafs on ESPN2.

Fans can catch the action on ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and truTV. Streaming options include Max (with a premium subscription) for TNT/truTV games, and various live TV streaming services like DirecTV, Fubo, and Sling. DirecTV’s MySports pack offers a dedicated sports package including access to ESPN+, while Max’s Bleacher Report Sports add-on provides live sports coverage for subscribers.

The full schedule is available online, and fans are encouraged to check local listings for specific game times and channel information. This year’s playoffs promise intense competition and unexpected results, making it a must-see event for hockey fans everywhere.

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