2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Open thread and how to watch Thursday’s games

Four teams will be vying to earn a 1-0 series lead in the opening games of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Ottawa Senators vs. New York Rangers

Following their six-game victory over the Habs, the New York Rangers look to beat yet another Canadian team in the playoffs.

This time their opponent is the Ottawa Karlssons. The Karlssons surprised many by beating the Bruins in the first round, and with coach Guy Boucher at the helm, they have a good chance at advancing to the conference final.

Puck Drop is 7:00 PM EDT / 4:00 PM PDT

How to watch on TV:

Canada (English): CBC
Canada (French): TVA Sports
In the USA: CNBC
Elsewhere: NHL.tv/NHL Gamecentre Live, NHL Centre Ice
Live stream in the USA: NBC Sports (cable subscription required)
Live stream in Canada: CBC Sports

Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins.

In a series that many consider the real Stanley Cup final, the Ovechkin led Capitals will once again face off against Sidney Crosby’s Penguins.

Of course, it would be a shame to only mention those two players, seeing as the series will be filled with a litany of elite players, like Phil Kessel, Evgeni Malkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Andre Burakovsky, and more. Unfortunately for the Penguns, they’ll be without their star defenceman Kris Letang, but that didn’t stop them from steamrolling the Blue Jackets in the first round.

Puck Drop is 7:30 PM EDT / 4:30 PM PDT

How to watch on TV:

Canada (English): Sportsnet
Canada (French): TVA Sports 2
In the USA: NBCSN
Elsewhere: NHL.tv/NHL Gamecentre Live, NHL Centre Ice
Live stream in the USA: NBC Sports (cable subscription required)
Live stream in Canada: Sportsnet Now