{"id":2537286,"date":"2023-04-18T20:41:12","date_gmt":"2023-04-19T00:41:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/platoai.gbaglobal.org\/platowire\/get-ready-for-the-2023-nhl-playoffs-first-round-schedule-announced\/"},"modified":"2023-04-18T20:41:12","modified_gmt":"2023-04-19T00:41:12","slug":"get-ready-for-the-2023-nhl-playoffs-first-round-schedule-announced","status":"publish","type":"platowire","link":"https:\/\/platoai.gbaglobal.org\/platowire\/get-ready-for-the-2023-nhl-playoffs-first-round-schedule-announced\/","title":{"rendered":"Get Ready for the 2023 NHL Playoffs: First Round Schedule Announced!"},"content":{"rendered":"

The National Hockey League (NHL) has announced the first-round schedule for the 2023 playoffs, and fans are already gearing up for what promises to be an exciting postseason. The playoffs are set to begin on April 12, 2023, and will feature the top 16 teams from the regular season.<\/p>\n

The first round of the playoffs will be a best-of-seven series, with the top-seeded team in each conference facing off against the eighth-seeded team, the second-seeded team facing the seventh-seeded team, and so on. The first round is always full of surprises, as lower-seeded teams often upset higher-seeded teams and make a deep run in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

One of the most exciting matchups in the first round of the 2023 playoffs will be between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins. These two Original Six teams have a long-standing rivalry and have faced each other in the playoffs numerous times over the years. The Maple Leafs will be looking to avenge their first-round loss to the Bruins in the 2019 playoffs, while the Bruins will be looking to continue their recent dominance over their Canadian rivals.<\/p>\n

Another intriguing matchup in the first round will be between the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the New York Islanders. The Lightning will be looking to defend their title and become the first team to win back-to-back championships since the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017. The Islanders, on the other hand, will be looking to make a deep run in the playoffs after falling just short of reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2022.<\/p>\n

Other notable matchups in the first round include the Colorado Avalanche vs. the Dallas Stars, the Vegas Golden Knights vs. the Minnesota Wild, and the Carolina Hurricanes vs. the Montreal Canadiens. All of these series have the potential to be highly competitive and could go either way.<\/p>\n

The NHL playoffs are always full of drama, excitement, and heartbreak, and the 2023 playoffs are sure to be no different. Fans can expect to see some of the best players in the world competing at the highest level, with every game potentially being a do-or-die situation. So get ready for the 2023 NHL playoffs, because they are sure to be a wild ride!<\/p>\n