We knew based off results last night that the Pittsburgh Penguins would play the New York Islanders in the first round of the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. Thanks to a small cushion, the Isles also earned home ice advantage and will start the series out on Long Island in Nassau Coliseum.
Now, with a league announcement, we also know all the dates and some of the start times of these games:
Game 1: Wednesday April 10, Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Islanders; 7:30 p.m., NBCSN
Game 2: Friday April 12, Penguins @ Islanders; 7:30 p.m., NBCSN
Game 3: Sunday April 14, Islanders @ Penguins; 12:00 p.m., NBC
Game 4: Tuesday April 16, Islanders @ Penguins 7:30 p.m., NBCSN
Game 5*: Thursday April 18, Penguins @ Islanders, TBD
Game 6*: Saturday April 20, Islanders @ Penguins, TBD
Game 7*: Monday April 22, Penguins @ Islanders, TBD
*If neccessary
As Pens’ fans and seasoned 13-time consecutive playoff attendees, we know you always start either Wednesday-Friday or Thursday-Saturday, with different advantages for each scenario. Getting going on that first day should be a great and exciting way to go.
This should be a pretty straight-forward schedule, with games every other day and no abnormal breaks. There could be a chance that Game 6 (if necessary) would be during the day time, like Game 3 will be as the first Pens’ home game of the series. The Penguins are the only team in Round 1 with a noon game.
Over the upcoming week, we’ll detail all the previews, matchups, and elements to watch for between these two, familiar division rivals to prepare for the most exciting time of year.