National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs consist of sixteen professional hockey teams that compete in an elimination tournament to determine which teams play in the Stanley Cup Finals. The 2015 Playoffs began on Wednesday, April 15. It ends mid-June in a “best of 7” matches.

The NHL is an organization of 30 teams. Currently there are 23 in the United States and seven in Canada. Winners of the NHL Finals receive the Stanley Cup, one of the oldest sports trophies in existence. NHL games can be streamed on smartphones, game stations, and on websites. It costs $4.95 per month. Tickets for games can be purchased at the NHL website.

Weekend Schedules in Pacific Standard Time:

Friday, April 17

4 P.M. Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders vs. Washington Capitals

6:30 P.M. Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators

7 P.M. Calgary Flames vs. Vancouver Canucks

Saturday, April 18

12 P.M. Detroit Red Wings vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, Minnesota Wild vs. St. Louis Blues

5 P.M. Detroit Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

7:30 P.M. Winnipeg Jets vs. Anaheim Ducks

Sunday, April 19

9 A.M. Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders

12 P.M. Nashville Predators vs. Chicago Blackhawks

4 P.M. Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators

7 P.M. Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames