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NHL releases initial playoff schedule, Bruins start off with Columbus exhibition on July 30 at 7 PM

One warm-up, folks!

By Dan.Ryan
Boston Bruins v Columbus Blue Jackets - Game Six Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images

The NHL released the schedule for the exhibition games, the qualifying round games, and the round robin games, with the action slated to kick off on July 28, 2020.

For the Bruins, who are skipping the qualifying round and getting right to the real playoffs, their first taste of Return to Play action will come on the second-last day of the month, as they’ll play the Columbus Blue Jackets in a tune-up on July 30.

The game will be at 7 PM Eastern Time.

It’s the only warm-up for the Bruins before the round-robin games begin, making it a good chance for players to shake off the rust.

The Bruins and Blue Jackets had a spirited second-round series back in 2019, and it’s safe to say there was no love lost over the course of those six games.

Columbus plays a physical brand of hockey, so here’s to hoping there are no injuries in what should really be a glorified scrimmage.

The round robin will kick off on August 2. Here’s the Bruins schedule for those games:

My guess is that the “TBD” for the Washington game will likely depend on whether or not any of the qualifying round series go the full five games.

While the Bruins won’t be playing in them, the league also released the full schedule for the play-in rounds. Needless to say, if you’re a fan of hockey in general, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy.

As of right now, the league hasn’t released concrete broadcast plans for any of these games. However, it’d be surprising if the qualifying round, round robin, and first-round games weren’t available both on local channels and on national channels.

After the first round, I’d imagine the NESN’s of the world are out, and all games will be broadcast on NBC and related networks in the United States.

All times below are Eastern.

New York Rangers vs. Carolina Hurricanes Playoff Schedule

  • August 1: Game 1, Rangers @ Hurricanes, 12 PM
  • August 3: Game 2, Rangers @ Hurricanes, 3 PM
  • August 4: Game 3, Hurricanes @ Rangers, 8 PM
  • August 6: Game 4, Hurricanes @ Rangers, TBD
  • August 8: Game 5, Rangers @ Hurricanes, TBD

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Edmonton Oilers Playoff Schedule

  • August 1: Game 1, Chicago @ Edmonton, 3 PM
  • August 3: Game 2, Chicago @ Edmonton, 10:30 PM
  • August 5: Game 3, Edmonton @ Chicago, 10:30 PM
  • August 7: Game 4, Edmonton @ Chicago, TBD
  • August 8: Game 5, Chicago @ Edmonton, TBD

Florida Panthers vs. New York Islanders Playoff Schedule

  • August 1: Game 1, Florida @ New York, 4 PM
  • August 4: Game 2, Florida @ New York, 12 PM
  • August 5: Game 3, New York @ Florida, 12 PM
  • August 7: Game 4, New York @ Florida, TBD
  • August 9: Game 5, Florida @ New York, TBD

Montreal Canadiens vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Playoff Schedule

  • August 1: Game 1, Montreal @ Pittsburgh, 8 PM
  • August 3: Game 2, Montreal @ Pittsburgh, 8 PM
  • August 5: Game 3, Pittsburgh @ Montreal, 8 PM
  • August 7: Game 4, Pittsburgh @ Montreal, TBD
  • August 8: Game 5, Montreal @ Pittsburgh, TBD

Winnipeg Jets vs. Calgary Flames Playoff Schedule

  • August 1: Game 1, Winnipeg @ Calgary, 10:30 PM
  • August 3: Game 2, Winnipeg @ Calgary, 2:30 PM
  • August 4: Game 3, Calgary @ Winnipeg, 6:45 PM
  • August 6: Game 4, Calgary @ Winnipeg, TBD
  • August 8: Game 5, Calgary @ Winnipeg, TBD

Arizona Coyotes vs. Nashville Predators Playoff Schedule

  • August 2: Game 1, Arizona @ Nashville, 2 PM
  • August 4: Game 2, Arizona @ Nashville, 2:30 PM
  • August 5: Game 3, Nashville @ Arizona, 2:30 PM
  • August 7: Game 4, Nashville @ Arizona, TBD
  • August 9: Game 5, Nashville @ Arizona, TBD

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Playoff Schedule

  • August 2: Game 1, Columbus @ Toronto, 8 PM
  • August 4: Game 2, Columbus @ Toronto, 4 PM
  • August 6: Game 3, Toronto @ Columbus, TBD
  • August 7: Game 4, Toronto @ Columbus, TBD
  • August 9: Game 5, Columbus @ Toronto, TBD

Minnesota Wild vs. Vancouver Canucks Playoff Schedule

  • August 2: Game 1, Minnesota @ Vancouver, 10:30 PM
  • August 4: Game 2, Minnesota @ Vancouver, 10:45 PM
  • August 6: Game 3, Vancouver @ Minnesota, TBD
  • August 7: Game 4, Vancouver @ Minnesota, TBD
  • August 9: Game 5, Minnesota @ Vancouver, TBD

Of all of these qualifying round match-ups, is there one you’re looking forward to watching? The Maple Leafs vs. Blue Jackets series could be a good one.