Four More NHL Series on Thursday’s Schedule

Tonight marks the second night of play in the Stanley Cup playoffs and four games are on the agenda.

In Denver the Central Division champion Avalanche open up with a game against Minnesota. They played five times during the season with the Avs winning four of the contests. This series marks the third time these teams have met in the opening round of the playoffs.

The second and third place teams from the Central open up play tonight with a game in St. Louis as the Blues entertain the Blackhawks. The Blues won the first three games played between the teams this season while the Blackhawks came back to win the remaining two. Each team had to battle with injuries in the final days of the regular season.

In a game featuring two teams from the Metropolitan Division, the Rangers are hosting the Flyers. They split the four regular season games with each team winning twice at home. The Flyers are starting the playoffs without the services of their top goalie, Steve Mason, who is out with an upper body injury.

And in the final game of the day San Jose, the runner-up in the Pacific Division, is home to Los Angles. This marks the third time since 2011 the Sharks and Kings have met in postseason play. L.A. won the regular season series with a 3-1-1 record.