The Boston Bruins’ record-setting 65 wins and 135 regular-season points have rolled back to zero.
The big number now is 16, the number of victories needed to capture the Stanley Cup, which the Bruins last did in 2011. They lost in the Final in 2013 and 2019.
Their first opponent is the Florida Panthers, who had won the Presidents’ Trophy last season and needed a late-season surge to get back to the playoffs.
The NHL has released a preliminary schedule for the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. More details will be released when the Central Division winner is known after Friday’s games.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers
Monday, April 17: Florida at Boston
Wednesday, April 19: Florida at Boston
Tuesday, April 18: Tampa Bay at Toronto
Thursday, April 20: Tampa Bay at Toronto
Monday, April 17: NY Islanders at Carolina
Wednesday, April 19: NY Islanders at Carolina
Tuesday, April 18: NY Rangers at New Jersey
Thursday, April 20: NY Rangers at New Jersey
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Monday, April 17: Minnesota/Seattle at Dallas
Wednesday, April 19: Minnesota/Seattle at Dallas
Tuesday, April 18: Colorado at Minnesota/Seattle
Thursday, April 20: Colorado at Minnesota/Seattle
Tuesday, April 18: Winnipeg at Vegas
Thursday, April 20: Winnipeg at Vegas
Monday, April 17: Los Angeles at Edmonton
Wednesday, April 19: Los Angeles at Edmonton
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL playoff schedule 2023: Dates, times, TV in quest for Stanley Cup