The 2011 NHL playoff schedule was officially announced tonight on NHL Network. The No. 8 New York Rangers will face the No. 1 Washington Capitals and the series will begin on Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EST at the Verizon Center. The Blueshirts went 3-1 (one of them being a shootout win) against the Capitals this season, but that was before their playoff opponents made some savvy trade-deadline moves and added guys like Jason Arnott, Dennis Wideman and Marco Sturm (whom they claimed off waivers the day after the Rangers 6-0 victory on Feb. 25). The playoffs begin a new season, though, and anything can happen (see the Flyers last season) ...
Here is a look at the full first-round schedule (all times Eastern):
Game 1: Rangers at Capitals - Wednesday, April 13, 7:30 p.m.
Game 2: Rangers at Capitals - Friday, April 15, 7:30 p.m.
Game 3: Capitals at Rangers - Sunday, April 17, 3:00 p.m. (NBC)
Game 4: Capitals at Rangers - Wednesday, April 20, 7:00 p.m.
Game 5: Rangers at Capitals - Saturday, April 23, 3:00 p.m. (if necessary) (NBC)
Game 6: Capitals at Rangers - Monday, April 25, TBD (if necessary)
Game 7: Rangers at Capitals - Wednesday, April 27, TBD (if necessary)
All games not shown on NBC will be broadcast on MSG.
-- See the complete first-round schedule at the SB Nation NHL Hub.