This series is a rematch of last year's thriller, which saw the Lightning rally from a 3-2 deficit to defeat the Red Wings en route to the Stanley Cup Final. Former Detroit star Steve Yzerman in the current Tampa Bay general manager

Eastern Conference matchup of the Capitals and Flyers. Washington heads into the first round of the playoffs as a serious Cup contender behind the play of Alex Ovechkin and Braden Holtby, while the Flyers have been playing well down the stretch.

The Kings (48-28-6) battle the Sharks (46-30-6) in a Western Conference quarterfinal matchup of teams that really love playing tough, physical hockey - especially against each other.