After 82 grueling NHL games, the fun really begins.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Format Explained For 2014-15 Season

The NHL has released the schedule for the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs as 16 teams vie for the best trophy in sports after the matchups were confirmed following a busy final day of the regular season on Saturday.

Here are the dates and times for each series in Round 1:

Defending Cup Champ LA Kings 'Disappointed' As Flames Advance

Note: All games are on NBC Sports Network unless otherwise denoted, Games 5-7 haven't been given networks yet in each series.

Eastern Conference

New York Rangers (Metropolitan Division 1) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (Wild-card 2):
Game 1: Thursday April 16, 2015 at Madison Square Garden (New York) at 7 p.m. ET.
Game 2: Saturday, April 18, 2015 at Madison Square Garden at 8 p.m. ET. (NBC).
Game 3: Monday, April 20 at Consol Energy Center (Pittsburgh) at 7 p.m. ET.
Game 4: Wednesday, April 22 at Consol Energy Center at 7 p.m. ET.
*Game 5: Friday, April 24 at Madison Square Garden time TBD.
*Game 6: Sunday, April 26 at Consol Energy Center time TBD.
*Game 7: Tuesday, April 28 at Madison Square Garden time TBD.

*If necessary

Washington Capitals (M2) vs. New York Islanders (M3):
Game 1: Wednesday, April 15 at Verizon Center (Washington, D.C.) at 7 p.m. ET. (USA).
Game 2: Friday, April 17 at Verizon Center at 7 p.m. ET.
Game 3: Sunday, April 19 at Nassau Coliseum (New York) at noon. (NBC).
Game 4: Tuesday, April 21 at Nassau Coliseum at 7:30 p.m. ET. (USA).
*Game 5: Thursday, April 23 at Verizon Center time TBD.
*Game 6: Saturday, April 25 at Nassau Coliesum time TBD.
*Game 7: Monday, April 27 at Verizon Center time TBD.

Montreal Canadiens (Atlantic Division 1) vs. Ottawa Senators (Wild-card 1):
Game 1: Wednesday, April 15 at Bell Centre (Montreal) at 7 p.m. ET. (NHL Network)
Game 2: Friday, April 17 at Bell Centre at 7 p.m. ET. (CNBC)
Game 3: Sunday, April 19 at Canadian Tire Centre (Ottawa) at 7 p.m. ET.
Game 4: Wednesday, April 22 at Canadian Tire Centre at 7 p.m. ET. (USA)
*Game 5: Friday, April 24 at Bell Centre time TBD
*Game 6: Sunday, April 26 at Canadian Tire Centre time TBD.
*Game 7: Tuesday, April 28 at Bell Centre time TBD.

Tampa Bay Lightning (A2) vs. Detroit Red Wings (A3):
Game 1: Thursday, April 16 at Amalie Arena at 7 p.m. ET. (CNBC).
Game 2: Saturday, April 18 at Amalie Arena at 3 p.m. ET. (NBC).
Game 3: Tuesday, April 21 at Joe Louis Arena at 7 p.m. ET.
Game 4: Thursday, April 23 at Joe Louis Arena at 7 p.m. ET.
*Game 5: Saturday, April 25 at Amalie Arena time TBD.
*Game 6: Monday, April 27 at Joe Louis Arena time TBD.
*Game 7: Wednesday, April 29 at Amalie Arena time TBD.

Western Conference:

Anaheim Ducks (Pacific Division 1) vs. Winnipeg Jets (Wild-card 2):
Game 1: Thursday, April 16 from Honda Center (Anaheim) at 10:30 p.m. ET. (CNBC).
Game 2: Saturday, April 18 from Honda Center at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Game 3: Monday, April 20 from Molson Centre (Winnipeg) at 9 p.m. ET.
Game 4: Wednesday, April 22 from Molson Centre at 9:30 p.m. ET. (USA).
*Game 5: Friday, April 24 from Honda Center time TBD.
*Game 6: Sunday, April 26 from Molson Centre time TBD.
*Game 7: Tuesday, April 28 from Honda Center time TBD.

Vancouver Canucks (P2) vs. Calgary Flames (W3):
Game 1: Wednesday, April 15 from Rogers Arena (Vancouver) at 10 p.m. ET. (USA).
Game 2: Friday, April 17 from Rogers Arena at 10 p.m. ET. (CNBC).
Game 3: Sunday, April 19 from Scotiabank Saddledome (Calgary) at 10 p.m. ET.
Game 4: Tuesday, April 21 from Scotiabank Saddledome at 10 p.m. ET. (USA).
*Game 5: Thursday, April 22 from Rogers Arena at time TBD.
*Game 6: Saturday, April 24 from Scotiabank Saddledome at time TBD.
*Game 7: Monday, April 26 from Scotiabank Saddledome at time TBD.

St. Louis Blues (Central Division 1) vs. Minnesota Wild (Wild-card 1):
Game 1: Thursday, April 16 at Scottrade Center (St. Louis) at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Game 2: Saturday, April 18 at Scottrade Center at 3 p.m. ET. (NBC).
Game 3: Monday, April 20 at Xcel Energy Center (Minnesota) at 8 p.m. ET (CNBC).
Game 4: Wednesday, April 22 at Xcel Energy Center at 9:30 p.m. ET.
*Game 5: Friday, April 24 at Scottrade Center at time TBD.
*Game 6: Sunday, April 26 at Xcel Energy Center at time TBD.
*Game 7: Wednesday, April 29 at Scottrade Center at time TBD.

Nashville Predators (C2) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (C3):
Game 1: Wednesday, April 15 at Bridgestone Arena (Nashville) at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Game 2: Friday, April 17 at Bridgestone Arena at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Game 3: Sunday, April 19 at United Center (Chicago) at 3 p.m. ET. (NBC).
Game 4: Tuesday, April 21 at United Center at 9:30 p.m. ET.
*Game 5: Thursday, April 23 at Bridgestone Arena at time TBD.
*Game 6: Saturday, April 25 at United Center at time TBD.
*Game 7: Monday, April 27 at Bridgestone Arena at time TBD.

The road to the Stanley Cup begins Wednesday as the puck drops on a two-month chase to a new NHL champion.