. . . PENGUINS, RANGERS MEET IN THIRD STRAIGHT POSTSEASON
The red-hot Penguins, who won 14 of their final 16 games of the season, play host to the Rangers at CONSOL Energy Center in Game 1 of their opening round series. These teams are meeting in the playoffs for the seventh time overall and third consecutive season. Pittsburgh won the first four series between these clubs, but New York has claimed each of the past two – that includes a seven-game victory in the 2014 Second Round in which it overcame a 3-1 series deficit for the first time in franchise history (a feat duplicated in the 2015 SR vs. WSH). The Penguins posted a 3-1-0 record against the Rangers in 2015-16 (NYR: 1-2-1), with all three victories coming during their final 20 games of the season.

DEFENDING CHAMPION BLACKHAWKS VISIT BLUES IN GAME 1
The defending champion Blackhawks, who are looking to become the first repeat Stanley Cup winners since the 1997-98 Red Wings, visit the rival Blues at Scottrade Center in Game 1 of their First Round series. This marks the 12th all-time playoff meeting between these teams and second in the last three seasons. In 2014, Chicago overcame a 2-0 series deficit – led by three game-winning goals from captain Jonathan Toews (including the GWG in OT of Game 5 at STL) – to eliminate St. Louis in six contests in the opening round. The Blues won three of the five matchups between these clubs this season, with all three of their victories coming after regulation (STL: 3-2-0, CHI: 2-0-3).

GAME 1: DID YOU KNOW?
Via Elias, teams that win Game 1 in a best-of-seven Stanley Cup Playoffs series hold an all-time series record of 437-200 (68.6%).

CENTRAL SCOUTING REVEALS FINAL RANKINGS FOR 2016 NHL DRAFT
NHL Central Scouting announced that Zurich forward Auston Matthews (Scottsdale, Ariz.) is the top eligible skater for the 2016 NHL Draft. Matthews, who averaged more than a point per game in Switzerland’s top men’s league this season, is looking to become the seventh U.S.-born player drafted first overall and the first since Blackhawks forwardPatrick Kane in 2007.

See below for the complete final rankings:

European Skaters
North American Skaters
European Goaltenders
North American Goaltenders

ICYMI: MAPLE LEAFS INK KADRI, RIELLY TO EXTENSIONS
The Maple Leafs signed forward Nazem Kadri and defenseman Morgan Rielly to six-year contract extensions.

Kadri paced the team with 17-28—45 in 76 games this season, while Rielly led the club’s defensemen with 9-27—36 in 82 contests – career highs in all three scoring categories.

Click here for more details.

NHL NETWORK DAILY PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE
All Times Eastern
5:00 p.m. – NHL Live
6:00 – 8:30 p.m. – NHL Tonight: 2016 Stanley Cup Playoff Edition
Postgame – NHL Tonight: 2016 Stanley Cup Playoff Edition
NHL Network Channel Finder

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above.