NHL Playoffs 2011 Schedule: Capitals Vs. Rangers Among Five Games On Wednesday

The 2011 NHL Playoffs get underway on Wednesday with five of the eight first round series kicking off. That includes, but is not limited to, the Capitals getting things started against the Rangers. Let's take a look at the games that will be kicking off tonight.

Rangers Vs. Capitals, 7:30, Versus: I don't think I need to tell you anymore about this one.

Coyotes Vs. Red Wings, 7: The classic NHL franchise against the team from a place that can't produce ice on it's own. This one is the battle of progress.

Lightning Vs. Penguins, 7: Here we go Lightning, here we go. . .

Blackhawks Vs. Canucks, 10: The top seed in the Western Conference got a tough matchup here in the first round against the defending Stanley Cup champions. I wouldn't be surprised in the least to see the Blackhawks come out on top in this series.

Predators Vs. Ducks, 10:30: The matchup of teams named after two of my favorite movies.

For more on the Capitals check out our blog Japers' Rink, and for complete coverage of the Playoffs head over to the NHL page at SB Nation.

2011 NHL Playoff Schedule For All 8 First Round Series

The NHL has announced the Playoff schedule for all eight first round series. Here they are, via SB Nation.

No. 1 Washington Capitals vs. No. 8 New York Rangers

Game 1: Wed., April 13 at 7:30 p.m. 
Game 2: Fri., April 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Game 3: Sun., April 17 at 3 p.m.
Game 4: Wed., April 20 at 7 p.m. 
Game 5*: Sat., April 23 at 3 p.m. 
Game 6*: Mon., April 25 at TBD
Game 7*: Wed., April 27 at TBD

No. 2 Philadelphia Flyers vs. No. 7 Buffalo Sabres

Game 1: Thu., April 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Game 2: Sat., April 16 at 5 p.m.
Game 3: Mon., April 18 at 7 p.m.
Game 4: Wed., April 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Game 5*: Fri., April 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Game 6*: Sun., April 24 at 3 p.m.
Game 7*: Tues., April 26 at TBD

No. 3 Boston Bruins vs. No. 6 Montreal Canadiens

Game 1: Thurs., April 14 at 7 p.m.
Game 2: Sat., April 16 at 7 p.m.
Game 3: Mon., April 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Game 4: Thurs., April 21 at 7 p.m.
Game 5*: Sat., April 23 at 7 p.m.
Game 6*: Tues., April 26 at TBD
Game 7*: Wed., April 27 at TBD

No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 5 Tampa Bay Lightning

Game 1: Wed., April 13 at 7 p.m.
Game 2: Fri., April 15 at 7 p.m.
Game 3: Mon., April 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Game 4: Wed., April 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Game 5*: Sat., April 23 at TBD
Game 6*: Mon., April 25 at TBD
Game 7*: Wed., April 27 at TBD

No. 1 Vancouver Canucks vs. No. 8 Chicago Blackhawks

Game 1: Wed., April 13 at 10 p.m.
Game 2: Fri., April 15 at 10 p.m.
Game 3: Sun., April 17 at 8 p.m.
Game 4: Tues., April 19 at 8 p.m.
Game 5*: Thurs., April 21 at 10 p.m.
Game 6*: Sun., April 24 at 8 p.m.
Game 7*: Tues., April 26 at TBD

No. 2 San Jose Sharks vs. No. 7 Los Angeles Kings

Game 1: Thurs., April 14 at 10 p.m.
Game 2: Sat., April 16 at 10 p.m.
Game 3: Tues., April 19 at 10:30 p.m.
Game 4: Thurs., April 21 at 10:30 p.m.
Game 5*: Sat., April 23 at 10:30 p.m.
Game 6*: Mon., April 25 at TBD
Game 7*: Wed., April 27 at TBD

No. 3 Detroit Red Wings vs. No. 6 Phoenix Coyotes

Game 1: Wed., April 13 at 7 p.m.
Game 2: Sat., April 16 at 1 p.m.
Game 3: Mon., April 17 at 10:30 p.m.
Game 4: Wed., April 20 at 10:30 p.m.
Game 5*: Fri., April 22 at 7 p.m.
Game 6*: Sun., April 24 at TBD
Game 7*: Wed., April 27 at TBD

No. 4 Anaheim Ducks vs. No. 5 Nashville Predators

Game 1: Wed., April 13 at 10:30 p.m.
Game 2: Fri., April 15 at 10:30 p.m.
Game 3: Sun., April 17 at TBD
Game 4: Wed., April 20 at TBD
Game 5*: Fri., April 22 at 10 p.m.
Game 6*: Sun., April 24 at TBD
Game 7*: Tues., April 26 at TBD

NHL Playoffs 2011 TV Schedule: Capitals Vs. Rangers

We already mentioned yesterday what the Capitals game schedule would be for the 2011 NHL Playoffs. But now we know exactly when and where you can find the games on your television set. Here is the full TV schedule for the Capitals first round series against the Rangers, via NHL.com.

Wednesday, April 13		at Washington, 7:30 p.m.	TSN, VERSUS (JIP)
Friday, April 15		at Washington, 7:30 p.m.	TSN, VERSUS
Sunday, April 17		at New York, 3:00 p.m.	NBC (HD), TSN
Wednesday, April 20		at New York, 7:00 p.m.	TSN, VERSUS
*Saturday, April 23		at Washington, 3:00 p.m.	TSN, NBC (HD)
*Monday, April 25		at New York, TBD	TSN
*Wednesday, April 27		at Washington, TBD	TSN

As we mentioned yesterday, all of the games will also be broadcast on CSN, except for the games on NBC because they have exclusive rights to those contests.

For more on the NHL Playoffs check out SB Nation for complete Hockey coverage. And head over to Japers' Rink for more on the Capitals.

NHL Playoffs 2011 Schedule: Capitals Vs. Rangers Dates And Times

The 2011 NHL Playoffs schedule has just been announced, and the Washington Capitals' quest to win the 2011 Stanley Cup can now begin. The Capitals will begin their journey against the New York Rangers in the first round. The Capitals vs. Rangers series will begin on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. on Versus.

The Capitals earned the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with 107 points, while the Rangers beat out the Carolina Hurricanes for the No. 8 seed on the season's final weekend.

The games will also be seen on Comcast SportsNet, as will all the games except for potentially Game 3, which will take place Sunday, April 17, and Game 5, which would take place Saturday, April 20. Both would likely be broadcasted on NBC.

Here is a complete schedule:

Game 1, Rangers at Capitals: Wednesday, April 13, 7:30 p.m., Versus, CSN.

Game 2, Rangers at Capitals: Friday, April 15, 7:30 p.m., CSN.

Game 3, Capitals at Rangers: Sunday, April 17, 3 p.m., (likely NBC).

Game 4, Capitals at Rangers: Wednesday, April 20, 7 p.m., CSN

Game 5 (if necessary), Rangers at Capitals: Saturday, April 20, 3 p.m., (likely NBC).

Game 6 (if necessary), Capitals at Rangers: Monday, April 22, TBD

Game 7 (if necessary), Rangers at Capitals: Wednesday, April 24, TBD

NHL Playoffs 2011 Schedule: Capitals Vs. Rangers Game 1 Wednesday At 7 P.M.

The Capitals will play the Rangers at 7pm on Wednesday night, according to Doc Emrick of NBC:

Doc Emrick just announced on NBC that VERSUS will open with Rangers/Capitals Game 1 on Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET. NBC will open with Game 2 of Coyotes/Red Wings on Saturday at 1:00 PM ET.

The Caps of course, due to their top seed in the Eastern Conference, will play the first game of this series at Verizon Center. 

Washington will be playing a Ranger team that is without winger Ryan Callahan, who has a broken ankle. 

Caps fans have been weary of the Rangers, as they have dominated Washington throughout the regular season. They are a tough nosed, shot blocking squad who simply wear out their opposition. Not to mention they have one of the better goalies in Henrik Lundqvist.

Either way, this should be an intriguing match up, as the Caps will look to avoid a first round knockout similar to what happened last year against the Canadiens.