Here are the NHL’s playoff pairings – Finns meeting in the opening round

The Devils, represented by Erik Haula, face the New York Rangers. USA Today Sports/AOP

The NHL Hockey League published the playoff pairings and the first game days on Thursday. The Stanley Cup hunt begins on Monday, April 17.

The Eastern Conference playoff pairings are Boston Bruins-Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs-Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes-New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils-New York Rangers.

The fourth pair will meet the Finns. Erik Haula plays for Devils, players for Rangers Kaapo Kako and Niko Mikkola.

Panthers are represented by Finns Alexander Barkov, Eetu Luostarinen and Anton Lundell. They go pitcher hunting in Carolina Sebastian Aho, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Jesse Puljujärvi, Teuvo Teräväinen and Antti Raanta.

In the West, certain series are Vegas Golden Knights-Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers-Los Angeles Kings.

The opponents of the Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche are still open, as the last round of the regular season will be played on the night between Friday and Saturday. The Minnesota Wild and Seattle Kraken have secured their spot in the spring games.

Kings are represented by Finnish players Joonas Korpisalo and Rasmus Kupari.

They play puck in Colorado Mikko Rantanen and Artturi Lehkonen. The Finns are cheering for Stars Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell, Jani Hakanpää, Roope Hintz and Joel Kiviranta.

The full schedule for the playoffs will be released on Friday after the conclusion of the regular season game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Nashville Predators.