First-round playoff pairings and schedules were announced for Southern California’s two National Hockey League teams.
With a 2-0 victory Sunday over the league-leading Washington Capitals, the Anaheim Ducks clinched the Pacific Division title, edging out their regional rivals by finishing with 103 points to the Los Angeles Kings’ 102 points.
The Ducks will play the Nashville Predators in a best-of-seven first- round series.
Anaheim will host the first two games at Honda Center. Game 1 starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, with Game 2 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 17. Games 3 and 4 will be April 19 and April 21 in Nashville at 6:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. PT, respectively. Game 5 (if necessary) would be at Honda Center on April 23. Game 6 (if necessary) would be April 25 in Nashville, and a deciding Game 7 (if necessary) would be back at Honda Center on Wednesday, April 27. The starting times for Games 5-7 have yet to be announced.
For information on Ducks playoff tickets, visit http://ducks.nhl.com.
The Kings will play the San Jose Sharks in the first round.
Games 1 and 2 are Thursday and Saturday at Staples Center, with both games starting at 7:30 p.m. Games 3 and 4 are Monday, April 18 and Wednesday, April 20 in San Jose, with both games starting at 7:30 p.m. Game 5 (if necessary) is scheduled for April 22 at Staples Center; Game 6 (if necessary) would be in San Jose on April 24; and a deciding Game 7 (if necessary) would be played at Staples Center on Tuesday, April 26. The starting times for Games 5-7 have yet to be announced.
For information on Kings playoff tickets, visit http://kings.nhl.com.
If the Ducks and Kings each win their first-round series, they would face each other in the second round.
Both teams have tasted postseason success in recent years, with the Kings winning two Stanley Cups, in 2012 and 2014, while the Ducks won it all in 2007.
—City News Service