NHL playoffs schedule 2017: Capitals, Penguins meet in 2nd round rematch

After a thrilling first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs that gave us a record 18 overtime contests, the second round is here. And the marquee matchup of round two is between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins in a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference second round.

The best-of-seven series starts on Thursday at the Verizon Center, with the drop of the puck in Game 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The Capitals had the best record in the NHL during the regular season (55-19-8), but then again, they did last year as well, when the Penguins beat them in six games on their way to winning the Stanley Cup.

Washington had its hands full in the first round, needing six games to dispatch an upstart Toronto Maple Leafs squad, an exciting series that gave us five overtime games. The Penguins beat the Columbus Blue Jackets in five games in the opening round.

During the regular season, these two teams split four games, with the Capitals winning both games at home in regulation. The Penguins beat Washington at home on Jan. 16 in overtime, and on Oct. 13 a shootout.

Game 1: Thurs., April 27 - at Washington, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN, Sportsnet, TVA Sports)
Game 2: Sat., April 29 - at Washington, 8 p.m. (NBC, CBC, TVA Sports)
Game 3: Mon., May 1 - at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports)
Game 4: Wed., May 3 - at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports)
Game 5*: Sat., May 6 - at Washington, TBD (TBD)
Game 6*: Mon., May 8 - at Pittsburgh, TBD (TBD)
Game 7*: Wed., May 10 - at Washington, TBD (TBD)

*if necessary