2022 NHL Playoffs Central - Bracket, schedule, scores, highlights, analysis

The 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs represent a return to normalcy, after a bubble-encased postseason in 2020 and a 2021 tournament that featured realigned intradivisional play, followed by a rebracketing for the final two rounds. Sixteen teams have qualified for a shot, but only one will get to skate the sacred chalice this June.

From the first round all the way through the Stanley Cup Final, ESPN has you covered, including the first 12 games of the playoffs all on ESPN networks, as well as the entire Cup finals on ABC and ESPN+.

Plus, tune in to The Point every weekday afternoon throughout the playoffs for analysis, storytelling and previews of that night's action. And if you miss anything, watch full-game replays on demand on ESPN+, along with highlights from every game on In The Crease.

Read on for the full playoff picture, including previews, analysis, highlights, schedule and more for each team and series.

More: Playoff schedulePreviews for all 16 teamsWyshynski's full bracketRanking players that need a Cup

Jump to:Atlantic: FLA-WSH | TOR-TBMetro: CAR-BOS | NYR-PITCentral: COL-NSH | MIN-STLPacific: CGY-DAL | EDM-LA

Regular-season records:

Panthers: 58-18-6, 122 points

Capitals: 44-26-12, 100 points

Leading scorers:

Panthers: LW Jonathan Huberdeau, 115 points (30 G, 85 A)

Capitals: LW Alex Ovechkin, 90 points (50 G, 40 A)

Schedule:

Game 1 (at FLA): Tues., May 3, 7:30 ET (ESPN2) | PreviewGame 2 (at FLA): Thurs., May 5, 7:30 ET (TBS) | PreviewGame 3 (at WSH): Sat., May 7, 1 ET (ESPN) | PreviewGame 4 (at WSH): Mon., May 9, 7 ET (TBS) | PreviewGame 5 (at FLA): TBAGame 6 (at WSH): TBAGame 7 (at FLA): TBA

Regular-season records:

Maple Leafs: 54-21-7, 115 points

Lightning: 51-23-8, 110 points

Leading scorers:

Maple Leafs: C