Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The NHL is piecemealing out the Stanley Cup playoff schedule, which seems like a terrible way to go about things, but we now have a start date for the series between the Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets.

April 21 at 5 PM MST.

Yes, we can finally begin the official countdown for the Stanley Cup playoffs. Granted, we ONLY have a date and time for Game One, but it’s something at least. And all Avalanche fans can rejoice, because they’re actually getting an early game. I don’t expect it to stay that way when both teams come back to Colorado, but the NHL is at least allowing fans to get to bed at a reasonable time on Sunday. Unless there’s overtime, of course.

The Avalanche have already confirmed that they’re taking Friday off and will not practice, but they’ll likely be on the ice Saturday before leaving for Winnipeg.

I imagine we’ll get the rest of the schedule for the Avalanche and Jets later tonight once all of the matchups are finalized. It might be late Thursday night, because the NHL will have to wait to see where the Kings and Golden Knights finish.

When the rest of the schedule is released, we’ll have it for you here at CHN. For now, you’re at least able to plan your Sunday.

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