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The NHL playoffs are set to begin this Wednesday, April 11, with 16 teams gunning for the ultimate prize.

Before the action heats up on the ice, let's take a closer look at some of the must-see first-round series.

No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins (108 Pts) vs. No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers (103 Pts)

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Without a doubt one of the most anticipated first-round playoff series in recent memory, Penguins vs. Flyers has it all. The rivalry between these two in-state enemies runs deep, and their six meetings during the regular season all featured playoff intensity.

The Flyers took four of six from the Pens this season, but Philly will have to take four of seven from Pittsburgh in the next two weeks in order to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals, a tall task considering that the Penguins boast the NHL's highest-scoring offensive attack.

Right behind them in offensive firepower are the Flyers though, who rank second and feature a skilled creator in Claude Giroux, who has 65 assists this season. Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin will take center stage for the Pens in this series.

Series Schedule (EST):

Wednesday, April 11, 2012 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh: NBC Sports Network, TSN

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Friday, April 13, 2012 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh: NBC Sports Network, TSN

Sunday, April 15, 2012 3 p.m. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia: NBC, TSN

Wednesday, April 18, 2012 7:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia: NBC Sports Network, TSN

*Friday, April 20, 2012 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh: NBC Sports Network, TSN

*Sunday, April 22, 2012 TBD Pittsburgh at Philadelphia: TBD

*Tuesday, April 24, 2012 TBD Philadelphia at Pittsburgh: TBD

No. 2 Boston Bruins (102 Pts) vs. No. 7 Washington Capitals (92 Pts)

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In what would have been considered an unlikely first-round matchup at the beginning of the season, the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins take on the perennial Stanley Cup favorite Washington Capitals in a win-or-go-home Eastern Conference playoff series.

Although the Bruins will have home-ice advantage, the Caps have the confidence of having defeated the Bruins three out of four times this season, including twice in Boston.

Washington will be playing without the pressure of a top seed this spring, and perhaps that will spur them to a strong outing in this intriguing matchup of Eastern Conference powerhouses.

Series Schedule (EST):

Thursday, April 12, 2012 7:30 p.m. Washington at Boston: NBC Sports Network, CBC

Saturday, April 14, 2012 3 p.m. Washington at Boston: NBC, CBC

Monday, April 16, 2012 7:30 p.m. Boston at Washington: NBC Sports Network, CBC

Thursday, April 19, 2012 7:30 p.m. Boston at Washington: NBC Sports Network, CBC

*Saturday, April 21, 2012 3 p.m. Washington at Boston: NBC, CBC

*Sunday, April 22, 2012 TBD Boston at Washington: TBD

*Wednesday, April 25, 2012 TBD Washington at Boston: TBD

No. 1 Vancouver Canucks (111 Pts) vs. No. 8 Los Angeles Kings (95 Pts)

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Despite the regular season dominance of the Western Conference's No. 1-seeded Vancouver Canucks, the Los Angeles Kings have real shot in their first-round playoff series.

The Kings split with the Canucks during the regular season, and boast the NHL's second-best scoring defense, having allowed just over two goals per game in 82 regular season games.

The Canucks have been outscored by the Kings 7-4 over the past three games, winning just once.

Still, Vancouver was one win away from winning the Stanley Cup in 2011, and is expected to return to the Finals this June.





Series Schedule (EST):

Wednesday, April 11, 2012 10:30 p.m. Los Angeles at Vancouver: CBC, NBC Sports Network

Friday, April 13, 2012 10 p.m. Los Angeles at Vancouver: CBC, NBC Sports Network

Sunday, April 15, 2012 10:30 p.m. Vancouver at Los Angeles: NBC Sports Network, CBC

Wednesday, April 18, 2012 10 p.m. Vancouver at Los Angeles: NBC Sports Network, CBC

*Sunday, April 22, 2012 TBD Los Angeles at Vancouver: TBD

*Tuesday, April 24, 2012 TBD Vancouver at Los Angeles: TBD

*Thursday, April 26, 2012 TBD Los Angeles at Vancouver: TBD