The puck drops and the hardwood squeaks this weekend as the NHL and NBA first-round playoff games lock in start times for May 3 and 4, pulling fans into a frenzy of springtime showdowns. Leagues have rolled out schedules with the precision of a referee’s whistle, and arenas across North America are bracing for the roar of crowds and the clash of titans.
On Saturday, May 3, the NHL’s Stanley Cup Playoffs kick off with a slate of games that promise to set the tone for the postseason. In Boston, the Bruins face the Toronto Maple Leafs at TD Garden, with the opening face-off at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Meanwhile, out west, the Vancouver Canucks tangle with the Nashville Predators at Rogers Arena, starting at 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time. The day’s earlier action sees the New York Islanders squaring off against the Carolina Hurricanes at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time in Raleigh, while the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights collide in Dallas at 9:30 p.m. Central Time. These timings, confirmed through official league announcements on April 16, ensure fans can plan their watch parties or snag last-minute tickets.
The NBA, not to be outdone, has its own packed lineup on May 3. The Cleveland Cavaliers tip off against the Orlando Magic at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time in Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Out in Denver, the Nuggets take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at 9:30 p.m. Mountain Time, a late-night battle set to keep Mile High City fans on edge. The afternoon brings the New York Knicks versus the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden, starting at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the New Orleans Pelicans at 3:30 p.m. Central Time. League schedules, finalized and released on April 18, pin these games as critical early tests for teams chasing the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Sunday, May 4, keeps the momentum blistering. The NHL’s Florida Panthers meet the Tampa Bay Lightning in a Sunshine State showdown at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time in Sunrise. Later, the Colorado Avalanche challenge the Winnipeg Jets at 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time in Denver, while the Edmonton Oilers face the Los Angeles Kings at 10:00 p.m. Pacific Time in Edmonton’s Rogers Place. The NBA counters with the Milwaukee Bucks battling the Indiana Pacers at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time in Milwaukee, and the Los Angeles Clippers taking on the Dallas Mavericks at 9:30 p.m. Pacific Time in L.A.’s Crypto.com Arena. These start times, locked in by official postseason calendars, leave no room for guesswork.
Broadcasters are ready to beam every moment to living rooms and sports bars alike. NHL games will air across ESPN, TNT, and regional networks like Sportsnet, with streaming on ESPN+ for those cutting the cord. NBA matchups split between ABC, ESPN, and TNT, with NBA League Pass offering digital access. Venues are enforcing strict gate times—most open 90 minutes before tip-off or puck drop—so fans should check arena websites to avoid missing the anthems.
The schedules reflect months of planning, with the NHL and NBA coordinating around arena availability and broadcast windows. Both leagues issued their postseason frameworks in mid-April, ensuring no conflicts for teams sharing venues like Madison Square Garden or Crypto.com Arena. For fans, it’s a weekend to stock the fridge, mute the group chat, and settle in for basketball and hockey at their raw, playoff best.
NHL games on May 3: Islanders at Hurricanes, 2:00 p.m. ET; Canucks at Predators, 7:00 p.m. PT; Bruins at Maple Leafs, 8:00 p.m. ET; Stars at Golden Knights, 9:30 p.m. CT. NBA games on May 3: Knicks at 76ers, 1:00 p.m. ET; Thunder at Pelicans, 3:30 p.m. CT; Cavaliers at Magic, 7:00 p.m. ET; Nuggets at Timberwolves, 9:30 p.m. MT. NHL games on May 4: Lightning at Panthers, 12:30 p.m. ET; Jets at Avalanche, 2:30 p.m. MT; Kings at Oilers, 10:00 p.m. PT. NBA games on May 4: Pacers at Bucks, 7:00 p.m. ET; Mavericks at Clippers, 9:30 p.m. PT.