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It took the full 82 games to work things out, but playoff matchups are finally set in both the Eastern and Western conferences.

The Montreal Canadiens, who wrapped up the conference title with Pittsburgh’s loss to Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon, will play the Boston Bruins in a best-of-seven beginning Thursday at the Bell Centre.

Carey Price is hoping to lead the Montreal Canadiens back to the promised land, following in the footsteps of Patrick Roy and Ken Dryden who won Stanley Cups with the Habs as rookies.
(Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)

The Habs won all eight of their regular season games against the Bruins this year.

The Penguins, finishing second overall in the East, meet the struggling Ottawa Senators, who were everyone’s pick to win it all after a 15-2 start. That starts Wednesday night.

Philadelphia gets the red-hot Washington Capitals, who qualified for the post-season with a victory in their final regular season game.

And the New Jersey Devils face a neighbourhood fight with the New York Rangers.

Out west, Presidents’ Trophy winner Detroit plays the Nashville Predators with the Red Wings a decided favourite.

The Calgary Flames get the San Jose Sharks, perhaps the most impressive looking club down the stretch, beginning Wednesday night in California.

The Minnesota Wild get the Colorado Avalanche, and the defending Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks have the Dallas Stars.

Dates and times of the American-based series are expected to be announced Monday.

CBC opens with all 3 Canadian teams

CBC’s coverage gets underway Tuesday night with Playoff Preview 2008 (7 p.m. local).

On Wednesday, Hockey Night in Canada presents a doubleheader with Sidney Crosby and the Penguins at home to the Senators at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the Flames against the Sharks (10 p.m. ET).

Montreal opens its series with the Bruins on Thursday night at 7 p.m. ET with game two of that tussle Saturday night at 6:30 ET. The second of the Calgary-San Jose series follows the Habs game on Thursday.

For the first time, one series per round will also be broadcast in Mandarin, live and on demand at CBCSports.ca, beginning with the Bruins and Habs.

Those will also be available to Bell ExpressVu subscribers and to Rogers Cable digital customers in Ontario and New Brunswick.

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