Familiarity will be the theme of the second round: Three of the N.H.L.’s four second-round matchups are rematches from the last two postseasons.
The other series features two of the league’s most resilient clubs.
EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
Atlantic Division
No. 1 Montreal Canadiens (50-22-10, 110 points) vs. No. 2 Tampa Bay Lightning (50-24-8, 108)
The Lightning survived a seven-game series with the Detroit Red Wings, claiming the deciding game, 2-0, on Wednesday night. Tampa Bay was swept by the Canadiens in last spring’s first round, but the Lightning dominated Montreal during the regular season, winning all five head-to-head contests.