Leafs-Canadiens series starts Thursday

The Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens will be the last teams to get going in the NHL playoffs.

The league released the schedule for the opening round Thursday, with Boston and Washington starting things off Saturday in their East Division series. The West and Central divisions start Sunday.

But the all-Canadian North Division won’t begin until later in the week. Edmonton hosts Winnipeg on Wednesday and the Leafs, at last, are home to the Canadiens on Thursday, opening the first playoff series between Canada’s Original Six teams since 1979.

The North is finishing its regular-season schedule later than the other divisions because of the COVID-19 outbreak that pushed back several Vancouver games. The Canucks and Calgary Flames wrap up with games Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Leafs vs. Canadiens

Thur.: at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

May 22: at Toronto, 7 p.m.

May 24: at Montreal

May 25: at Montreal

May 27: at Toronto

May 29: at Montreal

May 31: at Toronto

Star staff