Which eight teams will advance to the second round of the NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs? USA TODAY weighs in with first-round predictions.

NHL Playoffs are set to begin on Saturday, and there will be a bevy of options every night for the next few weeks. The league has released the complete schedule for the first round, so fans can plan their viewing accordingly.

The latter of those matchups, which is Mikko Rantanen and the Dallas Stars' meeting with the Colorado Avalanche should be the most intense series. Both teams are capable of winning the Stanley Cup, but only one will advance to play either the Winnipeg Jets or St. Louis Blues.