The Colorado Avalanche begin their Stanley Cup title defense on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken.
Colorado is aiming to become the second repeat champion in four years after the Tampa Bay Lightning captured consecutive titles in 2020 and 2021.
Colorado's first opponent in the Western Conference bracket is the Seattle Kraken, who make their Stanley Cup Playoffs debut inside Ball Arena.
Seattle put together a strong record in its second NHL season, but a first playoff series victory might have to wait.
A first-round triumph is all the Toronto Maple Leafs want to end their decades-long losing streak in the opening postseason series.