How to watch Golden Knights vs. Blackhawks first round playoff series

Game 5 update: The Golden Knights won 4-3 as Max Pacioretty had a goal and an assist and Alex Tuch and Alex Martinez each added a goal in the series-clinching win.

Game 4 update: The Blackhawks won 3-1 behind 46 saves by goalie Corey Crawford.

Game 3 update: The Golden Knights won 2-1, as Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 26 shots.

Game 2 update: The Golden Knights won 4-3 in overtime on a Reilly Smith goal at the 7:13 mark.

Game 1 update: The Golden Knights won 4-1, powered by two Reilly Smith goals in the third period.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs have arrived! The puck drops for the first round of the playoffs on August 12th, and while it might be four months later than expected, it’s better than nothing!

The NHL wrapped up the qualifying round over the weekend and we have the bracket set for the playoffs. The Vegas Golden Knights claimed the top seed in the Western Conference in round robin play, while the Chicago Blackhawks stunned the Edmonton Oilers in the qualifying round to claim the No. 8 seed.

The Golden Knights won the Pacific Division in the shortened regular season and ranked third entering round robin play. Vegas won all three of its round robin games, beating the Dallas Stars 5-3, the St. Louis Blues 6-4, and the Colorado Avalanche 4-3. The Golden Knights will welcome back leading scorer Max Pacioretty, who completed his quarantine and entered the Edmonton bubble after sustaining a camp injury.

The Blackhawks were the 12th seed in the Western Conference qualifying round. They were six games under .500 when play was suspended in March and facing the 5th seeded Edmonton Oilers who were playing on their home ice. In spite of this, the Blackhawks won some shootouts in taking the series 3-1. Goalie Corey Crawford impressed in the series clincher, and the team will be looking for big things from him against the top seed in the West.

Below is a full rundown of the Golden Knights-Blackhawks series and how to watch it. The NBC games are all available at NBCSports.com/live. The Golden Knights won the series 4-1.

Golden Knights vs. Blackhawks series info

Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Blackhawks 1
Game 2: Golden Knights 4, Blackhawks 3 (OT)
Game 3: Golden Knights 2, Blackhawks 1
Game 4: Blackhawks 3, Golden Knights 1
Game 5: Golden Knights 4, Blackhawks 3