A chilly outdoor spectacle and two overtime thrillers -- it's going to be hard to live up to the three regular season games between the Wild and the Blues, but the playoffs always deliver.
The two Central Division rivals square off in the first round, and both teams could not be hotter. Minnesota went 19-2-3 from March 16 through the end of the regular season, and St. Louis enjoyed a closing run of 14-1-2 from March 28 on. However, it was the Blues that won all three games during the regular season.
Two Russians headline the teams, as Kirill Kaprizov was even better in his sophomore season than his rookie year where he won the Calder. The Wild winger was one of eight players this season to hit 100 points, leading the team with 108. He had 47 goals and 61 assists playing on a line with Ryan Hartman and Mats Zuccarello.
In St. Louis, Vladimir Tarasenko has done a complete 180. After an injury-riddled season last year, he requested a trade and was left available in the expansion draft. The two sides elected to go forward this season with Tarasenko on the team, and it surely has paid off. The forward recorded a career-high 82 points with 34 goals and 48 assists. He is looking to lead the Blues to another Stanley Cup after winning it all in 2019.
The Wild did not officially announce a Game 1 starter yet, but Marc-Andre Fleury appeared to be in the starter's crease at practice on Monday. The Blues have also not said who the starter would be for Game 1 between Ville Husso and Jordan Binnington.
MORE: Wild vs. Blues first-round preview for 2022 NHL playoffs
Here's everything you need to know about Wild vs. Blues, including a full schedule for the first-round series.
What channel is Wild vs. Blues Game 1 on?
- Date: Monday, May 2
- TV channel: ESPN (U.S.), SN360, CBC (Canada)
- Live streaming: Sling TV
Wild vs. Blues Game 1 will air on ESPN. In Canada, the game will air on SN360 and CBC.
Viewers in the U.S. can stream every NHL playoff game live on Sling TV. With the Sling Orange Sports Extra package, get $10 off your first month now with access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 and TNT. NHL playoff games on ABC are simulcast on ESPN3, which is included with Sling Orange, available for $35 per month, including $25 the first month for new subscribers.
Wild vs. Blues start time
- Date: Monday, May 2
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
Game 1 of the Wild vs. Blues series has puck drop set for around 9:30 p.m. ET on Monday, May 2. The game will be played at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.
MORE: NHL playoff bracket 2022: Full schedule, TV channels, scores for postseason
Wild vs. Blues series schedule, TV Channels
Here is the complete schedule for the first-round series between the Wild vs. Blues. The series will open at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., for Games 1 and 2 before moving to Enterprise Center in St. Louis for Games 3 and 4.
| Date | Site | Time (ET) | TV |
| Mon., May 2 | at Minnesota | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN, SN360, TVA Sports |
| Wed., May 4 | at Minnesota | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN, SN360, TVA Sports |
| Fri., May 6 | at St. Louis | 9:30 p.m. | TNT, SN360, TVA Sports |
| Sun., May 8 | at St. Louis | 4:30 p.m. | TNT, SN360, TVA Sports |
| *Tue., May 10 | at Minnesota | TBD | TBD |
| *Thu., May 12 | at St. Louis | TBD | TBD |
| *Sat., May 14 | at Minnesota | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
Wild vs. Blues odds
Wild: -131
Blues: +109
Odds provided by Sports Interaction
Today's NHL playoff schedule
Monday, May 2
| Game | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV channel (U.S.) | TV channel (Canada) |
| Game 1 | Hurricanes vs. Bruins | 7 p.m. | ESPN | SN360 |
| Game 1 | Maple Leafs vs. Lightning | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2 | Sportsnet |
| Game 1 | Oilers vs. Kings | 10 p.m. | ESPN2 | Sportsnet |
Tuesday's NHL playoff schedule
Tuesday, May 3
| Game | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV channel (U.S.) | TV channel (Canada) |
| Game 1 | Rangers vs. Penguins | 7 p.m. | ESPN | Sportsnet |
| Game 1 | Panthers vs. Capitals | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2 | SN360 |
| Game 1 | Avalanche vs. Predators | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN | SNE |
| Game 1 | Flames vs. Stars | 10 p.m. | ESPN2 | Sportsnet |