:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31945815/485693649.0.jpg)
Four series move to new locales tonight for a set of Game 3s, including one city that hasn't seen playoff hockey in five years.
You get a selection of games at 7:00 tonight. On NBCSN and CBC, Nationwide Arena in Columbus hosts a playoff game for the first time since the halcyon days of Kristian Huselius and Mike Commodore as the Blue Jackets look to build on their double-overtime Game 2 win over the Penguins, the franchise's first-ever playoff win. Meanwhile, on NHL Network and TSN, the high-flying Avalanche head to St. Paul with a chance to go up 3-0 on the Wild after a 4-2 win on Saturday. Darcy Kuemper will make his first playoff start in the Wild net after relieving Ilya Bryzgalov in the second period of Game 2.
The series with the most subplots of any in the first round renews pleasantries in Chicago at 8:30 (CNBC, CBC - joined in progress except for SW Ontario). The Blues will be without David Backes, and the Blackhawks will not have the services of Brent Seabrook as he serves the first game of a three-game suspension. The Blues lead the series 2-0. Finally, the nightcap is in Dallas as the Ducks take a 2-0 series lead to American Airlines Center (9:30, NBCSN, TSN) as they face the Stars.
U.S. announcing schedule (via @506sports):
- Penguins/Blue Jackets: Kenny Albert, Pierre McGuire
- Avalanche/Wild: Gord Miller, Ray Ferraro (TSN simulcast)
- Blues/Blackhawks: Dave Strader, Brian Engblom
- Ducks/Stars: John Forslund, Joe Micheletti