ST. LOUIS -- When the Blues put a rather unconventional lineup on the ice Saturday to face the Minnesota Wild in their regular-season finale, the idea was to get some injured and recently healthy-scratched players some ice time while giving a handful of regulars some rest. But with at least four, and possibly seven, more games against the Wild facing them in the coming weeks, there won't be any more of that.
The NHL announced first-round playoff pairings Sunday, and the Blues again will face the Wild, albeit for the first time ever in the playoffs. The series opens Thursday at Scottrade Center and, if it goes the full seven games, will finish there as well April 29.
The Blues' 4-2 win Saturday evened the season series with Minnesota at two games apiece.
FIRST-ROUND PLAYOFF SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES CENTRAL)
| GAME |
DAY, DATE | TIME | HOME TEAM |
| Game 1 |
Thursday, April 16 | 8:30 p.m. | St. Louis |
| Game 2 | Saturday, April 18 | 2 p.m. | St. Louis |
| Game 3 | Monday, April 20 |
7 p.m. | Minnesota |
| Game 4 | Wednesday, April 22 |
8:30 p.m. | Minnesota |
| Game 5 (if necessary) | Friday, April 24 |
TBD | St. Louis |
| Game 6 (if necessary) | Sunday, April 26 |
TBD | Minnesota |
| Game 7 (if necessary) | Wednesday, April 29 |
TBD | St. Louis |
