NHL Playoff Schedule 2011: Second Round Begins Thursday Night

The NHL will announce the schedule for the second round of the 2011 NHL playoffs on Wednesday night, following the conclusion of the two remaining first round series. Boston hosts Montreal in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals and Tampa visits Pittsburgh under the same scenario. 

Here's what we know in the Eastern Conference.

According to a report from NBC in Philadelphia, the No. 2-seeded Philadelphia Flyers will host Game 1 of the Conference Semifinals on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET. Their opponent is still up in the air, although we know it will be either Boston, Tampa Bay or Pittsburgh.

Should Boston beat Montreal in Game 7, they'll face Philadelphia, while the winner of Game 7 between the Penguins and Lightning will face the Capitals. Should Montreal win, they'll face the No. 1 Washington Capitals in Game 1 at an unknown time, likely on Friday or Saturday, while Philadelphia will host the winner of the Tampa-Pittsburgh series. 

Aside from this, we don't know much in the East since two series have yet to be completed. We expect the full schedule at some point on Wednesday evening after the games have finished. 

In the West, we're set on both series, and we even know when one of them will begin.

Officially, the Vancouver Canucks will host the Nashville Predators in Game 1 at 9 p.m. Thursday night, just 48 hours removed from their pulse-pounding Game 7 win over the Blackhawks. Nothing like a quick turnaround. CBC will televise the game in Canada. That likely leaves Game 2 for Saturday night on Hockey Night in Canada on CBC.

According to David Pollak at the San Jose Mercury News, the Sharks will reportedly host the Detroit Red Wings in Game 1 at HP Pavilion on Friday night, leaving Game 2 on Sunday. That's not official, but it is logical. 

Again, we'll have the full schedule right here later on Wednesday evening. Until then, enjoy the Game 7's.