The Tampa Bay Lightning have traveled a long, bumpy road to arrive back where they stood a year ago as they prepare to host the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday for Game 1 in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The Lightning won last season’s series in seven games and went on to lose in the Stanley Cup finals before hurdling several obstacles to seal a third straight postseason berth in 2016.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have seen their New York Rangers end their season in the playoffs in each of the last two years, but they will try to turn the tables on their Metropolitan Division rivals this time around. Both teams have myriad injury issues entering Game 1 of the best-of-seven series at Pittsburgh on Wednesday night.

The Chicago Blackhawks begin the upcoming playoffs in a familiar place, as they defended their 2013 Stanley Cup title the following spring with a spirited opening-round series against the St. Louis Blues. The Blackhawks start their quest for their fourth championship in seven years in the Gateway City on Wednesday against a St. Louis club that has been unceremoniously bounced in the first round in each of the past three seasons.