The term "three-peat" is in play for both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals, as the former hopes to travel a path to a third consecutive Stanley Cup while the latter is bidding to prevent being a speed bump on the route for the third straight year. The Penguins make what has become a familiar march to Washington on Thursday to play the opener of their Eastern Conference semifinal series versus the Capitals.

Only two teams swept their first-round postseason series, but one of those streaks will end Thursday night when the expansion Vegas Golden Knights host the San Jose Sharks in the opener of their Western Conference semifinal. Vegas allowed three goals to Los Angeles in its half of the Pacific Division derby while San Jose manhandled Anaheim, outscoring the Ducks 16-4.