In the last three weeks, sports fans enjoyed seeing their favorite teams participating again. What seems like COVID-19 experiments, especially in MLB, fought through challenging scenarios, implementing the strict procedures and guidelines suggested by experts.
As the smoke clears and the country grows closer to a vaccine, the NHL & NBA begin their postseason round of 16, while MLB continues adjusting as multiple franchises makeup games. August 11 represents the first day of opening-round games in the NHL. Here are the matchups.
August 11 Opening Round Series Games
#2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs #9 Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets and Lightning meet for the second straight postseason. The Presidents Trophy winners in 2018-19, Tampa Bay failed to win a game in their Opening Round matchup against Columbus.
Columbus-Tampa Bay | ||
2019 Opening Round Series Totals | ||
Columbus | Tampa Bay | |
Wins | 4 | 0 |
Goals | 19>> | 14 |
PPG-PPO | 4-17 | 1-11 |
>>Scored 19 of final 30 goals |
Last season’s postseason result represents the opposite of the previous seven regular-season matchups, with the Lightning winning all seven by a wide margin.
Tampa Bay – Columbus | ||
Last 7 Regular Season Games | ||
Tampa Bay>> | Columbus | |
W-L-OL | 7-0 | *0-5-2 |
Goals | 31 | 8 |
PPG-PPO | 8-27 | 0-24 |
>>Won only matchup this season |

#4 Boston Bruins vs #6 Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina and Boston resume their Adams Division rivalry for the second straight postseason. Boston swept Carolina in the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals.
Boston-Carolina | |
Playoff History | |
Result | |
2019 Conference Finals | Boston 4-0 |
2009 East Quarters | Carolina 4-3 |
1999 East Quarters | Boston 4-2 |
1991 Adams Semis | Boston 4-2 |
1990 Adams Semis | Boston 4-3 |

The two teams only played once this season, with Boston shutting out Carolina 2-0. In the Qualifying round, Boston’s power play struggled, while Carolina held the Rangers to one goal in 14 power-play opportunities.
Qualifying Round | |
Boston PP vs Carolina PK | |
Boston PP | |
PPG-PPO | 0-9 |
Carolina PK | |
PPG-PPO | 1-14 |
West
#3 Dallas Stars vs #8 Calgary Flames
Despite both teams residing in the same conference all but three seasons since Calgary joined the NHL as the Atlanta Flames in 1972-73, this is only the second time facing each other in the postseason. Dallas, then the Minnesota North Stars, defeated Calgary in six games in the 1981 Stanley Cup Semifinals.
Dallas lost two of three of their qualifying seeding matchups, keeping a trend they established before COVID-19.
Dallas Stars | |
Last Nine Games | |
W-L-OL | *1-6-2>> |
Goal Diff | -13 |
PPG-PPO | *4-26 |
PPGA-PPOO | *9-30 |
>>Won last qualifying seeding game |
The two teams faced each other three times this season, with Calgary winning two of three (one in OT). However, dating back to 2017, the Stars own an advantage. During the qualifying round, Calgary’s power-play performed well. Their five PPG tied with Edmonton for the most.
Dallas-Calgary | ||
Last Nine Matchups | ||
Dallas | Calgary> | |
W-L-OL | *7-1-1 | *2-6-1 |
Goals | 24 | 18 |
PPG-PPO | *8-28 | *7-33>> |
>2-1-0 this season | ||
>>3-5 in last game played |
Most Power-Play Goals | |
Qualfying Round | |
PPG-PPO | |
Calgary | 5-17 |
Edmonton | 5-17 |
#1 Vegas Golden Knights vs #12 Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago, winners of three Stanley Cups since 2010, defeated #5 seed Edmonton in the qualifying round. Chicago’s 72 points represented the fewest in the Western Conference. Vegas joined the NHL in 2017-18, reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in their first season. Vegas owns a dominating advantage over Chicago in their nine regular-season matchups, winning eight of them.
Vegas-Chicago | ||
Nine Career Matchups | ||
Vegas | Chicago | |
W-L-OL | *8-1-0 | *1-6-2 |
Goals Scored | 40 | 24 |
PPG-PPO | *6-29 | *4-26 |

Both teams ranked among the leaders for goals scored in the qualifying round.
Most Goals PG | |
Qualifying Round | |
Vegas | 5 |
Chicago | 4 |
Calgary | 4 |
Edmonton | 3.75 |
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