The start date of the NHL playoffs has leaked, courtesy of Cyril Leeder, which now allows the Jets and Oilers to know just exactly when their games will begin. There hasn't been any lack of excitement this season in the NHL, and now the <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/vancouver-canucks/canucks-deliver-major-lesson-for-the-rest-of-the-nhl-ahead-of-final-playoff-push' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Stanley Cup Playoffs are at the doorstep</a>, waiting to happen. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1910001129292808289'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> There has been a ton of buzz being generated by fans around the league, and now that excitement was turned up to a whole new level with the latest information. Thanks to Ottawa Senator reporter <a href='https://x.com/GraemeNichols' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Graeme Nichols</a>, who made the news available with comments released on behalf of Cyril Leeder, we already know what date the playoffs are expected to commence for each team. <h3>The Jets and Oilers can expect to begin the playoffs on Saturday April 19</h3> Saturday, April 19, is the beginning of the playoffs for the Western Conference teams, after which it is the Eastern Conference's turn on Sunday, the 20th to play. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/GraemeNichols/status/1909964852791017810'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> <img src='https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/i/photo/547700.webp' width='100%' border='0' alt='image' loading='lazy' defer /> Though the ultimate playoff picture is still unresolved, among the compelling matchups already in prospect are the East's possibility for contentious rivalry showdowns like the Battle of Ontario or the Battle of Florida. The West's possibility could begin with the clash between the Colorado Avalanche vs the Dallas Stars, which will see all eyes focused on Mikko Rantanen. The Jets have yet to secure who their first-round opponent will be, which could be either the Minnesota Wild or St. Louis Blues, while the Oilers are pretty much locked in to begin on the road against the Los Angeles Kings. Buckle up, we're in for a wild ride.