NHL finally sets schedule for Panthers-Hurricanes (and there are no conflicts with Heat)

The Florida Panthers’ first Eastern Conference finals since 1996 will officially start Thursday.

The league finally announced its schedules for the NHL Conference Finals on Monday, right after the Stars beat the Kraken in their second-round Game 7, and the Panthers will begin their third-round series Thursday at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. Florida will play every other day until at least May 24, with a potential Game 7 set for May 30.

There’s one big piece of good news from this schedule: There will be no conflicts between the Panthers and Heat in their respective conference finals, as Miami and Florida will play on alternating days from Wednesday until at least May 24, and potentially until May 30.

It’s a welcome change after four of the each team’s last six games took place simultaneously with the other’s, including each team’s series clinching victory Friday.

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The Panthers will play their first home game of Round 3 next Monday. Game 4 will be May 24 at FLA Live Arena and Game 6, if necessary, would be May 28 in Sunrise. All games take place at 8 p.m. and will air on TNT.

The Western Conference finals will take place on alternating days from the East finals. The winners will play in the Stanley Cup Finals next month and Florida would also begin those on the road, if it advances.

Dallas kicks off the West finals against the Golden Knights in Las Vegas on Friday.

The full third-round schedule for Panthers-Hurricanes is:

Game 1: Thursday, PNC Arena, 8 p.m., TNT Game 2: Saturday, PNC Arena, 8 p.m., TNT Game 3: May 22, FLA Live Arena, 8 p.m., TNT Game 4: May 24, FLA Live Arena, 8 p.m., TNT Game 5: May 26, PNC Arena, 8 p.m., TNT (if necessary) Game 6: May 28, FLA Live Arena, 8 p.m., TNT (if necessary) Game 7: May 30, PNC Arena, 8 p.m., TNT (if necessary)