New York, NY (Sports Network) - The NHL regular season came to a thrilling close this weekend as teams jockeyed for playoff positions, and with it all sorted out, the real season -- the Stanley Cup playoffs -- begins this week as 16 teams vie for the most-difficult trophy to win in all of professional sports.

The best-of-seven conference quarterfinal matchups get underway with four games on Wednesday and four more on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the Presidents' Trophy winners, the Ottawa Senators, will host the New York Islanders, the New Jersey Devils will host the Boston Bruins, the Philadelphia Flyers will host the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Dallas Stars will welcome the Edmonton Oilers.

On Thursday, the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings will host the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, the Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Washington Capitals, the Colorado Avalanche will host the Minnesota Wild and the Vancouver Canucks will battle the St. Louis Blues on home ice.