Schedule released for Colorado Avalanche opening round playoff series with Winnipeg Jets

The playoffs for the Colorado Avalanche begin this weekend against a foe they're familiar with but have never suited up against in the postseason.

The Avs ended the regular season Thursday night on a good note with a 5-1 win over the Oilers. They already knew they would be facing the Winnipeg Jets in the Western Conference First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but now they know the schedule for that series.

The Jets, who moved from Atlanta in 2011, remain the only Western Conference squad the Avalanche have yet to face in the playoffs.

The Jets have home ice advantage in the series, so the first two games will take place at Canada Life Centre in Canada. The puck will drop for Game 1 on Sunday at 5 p.m. (Mountain Time) and Game 2 on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

Games 3 and 4 will take place at Ball Arena in Denver. They will be on April 26 (8 p.m.) and April 28 (12:30 p.m.)

If necessary, Game 5 would be on April 30 at Canada Life Centre and Game 6 would shift back to Colorado on May 2. Game 7 would happen on May 4 in Canada.

A pep rally is planned for Friday from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Ball Arena parking lot where fans can enjoy all kinds of activities including a live drone show, music DJ show, food trucks, and a chance to meet Bernie the team mascot. Everyone is invited and urged to bring their own lawnchairs.