The puck drops on the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Tuesday night and Cisco NHL Live with Steve Mears and E.J. Hradek, at 5 p.m. ET on NHL Network, will get you ready for the first night of action. We'll talk to "The Great One," Wayne Gretzky, as the Los Angeles Kings get set to defend the Cup against the St. Louis Blues. We'll also get a live preview of the game on our Cisco NHL Arena Cam with Darren Pang.

The Presidents' Trophy-winning Chicago Blackhawks begin their Stanley Cup journey vs. the Minnesota Wild, and we'll be joined by Pierre McGuire from inside the United Center to break down the matchup. We'll also get an update from the West Coast when Ducks analyst Brian Hayward joins us to discuss Game 1 between Anaheim and Detroit.

Don't forget to submit your #AskEJ questions through Twitter via @NHLNetwork or @EJHradek_NHL, and stick around for the shootout as EJ picks all three playoff games being played Tuesday night.

The new General Manager of the Dallas Stars, Jim Nill, joins CISCO NHL Live.

It's the eve of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs and Cisco NHL Live at 5 p.m. ET on NHL Network will get you ready for all the matchups.

New York Rangers goalie Martin Biron will stop by the the set to talk about Round 1 against the

Washington Capitals. Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference, Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has all the latest on Sidney Crosby and his possible return to action.

In the Western Conference, newly-appointed Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill will share some of his offseason plans. Plus, Columbus Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards joins us to recap his team's unexpected playoff run.

If your team isn't in the postseason, you'll want to keep your eye on Monday night's 2013 Scotiabank NHL Draft Lottery. NHL Network insider Bob McKenzie will break down the lottery and what it all means.

Plus our favorite resident coach, NHL Network analyst Barry Melrose, picks the teams that could end Stanley Cup droughts.

Don't forget to join Steve Mears and EJ Hradek at 5 p.m. ET on the NHL Network to count down to the playoffs!

EJ Hradek analyzes what would make ideal playoff matchups for the Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks and Vancouver Canucks.

EJ Hradek analyzes what would make ideal playoff matchups for the Ottawa Senators, New York Rangers and New York Islanders.

There are only 18 games left as the clock ticks down to the end of the regular season. Cisco NHL Live today, at 5 p.m. ET on NHL Network with Steve Mears and E.J. Hradek, will have all the Stanley Cup Playoff possibilities covered as we head into the final weekend. The Columbus Blue Jackets came up big last night to keep their playoff hopes alive. We'll check in with forward Mark Letestu as he prepares for the season's finale.

The New York Islanders look to solidify their seeding tonight when they wrap up their regular season in Buffalo against the Sabres. Four-time Stanley Cup champ Butch Goring will visit us on the Cisco NHL Arena Cam and tell us how sweet it is to see the Isles back in the postseason again. Plus, it's Friday, so that means Eddie Olyczk will join us to talk about the red -hot playoff races. And NHL Network Analyst Barry Melrose will check in with Barry's Bests including his Mullet of the Year.

Don't forget to submit your #AskEJ questions through Twitter via @NHLNetwork or @EJHradek_NHL, and stick around for the shootout as EJ picks all four games being played on Friday.

CISCO NHL Live talks with Rangers Defenseman Marc Staal.

CISCO NHL Live talks with New York Islanders' Center John Tavares.

CISCO NHL Live talks St. Louis Blues Defenseman Jay Bouwmeester.

CISCO NHL Live talks with Washington Capitals' Head Coach Adam Oates.