Well, it could very well be the very last NHL Game of the Week on NBC if the network doesn’t come to an agreement after this season, but we’ll worry about that later. NBC and the NHL have announced that the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks will be the last Game of the Week for the 2010-11 season. Then it’ll be onto the postseason for the NHL and NBC. Let’s hope this game gets some ratings for NBC.
Here’s the press release from the National Hockey League.
DETROIT RED WINGS AT CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS IS NBC SPORTS’ “NHL GAME OF THE WEEK” ON SUNDAY, APRIL 10
Central Division Rivals “Flexed” For National Broadcast
NEW YORK (March 24, 2011) –The Sunday, April 10, Detroit Red Wings at Chicago Blackhawks game has been flexed as NBC Sports’ “NHL Game of the Week” and will be played at the United Center in Chicago at 12:30 p.m. ET, the National Hockey League and NBC Sports announced today.
The showdown between these longtime Original Six rivals comes on the final day of the 2010-11 regular season. With both clubs jockeying for position in the tight Western Conference standings, this game could impact the match-ups for the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs that will be finalized hours later.
The Red Wings are currently first in the Central Division standings and second in the Western Conference with a record of 43-22-9 (95 pts). The Blackhawks are currently second in the Central Division standings and fifth in the Western Conference with a record of 40-25-8 (88 pts). These two clubs have competed against each other three times so far this season, with Chicago leading two wins over the Red Wings’ one.
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING
The April 10 match-up was first announced on the Thursday, March 17, edition of “NHL Hour With Commissioner Gary Bettman” on NHL.com and SIRIUS XM Radio airing from 6-7 p.m. ET. All subsequent flexed games will be announced on NHL Hour with Commissioner Gary Bettman.
Upcoming 2011 NBC Game of the Week Regular-Season Flexible Schedule
Apr. 3 |NY RANGERS at PHILADELPHIA |12:30 p.m. ET
Apr. 10 |DETROIT at CHICAGO |12:30 p.m. ET
And that’s it.
