Fang's Bites

Maple Leafs-Bruins, Game 7 Scores The Third-Highest Hockey Rating in NESN History

NESN is definitely sad about not being able to carry another Boston Bruins game this season. The last game of the season on Monday, Game 7 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Bruins received a 16.8 rating with a 26 share in Boston. That is the third highest Bruins rating in the history of the regional sports network dating back to 1984.

It was the best rating of the series, beating the previous high, a 14.3 for Game 6 on Sunday. In fact, the series averaged an 11.7 rating for the 7 games. Two of the five highest-rated Bruins games came during the Leafs-B’s series.

Here’s the NESN press release.

BRUINS-MAPLE LEAFS GAME #7 RECEIVED A 16.8 HH RATING
3^rd BEST IN NESN BRUINS HISTORY

May 15, 2013 –  NESN televised every game of the Bruins Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series against the Maple Leafs and garnered a series-best 16.8 average household rating in the Boston DMA (26 Share) for Monday night’s game 7. The Bruins incredible third period comeback and 5-4 overtime win ranks as NESN’s third highest rated hockey game since the network’s inception in 1984.

NESN’s game coverage during the Bruins 7 game series against the Maple Leafs averaged a 11.7 HH rating, which included 2 of the top 5 highest rated Bruins games in NESN history. NESN’s highest-rated Bruins game ever was game 7 of last year’s Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Washington Capitals (4/25/12) which received a 19.6 HH rating (31 Share) in the Boston DMA.

NESN’s Top 5 Bruins Game Ratings of All-Time
Date	Opponent	Rating
4/25/12	Washington (Game 7)	19.6
4/27/11	Montreal (Game 7)	17.7
5/13/13	Toronto (Game 7)	16.8
5/6/11	Philadelphia (Game 4)	15.2
5/12/13	Toronto (Game 6)	14.3

That will do it.

Jack Edwards Gets Stabby While Calling Bruins OT Game Winning Goal

NHL fans know that NESN’s Jack Edwards loves the Boston Bruins. bleeds Black and Goal on every play. Well this season, NESN installed a camera in the TD Garden broadcast booth to show fans how animated Jack gets when he calls goals. He certainly got very excited when Patrice Bergeron scored the game winning goal in overtime to cap off a comeback for the ages.

Here’s how it looked on NESN on Monday night.

OK, you heard how Jack was excited during the goal. How about seeing how excited he became? So got so excited, he got a little stabby. Check out the video.

Notice analyst Andy Brickley giving a wry smile. He’s been through this with Jack many times. Certainly another in a long line of truly unique Jack Edwards moments.

Game 7 of Toronto-Boston Sets Ratings Record for Hockey Night in Canada

The result may not have been what CBC and Maple Leaf Nation wanted, but the viewership for Game 7 of the Toronto-Boston NHL Stanley Cup Conference Quarterfinal on Monday set a record for Canada’s public broadcaster. More than 5.1 million Canadians watched the game which broke a record for an opening round playoff game and also a Toronto Maple Leafs broadcast.

The previous high was the previous night, Game 6 of the series which garnered 4.5 million viewers. During the seven game series, the viewership for CBC averaged 3.53 million people. Viewership peaked at 8.2 million people when the Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron scored the game-winning goal in overtime.

I’m awaiting the numbers from Boston and from NESN. Heard some preliminary numbers, but can’t report them yet.

Here’s the CBC press release.

CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA SETS AUDIENCE RECORD WITH TORONTO VS. BOSTON GAME 7 BROADCAST

An average audience of more than 5.1 million Canadians tuned in to the Eastern Conference Quarter-Final Game 7 between Maple Leafs and Bruins on Monday night
CBC’s coverage of the opening round averaged more than 2 million viewers per game overall

May 14, 2013 – A record number of Canadians tuned in to CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA Monday night to watch Game 7 of the thrilling Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins Stanley Cup Playoffs first round series on CBC. With more than 5.1 million viewers, the game shattered the previous records for both an opening round game and for any Toronto Maple Leafs playoff game broadcast on CBC-TV since metered measurement began.

“We’re thrilled at how Canadians have overwhelmingly embraced CBC’s coverage and joined the yearly tradition that is the Stanley Cup Playoffs on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada,” said Julie Bristow, executive director, studio and unscripted programming, CBC. “These audience numbers are a reflection of the passion our country has for this great game and we’re excited to continue to fuel the excitement with two star-studded match-ups in the second round.”

The new record comes just one day after a new audience high was set by Sunday’s Game 6 of the Toronto/Boston series, with an average audience of 4.5 million viewers. The previous average audience record for an opening round game on CBC was 3.9 million for Game 6 of the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators series on April 18, 2004. Monday night’s game also broke the record for a Maple Leafs playoff broadcast on CBC of 4.27 million viewers, which was set by Game 7 of the Toronto vs. Los Angeles Kings Conference Final series on May 29, 1993.

The Toronto/Boston series as a whole set a new record with an average audience of 3.53 million viewers across the seven games making it the most-watched opening round series ever on CBC, surpassing the Montreal Canadiens/Boston Bruins first round match-up in 2011 which averaged 2.85 million viewers over seven games.

In addition to the average audience, ratings data from the Bureau of Broadcast Measurement (BBM) show that last night’s game reached more than 12.9 million Canadians, or 40 per cent of the population. The audience for the game peaked at nearly 8.2 million viewers at 10:04 p.m. ET when Boston’s Patrice Bergeron scored the series-winning goal in overtime.

Monday night’s Toronto/Boston game was the most-watched game of a very strong opening round overall on CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA that saw an average per-game audience of 2.03 million viewers, up 17 per cent over last season’s first round. The Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens series averaged more than 2.04 million viewers per game, bringing the average audience for series involving Canadian teams to 2.9 million viewers – an increase of 33 per cent over last year’s Canadian team match-ups on CBC.

Online coverage of the first round at CBCSports.ca experienced audience increases in several areas including a 22 per cent increase in average daily unique visitors to the website and an 18 per cent jump in average daily page views, compared to last year’s opening round.

(Television audience numbers source: NMR Mark II 1993 & 2004, BBM Canada, PPM, Total Canada, Preliminary Overnights, Ind. 2+, 2013)

(Online audience number source: 2013 SiteCatalyst)

There you have it.

NHL on NBC Announcing Assignments Through May 23, 2013

We have the NHL on NBC announcing teams for the Stanley Cup Conference Semifinal Round through next Thursday, May 23.

Check it out in the grid below.

NHL on TSN Sails Into the Stanley Cup Conference Semifinals

TSN has exclusive coverage of two series, one from each of the Eastern and Western Conference Semifinals. It will air the Boston Bruins-New York Rangers and San Jose Sharks-Los Angeles Kings series throughout this round.

Canada’s #1 sports network will carry both series throughout this round.

Gord Miller and Mike Johnson will call Boston-New York while Chris Cuthbert and Ray Ferraro will cover San Jose-LA.

Here are details from TSN.

Original Six Match-Up Featuring Boston-NY Rangers Highlights TSN’s Live Coverage of Conference Semifinal Series

TSN’s Second Round coverage begins tonight with San Jose @ Los Angeles at 10 p.m. ET
TSN recaps the opening round of the 2013 STANLEY CUP^® PLAYOFFS in the FIRST ROUND IN 60 MINUTES special airing tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET
TEAM 1200 Ottawa has live game coverage of Senators-Penguins conference semifinal series

TORONTO (May 13, 2013) – As the quest for the Stanley Cup continues, TSN tonight confirmed its broadcast schedule for the Second Round of the 2013 STANLEY CUP^® PLAYOFFS, headlined by an Original Six showdown between the Boston Bruins and NY Rangers.

TSN has live coverage of the Conference Semifinal Series – Boston-NY Rangers and Los Angeles-San Jose – featuring the following players:

• Boston: Playoff scoring leader David Krejci, Game 7 heroes Milan Lucic and Patrice Bergeron, and captain Zdeno Chara
• NY Rangers: 2012 Vezina Trophy winner Henrik Lundqvist, playoff revelation Derick Brassard, and Rick Nash
• Los Angeles: 2012 Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Quick, captain Dustin Brown, and Drew Doughty
• San Jose: Vezina Trophy finalist Antti Niemi, Logan Couture, and Patrick Marleau

TSN’s coverage of the 2013 STANLEY CUP^® PLAYOFFS continues tonight with Game 1: San Jose @ Los Angeles at 10 p.m. ET (see complete broadcast schedule below).

Action in the Boston-NY Rangers series kicks off on Thursday, May 16 with Game 1: NY Rangers @ Boston at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN.

TSN also takes a look back at the opening round of the NHL Playoffs with its FIRST ROUND IN 60 MINUTES special tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET, leading into live game coverage of the San Jose-Los Angeles series. The highlight show focuses on all of the biggest moments from each First Round series, with close attention paid to the match-ups featuring Canadian teams.

TSN’s live coverage of the 2013 STANLEY CUP^® PLAYOFFS runs through the third round, with games also available live nationally on TSN Mobile TV.

The network’s Boston-NY Rangers coverage features play-by-play announcer Gord Miller and game analyst Mike Johnson, while play-by-play announcer Chris Cuthbert and game analyst Ray Ferraro call all the action in the Los Angeles-San Jose series.

NHL ON TSN host James Duthie is in the TSN Studio for pre-game shows and intermissions alongside Hockey Insiders Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger, and analysts Aaron Ward and Darren Pang. Joining them during the Second Round are two current NHLers – Danny Briere of the Philadelphia Flyers and George Parros of the Florida Panthers.

Throughout the NHL Playoffs, TSN has comprehensive coverage of Canada’s favourite pastime on all of its properties and platforms, including TSN.ca, the TSN app for iPhone and iPad, and TSN Radio and TEAM Radio stations across the country. TEAM 1200 in Ottawa has live game coverage of the Senators-Penguins conference semifinal series, while the stations in Toronto (TSN Radio 1050), Montreal (TSN Radio 690), Winnipeg (TSN Radio 1290), and Vancouver (TEAM 1040) feature live coverage of select playoff games.

RDS delivers French-language coverage of the NHL post-season through to the end of the Stanley Cup Final.

TSN’s broadcast schedule for the Second Round of the 2013 STANLEY CUP^® PLAYOFFS is as follows:

Boston vs. NY Rangers
• Game 1: NY Rangers @ Boston – Thursday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN
• Game 2: NY Rangers @ Boston– Sunday, May 19 at 3 p.m. ET on TSN
• Game 3: Boston @ NY Rangers – Tuesday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN
• Game 4: Boston @ NY Rangers – Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m. ET on TSN
• *Game 5: NY Rangers @ Boston – Saturday, May 25 at TBD on TSN
• *Game 6: Boston @ NY Rangers – Monday, May 27 at TBD on TSN
• *Game 7: NY Rangers @ Boston – Wednesday, May 29 at TBD on TSN

San Jose vs. Los Angeles
• Game 1: San Jose @ Los Angeles – Tuesday, May 14 at 10 p.m. ET on TSN
• Game 2: San Jose @ Los Angeles – Thursday, May 16 at 10 p.m. ET on TSN
• Game 3: Los Angeles @ San Jose – Saturday, May 18 at 9 p.m. ET on TSN
• Game 4: Los Angeles @ San Jose – Tuesday, May 21 at 10 p.m. ET on TSN
• *Game 5: San Jose @ Los Angeles – Thursday, May 23 at 10:30 p.m. ET on TSN
• *Game 6: Los Angeles @ San Jose – Sunday, May 26 at TBD on TSN
• *Game 7: San Jose @ Los Angeles – Tuesday, May 28 at TBD on TSN

*if necessary

That’s all.

NHL on NBC Continues with Stanley Cup Conference Semifinal Coverage

Tonight, the NBC Sports Group steps into the NHL Stanley Cup Conference Semifinals. It will have total exclusivity in the United States and no local regional sports network blackouts to worry about. So you’ll see the national broadcasts from now into the Stanley Cup Final.

Coverage starts tonight with a doubleheader, Games 1 of Ottawa-Pittsburgh and San Jose-Los Angeles on NBC Sports Network.

The NBC Mothership will air weekend coverage of games on May 18 and 19. It has slated a primetime game for Saturday, May 25. Possible candidates would be New York Rangers-Boston or Chicago-Detroit. We’ll see.

Here’s what NBC is saying about the Conference Semifinals. This is a long press release. Get ready to scroll for a few minutes.

(continue reading…)

CBC to Carry Two NHL Stanley Cup Conference Semifinal Series

CBC’s hopes to ride a Toronto wave were dashed by the unbelievable Boston Bruins comeback, down 4-1 in the third period and then a furious finish that tied the game at 4, then ending in OT with Patrice Bergeron’s game winning goal. Canada’s Public Broadcaster does have a Canadian team, the Ottawa Senators taking on the Pittsburgh Penguins and Sidney Crosby.

CBC’s other series will be an Original Six matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings.

Jim Hughson, Craig Simpson, Glenn Healey and Scott Oake will cover the Sens-Pens series.

Bob Cole, Kelly Hrudey, Garry Galley and Cassie Campbell-Pascall will travel between Chicago and Detroit.

We have the CBC press releases.

CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA CONTINUES COVERAGE OF THE 2013 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS WITH CONFERENCE SEMIFINAL MATCH-UPS, BEGINNING TUESDAY NIGHT

CBC’s coverage of the second round includes Ottawa vs. Pittsburgh and Chicago vs. Detroit

May 13, 2013 – The 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs on CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA continue this week with exclusive Canadian coverage of the Conference Semifinal series featuring Ottawa vs. Pittsburgh and Chicago vs. Detroit, beginning Tuesday night. Opening round coverage on CBC garnered strong audience numbers across the four series both on TV and through online streams. With every CBC playoff game available live on CBC-TV and online at CBCSports.ca, CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA has Canadians covered whenever and wherever they tune in.

The puck drops on CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA for the second round as Craig Anderson and the Ottawa Senators head to Pittsburgh to take on Sidney Crosby and the Penguins in Game 1 of their series Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT). Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson (@hnicsimmer) call the action for this series with Glenn Healy providing analysis from between the benches and Scott Oake (@ScottOake) reporting.

CBC’s other match-up features Jonathan Toews and the Chicago Blackhawks taking on the Detroit Red Wings led by Henrik Zetterberg. The first game of this series gets underway from Chicago on Wednesday, May 15 at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). Bob Cole is joined in the booth by Kelly Hrudey (@KellyHrudey) with analyst Garry Galley between the benches and Cassie Campbell-Pascall (@CassieCampbell) reporting. See attached for a complete first round broadcast schedule and distribution.

Ron MacLean and the HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA Studio 42 Team, P.J. Stock (@PJStockHNIC), Kevin Weekes (@kevinweekes), Elliotte Friedman (@friedgeHNIC) and Andi Petrillo (@andipHNIC), continue to keep viewers informed with news, insights and features throughout the games on CBC. Don Cherry (@CoachsCornerCBC) returns with Coach’s Corner, airing during the first intermission of each game of the Ottawa/Pittsburgh series. Hockey Tonight airs prior to every Senators vs. Penguins game, while the Post-Game Show is live online at CBCSports.ca following the conclusion of each CBC game night with host Andi Petrillo.

CBC’s Daryn Jones adds his unique brand of humour to the pre-game coverage throughout the second round as he joins the crowds on-site at the home team arenas to connect with fans cheering on their heroes before the teams take the ice. Exploring the tailgate atmosphere, Jones attempts to remain a neutral observer while meeting some of the most passionate fans from around the NHL. The first feature airs during Hockey Tonight ahead of Game 1 of the Chicago/Detroit series.

The engaging Hockey Night in Canada: 2^nd Screen connects users throughout the playoffs at CBCSports.ca/2ndscreen. Users continue to earn points for possible prizes through predictions, in-game trivia and online engagement. Viewers across the country can also connect with CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA online at CBCSports.ca/HockeyNightInCanada, through Twitter (@hockeynight) and Instagram using #HockeyNight, Facebook and Pinterest. Fans can also stay up-to-date with the Hockey Night in Canada app for iOS, Windows 8, Blackberry 10 and Android as well as via Xbox and Google Currents.

The Break Away Cam continues through the Conference Semifinals. This innovative online feature allows viewers to follow a single isolated camera on their computers or mobile devices each period. Fans can vote online at CBCSports.ca/Breakaway throughout the week picking what the focus of the camera will be – a superstar player, a passionate coach or a crazed fan. The camera will follow the top vote getter during special broadcasts throughout the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Hockey Night in Canada Radio on SiriusXM with host Rob Pizzo (@RobPizzo) remains the source of comprehensive analysis for the entire 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs from 3-5 p.m. ET every weekday on Sirius 207 and XM 92. Pizzo welcomes the biggest names in the game for in-depth discussion and insightful interviews on the latest storylines from the NHL.

The feature match-up for Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi with Harnarayan Singh (@IceSinghHNIC), Inderpreet Cumo (@InderpreetHNIC) and Bhola Chauhan (@BholaHNIC) is Ottawa vs. Pittsburgh. The Punjabi-language broadcasts, featuring one series per round throughout the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, are available live on select television channels and online at CBCSports.ca. A complete list of channels as well as on-demand video are available at CBCSports.ca/Punjabi.

(continue reading…)

2013 NHL Stanley Cup Conference Semifinals Schedule

Ok, I’m still coming down from the Bruins comeback against Toronto. I thought it would a Round 1 exit for the B’s, but instead, they’ll take on the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. NBC Sports Network, NBC and CNBC will be airing the series in the US. TSN will air it across Canada.

As for the other Eastern Conference semi, Ottawa and Pittsburgh, NBC Sports Network will get the first five games with CBC and RDS airing the entire series in Canada.

Out West, CBC, NBCSN and NBC air the Chicago vs. Detroit Original Six series. And for the San Jose-Los Angeles all-California series, NBC Sports Network and TSN will carry the games.

And in the Conference Semifinals mean there will be no more local broadcasts in the United States. It’s all national on the networks of NBC from now through the Stanley Cup Final.

We’ll get the announcing assignments and press releases later. But for now, here’s the schedule coming to directly from the National Hockey League offices in New York.

2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2 schedule

NEW YORK — The National Hockey League announced today Game 1 dates of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Conference Semifinal round for the three matchups that have been determined. Round 2 starts Tuesday, May 14, with a doubleheader. Game 1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinal series between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators will be played at 7:30 p.m. ET at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh and the Western Conference Semifinal between the Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks will start at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

Additionally, Game 1 in the series between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings will be Wednesday, May 15 at 8 p.m. ET at the United Center in Chicago.

All times listed are ET and subject to change.

2013 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
SERIES I	TIME (ET)	#1 Ottawa Senators vs. #7 Pitsburgh Penguins	Networks
TUESDAY, May 14, 2013	7:30 p.m.	OTTAWA at PITTSBURGH	NBCSN, CBC, RDS
FRIDAY, May 17, 2013	7:30 p.m.	OTTAWA at PITTSBURGH	NBCSN, CBC
SUNDAY, May 19, 2013	7:30 p.m.	PITTSBURGH at OTTAWA	NBCSN, CBC, RDS
WEDNESDAY, May 22, 2013	7:30 p.m.	PITTSBURGH at OTTAWA	NBCSN, CBC, RDS
*FRIDAY, May 24, 2013	7:30 P.M.	OTTAWA at PITTSBURGH	NBCSN, CBC, RDS
*SUNDAY, May 26, 2013	TBD	PITTSBURGH at OTTAWA	CBC, RDS
*TUESDAY, May 28, 2013	TBD	OTTAWA at PITTSBURGH	CBC, RDS
SERIES J	TIME (ET)	#4 New York Rangers vs. #6 Boston Bruins	Networks
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013	7:30 p.m.	NY RANGERS at BOSTON	NBCSN, TSN, RDS
SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013	3:00 p.m.	NY RANGERS at BOSTON	NBC, TSN, RDS
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013	7:30 p.m.	BOSTON at NY RANGERS	NBCSN, TSN, RDS
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013	7 p.m.	BOSTON at NY RANGERS	CNBC, TSN, RDS
*SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2013	TBD	NY RANGERS at BOSTON	TSN, RDS
*MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013	TBD	BOSTON at NY RANGERS	TSN, RDS
*WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013	TBD	NY RANGERS at BOSTON	TSN, RDS
2013 WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
SERIES K	TIME (ET)	#1 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #7 Detroit Red Wings	Networks
WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2013	8 p.m.	DETROIT at CHICAGO	NBCSN, CBC
SATURDAY, May 18, 2013	1 p.m.	DETROIT at CHICAGO	NBC, CBC
MONDAY, May 20, 2013	7:30 p.m.	CHICAGO at DETROIT	NBCSN, CBC
WEDNESDAY, May 22, 2013	8 p.m.	CHICAGO at DETROIT	NBCSN, CBC
*SATURDAY, May 25, 2013	TBD	DETROIT at CHICAGO	CBC
*MONDAY, May 27, 2013	TBD	CHICAGO at DETROIT	CBC
*WEDNESDAY, May 29, 2013	TBD	DETROIT at Chicago	CBC
SERIES L	TIME (ET)	#5 Los Angeles Kings vs. #6 San Jose Sharks	Networks
TUESDAY, May 14, 2013	10 p.m.	SAN JOSE at LOS ANGELES	NBCSN, TSN
THURSDAY, May 16, 2013	10 p.m.	SAN JOSE at LOS ANGELES	NBCSN, TSN
SATURDAY, May 18, 2013	9 p.m.	LOS ANGELES at SAN JOSE	NBCSN, TSN
TUESDAY, May 21, 2013	10 p.m.	LOS ANGELES at SAN JOSE	NBCSN, TSN
*THURSDAY, May 23, 2013	10:30 p.m.	SAN JOSE at LOS ANGELES	NBCSN, TSN
*SUNDAY, May 26, 2013	TBD	LOS ANGELES at SAN JOSE	TSN
*TUESDAY, May 28, 2013	TBD	SAN JOSE at LOS ANGELES	TSN

* if necessary
TBD — To Be Determined

Any updates, I’ll make them here

NHL on NBC Announcing Assignments for May 13, 2013

Two Games 7 tonight. Toronto at Boston at 7 p.m. ET on CNBC. NBC will staff this game for the first time since Game 1. Dave Strader and Brian Engblom will call it.

Then at 8 p.m. ET, it’ll be the New York Rangers at the Washington Caps with Mike Emrick, Ed Olczyk and Pierre McGuire.

This will end the Conference Quarterfinals and then the Conference Semifinal round will begin tomorrow night.

Here’s what NBC is saying about the assignments for tonight.

NBC SPORTS GROUP’S “NHL PLAYOFF PASS” – MAY 13

TWO GAME 7s TONIGHT

NEW YORK – May 13, 2013 – “NHL Playoff Pass” provides a quick daily overview of Stanley Cup Playoff coverage. It is published weekdays to preview the evening games. On Fridays, a weekend edition is posted.

Games are being presented on NBC, NBC Sports Network, CNBC (in primetime), and NHL Network. In addition, more Stanley Cup Playoff games are being live streamed than ever before. For more information on NBC Sports Group’s overall NHL Playoff coverage, please click here.

All times are listed as ET and are subject to change:

Tonight	Coverage	Network	Talent
7 p.m.	NHL Live	NBCSN	Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury, Jeremy Roenick
7 p.m.	Toronto (5) at Boston (4)	CNBC	Dave Strader, Brian Engblom
8 p.m.	New York Rangers (6) at Washington (3)	NBCSN	Mike Emrick, Pierre McGuire, Eddie Olczyk

TONIGHT, May 13

NBC Sports Group presents two crucial Game 7s tonight.

At 7 p.m. ET on CNBC, the Boston Bruins host the Toronto Maple Leafs as they each look to progress to the Conference Semifinals with a Game 7 victory. Dave Strader will manage play-by-play alongside analyst Brian Engblom from TD Garden in Boston, Mass. Russ Thaler and Anson Carter will host CNBC’s studio coverage.

On NBC Sports Network at 8 p.m. ET, the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers are meeting in a Game 7 for the second consecutive post-season. Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick will call play-by-play alongside analyst Eddie Olczyk and Emmy-Award winning analyst Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-Glass’) from Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

Coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network with NHL Live, hosted by Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury and Jeremy Roenick.

That does it.

NESN Garners its 4th Best Ever Rating for the Bruins

Game 6 of the Boston Bruins-Toronto Maple Leafs series registered the best rating of the series for NESN on Sunday. The game received a 14.3 rating with a 23. Through six games, the series is averaging a 10.8 rating in the Boston MMA.

Overall, the Bruins game was the 4th highest rated playoff game of all-time for the regional sports network. It marks the highest-rated playoff game of this season. Last year’s Game 7 between the Bruins and Washington Caps was the highest-rated in the network’s history.

Tonight’s Game 7 should be higher than last night’s contest. Here’s the press release.

NESN TO AIR BRUINS – MAPLE LEAFS GAME 7 TONIGHT

Game #6 14.3 HH Rating 4^th Best in NESN Bruins History

May 13, 2013 – NESN, New England’s most watched sports network, will deliver live and regionally exclusive coverage of game 7 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Quarterfinals tonight with pre-game coverage beginning at 6:00 PM. NESN, which has televised every game of the series averaging a 10.8 HH rating through 6 games, garnered a series best 14.3 average household rating (23 Share) in the Boston DMA for game 6 on Sunday night. The 14.3 rating now stands as the 4^th best rating for a Bruins game in network history.

NESN’s highest-rated Bruins game ever was game 7 of last year’s Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Washington Capitals (4/25/12) which garnered a 19.6 HH rating (31 Share) in the Boston DMA.  Four of NESN’s top six rated Bruins games of all time are game 7’s, with the only other exception being game 4 of the Bruins four game sweep of the Flyers in the 2011 Conference Semifinals.

NESN’s Top 6 Bruins Playoff Game Ratings of All-Time
Date	Opponent	Rating
4/25/12	Washington (Game 7)	19.6
4/27/11	Montreal (Game 7)	17.7
5/6/11	Philadelphia (Game 4)	15.2
5/12/13	Toronto (Game 6)	14.3
5/14/09	Carolina (Game 7)	14.1
5/14/10	Philadelphia (Game 7)	13.2

That’s it.

NHL on NBC Assignments for May 12, 2013

Just received the NHL on NBC announcing assignments for Mother’s Day. I’m posting them now.

NBC Sports Group will staff the Washington Caps-New York Rangers and Detroit Anaheim games. NBC Sports Network will simulcast the CBC feed for Boston-Toronto. So two Games 6 and one Game 7. It’s a night where all three series could end tonight.

Check it all out below.

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, MAY 12

Following is the Stanley Cup Playoff schedule for Sunday, May 12:

4:30 p.m. ET – Washington @ NY Rangers, Game 6 – CNBC, Mike Emrick/Pierre McGuire

7:30 p.m. ET – Boston @ Toronto, Game 6 – NBC Sports Network, Jim Hughson/Craig Simpson/Glenn Healey/Scott Oake

10 p.m. ET – Detroit @ Anaheim, Game 7 – NBC Sports Network, John Forslund/Daryl Reaugh

NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA

NBC Sports Live Extra — NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets — will stream all Stanley Cup Playoff games that air on NBC, NBC Sports Network, and CNBC, including the Stanley Cup Final for the first time. The vast majority of games will be live streamed via “TV Everywhere,” the media industry’s effort to make quality content available to authenticated customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms.

For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.

Games airing on:

• NBC will live stream to PCs, mobile devices and tablets through NBC Sports Live Extra;
• NBC Sports Network will live stream to PCs, mobile devices and tablets through NBC Sports Live Extra, and to the digital platforms of participating cable, satellite, and telco services, via “TV Everywhere,” which is available on an authenticated basis to subscribers of participating MVPDs;
• CNBC will live stream exclusively through NBC Sports Live Extra via “TV Everywhere.”

That’s all.

NHL on NBC Announcing Assignments for May 10, 2013

This is late and actually games are in progress, but in case you’re wondering who’s where for NBC Sports tonight, we have the announcing assignments for you.

Three networks are being utilized, CNBC, NBC Sports Network and NHL Network. Maple Leafs-Toronto is being handled by CBC for NHL Network as Jim Hughson, Craig Simpson, Glenn Healey and Scott Oake are on the case for Canada’s Public Network.

The other games on CNBC and NBC Sports Network are being handled by NBC personnel.

We have the assignments below.

NBC SPORTS GROUP’S “NHL PLAYOFF PASS” – MAY 10

Four Crucial Games Tonight – Two Game 5s, Two Game 6s

NEW YORK – May 10, 2013 – “NHL Playoff Pass” provides a quick daily overview of Stanley Cup Playoff coverage. It is published weekdays to preview the evening games. On Fridays, a weekend edition is posted.

Games are being presented on NBC, NBC Sports Network, CNBC (in primetime), and NHL Network. In addition, more Stanley Cup Playoff games are being live streamed than ever before.

All times are listed as ET and are subject to change:

Tonight	Coverage	Network	Talent
6:30 p.m.	NHL Live	NBCSN	Liam McHugh, Jeremy Roenick, Keith Jones
7 p.m.	Toronto (5) @ Boston (4)	NHLN	Jim Hughson, Craig Simpson, Glenn Healy, Scott Oake
7:30 p.m.	N.Y. Rangers (6) @ Washington (3)	NBCSN	Mike Emrick, Pierre McGuire
8 p.m.	Anaheim (2) @ Detroit (7)	CNBC	Dave Strader, Brian Engblom
10 p.m.	St. Louis (4) @ Los Angeles (5)	NBCSN	John Forslund, Daryl Reaugh
Sat., May 11
6:30 p.m.	NHL Live	NBCSN	Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury, Keith Jones
7 p.m.	Pittsburgh (1) @ N.Y. Islanders (8)	NBCSN	Kenny Albert, Pierre McGuire

TONIGHT, May 10

Tonight’s playoff coverage begins with NHL Live on NBC Sports Network. NHL Live, hosted by Liam McHugh, Jeremy Roenick and Keith Jones, begins at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network.

At 7 p.m. ET on NHL Network, the Boston Bruins return to their home ice at TD Garden as they look to win their series against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Boston, Mass. (Boston leads 3-1). CBC’s Jim Hughson will manage play-by-paly with analysts Craig Simpson and Glenn Healy.

On NBC Sports Network at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Washington Capitals host the N.Y. Rangers as the two teams battle for the series lead (series tied 2-2). Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick will call play-by-play alongside Emmy-award winning reporter Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-Glass’) from Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

At 8 p.m. ET, CNBC presents the first Game 6 of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs when the Detroit Red Wings fight to stay alive in their series against the Anaheim Ducks (Anaheim leads 3-2). Dave Strader will manage play-by-play alongside analyst Brian Englom from Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Mich.

Coverage continues on NBC Sports Network at 10 p.m. ET as the Los Angeles Kings try to win their series against the St. Louis Blues at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif. (Los Angeles leads 3-2). John Forslund will serve as play-by-play announcer with analyst Daryl Reaugh.

SATURDAY, May 11

Coverage begins on NBC Sports Network at 6:30 p.m. ET with NHL Live, hosted by Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury and Keith Jones.

At 7 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, the N.Y. Islanders try to stay alive in the playoffs and in their series against the Pittsburgh Penguins (Pittsburgh leads 3-2). Kenny Albert will call play-by-play with analyst McGuire from Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y.

That will do it.

NHL on NBC Announcing Assignments for May 9, 2013

Let’s post the announcing assignments for tonight’s NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games on the networks of NBC.

There will be three Games 5, two of which are elimination games. NBC Sports Group will staff two of the three games, New York Islanders at Pittsburgh and Minnesota at Chicago, both of which are on NBC Sports Network, by the way. The other game, Ottawa at Montreal, is a CBC simulcast with Bob Cole and Garry Galley on the call and Cassie Campbell-Pascall inside the glass.

Here’s what we have for tonight.

NBC SPORTS GROUP’S “NHL PLAYOFF PASS” – MAY 9

Three Crucial Game 5s Tonight

NEW YORK – May 9, 2013 – Games are being presented on NBC, NBC Sports Network, CNBC (in primetime), and NHL Network. In addition, more Stanley Cup Playoff games are being live streamed than ever before.

Tonight	Coverage	Network	Talent
6:30 p.m.	NHL Live	NBCSN	Liam McHugh, Jeremy Roenick, Keith Jones
7 p.m.	N.Y. Islanders (8) @ Pittsburgh (1)	NBCSN	Kenny Albert, Pierre McGuire
7 p.m.	Ottawa (7) @ Montreal (2)	CNBC	Bob Cole, Garry Galley, Cassie Campbell-Pascall
9:30 p.m.	Minnesota (8) @ Chicago (1)	NBCSN	Dave Strader, Brian Engblom

TONIGHT, May 9

NHL Conference Quarterfinals continue tonight with three crucial Game 5s. Every opening-round series has required at least one overtime game, in total thus far, there have been 13 overtimes in the postseason.

Tonight’s playoff coverage begins with NHL Live on NBC Sports Network. NHL Live, hosted by Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury and Keith Jones, begins at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network.

At 7 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, the Pittsburgh Penguins host the N.Y. Islanders as each team jockeys for the series lead (series tied 2-2). Kenny Albert will call play-by-play alongside Emmy-award winning reporter Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-Glass) from the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Penn. Tonight, on day 10 of playoffs, McGuire will cover his ninth postseason game of the year.

On CNBC at 7 p.m. ET, the Montreal Canadiens aim to stay alive in their series as they return to home ice at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, after an overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators in Game 4 (Ottawa leads 3-1).  Bill Patrick and Mike Keenan will host CNBC’s studio coverage.

At 9:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, the Chicago Blackhawks look to win their series at home against the Minnesota Wild tonight (Chicago leads 3-1). Dave Strader will manage play-by-play and will be joined by analyst Brian Engblom from the United Center in Chicago, Ill.

BLACKOUT REMINDER

During the Conference Quarterfinals, games that air on NBC Sports Network, CNBC and the NHL Network are subject to local blackouts. NBC Sports Network, CNBC and the NHL Network begin exclusivity in the second round. Games airing on NBC are exclusive throughout the playoffs.

GAMES TELEVISED SO FAR

For the second consecutive year, and only the second time in the 96-year history of the NHL, every Stanley Cup Playoff game will be televised nationally.

NBC	3
NBCSN	18
CNBC	12*
NHLN	1

OT Games: 13

*Joined-in-progress
There you have it.

NHL on NBC Announcing Assignments for May 8, 2013

Tonight, the NBC Sports Group will have another four games in the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. That includes two Games 5 including Los Angeles at St. Louis and Detroit at Anaheim. Both series are square at 2 all. Then there are two Games 4 in the Eastern Conference, Boston at Toronto and Washington at New York Rangers. In both series, the higher seed leads two games to one.

One change to the schedule, Boston at Toronto which was supposed to air on NHL Network in the US will shift to CNBC. Los Angeles at St. Louis which will drop the puck at 9 p.m. ET will begin on NHL Network. CNBC will pick it in progress at the conclusion of Bruins-Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre.

As it did for Ottawa-Montreal, NBC will simulcast CBC’s coverage with Jim Hughson, Craig Simpson, Glenn Healey and Scott Oake.

Here’s the press release from NBC Sports Group.

NBC SPORTS GROUP’S “NHL PLAYOFF PASS” – MAY 8

Four Games Tonight, Including Two Crucial Game 5s

NEW YORK – May 8, 2013 – “NHL Playoff Pass” on NBC Sports Group Press Box provides a quick daily overview of Stanley Cup Playoff coverage. It is published weekdays to preview the evening games. On Fridays, a weekend edition is posted.

Games are being presented on NBC, NBC Sports Network, CNBC (in primetime), and NHL Network. In addition, more Stanley Cup Playoff games are live streamed than ever before. For more information on NBC Sports Group’s overall NHL Playoff coverage, please click here.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: Tonight’s Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Leafs game, originally scheduled to air on NHL Network, will now air on CNBC at 7 p.m. ET. The Los Angeles Kings at St. Louis Blues game at 9 p.m. ET (puck drop approximately 9:15 p.m. ET), will likely begin on NHL Network and be joined-in-progress on CNBC at the conclusion of the Boston-Toronto game.

Tonight	Coverage	Network	Talent
6:30 p.m.	NHL Live	NBCSN	Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury, Keith Jones
7 p.m.	Boston (4) @ Toronto (5)	CNBC	Jim Hughson, Craig Simpson, Glenn Healey, Scott Oake
7:30 p.m.	Washington (3) @ N.Y. Rangers (6)	NBCSN	Mike Emrick, Pierre McGuire
9 p.m.	Los Angeles (5) @ St. Louis (4)	NHL Network/CNBC*	Dave Strader, Brian Engblom
10 p.m.	Detroit (7) @ Anaheim (2)	NBCSN	John Forslund, Daryl Reaugh

*Joined-in-progress. Game will likely begin on NHL Network

TONIGHT, May 8

NHL Live, hosted by Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury and Keith Jones, begins at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network. Bill Patrick and Anson Carter will host CNBC’s studio coverage.

Tonight’s playoff coverage begins on CNBC when the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Boston Bruins at 7 p.m. ET (Boston leads 2-1). Immediately following Boston-Toronto, CNBC will join-in-progress the first Game 5 of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs when the St. Louis Blues host the Los Angeles Kings (series tied 2-2). The Kings-Blues game will begin on NHL Network if Bruins-Leafs is not concluded. Dave Strader will call play-by-play and will be joined by analyst Brian Engblom at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Miss.

NBC Sports Network’s coverage tonight begins at 7:30 p.m. ET as the New York Rangers look to pick up the momentum to tie the series against the Washington Capitals (Washington leads 2-1) on home ice. Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick will serve as play-by-play announcer alongside analyst Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-Glass’) at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y.

Game 5 coverage continues on NBC Sports Network at 10 p.m. ET when the Anaheim Ducks take on the Detroit Red Wings, who tied the series in overtime in Game 4 (series tied 2-2). John Forslund will manage play-by-play alongside analyst Daryl Reaugh at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

EMMY AWARD WINNER

Last night at the 34^th Annual Sport Emmy Awards, Pierre McGuire, NBC Sports Group’s “Inside the Glass” analyst for its NHL coverage, was awarded his first career Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality – Sports Reporter.

CONTINUING COVERAGE

NBC Sports Group continues NHL Stanley Cup Playoff coverage as the best-of-seven series continue on Friday. The following dates and times were recently officially released by the NHL.

Date/Time (ET)	Game	Coverage	Network
Thurs., May 9
6:30 p.m.		NHL Live	NBCSN
7 p.m.	5	N.Y. Islanders (8) @ Pittsburgh (1)	NBCSN
7 p.m.	5	Ottawa (7) @ Montreal (2)	CNBC
9:30 p.m.	5	Minnesota (8) @ Chicago (1)	NBCSN
Fri., May 10
6:30 p.m.		NHL Live	NBCSN
7:30 p.m.	5	N.Y. Rangers (6) @ Washington (3)	NBCSN
8 p.m.	6	Anaheim (2) @ Detroit (7)	CNBC
10 p.m.	6	St. Louis (4) @ Los Angeles (5)	NBCSN

BLACKOUT REMINDER

During the Conference Quarterfinals, games that air on NBC Sports Network, CNBC and the NHL Network are subject to local blackouts. NBC Sports Network, CNBC and the NHL Network begin exclusivity in the second round. Games airing on NBC are exclusive throughout the playoffs.

That’s it for now.

NHL on NBC’s Announcing Assignments for May 7, 2013

NBC has begun to publish its announcing assignments for its NHL games online so I’m going to do my best to post these every day. Tonight, there will be four playoff games and all will be seen on the networks of NBCUniversal. Both CNBC and NBC Sports Network will air doubleheaders.

All of these are Games 4. NBCSN has Pittsburgh-New York Islanders and Chicago-Minnesota. Both are 2-1 with the number 1 seeds, Pittsburgh and Chicago in front.

CNBC will carry Montreal-Ottawa, a simulcast with CBC. Bob Cole, Garry Galley and Cassie Campbell-Pascall will call the game. And the late game will be Vancouver at San Jose, a simulcast with Comcast SportsNet California.

Here’s the NHL on NBC roster for tonight.

NBC SPORTS GROUP’S “NHL PLAYOFF PASS” – MAY 7

Four Game 4s Tonight

NEW YORK – May 7, 2013 – “NHL Playoff Pass” on NBC Sports Group Press Box provides a quick daily overview of Stanley Cup Playoff coverage. It is published weekdays to preview the evening games. On Fridays, a weekend edition is posted.

Games are being presented on NBC, NBC Sports Network, CNBC (in primetime), and NHL Network. In addition, more Stanley Cup Playoff games are live streamed than ever before. For more information on NBC Sports Group’s overall NHL Playoff coverage, please click here.

THE PASS (All times ET)

Tonight	Coverage	Network	Talent
6:30 p.m.	NHL Live	NBCSN	Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury, Jeremy Roenick
7 p.m.	Pittsburgh (1) @ N.Y. Islanders (8)	NBCSN	Kenny Albert, Joe Micheletti
7 p.m.	Montreal (2) @ Ottawa (7)	CNBC	Bob Cole, Garry Galley, Cassie Campbell-Pascall
9:30 p.m.	Chicago (1) @ Minnesota (8)	NBCSN	Rick Peckham, Brian Engblom
10 p.m.	Vancouver (3) @ San Jose (6)	CNBC	Randy Hahn, Drew Remenda, Brodie Brazil, Brett Hadican

TONIGHT, May 7

NHL Live, hosted by Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury and Jeremy Roenick, begins at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network. Russ Thaler and Mike Keenan will host CNBC’s studio coverage.

Playoff coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network with back-to-back Game 4s after overtimes in Game 3. The New York Islanders host the Pittsburgh Penguins as they look to tie the series (Pittsburgh leads 2-1). Kenny Albert will call play-by-play alongside analyst Joe Micheletti from Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y. NBC Sports Network’s coverage continues at 9:30 p.m. ET with the Minnesota Wild hosting the Chicago Blackhawks (Chicago leads 2-1).

CNBC’s coverage starts at 7 p.m. ET with the Montreal Canadiens at the Ottawa Senators from Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Ontario (Ottawa leads 2-1). At 10 p.m. ET on CNBC, the San Jose Sharks look to sweep the series as they host the Vancouver Canucks at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. (San Jose leads 3-0). CSN California’s Randy Hahn will serve as play-by-play announcer alongside analysts Drew Remenda, Brodie Brazil and Bret Hedican.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: TOMORROW, May 8

Tomorrow’s Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Leafs game, originally scheduled to air on NHL Network, will now air on CNBC at 7 p.m. ET. The Los Angeles Kings at St. Louis Blues game at 9 p.m. ET (puck drop approximately 9:15 p.m. ET), will likely begin on NHL Network and be joined-in-progress on CNBC at the conclusion of the Bruins-Maple Leafs game.

Wed., May 8
6:30 p.m.	NHL Live	NBCSN
7 p.m.	Boston (4) @ Toronto (5)	CNBC
7:30 p.m.	Washington (3) @ N.Y. Rangers (6)	NBCSN
9 p.m.	Los Angeles (5) @ St. Louis (4)	NHL Network/CNBC*
10 p.m.	Detroit (7) @ Anaheim (2)	NBCSN

*Joined-in-progress. Game will likely begin on NHL Network

There you have it.

NBC and Crumbs Team Up for the NHL Stanley Cupcakes

If there’s a way to get to a hockey fan’s heart, give him or her cupcakes. Specifically, make the cupcakes with the logo of the 16 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff teams and put them inside a box in the form of Lord Stanley’s Cup. And even more specifically, have Crumbs, the manufacturer of some of the richest cupcakes in the history of mankind to make them. And ladies and gentlemen, that is what we have as NBC Sports Group and Crumbs have teamed up to unveil, the Stanley Cupcakes.

Now, I’ve seen these cupcakes, but have yet to taste them. I’m sure just if Crumbs makes them, they’re going to be awfully good.

If you’re in New York, you might have seen the cupcakes making the rounds. The Dan Patrick Show just got their share today. And they’re available at “participating locations” across the country.

Here’s the NBC/Crumbs press release.

Crumbs Bake Shop Announces Partnership with NBC Sports Group and NHL for Stanley Cup Playoffs

Crumbs Bake Shop named Official Home of the Stanley Cup(cakes)

Courtesy Sports Video Group

NEW YORK — Crumbs Bake Shop, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRMB) today announces its partnership with NBC Sports Group and the NHL to create a unique campaign to promote the start of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs on NBC Sports.

As part of NBC Sports Group’s “Because It’s The Cup” marketing campaign, Crumbs has designed and created a limited edition of custom sets of “Stanley Cup(cakes) that will be delivered to local sports radio stations, to affiliate and RSN television networks, and to media and key business partners.

Additionally, Crumbs will be selling, in each of its 69 retail locations throughout the country, Stanley Cup(cakes) designed with either the Stanley Cup or team specific logos. In a collaborative effort, NBC Sports Network, the NHL and Crumbs Bake Shop will co-brand a mobile vehicle touring key playoff cities distributing the specialty “iced” cupcakes.

“We are excited to partner with Crumbs Bake Shop on this unique element of our “Because It’s The Cup” Stanley Cup Playoffs campaign with the NHL” said John Miller, Chief Marketing Officer, NBC Sports Group. “Working with Crumbs on this promotion is important to our overall efforts to connect with fans in fun and unique ways.”

Julian R. Geiger, President and CEO of Crumbs Bake Shop, said “We are thrilled to partner with NBC Sports Group and the NHL on this exciting opportunity. Priding ourselves on our creativity, exclusivity, and design expertise, this chance to innovate while celebrating the Stanley Cup Playoffs is as exciting as scoring a shorthanded goal for us.”

There you have it.

NBC Sports Group Crows About 2013 NHL Regular Season Viewership

The NBC Sports Group is bullish about the NHL as the league enters the best postseason in sports. Regular season ratings ended with double digit increases for both NBC and NBC Sports Network. Viewership on NBCSN gave the Peacock the most viewed NHL regular season on cable dating back to the 1993-94 season on ESPN/ESPN2.

Viewership for 13 regular season games on NBC was up 15% from the previous season. That’s not counting the Winter Classic which was not played this season. For NBC Sports Network, viewership increased 18% from the season before.

NBCSN averaged 332,000 viewers for its regular season coverage. For its Wednesday Night Rivalry games, NBC Sports Network had an even higher viewership, almost 650,000 people. Two Wednesday night games gave NBCSN its highest viewership for an NHL regular season game and seven of its top eight. Expect the rivalry games to return next season.

Here’s the NBC Sports Group press release.

REGULAR-SEASON NHL VIEWERSHIP ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK IS BEST ON CABLE IN NEARLY TWO DECADES

Viewership on NBC Up 15%

NEW YORK – April 30, 2013 – More viewers watched the NHL regular season on NBC Sports Network this year than in any previous year since the channel began televising games in 2005-06. The 2013 NHL regular season on NBC Sports Network was also the most-watched season on cable in nearly two decades, and up 18 percent vs. last year.

Final NHL regular-season viewership on NBC won’t be available until Thursday, but this season, excluding the Winter Classic, is expected to be the most-watched on the network since 2005-06, when NBC Sports regained rights to broadcast NHL games. Through 13 games, regular-season viewership on NBC is up 15 percent this year, excluding the Winter Classic, which was not played this season.

“Despite unique programming challenges, NHL viewership grew this year and set numerous records and milestones across both NBC and NBC Sports Network, including a successful new franchise with Wednesday Night Rivalry,” said Jon Miller, President, Programming, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. “Considering there was a shortened season, no Winter Classic and no All-Star programming, these results speak well of the NHL’s popularity and the strength of our partnership.”

NBC SPORTS NETWORK

NBC Sports Network’s coverage of the 2013 NHL regular season averaged 392,000 viewers, up 18 percent from last year (332,000), and is the most-watched regular season on cable in 19 years (ESPN/ESPN2 1993/94 – 474,000).

• On the strength of the newly-created Wednesday Night Rivalry series, the 2013 season delivered the top two most-watched regular-season games in NBC Sports Network history, and seven of the top eight.

Game	Date	Avg. Viewers
Boston–N.Y. Rangers	January 23, 2013	956,000
Philadelphia-Pittsburgh	February, 20, 2013	901,000
Boston-Philadelphia	October 6, 2011	874,000
Buffalo-Boston	April 17, 2013	847,000
Chicago-Minnesota	January 30, 2013	827,000
Montreal-Boston	March 3, 2013	813,000
Montreal-Boston	March, 27, 2013	773,000
Boston-Montreal	February 6, 2013	771,000

• NBC Sports Network’s 14 Wednesday Night Rivalry telecasts averaged 646,000 viewers, up 46 percent from the 2011-12 exclusive time-period average for Wednesday night telecasts (443,000). Viewership was up 64 percent in the advertiser-coveted Adults 18-49 demographic.
• With 956,000 viewers, the inaugural Wednesday Night Rivalry matchup between Boston and the New York Rangers (Jan. 23) set the record for the most-watched NHL regular-season game in NBC Sports Network history. It was also the most-watched such game on cable in over a decade (ESPN, 1-23-02, San Jose-Detroit, 1.28 million).

NBC

• Through 13 games and excluding the Winter Classic, which was not played this season, viewership on NBC has averaged 1.5 million viewers, up 15 percent from 2011-12. When viewership figures are finalized on Thursday, this season is expected to be the most-watched on the network since 2005-06, when NBC regained rights to broadcast NHL games.
• The 2013 opening game telecast of the NHL regular season on NBC, featuring the Chicago Blackhawks-Los Angeles Kings and the Pittsburgh Penguins-Philadelphia Flyers (regionalized), averaged 2.8 million viewers, making it the most most-watched non-Winter Classic regular-season telecast on NBC since the network again began broadcasting the league in 2006, and the most-watched overall since three-game regional coverage on Fox in 1999 (4/18/99, 3.09 million).
• The NHL on NBC telecast on March 3, 2013, featuring the Chicago Blackhawks-Detroit Red Wings, delivered 1.9 million average viewers and was the most-watched regular-season single-game telecast since the network again began broadcasting the league in 2006, excluding Winter Classics.

That will do you.

Boston Bruins Set Ratings Record on NESN for 3rd Consecutive Year

The Boston Bruins have set another regular season ratings record on the New England Sports Network, a.k.a. NESN. For the 2013 regular season, the Bruins registered an average 6.3 household rating in Boston. That’s up 35% from the 2011-12 record of an average 4.7 rating. With the Bruins numbers, NESN ranks third among all National Hockey League local markets.

This marks the fourth consecutive year for ratings growth for the Bruins on NESN.

NESN SETS BRUINS RATINGS RECORD FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE SEASON

6.3 Average Household Rating Up 35% Over Record-Setting 2011-12 Season

April 29, 2013 – NESN, New England’s most watched sports network, set a Bruins regular season ratings record during the 2013 season by garnering a 6.3 average household rating in the Boston DMA according to Nielsen. The 6.3 season rating is a 35% increase over the 2011/12 season, when NESN set the network’s previous record with a 4.7 HH rating. For the second year in a row, NESN’s Bruins ratings ranked third nationally among regional sports networks. Below is a chart that illustrates NESN’s year-over-year Bruins ratings growth over the past 4 seasons.

Season	HH Rating	% increase
2009-10	2.2	–
2010-11	3.1	41%
2011-12	4.7	52%
2012-13	6.3	35%

“Record Bruins ratings on NESN continue to serve as a testimonial as to the revival of hockey here in New England,” said Sean McGrail, NESN President and CEO. “The Bruins popularity continues to grow as they get ready to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs.”

NESN’s Bruins ratings in 2013 set many other NESN records including:

• Best ever regular season game rating, a 9.4 HH rating on January 19 when the Bruins beat the New York Rangers 3-1 in the season opener
• 18 of the network’s top 25 regular season Bruins game ratings of all-time were achieved during the 2013 season
• NESN also set records in every major demographic category
  • Adults 25-54 (5.7, up 65%)
  • Men 25-54 (7.6, up 76%)
  • Women 25-54 (3.8, up 47%)

That is all.

A Look at Bruins and Blackhawks Stanley Cup Playoffs Coverage

With the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs starting tonight, let’s post a couple of hockey-related press releases in one post.

Tonight, the Western Conference Quarterfinal series between the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks commences with Game 1 at the United Center. Comcast SportsNet Chicago will be on the case with legendary voice Pat Foley behind the mic along with Eddie Olczyk. CSN Chicago will air three of the first four games and if necessary, Game 5. TV coverage for Games 6 and 7 will be determined at a later date.

We have coverage details below. All times listed in the CSN Chicago are Central.

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS ACTION RETURNS TO COMCAST SPORTSNET

First Round Coverage vs. Minnesota Wild Begins TONIGHT (Tue, Apr. 30) beginning at 5:00 PM; face-off at 7:00 PM featuring Pat Foley and Eddie Olczyk with the game call!
Comcast SportsNet to Air Games 1, 2 & 4 in the Chicago Market (and Game 5 if nec.; Games 6-7 TBD);
CSNChicago.com to provide LIVE video stream of EVERY Blackhawks post-game press conference, plus exclusive behind-the-scenes video from team practices and post-game reports from Blackhawks “Insider” Tracey Myers

Chicago, IL (April 29, 2013) – Comcast SportsNet, the television home for the most games and most comprehensive coverage of the NHL Western Conference #1-seed Chicago Blackhawks (36-7-5, 77 pts. during the regular season, earning them the Presidents’ Trophy for the league’s best overall record), is ready to bring fans the thrilling excitement of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs with exclusive first round Western Conference Playoffs action as the Blackhawks take on the #8-seed Minnesota Wild.  Comcast SportsNet will be the exclusive television home in the Chicago market to see Games 1 and 2 from the United Center, along with Game 4 in Minnesota and Game 5 (if necessary) from the UC. Details for Games 6 & 7 are TBD. Plus, every Comcast SportsNet Stanley Cup Playoff game telecast will also be presented in a high-definition (HD) format.

Comcast SportsNet’s Blackhawks Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage gets underway with Game 1 TONIGHT – Tuesday, April 30 at 5:00 PM with a special, live remote edition of SportsTalk Live presented by Smirnoff featuring host David Kaplan and his panel from the United Center. Following SportsNet Central at 6:00 PM, fans can look forward to a live United Center edition of Chevy Blackhawks Pre-Game Live featuring hosts Pat Boyle and Steve Konroyd at 6:30 PM.  Opening face-off is set for 7:00 PM featuring Comcast SportsNet’s announcing tandem of Pat Foley and Eddie Olczyk with the expert play-by-play and analysis, plus – Comcast SportsNet’s Susannah Collins will provide in-stadium reports throughout the first round for all playoff games.  NOTE: Steve Konroyd will fill in as game analyst for Olczyk for Games 2 & 6 (if nec.) of the opening round series. Immediately following all playoff games –Blackhawks Post Game Live will feature live locker room interviews, detailed analysis, along with head coach Joel Quenneville’s post-game press conference and numerous player interviews. (Comcast SportsNet’s complete First Round coverage schedule is included in this release.)

Throughout the playoffs, viewers can also look forward to SportsNet Central: Playoff Central (scheduled nightly at 10:30 PM, times may vary due to airing of live events) for the most in-depth Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage, including game recaps, previews, up-to-the-minute team/player updates, interviews and numerous playoff highlights from around the league.

Also, throughout the playoffs, Comcast SportsNet’s comprehensive website, CSNChicago.com, will provide fans with even more exclusive Blackhawks/Stanley Cup Playoffs content including the following:

• CSNChicago.com will stream EVERY Blackhawks postgame press conference LIVE providing insider access to coach Joel Quenneville addressing the media as it happens.
• CSNChicago.com Blackhawks “Insider” Tracey Myers will be on-site — for EVERY Blackhawks playoff game — filing stories and video for each game and team practices, plus Myers will provide up-to-the-second Tweets via @TramyersCSN throughout the series, as will CSNChicago.com Blackhawks reporter Nina Falcone (@NinaFalcone).
• “Blackhawks In-Game Live” — a seamless social and interactive second screen experience around Blackhawks playoff telecasts that extends the game from the TV screen to the tablet, mobile phone and PC. In Game Live combines state-of-the-art infographics and data visualization of real-time statistics and game info with rich social interactivity.

• “Blackhawks Pulse” — a one-stop social media hub that reveals the latest trending topics and player buzz from Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  Plus, “Blackhawks Pulse” aggregates all Blackhawks player tweets, along with fan tweets that utilize the hashtag #HawksTalk.

• Game highlights available on CSNChicago.com between period and following every game along with “Game Story,” a web-exclusive recap of each game.
• ‘Blackhawks Talk’ (@HawksTalkCSN) offers news, views and analysis from Myers, Blackhawks Pre/Post Game host Pat Boyle (@CSNBoyle), Susannah Collins (@susannahcollins),as well as other CSNChicago.com contributors.
• Additional Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage content sharing/cross-promotion via NBCSports.com & ProHockeyTalk.com.

Note the following first round schedule of games and additional coverage information on Comcast SportsNet:

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS vs. MINNESOTA WILD on COMCAST SPORTSNET

* Game 1: Tue, April 30, 7:00 PM – Blackhawks vs. Wild (United Center) in HD
(NOTES: Blackhawks/Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage on Comcast SportsNet begins at 5:00 PM w/a special live remote edition of SportsTalk Live hosted by David Kaplan, which will be followed by “SportsNet Central” at 6:00 PM; “Blackhawks Pre-Game Live” at 6:30 PM & ”Blackhawks Post Game Live” after the game; followed by “SportsNet Central” with even more comprehensive Blackhawks/Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage; game replay at 1:30 AM)

– IMPORTANT WHITE SOX NOTE:  The White Sox at Texas game (originally scheduled to air on Comcast SportsNet) will now move to CSN+ (or CLTV in the Chicago market); coverage begins at 6:30 PM.

* Game 2: Fri, May 3, 8:30 PM – Blackhawks vs. Wild (United Center) in HD
(NOTES: “SportsTalk Live at 5:30 PM; “SportsNet Central” at 6:30 PM; Special encore edition of “Inside Look with Joel Quenneville at 7:00 PM, ONE-HOUR expanded United Center edition of “Blackhawks Pre-Game Live” at 7:30 PM/”Blackhawks Post Game Live” after the game; “SportsNet Central” with full Blackhawks/Stanley Cup Playoffs recap following “Blackhawks Post Game Live;” game replay at 1:30 AM)

– IMPORTANT WHITE SOX NOTE:  The White Sox at Kansas City game (originally scheduled to air on Comcast SportsNet) will now move to CSN+ (or CLTV in the Chicago market); coverage begins at 6:30 PM.

* Game 3: Sun, May 5 at approx. 4:30 PM – ‘Blackhawks Post Game Live’ on Comcast SportsNet

* Game 4: Tue, May 7, 8:30 PM – Blackhawks at Wild (Xcel Energy Center) in HD
(PRECISE COVERAGE DETAILS FOR THIS DAY ARE TBD)

* Game 5:  Thu, May 9 (Time TBD) – Blackhawks vs. Wild (United Center) (if necessary) in HD

* Game 6: Thu, May 11 (Time/Network TBD) – Blackhawks at Wild (Xcel Energy Center) (if necessary) in HD

* Game 7:  Sun, May 12 (Time/Network TBD) – Blackhawks vs. Wild (United Center) (if necessary) in HD

ALL TIMES ARE CENTRAL TIME

Now let’s move to the Boston Bruins after a jump break.

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NHL on NBC/NBCSN/CNBC Announcing Assignments Through Sunday, May 5, 2013

Thanks to the fine people at NBC Sports public relations, I have the announcing assignments for the NHL Stanley Cup Conference Quarterfinals through Sunday. Mike Emrick and Pierre McGuire work in Chicago and Washington on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively. Then they’ll be joined in DC by Eddie Olcyzk on Saturday. The trio will travel to St. Paul, MN on Sunday.

The “B” team for the NHL on NBC of Dave Strader and Brian Engblom will be in St. Louis on Tuesday and Thursday.

Kenny Albert will be joined by Pierre McGuire in Pittsburgh on Wednesday and Friday. That’s going to be an insane schedule for McGuire, but he did something similar last year in the first round as well.

Other teams include Rick Peckham and Joe Micheletti in addition to John Forslund and Daryl Reaugh.

NBC will depend on Comcast SportsNet California’s Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda for simulcasts of the San Jose-Vancouver series on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

NBC will utilize CBC for the Montreal-Ottawa series which will be called by Bob Cole, Garry Galley and Cassie Campbell-Pascall.

Here’s the schedule.

2013 NHL PLAYOFFS – EAST/WEST CONFERENCE QUARTERFINAL

Tuesday, April 30

Game 1 — Minnesota at Chicago, 8 p.m. — NBC Sports Network (Mike Emrick/Pierre McGuire)
Game 1 — Los Angeles at St. Louis, 8 p.m. — CNBC (Dave Strader/Brian Engblom)
Game 1 — Detroit at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m. — NBC Sports Network (John Forslund/Daryl Reaugh

Wednesday, May 1

Game 1 — Toronto at Boston, 7 p.m. — CNBC (Rick Peckham/Joe Micheletti)
Game 1 — New York Islanders at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m. — NBC Sports Network (Kenny Albert/Pierre McGuire)
Game 1 — San Jose at Vancouver, 10 p.m. — NBC Sports Network (Comcast SportsNet California simulcast)

Thursday, May 2

Game 1 — Ottawa at Montreal, 7 p.m. — CNBC (CBC simulcast)
Game 1 — New York Rangers at Washington, 7:30 p.m. — NBC Sports Network (Mike Emrick/Pierre McGuire)
Game 2 — Los Angeles at St. Louis, 9:30 p.m. — CNBC (Dave Strader/Brian Engblom)
Game 2 — Detroit at Anaheim, 10 p.m. — NBC Sports Network (John Forslund/Daryl Reaugh)

Friday, May 3

Game 2 — Ottawa at Montreal, 7 p.m. — CNBC (CBC simulcast)
Game 2 — New York Islanders at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. — NBC Sports Network (Kenny Albert/Pierre McGuire)
Game 2 — Minnesota at Chicago, 9:30 p.m. — NBC Sports Network (Dave Strader/Brian Engblom)
Game 2 — San Jose at Vancouver, 10 p.m. — CNBC (Comast SportsNet California simulcast)

Saturday, May 4

Game 2 — New York Rangers at Washington, 12:30 p.m. — NBC (Mike Emrick/Ed Olcyzk/Pierre McGuire)
Game 2 — Toronto at Boston, 7 p.m. — CNBC (CBC simulcast)
Game 3 — Anaheim at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. — NBC Sports Network (Rick Peckham/Joe Micheletti)
Game 3 — St. Louis at Los Angeles, 10 p.m. — NBC Sports Network (John Forslund/Daryl Reaugh)

Sunday, May 5

Game 3 — Pittsburgh at New York Islanders, noon — NBC (Dave Strader/Daryl Reaugh)
Game 3 — Chicago at Minnesota, 3 p.m. — NBC (Mike Emrick/Ed Olczyk/Pierre McGuire)
Game 3 — Montreal at Ottawa, 7 p.m. — NBC Sports Network (CBC simulcast)
Game 3 — Vancouver at San Jose, 10 p.m. — NBC Sports Network (Comcast SportsNet California simulcast)

That’s it.

TSN Has San Jose-Vancouver and Three Other NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Series

As the other Canadian NHL rightsholder, TSN has the availability to pick up the teams from the Great White North that CBC does not select. In this case, TSN will air the San Jose-Vancouver series after CBC chose Montreal-Ottawa and Boston-Toronto.

In addition, TSN has Canadian homeboy Sidney Crosby in the Pittsburgh-New York Islanders series and also has rights to the Washington-New York Rangers series.

Here’s what TSN is saying about its series.

Vancouver Canucks Highlight TSN’s Coverage of Four Key Series During the First Round of the 2013 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

TSN delivers Canadian coverage of the Vancouver-San Jose series beginning Wednesday, May 1 at 10:30 p.m. ET
TSN also has First Round coverage of Pittsburgh-NY Islanders, Washington-NY Rangers, and Anaheim-Detroit series
All games available on TSN Mobile TV

TORONTO (April 28, 2013) – The Vancouver Canucks headline TSN’s NHL Playoffs coverage, as Canada’s Sports Leader tonight confirmed its complete broadcast schedule for the First Round of the 2013 STANLEY CUP® PLAYOFFS. Along with exclusive English-language coverage of the Vancouver-San Jose series in Canada, TSN and TSN2’s First Round coverage also has some of the NHL’s biggest stars including Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Alex Ovechkin, Henrik Lundqvist, and Henrik Zetterberg facing off in the following match-ups: Pittsburgh vs. NY Islanders, Washington vs. NY Rangers, and Anaheim vs. Detroit.

TSN’s coverage of the 2013 STANLEY CUP® PLAYOFFS gets underway on Tuesday, April 30 – opening night of the NHL Playoffs – featuring Game 1: Detroit @ Anaheim at 10:30 p.m. ET.

On Wednesday, May 1, TSN has doubleheader action with Game 1: NY Islanders @ Pittsburgh at 7:30 p.m. ET immediately followed by Game 1: San Jose @ Vancouver at 10:30 p.m. ET.

On Thursday, May 2, the Capitals and Rangers kick off their First Round series with Game 1 in Washington at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN (see complete TSN and TSN2 NHL Playoffs Broadcast Schedule below).

TSN’s live coverage of the 2013 STANLEY CUP® PLAYOFFS runs through the first three rounds, with games also available live nationally on TSN Mobile TV.

The networks’ extensive coverage of the NHL post-season features play-by-play announcers Gord Miller and Chris Cuthbert and game analysts Ray Ferraro and Mike Johnson.

NHL ON TSN host James Duthie is in the TSN Studio for pre-game shows and intermissions alongside Hockey Insiders Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger, analysts Aaron Ward, Michael Peca, and Paul Maurice, and former NHL referee Kerry Fraser.

SPORTSCENTRE
TSN’s flagship sports news program, SPORTSCENTRE, covers every playoff series with highlights and news, plus daily in-depth analysis from TSN’s hockey experts. Canadian teams will be featured prominently on SPORTSCENTRE, with pre- and post-game reports from Farhan Lalji covering the Vancouver Canucks series, Mark Masters covering the Toronto Maple Leafs series, and John Lu and Brent Wallace covering the Montreal Canadiens-Ottawa Senators series. Also featured on SPORTSCENTRE is a special Stanley Cup segment of CABBIE PRESENTS, as Cabral “Cabbie” Richards takes the iconic NHL trophy around Toronto and surprises fans with the Cup.

THAT’S HOCKEY and THAT’S HOCKEY 2NITE
THAT’S HOCKEY with Gino Reda and THAT’S HOCKEY 2NITE with Steve Kouleas will air throughout the NHL Playoffs and deliver in-depth coverage of each series. During the playoffs, hockey fans can also tune in to THAT’S HOCKEY 2NITE in the morning on TSN2 (click here for TSN and TSN2 for broadcast schedule).

Extensive playoff coverage will also be featured on OFF THE RECORD WITH MICHAEL LANDSBERG and TSN THE REPORTERS WITH DAVE HODGE, as both shows continue to examine the league’s hot button issues in the post-season.

RDS
RDS delivers live French-language coverage of the NHL Playoffs, including every game from the Canadiens-Senators series beginning on Thursday, May 2 at 7 p.m. ET. RDS will confirm its post-season schedule in the coming days.

TSN Digital
TSN Digital has the country’s favourite pastime covered from all angles with all the latest news, scores, stats, schedules, video, and interviews from the 2013 STANLEY CUP® PLAYOFFS on Canada’s industry-leading sports website, TSN.ca, and on the free TSN app for iPhone and iPad. Using the TSN GameTracker, fans can follow every play from every playoff game with detailed up-to-the-minute stats, live blogs, and official Twitter feeds from teams, players, and TSN’s hockey experts and Insiders. The TSN GameTracker now boasts individual player filtering and interactive scoring summaries just in time for the playoffs.

TSN Radio and TEAM Radio
TSN Radio 1050 Toronto, TSN Radio 690 Montreal, TEAM 1040 Vancouver, and TEAM 1200 Ottawa are the official radio voices of the Leafs, Canadiens, Canucks, and Senators – and will feature live game coverage from these teams’ playoff series throughout the 2013 STANLEY CUP® PLAYOFFS.

During the NHL post-season, fans can set their radio dial to TSN Radio and TEAM Radio stations across the country for game broadcasts and hockey talk focused on the local NHL team in each market. TSN Radio stations in Toronto, Montreal, and Winnipeg (AM 1290) are streamed live nationally on TSN.ca/Radio and on the TSN app for iPhone and iPad. Fans can also listen live online to Vancouver’s TEAM 1040 at TeamRadio.ca and Ottawa’s TEAM 1200 at Team1200.com.

TSN and TSN2 NHL Playoffs Broadcast Schedule – Round 1

San Jose vs. Vancouver
• Game 1: San Jose @ Vancouver – Wednesday, May 1 at 10:30 p.m. ET on TSN
• Game 2: San Jose @ Vancouver – Friday, May 3 at 10 p.m. ET on TSN
• Game 3: Vancouver @ San Jose – Sunday, May 5 at 10 p.m. ET on TSN
• Game 4: Vancouver @ San Jose – Tuesday, May 7 at 10 p.m. ET on TSN
• *Game 5: San Jose @ Vancouver – Thursday, May 9 at 10 p.m. ET on TSN
• *Game 6: Vancouver @ San Jose – Saturday, May 11 at TBD on TSN
• *Game 7: San Jose @ Vancouver – Monday, May 13 at TBD on TSN

Pittsburgh vs. NY Islanders
• Game 1: NY Islanders @ Pittsburgh – Wednesday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN
• Game 2: NY Islanders @ Pittsburgh – Friday, May 3 at 7 p.m. ET on TSN
• Game 3: Pittsburgh @ NY Islanders – Sunday, May 5 at 12 noon ET on TSN
• Game 4: Pittsburgh @ NY Islanders – Tuesday, May 7 at 7 p.m. ET on TSN
• *Game 5: NY Islanders @ Pittsburgh – Thursday, May 9 at 7 p.m. ET on TSN
• *Game 6: Pittsburgh @ NY Islanders – Saturday, May 11 at TBD on TSN
• *Game 7: NY Islanders @ Pittsburgh – Sunday, May 12 at TBD on TSN

Washington vs. NY Rangers
• Game 1: NY Rangers @ Washington – Thursday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN
• Game 2: NY Rangers @ Washington – Saturday, May 4 at 12:30 p.m. ET on TSN
• Game 3: Washington @ NY Rangers – Monday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN2
• Game 4: Washington @ NY Rangers – Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN
• *Game 5: NY Rangers @ Washington – Friday. May 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN
• *Game 6: Washington @ NY Rangers – Sunday, May 12 at TBD on TSN
• *Game 7: NY Rangers @ Washington – Monday, May 13 at TBD on TSN

Anaheim vs. Detroit
• Game 1: Detroit @ Anaheim – Tuesday, April 30 at 10:30 p.m. ET on TSN
• Game 2: Detroit @ Anaheim – Thursday, May 2 at 10 p.m. ET on TSN
• Game 3: Anaheim @ Detroit – Saturday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN
• Game 4: Anaheim @ Detroit – Monday, May 6 at 8 p.m. ET on TSN
• *Game 5: Detroit @ Anaheim – Wednesday, May 8 at 10 p.m. ET on TSN
• *Game 6: Anaheim @ Detroit – Friday, May 10 at TBD on TSN
• *Game 7: Detroit @ Anaheim – Sunday, May 12 at TBD on TSN

*if necessary

And that will do it.

CBC Airs Three of the Four Canadian Teams in the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

Canada’s Public Broadcaster CBC gets ready for the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The network has made its choices for playoffs and naturally went with Toronto-Boston for one series. And it took the all-Canadian Montreal-Ottawa series as its second pick.

These two series will get the full Hockey Night in Canada treatment especially with Toronto being back in the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons. Jim Hughson, Craig Simpson, Glenn Healey and Scott Oake will call the series for CBC.

Montreal-Ottawa will be helmed by the great Bob Cole with Garry Galley and Cassie Campbell-Pascall reporting.

The other two series which will be on CBC will be Chicago-Minnesota to be called by Dean Brown and Greg Millen and St. Louis-Los Angeles which will be done by Mark Lee and Kelly Hrudey with David Amber rinkside.

Ron MacLane will host and he’ll be joined by Don Cherry, PJ Stock and a myriad of analysts. Fang’s Bites fave Andi Petrillo will host the Post-Game show online which can be seen in the US at CBC.ca.

Here’s the CBC press release.

CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA DROPS THE PUCK ON THE FIRST ROUND OF THE 2013 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS, TUESDAY AT 8 P.M. ET (5 P.M. PT)

CBC’s first round series coverage includes Montreal vs. Ottawa, Boston vs. Toronto,
Chicago vs. Minnesota and St. Louis vs. Los Angeles
STANLEY CUP COUNTDOWN playoff preview show airs tonight at 8 p.m. (8:30 p.m. NT)

April 29, 2013 – The 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin Tuesday, April 30 and CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA is the exclusive home of the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators as they each begin their run to the Stanley Cup. Toronto takes on the Boston Bruins beginning Wednesday, May 1 while the Canadiens and Senators face-off on Thursday, May 2. In addition, CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA has exclusive coverage of the marquee match-ups featuring the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Chicago Blackhawks taking on the Minnesota Wild as well as the St. Louis Blues squaring off against the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings. To get viewers ready for the playoffs, CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA: STANLEY CUP COUNTDOWN airs tonight (April 29) at 8 p.m. (8:30 p.m. NT). CBC has coverage of every round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, on TV and online at CBCSports.ca, and is the exclusive Canadian home of the Stanley Cup Final.

Ron MacLean and the Hockey Night in Canada team have viewers covered with news, insights and features throughout the playoffs. Hockey Tonight debuts Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT) and airs every night throughout the first round of the playoffs. Don Cherry (@coachscornerCBC) makes his playoff debut with Coach’s Corner during the first intermission of Wednesday’s Boston vs. Toronto game. Andi Petrillo (@andipHNIC) hosts the Chevrolet Post-Game Show live online at CBCSports.ca with final thoughts on the night’s action.

The action gets underway tomorrow night with Minnesota @ Chicago and Los Angeles @ St. Louis at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). Viewers in Saskatchewan and to the east will see the Blackhawks vs. Wild game while viewers in Alberta and to the west will see the Blues vs. Kings. Both games are available live online for viewers across the country at CBCSports.ca.

The playoffs continue on Wednesday, May 1 with Toronto @ Boston at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT) on CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA with the team of Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson (@hnicsimmer) joined by Glenn Healy between the benches and Scott Oake (@ScottOake) reporting. The Ottawa vs. Montreal series gets underway on Thursday, May 2 at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT) with Bob Cole and Garry Galley calling the action and Cassie Campbell-Pascall (@CassieCampbell) reporting.

The broadcast team for the Chicago vs. Minnesota series includes Dean Brown (@PxPOttawa) and Greg Millen (@gregmillen) in the booth while the St. Louis vs. Los Angeles series will be called by Mark Lee and Kelly Hrudey (@KellyHrudey) with David Amber (@DavidAmber) reporting. See attached for a complete first round broadcast schedule and distribution.

“As the only network in Canada where fans can see the Stanley Cup hoisted by the winning team, we strive to bring viewers new and innovative ways to connect to the game and to CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada and this playoff season is no exception with our tremendous multi-platform offerings,” said Julie Bristow, executive director, studio and unscripted programming, CBC. “I’m extremely proud of the team that continues to create avenues for fans to get more involved with our broadcasts and ultimately closer to the game. We’ll have a few more surprises to share leading up to the Stanley Cup Final this year, so stay tuned.”

Before the teams hit the ice, MacLean hosts CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA: STANLEY CUP COUNTDOWN tonight alongside P.J. Stock (@PJStockHNIC), Elliotte Friedman (@friedgeHNIC), Glenn Healy, Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) and Andi Petrillo in front of a live studio audience with a special musical performance by Canada’s own Down With Webster (@DOWNWITHWEBSTER). The CBC Hockey Night in Canada team provides in-depth previews and analysis of each first-round playoff match-up.

On Wednesday, May 1, leading into the Toronto @ Boston game, Hockey Tonight features a special live performance by City and Colour presented by SiriusXM. The entire performance is available online at CBCSports.ca starting at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT).

And after a jump break, the entire CBC schedule for the Conference Quarterfinals.

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NBC Sports Group All Over 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

Once again, NBC Sports Group will provide blanket coverage of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. The networks of NBC will have every game of the playoffs. NBC, NBC Sports Network, CNBC and NHL Network will be involved in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Then NBC and NBC Sports Network will combine for the Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Final.

The Conference Quarterfinals will be carried on NBC, NBC Sports Network, CNBC and NHL Network. The games in this round are not exclusive nationally except for NBC. Local regional sports networks will have exclusivity in the home markets and the national networks will be blacked out. This does not apply to NBC.

Starting with the Conference Semifinals all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, NBC Sports Group has exclusivity and the local RSN’s will no longer air any of playoff games.

Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury and Keith Jones will be the main studio team. Bill Patrick and Jeremy Roenick will form another while Russ Thaler, Mike Keenan and Anson Carter will form a third studio team.

Mike Emrick, Ed Olczyk and charlatan Pierre McGuire will be the lead announce team. Dave Strader and Brian Engblom will be the second team. Expect to hear from announcers John Forslund and Kenny Albert as well.

The Stanley Cup Final will once again be split between NBC and NBC Sports Network. This year, NBC will air Games 1 and 4 through 7. NBC Sports Network will air Games 2 and 3. That is a break from recent policy when NBC took the first two games and NBCSN aired 3 & 4 with NBC taking the rest. This ensures that any Cup clinching games will be aired on broadcast television.

All games will be streamed online. NBC’s games will be available to everyone on NBCSports.com and the NBC Live Extra App. NBC Sports Network’s games will also be available on the NBC Sports Live Extra app, but cable and satellite providers will have to authenticate.

The press release comes after a jump break.

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2013 NHL Stanley Cup Conference Quarterfinals Schedules and Networks

Now that the National Hockey League regular season is over, it’s time to post the schedules for each series. In the first round, local regional sports networks can air playoff games. Only NBC games are exclusive in the United States, while in Canada, the playoffs are split between CBC and TSN.

Playoff games in the United States will be distributed nationally between NBC, NBC Sports Network, CNBC and NHL Network. The RSN’s have exclusivity in the local markets so the national broadcasts would be blacked out unless NBC gets the games.

The US networks have been selected through Games 1-4 of the quarterfinals. Games 5-7, if necessary, will be rescheduled as the series continue.

Here’s what we have thus far.

NHL announces Stanley Cup Playoffs Rd. 1 schedule

NEW YORK – The National Hockey League today announced the dates, times and national broadcast information for the 2013 Stanley Cup Conference Quarterfinal round, which begins Tuesday, April 30th. Information on the U.S. broadcast networks for games later in the round will be released as it is determined.

All times listed are ET and subject to change.
* – if necessary

2013 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
SERIES A	TIME (ET)	#1 Pittsburgh vs. #8 NY Islanders	Networks
Wednesday, May 1, 2013	7:30 p.m.	NY Islanders at Pittsburgh	NBCSN, TSN
Friday, May 3, 2013	7 p.m.	NY Islanders at Pittsburgh	NBCSN, TSN
Sunday, May 5, 2013	12 p.m.	Pittsburgh at NY Islanders	NBC, TSN
Tuesday, May 7, 2013	7 p.m.	Pittsburgh at NY Islanders	NBCSN, TSN
*Thursday, May 9, 2013	7 p.m.	NY Islanders at Pittsburgh	TSN
*Saturday, May 11, 2013	TBD	Pittsburgh at NY Islanders	TSN
*Sunday, May 12, 2013	TBD	NY Islanders at Pittsburgh	TSN
SERIES B	TIME (ET)	#2 Montreal vs. #7 Ottawa	Networks
Thursday, May 2, 2013	7 p.m.	Ottawa at Montreal	CNBC, CBC, RDS
Friday, May 3, 2013	7 p.m.	Ottawa at Montreal	CNBC, CBC, RDS
Sunday, May 5, 2013	7 p.m.	Montreal at Ottawa	NBCSN, CBC, RDS
Tuesday, May 7, 2013	7 p.m.	Montreal at Ottawa	CNBC, CBC, RDS
*Thursday, May 9, 2013	7 p.m.	Ottawa at Montreal	CBC, RDS
*Saturday, May 11, 2013	TBD	Montreal at Ottawa	CBC, RDS
*Sunday, May 12, 2013	TBD	Ottawa at Montreal	CBC, RDS
SERIES C	TIME (ET)	#3 Washington vs. #6 NY Rangers	Networks
Thursday, May 2, 2013	7:30 p.m.	NY Rangers at Washington	NBCSN, TSN
Saturday, May 4, 2013	12:30 p.m.	NY Rangers at Washington	NBC, TSN
Monday, May 6, 2013	7:30 p.m.	Washington at NY Rangers	NBCSN, TSN
Wednesday, May 8, 2013	7:30 p.m.	Washington at NY Rangers	NBCSN, TSN
*Friday, May 10, 2013	7:30 p.m.	NY Rangers at Washington	TSN
*Sunday, May 12, 2013	TBD	Washington at NY Rangers	TSN
*Monday, May 13, 2013	TBD	NY Rangers at Washington	TSN
SERIES D	TIME (ET)	#4 Boston vs. #5 Toronto	Networks
Wednesday, May 1, 2013	7 p.m.	Toronto at Boston	CNBC, CBC, RDS
Saturday, May 4, 2013	7 p.m.	Toronto at Boston	CNBC, CBC, RDS
Monday, May 6, 2013	7 p.m.	Boston at Toronto	NHLN-US, CBC, RDS
*Wednesday, May 8, 2013	7 p.m.	Toronto at Boston	NHLN-US, CBC, RDS
*Friday, May 10, 2013	7 P.M.	Boston at Toronto	CBC, RDS
*Sunday, May 12, 2013	TBD	Toronto at Boston	CBC, RDS
Monday, May 13, 2013	TBD	Boston at Toronto	CBC, RDS
2013 WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
SERIES E	TIME (ET)	#1 Chicago vs. #8 Minnesota	Networks
Tuesday, April 30, 2013	8 p.m.	Minnesota at Chicago	NBCSN, CBC
Friday, May 3, 2013	9:30 p.m.	Minnesota at Chicago	NBCSN, CBC
Sunday, May 5, 2013	3 p.m.	Chicago at Minnesota	NBC, CBC
Tuesday, May 7, 2013	9:30 p.m.	Chicago at Minnesota	NBCSN, CBC
*Thursday, May 9, 2013	TBD	Minnesota at Chicago	CBC
*Saturday, May 11, 2013	TBD	Chicago at Minnesota	CBC
*Sunday, May 12, 2013	TBD	Minnesota at Chicago	CBC
SERIES F	TIME (ET)	#2 Anaheim vs. #7 Detroit	Networks
Tuesday, April 30, 2013	10:30 p.m.	Detroit at Anaheim	NBCSN, TSN
Thursday, May 2, 2013	10 p.m.	Detroit at Anaheim	NBCSN, TSN
Saturday, May 4, 2013	7:30 p.m.	Anaheim at Detroit	NBCSN, TSN
Monday, May 6, 2013	8 p.m.	Anaheim at Detroit	CNBC, TSN
*Wednesday, May 8, 2013	10 p.m.	Detroit at Anaheim	TSN
*Friday, May 10, 2013	TBD	Anaheim at Detroit	TSN
*Sunday, May 12, 2013	TBD	Detroit at Anaheim	TSN
SERIES G	TIME (ET)	#3 Vancouver vs. #6 San Jose	Networks
Wednesday, May 1, 2013	10:30 p.m.	San Jose at Vancouver	NBCSN, TSN
Friday, May 3, 2013	10 p.m.	San Jose at Vancouver	CNBC, TSN
Sunday, May 5, 2013	10 p.m.	Vancouver at San Jose	NBCSN, TSN
Tuesday, May 7, 2013	10 p.m.	Vancouver at San Jose	CNBC, TSN
*Thursday, May 9, 2013	10 p.m.	San Jose at Vancouver	TSN
*Saturday, May 11, 2013	TBD	Vancouver at San Jose	TSN
*Monday, May 13, 2013	TBD	San Jose at Vancouver	TSN
SERIES H	TIME (ET)	#4 St. Louis vs. #5 Los Angeles	Networks
Tuesday, April 30, 2013	8 p.m.	Los Angeles at St. Louis	CNBC, CBC
Thursday, May 2, 2013	9:30 p.m.	Los Angeles at St. Louis	CNBC, CBC
Saturday, May 4, 2013	10 p.m.	St. Louis at Los Angeles	NBCSN, CBC
Monday, May 6, 2013	10 p.m.	St. Louis at Los Angeles	NBCSN, CBC
*Wednesday, May 8, 2013	TBD	Los Angeles at St. Louis	CBC
*Friday, May 10, 2013	TBD	St. Louis at Los Angeles	CBC
*Monday, May 13, 2013	TBD	Los Angeles at St. Louis	CBC

I’ll update the times and networks for Games 5-7 as they become available. Keep this bookmarked.

We Are Boston Strong; Bruins Fans Sing the National Anthem

We have a couple of videos for you of the scene at TD Garden in Boston. These occurred before the game between the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins, the first sporting event in the city since the Boston Marathon bombing that killed three people.

On the video screen above the ice, the Bruins played this titled “Boston Strong” filled with scenes of Marathon runners. It was great.

That led into the National Anthem that was started by traditional Bruins anthem singer Rene Rancourt and finished by the 18,000 people in the crowd. There wasn’t a dry eye in the place.

It’s been an emotional week. Tremendous stuff.

Jim Cornelison’s Stirring Rendition of the National Anthem

In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings, Jim Cornelison, the awesome National Anthem singer from Chicago, stirred the United Center crowd just before tonight’s Dallas-Blackhawks game. It still gives me goosebumps.

Tremendous stuff.

NBC Sports Network Crowing About 1st Quarter Viewership

I received this from NBC Sports Network today touting its viewership in the first quarter of 2013. The release states that viewing of the network is up 14% across the board as compared to this time last year.

Thanks to live NHL programming for most of the quarter, NBCSN has seen a 14% rise in viewership in primetime (not counting the first three weeks of the quarter which did not have any NHL games due to the lockout).

MLS on NBC Sports Network had an 8% increase from last year’s first quarter.

And looking at IndyCar, its only race of the quarter had a 78% increase from NBCSN’s first race from last year, however, it’s a bit apples-oranges as the first race of the IndyCar season was on ABC rather than NBC Sports Network.

Here’s the press release in which NBC Sports Network is beating its proverbial chest and yelling out a primal scream.

NBC SPORTS NETWORK SEES DOUBLE DIGIT Q1 VIEWERSHIP GAINS

In Direct Comparison to Q1 2012 (Minus 3 Weeks of NHL Games and NHL All Star Weekend), Viewership on NBCSN is up 14%
7 of the 10 Most-Watched NHL Games in Network’s History Occurred in Q1 of 2013
First IndyCar Telecast of Season is up 78%
Dan Patrick Show on NBCSN up 58% Compared to Time Period in 2012

NEW YORK—April 8, 2013 – Buoyed by seven of the 10 most-watched NHL games in the network’s history, NBC Sports Network viewership rose 14% in the first quarter compared to first quarter in 2012, according to data released by The Nielsen Company. Additionally NHL programming, including the newly-created Wednesday Night Rivalry games, was up 58% compared to Q1 in 2012, the best start in the network’s history; The Dan Patrick Show viewership is up 58% compared to time period in 2012 Q1; the opening IndyCar telecast rose 78%; and MLS games are up eight percent over last year.

FIRST QUARTER RESULTS:

There was no NHL programming for the first three weeks of the quarter in 2013, including no NHL All-Star Weekend programming. When removing the first three weeks of NHL programming (including All-Star Weekend) to form a direct comparison, NBC Sports Network was up 14% in primetime compared to first quarter 2012 (193k viewers vs. 170k viewers) and up 14% on total day (65k viewers vs. 57k viewers).

• In the Adult 18-49 demo, viewership is up 12% for primetime and 10% for total day for ALL programming (no NHL exclusions);
• NBC Sports Network’s audience got younger. Median age in first quarter of 2013 was 44 in primetime, down from 47 for first quarter in 2012.
• NBC Sports Network averaged 193k viewers in primetime (8-11 p.m.) and 65k viewers for total day (6 a.m. – 6 a.m.) during first quarter of 2013, both up from the first quarter in 2012 (191k and 63k, respectively including NHL programming).

FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS:

NHL: NBC Sports Network delivered seven of the 10 most-watched regular-season games in the network’s history (NBCSN/VERSUS/OLN) during first quarter 2013, including the top two most-watched.

• NBCSN’s 38 games in the first quarter averaged 428k viewers, up 34% from the 2012 first quarter average, the best start for the NHL on NBC Sports Network in the network’s history.
• NBC Sports Network’s 10 Wednesday Night Rivalry games, newly-developed this season, averaged 680k viewers, an increase of 55% compared to the Wednesday night exclusive game average in first quarter 2012.

TOP 10 MOST-WATCHED NHL GAMES ON NBCSN/VERSUS/OLN

MATCHUP	DATE	AVERAGE VIEWERS
BRUINS-RANGERS	01/23/13	956,000
FLYERS-PENGUINS	02/20/13	901,000
BRUINS-FLYERS	10/06/11	874,000
BLACKHAWKS-WILD	01/30/13	827,000
CANADIENS-BRUINS	03/03/13	813,000
CANADIENS-BRUINS	03/27/13	773,000
BRUINS-CANADIENS	02/06/13	771,000
PENGUINS-FLYERS	12/14/10	750,000
FLYERS-PENGUINS	10/07/10	730,000
AVALANCHE-BLACKHAWKS	03/06/13	720,000

INDY CAR: The 2013 IndyCar season debuted on NBCSN with the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 24. The race delivered 388,000 viewers, a 78-percent increase vs. last year’s first race on NBC Sports Network (218,000).

• It was also the second-best season-opener for NBC Sports Network’s IndyCar coverage (since 2009) behind only the 2010 race from Sao Paulo, Brazil (410,000).
• In the advertiser-coveted Adult 18-49 demo, the race delivered 126,000 viewers, up 91% vs. last year (66,000).

MLS: NBCSN’s six MLS matches in first quarter averaged 112k viewers, an increase of eight percent over last year’s first quarter matches.

• NBCSN’s primetime MLS Rivalry Day match on March 16 (Portland at Seattle) drew 209k viewers, the second most-watched MLS game on NBCSN (excluding games that had an Olympic lead-in).

THE DAN PATRICK SHOW: Viewership for The Dan Patrick Show (41k average viewers) rose 58% from the M-F 9 a.m. – Noon time period in first quarter of 2012.

That is all.

NHL Winter Classic Returns in 2014 after a Year’s Absence

Thanks to the NHL Lockout, the planned NHL Winter Classic at the Big House in Ann Arbor, MI was scrapped. Well, now that the NHL has some labor peace, the league has announced that the Winter Classic originally planned for this year will now be played on January 1, 2014 in Ann Arbor with the originally scheduled teams, the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

NBC and CBC will air the game. The NHL expects over 100,000 fans to watch the game in person which would break a record for the most-attended outdoor hockey game which also occurred at Michigan Stadium.

In addition, HBO’s 24/7 will return to focus on the Red Wings and Maple Leafs as they prepare for the Winter Classic. Details will be released at a later date.

Here’s the press release from the National Hockey League.

2014 NHL WINTER CLASSIC^® SET FOR MICHIGAN STADIUM ON JAN. 1 AS THE DETROIT RED WINGS HOST THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

World Record Crowd for a Hockey Game Anticipated at The Big House^®
More Than 250,000 Fans Expected to Visit Downtown Detroit and the SiriusXM Hockeytown Winter Festival™, a Celebration of Hockey at Comerica Park Highlighted by Two Alumni Games
2014 NHL Winter Classic^® Broadcast Live on NBC in U.S., CBC & RDS in Canada and on radio on SiriusXM

NEW YORK/DETROIT (April 7, 2013) – The 2014 NHL Winter Classic^® is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 1, when the Detroit Red Wings will play host to the Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium on the University of Michigan campus, the National Hockey League announced today. It is anticipated that the 2014 NHL Winter Classic^® could set a world record for attendance at a hockey game. Nicknamed The Big House, Michigan Stadium is the largest of its kind in North America. The game will be broadcast live on NBC in the U.S. and on CBC and RDS in Canada. SiriusXM Radio will provide live radio coverage.

“The history of the teams’ cross-border rivalry, the nobility of The Big House and the growing tradition of the NHL Winter Classic will raise the anticipation for this event to new heights,” Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “We are delighted to offer our fans a spectacle at which the energy will be unmatched and the demand for tickets will be unprecedented. For anyone involved in any way — as a player, a coach, an official, a fan — this NHL Winter Classic will be a truly memorable hockey moment.”

In partnership with the 2014 NHL Winter Classic^®, downtown Detroit is expected to host more than 250,000 visitors at the Hockeytown Winter Festival™, an outdoor celebration of hockey held at Comerica Park beginning in mid-December.

“In addition to representing a dramatic new step in the evolution of the NHL Winter Classic, the Hockeytown Winter Festival reflects the love Mike and Marian Ilitch have for the City of Detroit and its hockey fans,” Commissioner Bettman added. “The scheduled activities will bring tens of thousands of fans downtown to connect with the NHL Winter Classic excitement, to enjoy the Festival experience and to share their passion for the sport.”

The centerpiece of the Festival will be an outdoor rink placed on the infield of the ballpark that will feature games between teams representing every level of hockey and opportunities for open skating for the public. The showcase events at the Festival promise to be the two games featuring notable alumni of the Red Wings and Maple Leafs – the 2014 Red Wings vs. Maple Leafs Alumni Showdown™ – on New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 31. In total, the Hockeytown Winter Festival™ is expected to feature youth games, high school hockey games, sled hockey games, AHL games, OHL games, the Great Lakes Invitational and more.

The 2014 NHL Winter Classic^® continues the tradition the NHL^® has established of hosting a regular-season game outdoors at the onset of the new year to celebrate the origin and history of hockey. A world record crowd for an ice hockey game could attend the 2014 event, surpassing the 104,173 people attending the game between the University of Michigan and Michigan State University at Michigan Stadium in 2010.

Two members of the NHL’s Original Six™, Detroit and Toronto are longtime rivals. The organizations first played each other on Jan. 4, 1927 when the Toronto St. Patricks defeated the Detroit Cougars 2-1 in a game near Detroit. Under the approved realignment for the 2013-14 NHL season, the Red Wings and Maple Leafs once again will compete in the same division.

Not only is the Detroit-Toronto hockey rivalry a storied one, it is a competitive one. All-time during the regular season, Detroit (275-273-93-3) has captured 646 points against Toronto, holding an advantage by the slimmest of margins over Toronto’s 645 (276-275-93-0) against Detroit. Additionally, the 117 playoff games between the franchises is the second most in NHL® history (170, Boston vs. Montreal).

For the 2014 NHL Winter Classic^®, the Red Wings and Maple Leafs will wear specially-designed uniforms inspired by the early years of each franchise.

The Red Wings will wear iconic red and antique white uniforms featuring a striping pattern and arch Detroit wordmark inspired by the late-1920s Detroit Cougars™. The front crest is an early iteration of the winged wheel from the late 1930s, featuring a novelty felt appliqué with a distinct chain stitch embroidery.

The Maple Leafs will wear a royal blue and white unique uniform design and distinct striping configuration inspired by the Leafs circa the 1930s, a time when the franchise won its first Stanley Cup^®. The front crest is a felt appliqué with a very distinct wordmark from the inaugural Maple Leafs logo, revealed in 1927.

The 2014 NHL Winter Classic^® jerseys, along with other event merchandise, will arrive in stores as early as today. Alumni players in the two games at Comerica Park also will sport special uniforms.

Further details on the 2014 NHL Winter Classic^®, including ticketing information for each team, will be released shortly. Fans interested in purchasing tickets for any of the events associated with the NHL Winter Classic® and Hockeytown Winter Festival™ should register to receive more information at either www.detroitredwings.com/2014nhlwinterclassic or www.mapleleafs.com/nhlwinterclassic.

Official fan packages for the 2014 NHL Winter Classic^® are now available from Global Event Forum, the Official NHL Events Fan Package Partner. For more information please visit nhl.com/fanpackages.

NHL.com will provide extensive digital video coverage and NHL Social will have exclusive coverage on all social platforms, including the use of the hashtag #WinterClassic. NHL Network™ once again will provide hours of coverage live from Hockeytown in the days leading up to and after the game.

Five of the six most watched regular-season NHL games in the U.S. in the past 37 years have been played outdoors. The 2011 NHL Winter Classic^® in Pittsburgh on NBC aired in primetime and was the most-watched NHL regular season game in the U.S. with an average of 4.5 million viewers. The event also drew the largest audience on CBC for any of the U.S.-based outdoor NHL games.

For the most recent iteration in Philadelphia, both the 2012 NHL Winter Classic® between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers and the alumni game two days prior attracted sellout crowds. More than 75,000 fans visited Spectator Plaza, the official outdoor hockey festival adjacent to the ballpark.

The first-ever NHL regular-season game contested outdoors was played in 2003 when the Edmonton Oilers hosted the Montreal Canadiens at Commonwealth Stadium. The first New Year’s Day outdoor game in the U.S. featured the Buffalo Sabres hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins at Ralph Wilson Stadium in 2008. In 2009, the Chicago Blackhawks hosted the Red Wings at Wrigley Field. In 2010, the Boston Bruins hosted the Flyers at Fenway Park. In 2011, the Penguins hosted the Washington Capitals at Heinz Field. In 2012, the Flyers hosted the Rangers at Citizens Bank Park. In February 2011, the Calgary Flames hosted the Canadiens in the 2011 NHL Heritage ™ at McMahon Stadium.

That is all. Glad the Winter Classic is back.

Habs-Bruins Draws Decent Numbers for NBC Sports Network

Wednesday’s blood rivalry game between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins that ended in a 6-5 shootout win for the Habs, drew pretty good numbers for the NBC Sports Network. The cable home of the National Hockey League saw a 0.48 household rating and an average of 773,000 viewers for the game. Viewership peaked at just over a million as the Canadiens tied the game with Boston with :08.2 left in regulation time.

Wednesday night’s game is the 6th most watched NHL regular season contest on the network (a.k.a OLN and Versus). Boston drew an 8.51 rating making it the second highest-rated game on NBCSN in the market, just after a B’s-Habs game earlier in the month.

Here’s what NBC is saying about last night’s game.

Montreal Canadiens-Boston Bruins “Wednesday Night Rivalry” Ratings

This week’s Wednesday Night Rivalry game on NBC Sports Network (7:30-10:39 p.m. ET), in which the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins, 6-5, in a shootout, posted a 0.48 HH rating and 773,000 viewers.

The game is the sixth-most watched regular-season game in network history and up 133% vs. last year’s full season average on NBC Sports Network. It peaked with more than one million viewers (1.005 million) from 9:45-10 p.m. ET.

The three Canadiens-Bruins games that have aired on NBC Sports Network this year are the three most-watched games on cable featuring a Canadian team since 2000 (Dec. 27, Tor-Pit, 1.046 on ESPN2).

• Mar. 3              813,000
• Mar. 27           773,000
• Feb. 26            771,000

In Boston, the game received an 8.51 HH rating, making it the second-highest rated regular-season Bruins game ever on NBC Sports Network, behind only the Mar. 3 game against the Canadiens (9.26).

NBC Sports Network was the No. 1 rated network overall in Boston during the 7:30-10:45 p.m. ET time period.

And that concludes this post.

NBC Sports Network All Over Habs-Bruins Tonight

The NHL which is back with a vengeance in the ratings both nationally and regionally. It’s as if people have totally forgotten about the lockout.

Tonight, NBC Sports Network airs one of the biggest rivalries not only in the NHL, but in sports as the Boston Bruins host the Montreal Canadiens at 7:30 p.m. It’s part of some big games coming up on NBC/NBC Sports Network.

Take a look at the NBC press release.

MONTREAL CANADIENS AND BOSTON BRUINS RENEW CLASSIC RIVALRY AS THEY BATTLE FOR THE TOP SPOT IN NORTHEAST ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK’S “WEDNESDAY NIGHT RIVALRY” AT 7:30 P.M. ET

Blackhawks, Red Wings, Penguins, Bruins and Canadiens featured in Five Games over Four Days and Nights
NHL Live, Sunday Night-Wednesday Night
NHL Overtime, Monday-Friday at 11:30 p.m. ET

NEW YORK – March 26, 2013 — In one of sports’ classic rivalries, Brian Gionta and the Montreal Canadiens (45pts) travel to TD Garden in Boston, Mass. to take on Zdeno Chara and the Boston Bruins (45pts) in a head-to-head battle for the top spot in the Northeast Division, on NBC Sports Network’s Wednesday Night Rivalry at 7:30 p.m. ET. Emmy Award-winning play-by-play commentator Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, analyst Eddie Olczyk, and ‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst Pierre McGuire will call the game.

Coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. ET with NHL Live, NBC Sports Group’s NHL pregame show. Liam McHugh hosts NHL Live from Studio 2 at NBC Sports Group’s International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn., and will be joined by analysts Mike Milbury and Keith Jones.

PIERRE MCGUIRE ON CANADIENS-BRUINS: “The Bruins will try to get physical against the quick and skilled Canadiens. Emotion usually plays a big role in this rivalry. Because of the intensity they bring to the arena, the fans for both teams help make this one of the best rivalries in all of sports. Even though the players change year to year, Montreal and Boston is always must-see TV.”

JEREMY ROENICK ON CANADIENS-BRUINS: “Montreal and Boston have emerged as the two best teams in the Northeast, but many are wondering if the Canadiens can remain in the top spot. There is never any love lost between these two teams, and the rivalry has become even more heated this season because of the physical nature of the Canadiens and Bruins previous meetings in 2013.”

In addition to NBC Sports Network’s Wednesday Night Rivalry matchup between the Canadiens and Bruins, NBC and NBC Sports Network will also deliver coverage of four other games over three days and nights, beginning Sunday: Chicago Blackhawks-Detroit Red Wings, Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC; Boston Bruins–Buffalo Sabres, Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network; Colorado Avalanche–Detroit Red Wings, Monday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network; and Buffalo Sabres–Pittsburgh Penguins, Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network.

BLACKHAWKS-RED WINGS SUNDAY

NHL on NBC coverage will continue on Sunday, March 31 at 12:30 p.m. ET with a classic Central Division matchup between the league-leading Chicago Blackhawks (51pts), who started the season with a record-breaking 22-game point streak, and the Detroit Red Wings (39pts) who are currently in second place in the division. The Blackhawks and Red Wings have split their two previous meetings this season, with both games ending in 2-1 final scores. Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-Glass’) will call the action from Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Mich.

BRUINS–SABRES SUNDAY NIGHT

Sunday night on NBC Sports Network, the Boston Bruins (45pts) will travel to the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, NY., to take on the Buffalo Sabres (30pts) at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Bruins are tied with the Canadiens for the top spot in the Northeast and will look to capitalize against the Sabres, who are struggling to remain in the playoff race. Dave Strader (play-by-play) and Brian Engblom (‘Inside-the-Glass’) will call the game.

AVALANCHE-RED WINGS MONDAY NIGHT

Monday, April 1, the Detroit Red Wings will host the Colorado Avalanche (26pts) at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network. Emrick (play-by-play) and McGuire (‘Inside-the-Glass’) will call the game from Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Mich.

SABRES-PENGUINS TUESDAY NIGHT

On Tuesday, April 2, Sidney Crosby and the surging Pittsburgh Penguins (50pts) will take the ice against the Buffalo Sabres at 7:30 p.m. ET. on NBC Sports Network. The Penguins have won 12 consecutive games and are chasing the Blackhawks for the top spot in the league. If the Penguins continue their current win streak, the team will enter its game against Buffalo having won 15 straight games, tied for second most in the history of the NHL (‘82-83 New York Islanders). A win against the Sabres could put Pittsburgh one game shy of tying the record for most consecutive wins in the history of the league (‘92-93 Pittsburgh Penguins – 17 games). Strader (play-by-play) and Engblom (‘Inside-the-Glass’) will call the action from the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.

There you have it.