Versus Seeing Ratings Jump For Attractive Conference Finals

Versus Averages 1.717 Million Viewers For Blackhawks-Red Wings Game Two

PICK UP THE PACE: ESPN.com's Scott Burnside wrote the NHL has been "blessed with a string of compelling playoff series this spring," but the schedule for the two Conference Finals series is an "abomination." Games One through Four of the Hurricanes-Penguins Eastern Conference Final series will take nine days to play, and the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year "could go as late as June 15." Burnside: "We get that if you believe it's important to have a national broadcast partner, then you have to acquiesce to some of its scheduling demands." But the schedule "makes no sense," as fans "who have been treated to great hockey want to be able to get into a viewing groove." Instead of "capitalizing on the buzz and the energy built through the first two rounds, this current setup sucks the life out of it." Burnside: "It's a shame. Just once, it would be nice if the NHL did what it wanted and told its broadcasters that this is what the schedule is" (ESPN.com, 5/20).

GOING GREEN: Reebok will display a green 'Reebok' logo on the rinkboards of Sunday's Red Wings-Blackhawks game and during Game Three of the Stanley Cup Finals. The green logo is to promote Reebok's eco- friendly Stanley Cup Championship Tee (Tripp Mickle, SportsBusiness Journal).

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