NBC Sports Group today announced a pair of new NHL-themed programs that will debut on NBCSN Tuesday, Oct. 9, and continue through the '13-14 season. “NHL Rivals” was developed following the success of last season's introduction of the Wednesday Night Rivalry game. The half-hour, documentary-style show will delve into the history behind some of the sport's most storied rivalries, as told by current and former players, broadcasters and writers. Each episode will debut at 10:30pm ET Tuesday night, then replay at 6:30pm as a lead-in to the Wednesday night telecast. The premiere episode features Blues-Blackhawks.
“The majority of the content is going to be in the players’ voices,” NBC Sports Exec Producer Sam Flood said. “There will be an occasional bridge line to get from place to place or fill in the details, but the concept here is let the players, let the stars, tell the story.”
Meanwhile, “NHL Top 10” will air each week following “NHL Rivals” at 11:00pm. It will feature a traditional countdown of hockey “bests,” whether it be goal-scorers, U.S.-born players, tough guys or goaltenders. Flood said the show “will create some wonderful debates” and feature commentary and analysis from former and current players, broadcasters and writers.
