NBC Sports will air 18 Capitals games this season, the second-most in the NHLGETTY IMAGES
NBC Sports will "broadcast 109 NHL regular-season games" across NBC and NBCSN this season, which is its "most since acquiring NHL rights" prior to the '05-06 season, according to Andrew Gross of NEWSDAY. NBC's first broadcast of the season will "come the day after Thanksgiving" when the Rangers play at the Flyers on Nov. 23 at 1:00pm ET (NEWSDAY, 8/14). SI.com's Michael Blinn noted NBC Sports "made a point to include some less-traditional teams and matchups on the season, as well as an extended look at the Western Conference." The Oilers "lead the way among Canadian squads with seven NBC Sports appearances, with the Leafs right behind at six." The Blackhawks will be featured a "league-leading 19 times, while the Capitals are second with 18 games on NBC Sports." The Flyers have 17 and the Penguins have 15, while the Bruins and Rangers "can be seen nationally 14 times apiece" (SI.com, 8/13).
WILD, WILD WEST: NBC Sports said the focus of its schedule will be to "show more rising stars and more Western Conference and Canadian teams than ever before." In Pittsburgh, Matt Vensel noted there will still be "plenty of Penguins games" on NBC and NBCSN. The Penguins "will be showcased only one time fewer than last season." That includes "seven Wednesday games to be aired on NBCSN, which has ditched the 'Wednesday Night Rivalry' theme that forced the network on some occasions to ... take liberties with the definition of 'rivalry.'" The midweek matchups will "now be known as 'Wednesday Night Hockey.'" Looking to "diversify a lineup that typically included teams from the Northeast, 'Wednesday Night Hockey' in ’18-19 includes multiple appearances from Western teams" such as the Golden Knights, Oilers, Predators and Jets (POST-GAZETTE.com, 8/13).
SUCCESS IN FAILURE? In Chicago, Joe Knowles noted despite a "failure to qualify for the playoffs last season," the Blackhawks will be on national TV for "nearly a quarter of their regular-season schedule" (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 8/13). In Nashville, Mike Organ notes the Predators will "appear on national television a franchise-most 12 times during the upcoming regular season" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 8/14). SB NATION's Tom Hunter noted the Avalanche are "going to be a part of the national broadcast a lot more than a year ago," and will be "featured on six national broadcasts this season." The club was "one of the biggest surprises in the league and making the playoffs a year ago likely has a lot to do with the bump in exposure" (SBNATION.com, 8/13). In Buffalo, Alan Pergament noted despite adding No. 1 overall NHL Draft selection Rasmus Dahlin and LW Jeff Skinner in free agency, the Sabres "haven’t impressed" NBC execs. The Sabres "aren’t scheduled to get any games on NBC and will make only five scheduled appearances" on NBCSN. That NBCSN figure is even "down from seven last season" (BUFFALONEWS.com, 8/13). In Newark, Chris Ryan notes the Devils will play "two total games" on national TV, which is "twice as many times" as they did last season. The Senators and Canucks are the "only two NHL teams" not slated to appear on an NBC or NBCSN broadcast (NJ.com, 8/14).
GOLDEN EGG: In Las Vegas, Jesse Granger notes the Golden Knights' "storybook inaugural year that ended with a trip to the Stanley Cup Final" has "captured the attention of the rest of the NHL." The team will have "nine nationally televised games this season" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 8/14). ESPN.com's Greg Wyshynski cited sources as saying that the "new 'college game day' like approach for the Wednesday night games was heavily influenced by the atmosphere outside of Vegas playoff games." Wyshynski: "Also, RIP 'Rivalry Night.' I spit on your grave" (TWITTER.com, 8/13). In Las Vegas, Adam Hill notes the Golden Knights were "ratings platinum" in their inaugural season. NBCSN’s schedule "indicates the network believes the fascination with the defending Western Conference champions will continue" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 8/14).
TWITTER REAX: The Predators' official feed: "The nation will get a great look at #Smashville this season." FanSided's Jon Fisher: "NBC Sport’s new direction on NHL programming is brilliant. Hopefully it gains more appeal to the casual fan than ever before." Perform Group Social Media Manager Evan Sporer: "The NBC contract with the NHL runs through 2021 (it’s possible there’s a lockout that last season). I think the uptick in games is the network really gaging the market’s temperature to inform how they pursue future rights." Hockey blogger Dimitri Filipovic: "NBC is diversifying their NHL coverage this season. You'll be able to catch both Washington at Chicago *and* Chicago at Washington." Sporting News' Adam Herman on the dearth of Sabres games: "I get that big markets are big markets but there's something fundamentally broken about a team with homegrown Jack Eichel and Casey Mittlestadt not getting major coverage in the US. Not to mention RASMUS DAHLIN. ... it sure feels like the NHL/NBC create self-fulfilling prophecies when it comes to covering the same 6 teams and then there only being a market for those 6 teams."
