NBC Releases National Broadcasting Schedule
Although the threat of a lockout is currently the dark cloud over every hockey fan’s head, NBC has given fans something to look forward to in case everything goes smoothly: their National TV NHL coverage schedule (cue the crickets, not the applause)!
NBC has decided to give Capitals fans something even more special by awarding Washington the maximum number of nationally broadcast games. The Caps will have 12 games broadcasted exclusively on NBC/NBC Sports Network.
NBC has picked the Dec. 3rd game against the LA Kings to feature (Pay Sajak must be happy about that), but also has the option through flex scheduling to broadcast another game of their choice.
NBCSN will show up to 11 games this season exclusively. Most of the games picked have some sort of attention draw to them based on rivalry or a history of rough games: the New York Rangers (2 games), Pittsburgh Penguins (3 games), Philadelphia Flyers, and Boston Bruins.
However, one of the more interesting choices that will be broadcast on NBCSN is the Oct. 15th game against the Florida Panthers. With the game being in the beginning of the season and the Southeast Division Champion title being stolen from the Capitals last year, Washington and Florida are sure to have another close run again this season. The Panthers were a whole new team last season, and made a great run for the Stanley Cup, ultimately losing to New Jersey in a Game 7 of Round 2. Also, with Florida having two former Caps on the team (Fleishmann and Theodore) there are plenty of newsworthy stories to go around.
So, cheer up, Caps fans. We now have this glorious NBC schedule to hope for along with an actual season. Pat Sajak would want us to be happy and watch Wheel of Fortune.
Follow Tara Colison on Twitter here:https://twitter.com/TaraC_RtR
See the NBC Schedule here:http://capitals.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=640697
Thanks Andy for pointing out that Pat Sajak likes hockey AND that he can be in two places at once by hosting Wheel of Fortune and going to a hockey game at the same time.
