FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 15th, 2015

DAYS 31-33 – GAME 1 OF EASTERN & WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS ON NBC – LIGHTNING-RANGERS SATURDAY AT 1 P.M. ET, BLACKHAWKS-DUCKS SUNDAY AT 3 P.M. ET

Eastern Conference Final Game 1 – Lightning-Rangers – Tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET on NBC

Western Conference Final Game 1 – Blackhawks-Ducks – Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC

Caps-Rangers Game 7 Is Third-Most Watched Second-Round NHL Playoff Game Ever on Cable; Best-Ever NBCSN NHL Game on NBC Sports Live Extra

Team USA Faces Russia in IIHF World Hockey Championship Semifinals Tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Live Extra

Eastern and Western Conference Telecast and Game Commentary Schedules Announced

 

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 15, 2015 – NBC Sports Group kicks off its exclusive coverage of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs’ Eastern and Western Conference Finals this weekend with a pair of Game 1 matchups on NBC, beginning tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET when Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers host Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

NBC continues its coverage with Game 1 of the Western Conference Final on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, when Ryan Getzlaf and the Anaheim Ducks host Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks.

This weekend’s pre-game and intermission coverage on NBC will be hosted by Liam McHugh, alongside analysts and former players Mike Milbury and Keith Jones.

 


CAPS-RANGERS GAME 7 IS THIRD-MOST WATCHED SECOND-ROUND NHL PLAYOFF GAME EVER ON CABLE; BEST-EVER NBCSN NHL GAME ON NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA

NBCSN’s presentation of Game 7 between the Capitals and Rangers on Wednesday night averaged 2.709 million viewers, making it the third-most watched second-round NHL playoff game ever on cable. Viewership of the Rangers’ 2-1 overtime win peaked during the final quarter hour, with 3.751 million viewers.

With 151,000 uniques and 8.2 million minutes watched, Capitals-Rangers ranked as NBC Sports Live Extra’s best NHL stream ever for an NBCSN game (or any other cable channel). It is also the best ever for NBC Sports Live Extra for any game, excluding the Stanley Cup Finals, and ranks as Live Extra’s fourth-most consumed NHL game ever (behind three Stanley Cup Final contests).

 

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“NHL Playoff Pass” on NBC Sports Group Press Box provides a quick daily overview of Stanley Cup Playoff coverage, plus information and highlights. The Pass will be published weekdays to preview that evening’s games. Friday editions will include weekend information.

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NBC Sports Live Extra – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets – will provide streaming coverage of all Eastern and Western Conference Final games via “TV Everywhere.”

 

For more information on NBC Sports Group’s overall NHL Playoff coverage, please click here.

 

THE PASS – SATURDAY, MAY 16-SUNDAY, MAY 17 (All times ET)

 

SATURDAY, MAY 16
Time Coverage Network Commentators
1 p.m. Game 1 – Tampa Bay at N.Y. Rangers NBC Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, Pierre McGuire
  NHL Live (Intermission Reports) NBC Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury,
Keith Jones

SUNDAY, MAY 17
3 p.m. Game 1 – Chicago at Anaheim NBC Kenny Albert, Joe Micheletti,
Brian Engblom
  NHL Live (Intermission Reports) NBC Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury,
Keith Jones

 

 

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL GAME 1 – LIGHTNING-RANGERS – TOMORROW AT 1 P.M. ET ON NBC

The Rangers and Lightning face off in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET on NBC. The Rangers reached the conference final with a dramatic Game 7 overtime victory over Washington on Wednesday night, as Derek Stepan scored midway into overtime to propel New York into the conference final. The Lightning moved through the bracket with a 4-1 win in Game 6 over the Montreal Canadiens, as Steven Stamkos netted the eventual game-winner for Tampa.

This will be the first time the Rangers and Lightning have met in the postseason. The Lightning swept the three-game regular-season series against the Rangers this year, outscoring New York 15-7 in the three victories.

Three-time Emmy Award-winning play-by-play commentator and Sports Illustrated 2014 Media Person of the Year Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick and Emmy Award-winning Inside-the-Glass analyst Pierre McGuire will call Game 1 from Madison Square Garden in New York.

 

 

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL GAME 1 – BLACKHAWKS-DUCKS – SUNDAY AT 3 P.M. ET ON NBC

The Blackhawks and Ducks meet in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC. The Ducks advanced to the Western Conference Final with their Game 5 win last Sunday over the Calgary Flames, while the Blackhawks advanced in the bracket by completing a four-game sweep of the Minnesota Wild.

Chicago has appeared in three consecutive Western Conference Finals, while the Ducks reach the conference final for the first time since 2007, when they defeated the Red Wings on their way to a Stanley Cup victory against Ottawa.

This series also marks the first time the Blackhawks and Ducks will meet in the postseason. The Blackhawks won two of three matchups against the Ducks this year, including a pair of 4-1 victories in Anaheim.

Kenny Albert (play-by-play), Joe Micheletti (analyst) and Brian Engblom (Inside-the-Glass analyst) will have the call for Game 1 from the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

 

 

TEAM USA FACES RUSSIA IN IIHF WORLD HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS TOMORROW AT 1 P.M. ET ON NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA

NBC Sports Live Extra presents exclusive coverage of the IIHF World Hockey Championship Semifinals tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET, when Jack Eichel and Team USA look to advance to the gold medal game with a victory against Russia. Team USA aims for its second win against Russia in the tournament, following a 4-2 victory in the preliminary round. NBCSN will air an encore presentation of Team USA-Russia on Saturday night at 11 p.m. ET.

NBCSN will present live coverage of the gold medal final on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET, featuring the winners of USA-Russia and Canada-Czech Republic. NBC Sports Live Extra will also stream the bronze medal game on Sunday at 10 a.m. ET.

 

 

EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE TELECAST AND GAME COMMENTARY SCHEDULES ANNOUNCED

NBC Sports Group has announced the telecast and game commentary schedules for the Eastern and Western Conference Finals. Click here for a full listing.

 


GAMES TELEVISED SO FAR

For the fourth consecutive year, NBC, NBCSN, USA Network, CNBC and NHL Network are combining to televise every Stanley Cup Playoff game nationally.

 

Network Games
NBC 9
NBCSN 41
USA Network 8
CNBC 10
NHL-N 1
Total 69

One-goal Games: 37

OT games: 15

 


COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL COVERAGE

Comprehensive coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs will be provided daily via NBC Sports Regional Networks, available in more than 50 million U.S. households. Comcast SportsNet Chicago will provide the hometown fans of the Chicago Blackhawks with comprehensive coverage throughout their Stanley Cup Playoff run, including pre- and post-game shows and extensive on-line coverage via Comcast SportsNet’s team of NHL Insiders.


NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA COVERAGE

NBC Sports Live Extra – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets – will stream comprehensive coverage of games airing on NBC, NBCSN, USA Network and CNBC via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value to for their subscription service, and making high quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. The NBC Sports Live Extra app is available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play and Windows Store.

For more information about NBC Sports Group shows and properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com.

— NBC Sports Group —