FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 11th, 2016
NBC SPORTS GROUP’S COVERAGE OF 2016 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS BEGINS WEDNESDAY NIGHT WITH THREE GAMES
NBC SPORTS STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF CONFERENCE CALL – TOMORROW AT 1:30 P.M. ET
NBCSN’s Coverage Begins Wednesday with Game 1 Doubleheader
(3) Red Wings-(2) Lightning at 7 p.m. ET; (3) Blackhawks-(2) Blues at 9:30 p.m. ET
USA Network Presents Game 1 of (3) Rangers-(2) Penguins Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET
Pre-Game Coverage Begins with NHL Live at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN
STAMFORD, Conn. – April 11, 2016 – NBC Sports Group’s comprehensive coverage of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs begins with three first-round games on Wednesday night, the first night of two months of Stanley Cup Playoff hockey. In order to televise as many as four games on a given day/night during the first round, NBC Sports Group will present matchups on NBC, NBCSN and NHL Network, as well as NBCUniversal’s USA Network, the No. 1 cable entertainment network, and CNBC, NBCUniversal’s business channel. First-round games on cable are subject to local blackouts.
NBC Sports Live Extra – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets – will live stream all games airing on NBC, NBCSN, USA Network and CNBC, all via “TV Everywhere.”
NBC Sports Group’s Game 1 tripleheader begins at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN, when the (2) Tampa Bay Lightning host the (3) Detroit Red Wings, and continues at 8 p.m. ET on USA Network, when the (2) Pittsburgh Penguins host the (3) N.Y. Rangers in a pair of rematches from the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Coverage shifts west at 9:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, when the (3) Chicago Blackhawks visit the (2) St. Louis Blues in Game 1 of their first-round series.
Coverage begins Wednesday night at 6 p.m. ET with NHL Live on NBCSN. On most nights of the first round, NBC Sports Group will produce two versions of NHL Live (one for NBCSN, one for USA Network/CNBC) from separate studios at its International Broadcast Center located in Stamford, Conn. NHL Live will feature a combination of hosts Liam McHugh, Kathryn Tappen, and Dave Briggs, and analysts and former players Mike Milbury, Keith Jones, Jeremy Roenick and Anson Carter.
******************************************************************************
NBC SPORTS GROUP 2016 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS CONFERENCE CALL – TOMORROW AT 1:30 P.M. ET
NBC Sports Group NHL Live studio analysts and former NHL players Mike Milbury and Jeremy Roenick, as well as Executive Producer Sam Flood, will preview the upcoming 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs on a media conference call on tomorrow, April 12, at 1:30 p.m. ET. Media interested in participating should call 719-457-2648; Passcode: 4723017.
- WHAT: NBC Sports Group 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs Conference Call
- WHO: Mike Milbury, Jeremy Roenick, Executive Producer Sam Flood
- WHEN: Tuesday, April 12, at 1:30 p.m. ET
- NUMBER: 719-457-2648
- PASSCODE: 4723017
******************************************************************************
GAME 1 BROADCAST TEAMS
NBC Sports Group has announced Game 1 broadcast pairings for the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Three-time Emmy Award-winning play-by-play commentator Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame member and analyst Eddie Olczyk, and Emmy Award-winning ‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst Pierre McGuire will serve as the lead commentary team throughout the postseason and into the Stanley Cup Final. Following are NBC Sports Group’s Game 1 broadcast teams.
Game 1 Matchup | Play-by-Play | Analysts |
CHI-STL | Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick | Pierre McGuire |
DET-TB | Chris Cuthbert | Ray Ferraro |
NYR-PIT | John Forslund | Brian Boucher |
PHI-WSH | Jim Jackson | Bill Clement |
NYI-FLA | Kenny Albert | Pierre McGuire |
MIN-DAL | Gord Miller | Ray Ferraro |
SJ-LA | Randy Hahn | Jamie Baker |
NSH-ANA | John Forslund | Bret Hedican |
NBC Sports Group’s first-round broadcast teams will also include Hockey Hall of Fame play-by-play announcer Pat Foley, and analysts Eddie Olczyk and Joe Micheletti.
NBC SPORTS GROUP STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF GAME 1 COVERAGE
WEDNESDAY
(3) DETROIT RED WINGS AT (2) TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING – GAME 1 ON WEDNESDAY AT 7 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
Wednesday night’s Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage features a doubleheader on NBCSN, beginning at 7 p.m. ET, when Ben Bishop and the (2) Tampa Bay Lightning host Pavel Datsyuk and the (3) Detroit Red Wings. This marks the second consecutive season these two teams will meet in the first round. Last year, Bishop stopped all 31 shots he faced to propel Tampa Bay to a 2-0 win in a decisive Game 7 of their first-round series. The Red Wings will look to rally around the 37-year-old Datsyuk, who announced that he will leave the Red Wings after the postseason. Chris Cuthbert (play-by-play) and Ray Ferraro (‘Inside-the-Glass’) will have the call from Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.
(3) NEW YORK RANGERS AT (2) PITTSBURGH PENGUINS – GAME 1 AT 8 P.M. ET ON USA NETWORK
USA Network’s coverage begins Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET, when Sidney Crosby and the (2) Pittsburgh Penguins host Henrik Lundqvist and the (3) New York Rangers. These rivals will clash in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive season. In 2014, the Rangers dispatched of the Penguins in seven games in their second-round series, and beat Pittsburgh in five games in their first-round series last year. The Penguins finished the season with a 14-2-0 record in their last 16 games, and defeated the Rangers three times in March. John Forslund (play-by-play) and Brian Boucher (‘Inside-the-Glass) will have the call from CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.
(3) CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS AT (2) ST. LOUIS BLUES – GAME 1 ON WEDNESDAY AT 9:30 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
NBCSN’s Game 1 doubleheader continues with a classic Central Division rivalry at 9:30 p.m. ET, when Patrick Kane and the (3) Chicago Blackhawks visit David Backes and the (2) St. Louis Blues. Kane recorded 106 points this season (46g/60a) to become the first-ever American-born player to lead the NHL in points in a single season, while his linemate Artemi Panarin led all rookies with 77 points (30g/47a). The Blues have been led offensively by Vladimir Tarasenko, who netted 40 goals this season, fourth-best in the league. This is the 12th all-time playoff series between the clubs; Chicago holds an 8-3 series edge, and defeated St. Louis in six games in their 2014 first-round matchup. Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-Glass’) will call the action from Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo.
THURSDAY
(WC2) PHILADELPHIA FLYERS AT (1) WASHINGTON CAPITALS – GAME 1 ON THURSDAY AT 7 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
Alex Ovechkin and the (1) Washington Capitals renew their rivalry with Claude Giroux and the (WC2) Philadelphia Flyers with a first-round matchup, beginning with Game 1 on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN. The Capitals earned their second Presidents’ Trophy in seven seasons with a league-leading 120 points, while Philadelphia posted a 15-5-3 record in its last 23 games to clinch the final Wild Card spot in the East. Ovechkin led the league for the fourth consecutive season with 50 goals, the seventh time he’s reached the 50-goal plateau. Jim Jackson (play-by-play) and Bill Clement (analyst) will call the game from the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.
(WC1) N.Y. ISLANDERS AT (1) FLORIDA PANTHERS – GAME 1 ON THURSDAY AT 8 P.M. ET ON CNBC
CNBC’s playoff coverage begins Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET, when Jaromir Jagr and the (1) Florida Panthers host John Tavares and the (WC1) New York Islanders in the first-ever postseason meeting between the two teams. Florida won the Atlantic Division for only the second time in their history, led by the 44-year-old Jagr, who paced the club with 66 points (27g/39a). Tavares led the Isles with 70 points this season (33g/37a), and enters the postseason on a four-game goal-scoring streak. Both clubs will look to snap long postseason series droughts; the Isles have not won a playoff series since 1993, while Florida has not won a playoff series since 1996. Kenny Albert (play-by-play) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-Glass) will provide commentary from the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla.
(WC2) MINNESOTA WILD AT (1) DALLAS STARS – GAME 1 ON THURSDAY AT 9:30 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
Mikko Koivu and the (WC2) Minnesota Wild begin their first-round series against Jamie Benn and the (1) Dallas Stars on Thursday night at 9:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Minnesota will look to advance to the second round of the playoffs for the third consecutive season, after a seven-game first-round series win against Colorado in 2014, and a six-game victory against St. Louis last year. The Stars finished the season with the Western Conference’s best record for the first time since the 2002-03 season. Benn led the league in points in the 2014-15 season, and notched 89 points this year (41g/48a) to finish second. This is the first-ever playoff meeting between the Wild and the Stars, who were formerly the Minnesota North Stars before moving to Dallas in 1993. Gord Miller (play-by-play) and Ray Ferraro (‘Inside-the-Glass) will call the action from American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
(3) SAN JOSE SHARKS AT (2) LOS ANGELES KINGS – GAME 1 ON THURSDAY AT 10:30 P.M. ET ON CNBC
The Sharks and Kings face off in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fourth time in the last six seasons, as San Jose aims to avenge its loss to Los Angeles in 2014, when the Kings rattled off four straight wins to erase a 3-0 first-round series deficit en route to their Stanley Cup title. The Sharks are led offensively by Joe Thornton (82 pts) and Joe Pavelski (78 pts), who finished tied for fourth and tied for six place, respectively, in points in the league this season. Los Angeles goaltender Jonathan Quick led the NHL with 68 starts in net, and set a career high with 40 wins. Randy Hahn (play-by-play) and Jamie Baker (‘Inside-the-Glass’) call Game 1 from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif.
FRIDAY
(WC1) NASHVILLE PREDATORS AT (1) ANAHEIM DUCKS – GAME 1 ON FRIDAY AT 10:30 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
Ryan Getzlaf and the Pacific Division-champion (1) Anaheim Ducks kick off their first-round series on Friday night at 10:30 p.m. ET against Shea Weber and the (WC1) Nashville Predators. Anaheim sat in last place in the Pacific Division at the Christmas break before a league-best 34-10-5 record to close out the season and grab the division crown. Nashville returns to the postseason for the second consecutive year, led by forward Filip Forsberg, who notched 34 points (19g/15a) in his last 30 games. This marks the second all-time playoff meeting between the two clubs; Nashville defeated Anaheim in the 2011 Western Conference Quarterfinals in six games. John Forslund (play-by-play) and Bret Hedican (‘Inside-the-Glass’) will have the call from the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
Following is NBC Sports Group’s Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round television schedule through Wed., April 20. Dates for potential Game 5, 6 and 7 matchups have been determined, but not television networks or times. (NOTE: Games airing on NBCSN, USA Network, CNBC and NHL Network are subject to local blackouts in the first round; all times ET and subject to change):
Date | Coverage | Network | Time (ET) |
Wed., April 13 | Game 1 – (3) Detroit at (2) Tampa Bay | NBCSN | 7 p.m. |
Game 1 – (3) N.Y. Rangers at (2) Pittsburgh | USA Network | 8 p.m. | |
Game 1 – (3) Chicago at (2) St. Louis | NBCSN | 9:30 p.m. | |
Thu., April 14 | Game 1 – (WC2) Philadelphia at (1) Washington | NBCSN | 7 p.m. |
Game 1 – (WC1) N.Y. Islanders at (1) Florida | CNBC | 8 p.m. | |
Game 1 – (WC2) Minnesota at (1) Dallas | NBCSN | 9:30 p.m. | |
Game 1 – (3) San Jose at (2) Los Angeles | CNBC | 10:30 p.m. | |
Fri., April 15 | Game 2 – (3) Detroit at (2) Tampa Bay | CNBC | 7 p.m. |
Game 2 – (WC1) N.Y. Islanders at (1) Florida | NHL Network | 7:30 p.m. | |
Game 2 – (3) Chicago at (2) St. Louis | NBCSN | 8 p.m. | |
Game 1 – (WC1) Nashville at (1) Anaheim | NBCSN | 10:30 p.m. | |
Sat., April 16 | Game 2 – (3) N.Y. Rangers at (2) Pittsburgh | NBC | 3 p.m. |
Game 2 – (WC2) Philadelphia at (1) Washington | CNBC | 7 p.m. | |
Game 2 – (WC2) Minnesota at (1) Dallas | NBCSN | 8 p.m. | |
Game 2 – (3) San Jose at (2) Los Angeles | NBCSN | 10:30 p.m. | |
Sun., April 17 | Game 3 – (2) St. Louis at (3) Chicago | NBC | 3 p.m. |
Game 3 – (2) Tampa Bay at (3) Detroit | CNBC | 7 p.m. | |
Game 3 – (1) Florida at (WC1) N.Y. Islanders | NBCSN | 8 p.m. | |
Game 2 – (WC1) Nashville at (1) Anaheim | NBCSN | 10:30 p.m. | |
Mon., April 18 | Game 3 – (1) Washington at (WC2) Philadelphia | NBCSN | 7 p.m. |
Game 3 – (1) Dallas at (WC2) Minnesota** | CNBC | 8:30 p.m. | |
Game 3 – (2) Los Angeles at (3) San Jose | NBCSN | 10:30 p.m. | |
Tues., April 19 | Game 4 – (2) Tampa Bay at (3) Detroit | NBCSN | 7 p.m. |
Game 3 – (2) Pittsburgh at (3) N.Y. Rangers | USA Network | 7 p.m. | |
Game 4 – (2) St. Louis at (3) Chicago | NBCSN | 9:30 p.m. | |
Game 3 – (1) Anaheim at (WC1) Nashville | USA Network | 9:30 p.m. | |
Wed., April 20 | Game 4 – (1) Washington at (WC2) Philadelphia | NBCSN | 7 p.m. |
Game 4 – (1) Florida at (WC1) N.Y. Islanders | USA Network | 8 p.m. | |
Game 4 – (1) Dallas at (WC2) Minnesota | NBCSN | 9:30 p.m. | |
Game 4 – (2) Los Angeles at (3) San Jose | USA Network | 10:30 p.m. | |
Thur., April 21 | Game 5 – (3) Detroit at (2) Tampa Bay* | TBD | 7 p.m. |
Game 4 – (2) Pittsburgh at (3) N.Y. Rangers | TBD | 8 p.m. | |
Game 4 – (1) Anaheim at (WC1) Nashville | TBD | 8 p.m. | |
Game 5 – (3) Chicago at (2) St. Louis* | TBD | TBD | |
Fri., April 22 | Game 5 – (WC1) N.Y. Islanders at (1) Florida* | TBD | TBD |
Game 5 – (WC2) Philadelphia at (1) Washington* | TBD | TBD | |
Game 5 – (WC2) Minnesota at (1) Dallas* | TBD | TBD | |
Game 5 – (3) San Jose at (2) Los Angeles | TBD | TBD | |
Sat., April 23 | Game 5 – (3) N.Y. Rangers at (2) Pittsburgh* | TBD | 3 p.m. |
Game 6 – (2) St. Louis at (3) Chicago* | TBD | 8 p.m. | |
Game 5 – (WC1) Nashville at (1) Anaheim* | TBD | TBD | |
Sun., April 24 | Game 6 – (2) Tampa Bay at (3) Detroit* | TBD | 12:30 p.m. |
Game 6 – (1) Washington at (WC2) Philadelphia* | TBD | 3 p.m. | |
Game 6 – (1) Florida at (WC1) N.Y. Islanders* | TBD | TBD | |
Game 6 – (1) Dallas at (WC2) Minnesota* | TBD | TBD | |
Game 6 – (2) Los Angeles at (3) San Jose* | TBD | TBD | |
Mon., April 25 | Game 6 – (2) Pittsburgh at (3) N.Y. Rangers* | TBD | TBD |
Game 7 – (3) Chicago at (2) St. Louis* | TBD | TBD | |
Game 6 – (1) Anaheim at (WC1) Nashville* | TBD | TBD | |
Tues, April 26 | Game 7 – (3) Detroit at (2) Tampa Bay* | TBD | TBD |
Game 7 – (WC1) N.Y. Islanders at (1) Florida* | TBD | TBD | |
Game 7 – (WC2) Minnesota at (1) Dallas* | TBD | TBD | |
Game 7 – (3) San Jose at (2) Los Angeles* | TBD | TBD | |
Wed., April 27 | Game 7 – (WC2) Philadelphia at (1) Washington* | TBD | TBD |
Game 7 – (3) N.Y. Rangers at (2) Pittsburgh | TBD | TBD | |
Game 7 – (WC1) Nashville at (1) Anaheim | TBD | TBD |
*if necessary
**NBCSN will join in progress following Flyers-Capitals game.
COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL COVERAGE
Through the NBC Sports Regional Networks, comprehensive coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs will be provided daily via NBC Sports Regional Networks, available in more than 43 million U.S. households. NBC Sports Regional Networks serve the hometown fans of the Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, and Washington Capitals. In-depth coverage for those teams advancing to the postseason includes exclusive regional coverage of first-round games, pre- and post-game shows, and extensive on-line coverage via CSN’s team of NHL Insiders.
For teams that advance past the first round, NBC Sports Regional Networks will deliver extensive pre- and post-game coverage as well as breaking news and analysis throughout each team’s playoff run.
NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA COVERAGE
NBC Sports Live Extra — NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs — will stream 2016 Stanley Cup Playoff coverage 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, Windows Store, Roku Channel Store, Apple TV and Amazon Fire. For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra.
–NBC SPORTS GROUP–