FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 18th, 2017
DAY 7 – NBC SPORTS GROUP PRESENTS THREE NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF MATCHUPS ACROSS NBCSN AND CNBC TONIGHT
NBCSN Game 4 Doubleheader – (1) Canadiens-(WC1) Rangers at 7 p.m. ET – Canadiens Lead 2-1
(2) Oilers-(3) Sharks at 10 p.m. ET on NBCSN – Oilers Lead 2-1
Tonight on CNBC – (2) Penguins-(3) Blue Jackets at 7:30 p.m. ET – Penguins Lead 3-0
11 First-Round Stanley Cup Playoff Games Have Gone to Overtime
Veteran NHL Forwards Shane Doan and Brian Gionta Join NHL Live as Guest Studio Analysts This Week
STAMFORD, Conn. – April 18, 2017 – The Pittsburgh Penguins can become the first team to punch its ticket to the second round of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs with a win tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets, highlighting a Game 4 tripleheader across NBCSN and CNBC. Pre-game coverage begins tonight with NHL Live at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN.
NBCSN’s doubleheader begins at 7 p.m. ET, when Henrik Lundqvist and the (WC1) New York Rangers look to draw even in their series against Carey Price and the (1) Montreal Canadiens, with Montreal leading 2-1. Coverage shifts west at 10 p.m. ET, when Connor McDavid and the (2) Edmonton Oilers visit Joe Pavelski and the (3) San Jose Sharks, with Edmonton leading 2-1.
CNBC’s coverage could feature the first series clincher of the postseason, as Sidney Crosby and the (2) Pittsburgh Penguins look to complete the four-game sweep against Cam Atkinson and the (3) Columbus Blue Jackets at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Through the first six days of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, 11 of the 24 games played have gone to overtime, including all four games last night. Every series has had at least one game that required overtime, and 17 of 24 games have been one-goal games.
NBC Sports Group’s multi-platform coverage of the first five days of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs has delivered year-over-year increases, record-setting digital consumption, and the best start ever for its cable networks. Click here for more information on first-round viewership.
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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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THE PASS – TUESDAY, APRIL 18 (All times ET)
| Time | Coverage | Network | Commentators |
| 6 p.m. | NHL Live | NBCSN | Liam McHugh, Keith Jones, Jeremy Roenick |
| 7 p.m. | Game 4 – (1) Montreal at (WC1) N.Y. Rangers | NBCSN | Gord Miller, Ray Ferraro |
| 7:30 p.m. | Game 4 – (2) Pittsburgh at (3) Columbus | CNBC | Mike “Doc” Emrick, Pierre McGuire |
| NHL Live (Intermission Reports) | CNBC | Kathryn Tappen, Brian Boucher, Shane Doan |
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| 10 p.m. | Game 4 – (2) Edmonton at (3) San Jose | NBCSN | Brendan Burke, Mike Johnson |
NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and Connected TVs – will live stream all games airing on NBC, NBCSN, USA Network and CNBC, all via “TV Everywhere.”
For more information on NBC Sports Group’s overall NHL Playoff coverage, please click here.
NBCSN, CNBC, USA NETWORK, NBCSPORTS.COM, AND THE NBC SPORTS APP TO PROVIDE SIDE-BY-SIDE COVERAGE OF FIRST-ROUND GAMES IN LOCAL MARKETS FOR FIRST TIME
For the first time since NBC Sports Group acquired NHL rights prior to the 2005-06 season, coverage of Stanley Cup Playoff first-round games on NBCUniversal cable networks (NBCSN, CNBC, USA Network) as well as NHL Network, will air side-by-side in local markets alongside regional sports network game telecasts. In addition, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will provide streaming coverage of every first-round game. Prior to this season, NBC Sports’ national first-round cable telecasts were blacked out in all local U.S. markets. (Local television and streaming blackouts will still apply in Boston and Pittsburgh in the first round).
VETERAN NHL FORWARDS SHANE DOAN AND BRIAN GIONTA JOIN NHL LIVE AS GUEST STUDIO ANALYSTS THIS WEEK
Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan and Buffalo Sabres captain and 2003 Stanley Cup champion Brian Gionta will serve as guest studio analysts on NHL Live this week.
Doan has spent his entire 21-year NHL career as a member of the Coyotes/Jets franchise, including his rookie season with Winnipeg in 1995-96 before the team moved to Arizona. Doan is the Coyotes’ franchise leader in all offensive categories, and recently finished his 13th consecutive season as captain. Doan debuted in the studio on Monday and returns tonight.
Gionta recently concluded his 15th NHL season, and his third with the Buffalo Sabres. Gionta has played for Buffalo, Montreal, and New Jersey, and was a member for the Devils team which won the Stanley Cup in 2003. Gionta will join the studio on Friday.
TONIGHT – APRIL 18
NHL Live, hosted by Liam McHugh, with analysts Keith Jones and Jeremy Roenick, begins at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Kathryn Tappen, Brian Boucher and Shane Doan will anchor CNBC’s intermission coverage.
(1) MONTREAL CANADIENS AT (WC1) NEW YORK RANGERS – GAME 4 AT 7 P.M. ET ON NBCSN – CANADIENS LEAD 2-1
Montreal is coming off a 3-1 victory in Game 3 in New York to take a 2-1 series lead, as Alexander Radulov recorded two points, including a highlight-reel goal in the third period to put the game out of reach. Since the start of the third period of Game 2, Montreal has outscored New York 5-1. The Rangers hope to snap a six-game home playoff losing streak tonight at Madison Square Garden to even the series at two games apiece headed back to Montreal.
(2) PITTSBURGH PENGUINS AT (3) COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS – GAME 4 AT 7:30 P.M. ET ON CNBC – PENGUINS LEAD 3-0
The defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins erased a 3-1 deficit in Game 3 to come from behind and beat the Blue Jackets by a score of 5-4 in overtime on Sunday. Rookie Jake Guentzel recorded a hat trick, including the overtime game-winner. The Penguins’ top line of Guentzel, Sidney Crosby, and Conor Sheary has posted 11 points (5g/6a) in the past two games. Cam Atkinson scored twice in the loss for Columbus in Game 3.
(2) EDMONTON OILERS AT (3) SAN JOSE SHARKS – GAME 4 AT 10 P.M. ET ON NBCSN – OILERS LEAD 2-1
Edmonton goalie Cam Talbot is coming off back-to-back shutouts, following a 2-0 win in Game 2 at home, and a 1-0 victory in San Jose in Game 3. Zack Kassian netted the game-winner in both of those victories for the Oilers. Connor McDavid has recorded a goal and assist through three games. Dating back to the regular season, Edmonton has won five of six matchups against San Jose.
GAME SCHEDULE AND BROADCASTER ASSIGNMENTS THROUGH FRIDAY, APRIL 21
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19 |
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| 7 p.m. | Game 4 – (1) Washington at (WC2) Toronto | NBCSN | Chris Cuthbert, Joe Micheletti |
| 7:30 p.m. | Game 4 – (2) Ottawa at (3) Boston | USA Network | Kenny Albert, Brian Boucher |
| 9:30 p.m. | Game 4 – (2) Minnesota (3) St. Louis | NBCSN | John Forslund, Pierre McGuire |
| 10 p.m. | Game 4 – (1) Anaheim at (WC1) Calgary | USA Network | Rick Ball, John Garrett |
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THURSDAY, APRIL 20 |
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| 7 p.m. | Game 5 – (WC1) N.Y. Rangers at (1) Montreal | USA Network | Chris Cuthbert, Pierre McGuire |
| 7 p.m. | Game 5 – (3) Columbus at (2) Pittsburgh* | NHL Network | Paul Steigerwald, Bob Errey |
| 8 p.m. | Game 4 – (1) Chicago at (WC2) Nashville | NBCSN | Gord Miller, Ray Ferraro |
| 10:30 p.m. | Game 5 – (3) San Jose at (2) Edmonton | NBCSN | Brendan Burke, Mike Johnson |
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FRIDAY, APRIL 21 |
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| 7 p.m. | Game 5 – (WC2) Toronto at (1) Washington | NBCSN | Dave Strader, Pierre McGuire |
| 7:30 p.m. | Game 5 – (3) Boston at (2) Ottawa | USA Network | Kenny Albert, Brian Boucher |
| 10 p.m. | Game 5 – (WC1) Calgary at (1) Anaheim* | NBCSN | Rick Ball, John Garrett |
*if necessary
“WHERE IN THE WORLD IS PIERRE MCGUIRE?” EMMY-AWARD WINNING ‘INSIDE-THE-GLASS’ ANALYST BEGINS MARATHON SCHEDULE
NBC Sports Group’s Emmy-Award winning ‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst Pierre McGuire began his marathon first-round broadcast schedule on Wednesday in Pittsburgh with Game 1 of the Blue Jackets-Penguins series. McGuire is slated to serve as an analyst for 10 games in 10 days to begin the postseason, with more games likely added to that run as series continue. His schedule will be comprised of six different cities and four different series. *Note – schedule is subject to change
| Date | Coverage | Travel |
| Wed., April 12 | Game 1 – (3) Columbus at (2) Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh > Chicago |
| Thurs., April 13 | Game 1 – (WC2) Nashville at (1) Chicago | Chicago > St. Paul |
| Fri., April 14 | Game 2 – (3) St. Louis at (2) Minnesota | St. Paul > Chicago |
| Sat., April 15 | Game 2 – (WC2) Nashville at (1) Chicago | Chicago > St. Louis |
| Sun., April 16 | Game 3 – (2) Minnesota at (3) St. Louis | St. Louis > Boston |
| Mon., April 17 | Game 3 – (2) Ottawa at (3) Boston | Boston > Columbus |
| Tues., April 18 | Game 4 – (2) Pittsburgh at (3) Columbus | Columbus > St. Louis |
| Wed., April 19 | Game 4 – (2) Minnesota at (3) St. Louis | St. Louis > Montreal |
| Thurs., April 20 | Game 5 – (WC1) N.Y. Rangers at (1) Montreal | Montreal > Washington |
| Fri., April 21 | Game 5 – (WC2) Toronto at (1) Washington | TBA |
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 50 million U.S. households. NBC Sports Regional Networks serve the hometown fans of the Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, Boston Bruins and the Washington Capitals, with first-round game coverage, 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.
NBCSPORTS.COM & NBC SPORTS APP
NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will stream all Stanley Cup Playoff games to desktops, tablets, and connected TVs. The NBC Sports app will stream coverage via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value to their subscription service, and making high-quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. Powered by Playmaker Media, the NBC Sports app is available on Apple iOS, Android and select Samsung devices, as well as on Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Win10, and Xbox.
–NBC SPORTS GROUP–
