FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 20th, 2020
GRETZKY-OVECHKIN FIRST-EVER JOINT INTERVIEW TODAY ON NBCSN HEADLINES THIS WEEK’S NHL COVERAGE
Wayne Gretzky and Alex Ovechkin First-Ever Joint Interview Premieres Today at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN with Host Kathryn Tappen
Penguins’ Back-to-Back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017 Presented Saturday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC
Capitals and Blues’ First-Ever Stanley Cup Championships in 2018 and 2019 Featured on Sunday on NBC
Four Memorable “On This Date” in Playoff History Games on Hockey Happy Hour Monday-Thursday at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman Joins Next Episode of NHL Hat Trick Trivia Hosted by P.K. Subban Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN
STAMFORD, Conn. – April 20, 2020 – NBC Sports will present the first-ever joint interview featuring hockey icon Wayne Gretzky and Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin today at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN, headlining this week’s NHL coverage across NBC and NBCSN. NBC Sports’ Kathryn Tappen will host the interview, which is the latest edition of the NHL’s #HockeyAtHome series.
NBC Sports will present the past four Stanley Cup clinching games on NBC this weekend, concluding the network’s month-long presentation of the NHL’s 12 most-recent Cup clinchers. Saturday’s coverage begins at 3 p.m. ET and features the Pittsburgh Penguins’ back-to-back championships over the San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Sunday spotlights two teams winning their first-ever Stanley Cups at 3 p.m. ET on NBC: the Washington Capitals’ win over the Vegas Golden Knights in 2018 and the St. Louis Blues defeating the Boston Bruins in seven games last year.
This week’s Hockey Happy Hour Monday-Thursday from 5-7 p.m. ET on NBCSN will feature memorable “on this date” games in playoff history. NBC Sports’ NHL commentators Keith Jones, Patrick Sharp and Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick will make appearances throughout the week, providing their own “on this date” stories.
On Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET, NBCSN will present the second episode of NHL Hat Trick Trivia Hosted by P.K. Subban, when NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, among others, will join the show. Hosted by the New Jersey Devils defenseman, the show features fans answering a trio of hockey trivia questions from their homes, along with appearances from NHL players and celebrities, for the chance to win NHL prizes.
Programming will also stream on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.
| DATE | EVENT | TIME | NETWORK |
| Monday, April 20 | #HockeyAtHome: Wayne Gretzky & Alex Ovechkin Interview | 5 p.m. | NBCSN |
| Chicago vs. Nashville (2017 First Round, Game 4) | 6 p.m. | NBCSN | |
| Tuesday, April 21 | NHL Hat Trick Trivia Hosted by P.K. Subban (Episode 1 encore) | 5 p.m. | NBCSN |
| San Jose vs. Vegas (2019 First Round, Game 6) | 5:30 p.m. | NBCSN | |
| Wednesday, April 22 | NHL Hat Trick Trivia Hosted by P.K. Subban (Episode 2) | 5 p.m. | NBCSN |
| Buffalo vs. Philadelphia (2011 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, Game 5) | 5:30 p.m. | NBCSN | |
| Thursday, April 23 | Our Line Starts | 5 p.m. | NBCSN |
| #HockeyAtHome: Couples | 5:30 p.m. | NBCSN | |
| Pittsburgh vs. Columbus (2014 First Round, Game 4) | 6 p.m. | NBCSN | |
| Saturday, April 25 | Pittsburgh vs. San Jose (2016 Stanley Cup Final, Game 6) | 3 p.m. | NBC |
| Pittsburgh vs. Nashville (2017 Stanley Cup Final, Game 6) | 4:30 p.m. | NBC | |
| Sunday, April 26 | Washington vs. Vegas (2018 Stanley Cup Final, Game 5) | 3 p.m. | NBC |
| St. Louis vs. Boston (2019 Stanley Cup Final, Game 7) | 4:30 p.m. | NBC |
*All times eastern
MONDAY, APRIL 20
#HOCKEYATHOME: WAYNE GRETZKY & ALEX OVECHKIN INTERVIEW AT 5 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
Hockey icon Wayne Gretzky and Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin participate in their first-ever joint interview in an hour-long #HockeyAtHome hosted by Kathryn Tappen. The pair touch on a wide-range of topics, including Ovechkin’s pursuit of Gretzky’s career goals record, the state of the NHL, and their lives off the ice.
Kathryn Tappen reflecting on hosting the interview on Lunch Talk Live on Tuesday, April 14, 2020: “Wayne Gretzky has such an adoration for Alex Ovechkin and what’s he doing right now. Mutually, Alex was nervous on the call … it’s not every day he gets to talk with ‘The Great One’… ‘The Great One’ asking ‘The Great 8’ all about life and hockey.”
BLACKHAWKS-PREDATORS (2017 FIRST ROUND, GAME 4) AT 6 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
Three years ago to the day, the 8th-seeded Predators eliminated the top-seeded Blackhawks from the playoffs behind two goals from Roman Josi and 30 saves by goaltender Pekka Rinne for a 4-1 victory. The win marked the first time that Nashville swept a playoff opponent in franchise history, and set the stage for the franchise’s run to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance.
Gord Miller (play-by-play) and Ray Ferraro (analyst) had the call from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
During the broadcast, Keith Jones will look back at his first playoff fight on April 20, 1993, when he was a rookie with the Washington Capitals.
TUESDAY, APRIL 21
SHARKS-GOLDEN KNIGHTS (2019 FIRST ROUND, GAME 6) AT 5:30 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
Last year on this date, the Sharks and Golden Knights battled to double overtime tied at one goal apiece. Anchored by goaltender Martin Jones’ 58 saves, San Jose avoided elimination when Tomas Hertl scored the winning goal while shorthanded, for a 2-1 road victory. The Sharks would go on to win the series in a memorable Game 7 and advance to the Second Round.
Alex Faust (play-by-play) and Mike Johnson (analyst) called the matchup from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.
During the broadcast, Patrick Sharp details Scott Darling’s memorable 50-save performance in a triple overtime victory for their Blackhawks over the Predators on April 21, 2015.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22
NHL HAT TRICK TRIVIA HOSTED BY P.K. SUBBAN AT 5 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will join the second episode of NHL Hat Trick Trivia Hosted by P.K. Subban. Hosted by the New Jersey Devils defenseman, the show features fans answering a trio of hockey trivia questions from their homes, along with appearances from NHL players and celebrities, for the chance to win NHL prizes. Additional guests on the episode include Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron, NHL referee Wes McCauley and country music star Chase Rice.
SABRES-FLYERS (2011 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS, GAME 5) AT 5:30 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
With the series tied 2-2, Buffalo got off to a fast start in Game 5, scoring the opening three goals in the first period. Philadelphia responded with three goals of their own to tie the game, forcing an overtime period. Tyler Ennis of the Sabres ended the Flyers’ comeback efforts when he netted the overtime winner, and his second goal of the game, for the 4-3 Buffalo win. Nine years to the day, this victory marks the Sabres’ most recent playoff win.
John Forslund (play-by-play) and Joe Micheletti (analyst) called the matchup from Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
During the broadcast, Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick reflects on significant hockey moments that have taken place on April 22 over the years.
THURSDAY, APRIL 23
OUR LINE STARTS AT 5 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
The latest episode of NBC Sports’ weekly NHL podcast will be presented at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Our Line Starts is part of NBC Sports’ growing roster of podcasts spanning the NFL, Premier League, NASCAR, and much more. Click here to listen to the show.
#HOCKEYATHOME: COUPLES AT 5:30 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
NBCSN will present a 30-minute program about NHL players and their significant others at 5:30 p.m. ET. The three couples featured in the program are:
- Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ryan Miller and his wife, Noureen DeWulf
- Arizona Coyotes forward Taylor Hall and his girlfriend, Rachel Rush
- New Jersey Devils defenseman Connor Carrick and his wife, Lexi Carrick
PENGUINS-BLUE JACKETS (2014 FIRST ROUND, GAME 4) AT 6 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
Six years to the day, Columbus recorded their first home playoff victory in franchise history in Game 4 of the series. The Blue Jackets overcame a three-goal deficit to force overtime, with the tying goal coming in the final minute of play. Nick Foligno netted the game-winner that gave Columbus a 4-3 win.
Kenny Albert (play-by-play) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside the Glass’ analyst) had the call from Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
PENGUINS-SHARKS (2016 STANLEY CUP FINAL, GAME 6) AT 3 P.M. ET ON NBC
With Game 6 tied 1-1 in the second period, Sidney Crosby assisted on the go-ahead goal as well as the empty-net goal to give the Penguins their fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history, and the first of their back-to-back championships. Despite facing elimination on home ice, the Sharks weren’t able to garner enough offense to force a Game 7, losing 3-1. Crosby was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Seven-time Emmy Award-winner Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame member Eddie Olczyk and ‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst Pierre McGuire called the matchup from SAP Center in San Jose, Calif.
PENGUINS-PREDATORS (2017 STANLEY CUP FINAL, GAME 6) AT 4:30 P.M. ET ON NBC
In a defensive affair, the opening goal of Game 6 was scored with less than two minutes remaining in the 3rd period, when Patric Hornqvist gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead. An empty net goal by Carl Hagelin of Pittsburgh in the final seconds secured their second Stanley Cup championship in as many years. The Penguins became the first team to win back-to-back Cups since the Detroit Red Wings in 1997 and 1998. Crosby again took home the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Emrick, Olczyk, and McGuire called the Stanley Cup action from Bridgestone Arena.
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
CAPITALS-GOLDEN KNIGHTS (2018 STANLEY CUP FINAL, GAME 5) AT 3 P.M. ET ON NBC
This series pitted the expansion Golden Knights in their first season facing the Capitals, who were trying to end their infamous championship drought. The Capitals overcame a 3rd period deficit behind goals from Devante Smith-Pelly and Lars Eller to beat the Golden Knights 4-3 to win their first-ever Stanley Cup. Alex Ovechkin, who scored in Game 5 and led the postseason with 15 goals overall, was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Emrick, Olczyk, and McGuire had the call from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.
BLUES-BRUINS (2019 STANLEY CUP FINAL, GAME 7) AT 4:30 P.M. ET ON NBC
In a decisive Game 7, St. Louis jumped out to a four-goal advantage behind goals from four different players. The Blues held on for a 4-1 victory, completing a historic Stanley Cup Playoff run and capturing the franchise’s first-ever Stanley Cup. Ryan O’Reilly was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Emrick, Olczyk, and McGuire called the Game 7 matchup from TD Garden in Boston, Mass.
This weekend’s Stanley Cup clinching games airing on NBC can be found below:
| DATE | EVENT | TIME (ET) |
| Saturday, April 25 | Pittsburgh vs. San Jose (2016) | 3 p.m. |
| Pittsburgh vs. Nashville (2017) | 4:30 p.m. | |
| Sunday, April 26 | Washington vs. Vegas (2018) | 3 p.m. |
| St. Louis vs. Boston (2019) | 4:30 p.m. |
–NBC SPORTS–
